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.
Swedish Town Bans Muslim Veils: ‘Here, Equality Applies’ (sputniknews, Dec 19, 2019)
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201912191077624351-swedish-town-bans-muslim-veils-here-equality-applies/
“The ban involves all sorts of garments intended to conceal the face and is seen as a strike for equality.
The Moderate Party, the Sweden Democrats and the local Skurup Party have teamed together to railroad a ban on Islamic headclothes in the town of Skurup and the surrounding municipality’s schools and preschools.
The ban involves headscarves, burqas, niqabs and other garments that have the purpose of concealing the face and is valid for both students and staff.
According to the Sweden Democrats, the coalition managed to pass the bill by 22 to 19 votes after a “tough” debate, effectively outnumbering the Liberals and the “red-green” coalition. Previously, municipal officials even issued a statement claiming that a ban was “not possible”. After the vote, the bill received a round of spontaneous applause.
“This matter is a question of far more than merely the choice of clothes, it is a matter of gender equality and what values we should have in Skurup municipality and its schools. The message with this approved bill is as follows: here it is, the equality that applies!”, the Sweden Democrats wrote on their Facebook page.
Among other things, the bill says: “When an immigrant comes to Sweden, it must be Swedish values that apply and in Sweden it is equality that applies, regardless of what was the case in the immigrant’s former homeland is.”
Lars Nyström of the Sweden Democrats party described the debate as “one of the toughest” he has had during his three terms in office, with “a lot of emotions”. During the debate, the EU Convention was referenced. However, to this a Moderate party member pointed out that there is a ban in French schools.
“I asked, if you accept that women have to cover their faces, what are you going to accept tomorrow? Do you also intend to accept polygamy, child marriage et cetera?”, Lars Nyström told the news outlet Nyheter Idag.
He promised more proposals to “stir the pot”. In January, a bill that requires everybody to speak Swedish in the municipality’s schools will be introduced.
Skurup is a town and the seat of Skurup Municipality with over 7,500 inhabitants. In the 2018 election, the Sweden Democrats made major gains in Skurup. The party went from 20.4 percent to 26.1 percent of the vote, edging out its competitors.
The Sweden Democrats have gone from being a fringe party in the 1990s to winning 17.6 percent of the national vote in 2018. Despite sweeping electoral gains, however, the party has yet to name a cabinet minister due to traditional bloc politics, where parties team up to form a protective fence or cordon sanitaire. So far, alliances featuring the Sweden Democrats have only been made at the municipal level.
Previously, Staffanstorp Municipality, ruled by the Moderates, banned Islamic headwear up to sixth grade, in a move that was described to counter “honour culture”.
The number of Muslims in Sweden has soared in recent decades. In 1950, there were merely 500 Muslims in the Scandinavian country. Today, their share is estimated to have exceeded 800,000, amounting to 8.1 percent of the population, according to the Pew Research Centre.”
Three death cults:
islam: death to those who leave
Communism: death to those who leave
Sexual Identity: as it becomes a full-on religion – death to those who leave
The purpose of the veils:
islam: Hide the woman out of sight
Communism: Hide the woman in plain sight.
Sexual Identity: Hide the woman from identity.
She who once could see the snake first and raise the alarm.
Afghanistan Military Gets 3X the Taxpayer Funding as U.S. Border Wall (breitbart, Dec 19, 2019)
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/12/18/afghanistan-military-3x-funding-border-wall/
“The Afghanistan military is getting more than three times the American taxpayer funding than the construction of a wall on the United States-Mexico border, thanks to a Republican-Democrat spending package.
A Defense Department budget approved by House and Senate lawmakers, and set to be signed by President Donald Trump, is dishing out more than three times as much funding to the Afghanistan military as it is providing to build barriers to stop illegal immigration at the southern border.
In total, American taxpayers are forced to subsidize nearly $4.2 billion in costs that will go towards the “Afghanistan Security Forces Fund” to fund the Afghan National Army, the Afghan National Police, the Afghan Air Force, and the Afghan Special Security Forces.
