Reader’s Links, December 11, 2019

Daily Links Post graphic

Each day at just after midnight Eastern, a post like this one is created for contributors and readers of this site to upload news links and video links on the issues that concern this site. Most notably, Islam and its effects on Classical Civilization, and various forms of leftism from Soviet era communism, to postmodernism and all the flavours of galloping statism and totalitarianism such as Nazism and Fascism which are increasingly snuffing out the classical liberalism which created our near, miraculous civilization the West has been building since the time of Socrates.

This document was written around the time this site was created, for those who wish to understand what this site is about. And while our understanding of the world and events has grown since then, the basic ideas remain sound and true to the purpose.

So please post all links, thoughts and ideas that you feel will benefit the readers of this site to the comments under this post each day. And thank you all for your contributions.

This is the new Samizdat. We must use it while we can.

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

95 Replies to “Reader’s Links, December 11, 2019”

  1. 10 Aug 2019 Blast hits Copenhagen police station, second explosion in Danish capital in 4 days
    https://www.rt.com/newsline/466202-copenhagen-blast-police-station-denmark/
    An explosion has occurred outside a local police station in Copenhagen, according to law enforcement. The blast comes just days after an explosive device was detonated near a government office.
    The explosion happened near a police station just outside the city center. According to local media, police are currently searching for a man spotted running from the scene. No injuries have been reported.
    A Ruptly video shows shattered windows and other damage to the front of the station.
    On Tuesday, a blast outside the Danish Tax Agency’s office in Copenhagen injured one person. Police said the incident was the result of a deliberate attack.
    Officials told Reuters that it was too early to say whether the two blasts are connected.

  2. Jersey City Shooting: Suspect Linked to Black Hebrew Israelite Group
    The Black Hebrew Israelites have been labeled a hate group. The suspect wrote anti-Semitic and anti-police posts, an official said.
    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/11/nyregion/jersey-city-shooting.html
    An assailant involved in the prolonged firefight in Jersey City, N.J., that left six people dead, including one police officer, was linked on Wednesday to the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, which has been designated a hate group, and had published anti-Semitic posts online, a law enforcement official said.
    The violent rampage on Tuesday took place largely at a kosher supermarket where three bystanders were killed. The authorities now believe that the store was specifically targeted by the assailants, whom they identified as David N. Anderson, 47, and Francine Graham, 50,
    Mr. Anderson appeared to have a connection to the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, though the extent of his involvement in that group remains unclear, the law enforcement official said.
    The Black Hebrew Israelites have no connection with mainstream Judaism. It has been described as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a legal advocacy group that tracks such movements.
    Each morning, get the latest on New York businesses, arts, sports, dining, style and more.
    The authorities also suspected that the two assailants may have been involved in a separate killing in neighboring Bayonne, N.J., according to New Jersey’s attorney general, Gurbir S. Grewal.
    Among those killed on Tuesday were three bystanders who were inside the store when the shootout began. They have been identified as Mindel Ferencz, 33, who ran the market with her husband; Moshe Deutch, 24, a rabbinical student who lives in Brooklyn; and Miguel Douglas, 49, who was believed to have worked at the store.
    [..]

  3. ‘At least 60’ killed in attack on Niger military camp in Inates
    https://thedefensepost.com/2019/12/11/niger-military-camp-inates-attack/

    “Dozens of people were killed in a militant attack on a military camp in western Niger near the Mali border on Tuesday, December 10, a security source said on Wednesday.

    The attack in the town of Inates in the Tillaberi region, around 260 km (160 miles) north of the capital Niamey, is the deadliest on Niger’s military since the armed forces began fighting Islamist militants in 2015.

    “The attack killed more than 60,” the source told AFP. “The terrorists bombarded the camp with shells and mortars. The explosions from ammunition and fuel were the cause of the heavy toll.”

    Local media put the death toll at more than 70, with dozens reported missing.

    In a later statement, a spokesperson for Niger’s Ministry of National Defense said that 71 soldiers were killed, 12 were wounded and a number were missing, adding that “a substantial number of terrorists were neutralised.”

    He said that the attack began at around 1500 and continued until 1815 and was carried out by “heavily armed terrorists estimated to number many hundreds” who used artillery fire and “kamikaze vehicles.”

    Military reinforcements were rushed to Inates and the situation was “under control” on Wednesday the defense ministry said. A search for the assailants was underway, although they had “fled beyond our borders.”

    AFP earlier reported an unnamed security source as saying that dozens of assailants on motorcycles surrounded and attacked the camp at around 7:30 p.m. (1830 GMT).

    President Mahamadou Issoufou cut short a visit to Egypt where he was attending a conference on sustainable peace, security and development in Africa to return to Niger following the Inates attack, the Presidency tweeted.

    Neither the defense ministry nor AFP’s source said which group was believed responsible for the deadly assault.

    On July 1, 18 Nigerien soldiers were killed when insurgents attacked an army camp near Inates, according to the defense ministry. Islamic State later said fighters from its West Africa Province affiliate carried out the raid.

    One of the world’s poorest countries, Niger lies in the heart of the fragile Sahel region.

    Niger faces insurgency on two fronts: the southeastern Diffa region near Lake Chad is increasingly frequently hit by Nigeria-based Islamic State West Africa Province insurgents, while militants based in Mali, including al-Qaeda-affiliated fighters, are active in the west of the country and the wider Sahel.

    Attacks carried out by ISIS-affiliated militants in the Sahel have previously been attributed to Islamic State in the Greater Sahara but since May, Islamic State has attributed insurgent activities in the Mali-Burkina Faso-Niger tri-border area to ISWAP, rather than ISGS.

    Many other armed groups are active in the Sahel region, and the majority of attacks are attributed to JNIM, which formed in March 2017 from a merger of several smaller groups including the Sahara branch of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Ansar Dine and al-Mourabitoun. JNIM’s leadership has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

    Tuesday’s attack came before a meeting scheduled for next week in the southwestern French town of Pau between France’s President Emmanuel Macron and the presidents of the G5 Sahel group of states – Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – to discuss security and the presence of France-led forces in the region.

    In November, Macron said France was “confirming and consolidating its commitment” to the Sahel, noting that additional military resources would be forthcoming by early 2020, and that decisions would soon be announced on revamping the 4,500-strong G5 Sahel Joint Force (FCG5S)…”

    • Macron is LOOTING mineral resources in the Sahel.
      Nobody bothers to ask what he’s doing. An ‘Authorization for Military Force’ doesn’t seem to be necessary for Jumpin’ Jupiter. He’s also showcasing weapons for sale like everyone else these days.

      The Spain Civil War prefigured weapons and tactics for Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini. These proxy wars in Libya, the Sahel, and elsewhere – what comes next?

  4. New Finland Leader: ‘Silent Blessing’ Given to Bring Home ISIS Children
    https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2031621/new-finland-leader-silent-blessing-given-bring-home-isis-children

    “Finland’s new prime minister said on Wednesday the center-left coalition government had given its “silent blessing” to the Foreign Minister to go ahead with plans to repatriate children of women who traveled to Syria to join ISIS.

    The remarks by Prime Minister Sanna Marin, a day after she took office, could set the stage for a conflict within her five-member center-left coalition, which has yet to agree a position on the issue of repatriations, reported Reuters.

    The coalition’s second biggest party, the Center Party, which toppled Marin’s predecessor last week, has so far withheld support for the Foreign Ministry’s plans.

    Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said he had nominated a special envoy to look into how more than 30 Finnish children currently trapped at the Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria could be brought home.

    “(Our) guidelines include the idea that at least the children could be brought to safety from the camp within a reasonable timeframe,” Haavisto told reporters, adding that it was not clear how quickly that could take place.

    The Red Cross says around 68,000 people are being held in Al-Hol, mostly the family members of defeated ISIS fighters, two thirds of them children. Finland is one of many EU countries trying to decide what to do about their citizens.

    Haavisto said Syrian Kurdish forces, who have kept the ISIS fighters and their families under custody at camps since they took the extremist group’s last enclave, were opposed to the idea of separating children from their mothers.

    “If separating a child from their guardian is not legally or factually possible, the premise is that the child’s interest is decisive,” he said.

    Haavisto has come under heavy political pressure in recent weeks for his active approach in trying to bring the children back to Finland.

    The Center Party has been frightened by the rapid rise in polls of the opposition nationalist Finns Party, which says repatriating ISIS detainees could endanger Finland’s security.

    Marin took office on Tuesday after the Center Party withdrew its support from Social Democrat leader Antti Rinne last week, forcing him to step down as prime minister. At 34, Marin is the world’s youngest national leader. All five coalition leaders in the cabinet are women, four of them under 35.”

  5. US Senate committee advances Turkey sanctions bill
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191211-us-senate-committee-advances-turkey-sanctions-bill/

    “A US Senate committee voted Wednesday to advance a sanctions bill against Turkey for its anti-terror operation in northeastern Syria and purchase of a Russian missile defense system, Anadolu reports.

    The bill cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with an 18-4 vote and now advances to consideration by the full Senate.

    Named the “Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act,” the bill was sponsored by committee Chairman Jim Risch and ranking Democrat Bob Menendez.