Compare that funding to the less than $1.4 billion that is explicitly allocated to build barriers at the U.S.-Mexico border to stop the massive annual inflow of illegal immigration that drives up foreign labor market competition against America’s working and middle class.
The funding for Afghanistan’s military also comes after an investigation by the Washington Post exposed how the federal government, for two decades, allegedly lied to the American public about the progress being made in the region and the neoconservative national security establishment’s effort to transform the country into a Western-style democracy…”
Report: Over 20 Former French Soldiers Have Become Jihadists (breitbart, Dec 19, 2019)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/12/19/report-over-20-former-french-soldiers-have-become-jihadists/
“The Centre for Analysis of Terrorism (CAT) has released a report claiming that as many as 23 former French soldiers have joined radical Islamic terror groups such as the Islamic state.
Manon Chemel, the author of the report, said that most of the former soldiers have joined the Islamic State and that nearly half of them had been Islamic converts, while 10 had been members of elite units such as the Foreign Legion or Air Commandos, Le Figaro reports.
The other former soldiers are said to have served as regulars primarily in the army, with one subject serving in the navy and one other in the air force.
The armed forces, according to the CAT report, are a “strategic recruitment target for terrorist groups”. It added that many such recruits end up in strategic positions within terrorist groups, while others have targetted other soldiers and military installations.
Abdelilah H., a former Legionnaire, set up his own jihadist brigade which included several of the Bataclan massacre terrorists, while another former soldier named Osama S. was a member of the sharia law police in the Islamic State capital of Raqqa.
While most of the ex-soldiers are young, some, like Frédéric R., who was arrested in November by the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), are far older. In his sixties, Frédéric R. is said to have helped younger terrorists and claimed to be an Islamic State soldier.
The report comes just months after a French parliamentary report authored by MPs Éric Diard and Éric Poulliat revealed fears that radical Islamists were infiltrating the French public sector including Paris’s RATP, the company which oversees the vast public transport network in the French capital.
Some of the former soldiers who joined terror groups are in prison but many jihadists are set for release in the next several years. Former anti-terrorism judge Marc Trévidic warned earlier this month that at least 400 jihadists could be set for release starting in 2020 and 2021.”
Iran leader urges deeper Muslim links to fight US ‘hegemony’ (abcnews, Dec 19, 2019)
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/iran-leader-urges-deeper-muslim-links-fight-us-67819074
“Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged Muslim nations on Thursday to deepen financial and trade cooperation to fight what he described as U.S. economic hegemony, using an Islamic conference in Malaysia as a platform to decry American sanctions against his country.
Rouhani proposed an Islamic financial payment with Muslim countries trading in local currencies and the creation of a Muslim cryptocurrency to cut reliance on the U.S. dollar and weather the effects of market fluctuation.
He repeated his assertion that the U.S. has used economic sanctions as the “main tools of domineering hegemony and bullying” of other nations.
Iran has been gripped by violent protests since last month amid anger over a sharp hike in gasoline prices following U.S. sanctions after Washington withdrew last year from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. There has been a wave of arrests in Iran and rights group Amnesty International has said at least 304 people were killed in the anti-government protests.
Rouhani said the U.S. sought to cripple Iran with the “heaviest sanctions” but the country’s economy is on the mend and moving away from reliance on oil.
“The Muslim world should be designing measures to save themselves from the domination of the United States dollar and the American financial regime,” he said at the opening ceremony of a three-day conference that includes leaders from Turkey, Qatar and host Malaysia.
Rouhani suggested the creation of a special banking and financial system among Muslim nations, using local currencies for trade and giving each other trade privileges to deepen linkages.
He said rising extremism as well as challenges such as weak governance, poverty and corruption are endangering sovereignty and paving the way for Western interference in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and other Muslim nations. But if Muslim countries harness their collective strength, they could confront such problems, he said.