    “Turkey’s actions over the past year are truly beyond the pale,” said Menendez on Twitter, adding that the bill gives a message to Turkey that its operation is “unacceptable and its purchase of the S400 system is untenable.”

    Turkey’s US Ambassador Serdar Kilic called the move a “shame” and urged Menendez to consider US support for PYD/YPG terror group, the Syrian affiliate of PKK in northern Syria…”

  6. Turkey deports 2 German citizens over Daesh links
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191211-turkey-deports-2-german-citizens-over-daesh-links/

    “Turkey has deported two German citizens over links to the Daesh terrorist group, Turkish officials announced on Wednesday, Anadolu reports.

    An Interior Ministry statement said the extradition process continues for other foreign terrorist fighters in Turkey.

    The issue of the handling of Daesh members and their families detained in Syria — including foreign members of the terror group — has been controversial, with Turkey arguing foreign-born terrorists should be returned to their countries of origin.

    Ankara has said several European countries resisted its efforts to send Daesh members back to their countries, but that it will nevertheless press forward.

    Turkey has so far deported 7,500 Daesh members, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week, adding that there are currently 1,149 Daesh terrorists in Turkish prisons.”

  7. Turkey considers military force in Cyprus gas dispute
    https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/12/11/turkey-considers-military-force-in-cyprus-gas-dispute

    “Turkey could use its military forces to freeze any exploratory gas drilling in waters off Cyprus that it claims as its own, Ankara’s foreign minister has warned.

    Speaking to pro-government news channel A Haber, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey “has the right to prevent” any unauthorised drilling in waters that it says fall within its own continental shelf.

    Asked specifically if Turkey could use military means to stop such drilling, Cavusoglu said “of course”…”

  8. African leaders say terrorism is one of the continent’s most critical problems
    http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/357566/Egypt/Politics-/African-leaders-say-terrorism-is-one-of-the-contin.aspx

    “During the first session of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, Senegal’s President Macky Sall said that despite the challenges Africa is facing, the continent is “significantly progressing.”

    Sall said that the challenges facing Africa include interference by external forces, which is negatively affecting the continent, and he added that a budget must be allocated to combat and eliminate terrorism in Africa’s Sahel region.

    The Senegalese president also stressed that all necessary measures must be taken to achieve peace and development in Africa.

    Also during the forum, which is taking place in Upper Egypt’s Aswan on 11-12 December, president of Comoros Azali Assoumani said that terrorism must be confronted, and that the phenomenon is preventing some African countries from fully benefiting from their resources and capabilities.

    The Comoros president said that “security and peace are the source of progress for the continent.”

    President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari called for a focus on conflict prevention in Africa.

    “We need to silence the guns,” said Buhari, adding that Nigeria has received support to fight the terrorist group Boko Haram.

    Buhari added that Africa needs to invest more in education, which provides opportunities for a better future.

    Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki said that the biggest problems Africa is facing include terrorism and drug and arms smuggling.

    Faki stressed on the need for African solidarity to confront the challenges facing the continent, pointing out that “we have been witnessing the ongoing battles for eight years in Africa.”

    “We must bear responsibility for our fate rather than putting it on others,” Faki said.”

  9. EU Court of Auditors Says EU Funding for Morocco Has ‘Limited Results’
    https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/12/288750/eu-court-of-auditors-funding-morocco/

    “The European Court of Auditors published on December 11 the findings of a recent assessment of the impact of EU funding on Morocco’s reforms.

    The Court’s report showed limited results in supporting the country’s reforms, especially in its key sectors

    The Court criticized the European Commission for the funding allocation, saying that the grants were spread across “too many areas, which may have weakened its impact.”

    The report explained that the management of the development programs was“hampered by weaknesses in the way they were designed, implemented and monitored.”

    The report also recalled that the EU is Morocco’s biggest “donor of development aid.”

    According to the document, the commission planned projects estimated at €1.4 billion of aid, designed to impact three priority fields: Social services, rule of law, and sustainable growth.

    “By the end of 2018, it had concluded contracts for €562 million and made payments of almost €206 million under its budget support instrument, which is aimed at promoting reforms and sustainable development goals and makes up 75 % of EU annual spending for the country,” the Court said.

    The auditors evaluated whether the funding support from 2014 to 2108 was effective in impacting the development of the three sectors.

    “EU budget support for Morocco did not provide sufficient support for the country’s reforms and progress on key challenges was limited,” said Hannu Takkula, the ECA Member responsible for the report.

    The report also called on the EU Commission to focus on fewer sectors, as well as to strengthen the “political and policy dialogue with Morocco.”

    The auditors specified that the sectors defined by the Commission consisted of 13 sub-sectors, “many of which could be considered as stand-alone sectors.”

    The Court, therefore, warned that “such a broad definition of eligible areas covering a large number of sectors reduces the potential impact of EU support.”

    The EU is one Morocco’s key partners, with cooperation in different fields, including education and migratory issues.

    The EU has given Morocco significant financial assistance to tackle migratory issues due to the increase of irregular migration.”

  10. KE found guilty of 19 electrocution deaths, slapped with Rs50m fine
    https://tribune.com.pk/story/2115150/1-ke-found-guilty-19-electrocution-deaths-slapped-rs50m-fine/

    “The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) imposed a fine of Rs50 million on the K-Electric (KE) after its investigations revealed that 19 people were electrocuted to death “due to lack of earthing of LT/HT poles and leakage of current from the distribution facilities of KE”…”

  11. Three patients dead as lawyers attack Lahore hospital
    https://tribune.com.pk/story/2115565/1-provincial-minister-assaulted-lawyer-protest-lahore-turns-violent/

    “At least three cardiac patients lost their lives on Wednesday when scores of lawyers stormed the Punjab Institute of Cardiology vandalizing the facility and thrashing everyone in sight apparently to “settle the score” with doctors who, they claimed, had attacked one of their colleagues and then disseminated a video clip ridiculing them.

    The enraged lawyers broke windowpanes, doors and equipment at Punjab’s largest cardiac facility and also set fire to several vehicles, including a police van. Witnesses reported that the protesters also thrashed medics and patients in the emergency ward of the hospital.

    The government confirmed that three patients, including a 70-year-old woman, had died during the violence.

    “The patients died because doctors failed to provide them with timely treatment and remained engaged in averting the assault,” Punjab Health Minister Yasmeen Rashid said at a news conference.

    Some of the protesting lawyers fired gunshots and pelted police with stones and bricks, according to Ashraf Nizami, a doctor at the hospital.

    “It was catastrophic for hours,” Nizami said, adding that several patients were left unattended for hours, during the violence. The attackers forced doctors and nurses to flee, leaving patients in the emergency ward and intensive care unit (ICU) unattended.

    The lawyers started gathering at Aiwan-e-Adl early in the morning and then reached GPO Chowk where they were joined by their colleagues from the Lahore High Court before marching towards the cardiac hospital on Jail Road…”

  12. EU fully mobilizes aid for refugees in Turkey
    http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/eu-fully-mobilizes-aid-for-refugees-in-turkey-149710

    “The European Union has fully mobilized the 6 billion euros ($6.65 billion) operational budget for refugees in Turkey, the European Commission announced on Dec. 10.

    According to the statement, an amount of 2.7 billion euros has been disbursed from the financial aid agreed by a European Union-Turkey deal in 2016. This figure is expected to grow to 3 billion euros by the end of this year and up to 4 billion euros by 2020. The full amount is expected to be paid by 2025 at the latest.

    Turkey is the largest host country for Syrian refugees and provides international protection to more than 3.5 million people who fled the neighboring country. The EU facility supports refugees and host communities by financing projects in education, health care, improving the infrastructure and developing the economy.

    Currently, 95 EU-funded projects are benefiting 1.7 million refugees, including 500,000 children.

    Negotiations are still ongoing for a new financial envelop for Syrian refugees in Turkey for the period after 2025.

    Last week, Commissioners Margaritis Schinas, in charge of promoting the “European way of life,” and Ylva Johansson, tasked with the home affairs portfolio, traveled to Turkey to discuss migration with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an.”

  13. Pakistani migrant attacked with machete
    http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/12/11/pakistani-migrant-attacked-with-machete_d1c97909-2fb7-462d-9e15-9349f6ce6d7d.html

    “A Pakistani migrant was attacked with a machete Tuesday night by several alleged migrant traffickers after probably demanding to be smuggled out of Italy despite police having broken the Asian trafficking gang up, police said Wednesday.

    The attackers allegedly tried to sever the victim’s arm with the machete, police said.
    The attack happened near one of the gang’s safe houses in Via Cecchi in Turin.

    Italian police on Tuesday busted the alleged Asian migrant smuggling gang that allegedly brought thousands of Pakistanis, Indians and Bangledshis into Italy and other European countries illegally.

    The gang was broken up by Turin flying squad police helped by French border police and Europol.

    In Italy, eight arrests were made and two other detention orders, while one arrest was made in France.

    It is estimated that in two years the organisation managed to move more than 1,000 immigrants with profits of over one million euros.

    The alleged gang was one of the biggest ever discovered trafficking migrants across the French-Italian border, police said.

    Couriers take migrants across the Alps and are regularly stopped by French border police.”