Rouhani proposed that the conference in Kuala Lumpur establish a joint fund to finance technological cooperation among Muslim nations and set up a a joint research center in artificial intelligence and cyberspace.
Notably absent from the conference is Saudi Arabia, which snubbed the meeting because it was not held under the Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Saudi Arabia and Iran are bitter rivals. The world’s two biggest Islamic nations, Indonesia and Pakistan, also didn’t join the conference.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched a veiled criticism of the OIC, telling the conference that the platform that brings the Muslim world together was besieged by a “lack of implementation.”
“We still haven’t made any progress regarding the Palestinian cause, we still can’t stop the exploitation of our resources, we still can’t say ‘stop’ to the fragmentation of the Muslim world over sectarianism, that’s why,” said Erdogan.
Muslims account for 94% of worldwide conflict with one out of three weapons sold globally finding its way to the Middle East, he said. “The Muslims are using their resources for armament and for conflict and while doing so they are enriching the Western arm dealers,” he said.
Host Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad downplayed divisions over the conference, saying it was merely a small step to address Muslim issues and wasn’t aimed at isolating anyone.
Mahathir, the world’s oldest leader at 94, said Muslims have damaged their own religion by their acts of terror that led to an “unjustified fear of Islam” worldwide. Their claims of jihad led to more oppression of Muslims and killing of innocent victims worldwide, he said.
Echoing Rouhani and Erdogan, Mahathir said the Muslim bloc must refocus on education and step up its scientific and technological capabilities to catch up with developed nations.
“While we may not have been able to fully dissect all that had caused our pain and anguish, we are mostly in agreement that it is our inability to keep up with the progress and development of the non-Muslims that have left us in the lurch,” he added.
Rouhani leaves Friday for a two-day visit to Japan.”
Who’s killed more Moslems?
– – The USA?
or
– – Other Moslems?
In the last 40 years, who’s killed more Iranians?
– – The USA?
or
– – The Islamic Republic of Iran?
Clashes break out in migrant camp on Greek island of Samos (abcnews, Dec 19, 2019)
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/clashes-break-migrant-camp-greek-island-samos-67820159
“Clashes broke out Thursday between police and a group of migrants at a refugee camp on the eastern Greek island of Samos, prompting the local mayor to shut down a nearby elementary school and kindergarten.
The clashes came as about 200 people began protesting conditions in the dramatically overcrowded camp and demanding they be allowed to leave the island.
The protesters threw stones and other objects at police, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades. Others living in and around the camp headed up the hill on which the camp was built to avoid the conflict.
Under a 2016 deal between the European Union and Turkey to stop migrant flows into Europe, those who arrive on Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast are held in island camps pending deportation unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece.
Only those deemed to be in vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, people with serious health problems and families with young children, are eligible to be moved to the mainland.
The deal, coupled with an increase in new arrivals since the summer, has led to deteriorating conditions in chronically overcrowded camps on the eastern Aegean islands.
The camp in Samos is now more than 11 times over capacity, with 7,497 people registered as living in and around the facility that was designed to house 648.
Greece’s 6-month-old government has vowed to move about 20,000 people off the islands and into other migrant and refugee facilities on the mainland by early 2020. But despite the transfer of several thousand people in recent months, the overcrowding continues to worsen as more newcomers arrive.”
(Richard: China has admitted to killing one half of the pigs which has caused a meat shortage in China. Now we find that the virus is spreading which means it is probably much worse in China. Will the CCP manage to ride out the crisis if there is a massive food shortage on Chinese New Year when it is traditional to feast)
African swine fever: Fears rise as virus spreads to Indonesia
On Wednesday, the country’s agriculture ministry said nearly 30,000 pigs have died from the disease in North Sumatra.
The virus is expected to wipe out more than half of China’s pig herd this year.
Australia has grown increasingly concerned, stepping up biosecurity measures to keep swine fever out.
Although it’s harmless to humans, the disease can kill pigs within a few days, and the fatality rate can be up to 100%, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50833054
Malaysia: Rouhani meets Erdogan, Emir of Qatar on sidelines of KL summit
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, on the sidelines of the Kuala Lumpur Summit 2019.
Footage shows Erdogan and Rouhani sitting next to each other before being joined by al-Thani.
The Kuala Lumpur Summit 2019 brings together world leaders to address issues facing Muslim countries.
Malaysia: Rouhani calls on Islamic world to end “US dollar domination”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on the Islamic world to set itself “free from the domination of America’s financial system and the US dollar,” while delivering a speech at the Kuala Lumpur Summit 2019 in the Malaysian capital on Thursday.
“The reality is that Islamic countries, economically speaking, are capable of completing each other and can create a specific mechanism for bank and financial cooperation between each other,” Rouhani said.
“The interconnectedness of international economic, commercial and financial systems with the American economic regime and dollarisation of national and global economies have provided the US with the possibility of advancing its hegemony under the threat of sanctions and economic terrorism,” Rouhani continued.
Cruz: Dems ‘in a total panic’ now that impeachment will go to Senate
Schumer: McConnell provides no defense for Trump
Pelosi waiting for Senate on impeachment
Pelosi calls Mitch McConnell “rogue leader in the Senate” as next steps in Trump impeachment unfold
Three Reportedly Killed in Shooting Near FSB Security Headquarters in Moscow (sputniknews, Dec 19, 2019)
https://sputniknews.com/news/201912191077635269-Three-Reportedly-Killed-in-Shooting-Near-FSB-Security-Head-quarters-in-Moscow/
“According to some reports, the attack was carried out by three people armed with either a Kalashnikov or a Saiga shotgun.
A suspected gunman who opened fire in central Moscow has been eliminated, his identity is currently being determined, the Federal Security Service has said.
“An unknown gunman opened fire in Bolshaya Lubyanka Street, 12. There are injured as a result of the incident. The gunman has been eliminated, his identity is being determined,” the statement by the FSB says.
According to the Russian Investigative Committee, a criminal case has been opened into an attempt to kill law enforcement agents.
A shootout took place near the Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarters in central Moscow on Thursday, media reports say.
There are conflicting reports about the number of people killed in the incident. According to REN-TV, the death toll stands at 2, while the Izvestiya media outlet says that 3 people have been killed.
The media outlet added that the shooting started at the reception of the FSB headquarters. After that, the suspected gunmen fled to Bolshaya Lubyanka street and barricaded themselves in a nearby building.
According to Telegram channel 112, two of the three attackers were killed, while the third one continued shooting.
An eyewitness who was near the shooting scene shared his experience:
“Around 6 pm a loud bang was heard, followed by gunfire. The gunshots have stopped by now.”…”
RUSSIA MOSCOW – Three people killed in shooting in central Moscow: Izvestia
Three people were killed in a shooting in central Moscow on Thursday evening near the headquarters of Russia’s FSB security service headquarters, the Izvestia newspaper reported, citing a source.
Earlier on Thursday, a witness told Reuters she had heard gun shots fired in the same area and a video shared on social media showed several people resembling police officers holding assault rifles running down a nearby street.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-shooting/three-people-killed-in-shooting-in-central-moscow-izvestia-idUSKBN1YN25F
Gunman opens fire near Russian security service HQ in Moscow
An unknown person opened fire near the headquarters of Russia’s FSB security service in central Moscow on Thursday evening wounding several other people, the Interfax news agency cited the FSB as saying.
The Izvestia newspaper, citing a source, said three people had been killed in the incident. The FSB said the shooter had been “neutralized” and that it was working to establish his identity, Interfax reported.
But a Reuters reporter heard several gunshots in the same area after that report and police expanded the security perimeter.
Unverified videos shared on social media showed several people resembling police officers holding assault rifles running down a nearby street earlier on Thursday evening. One witness told Reuters he had seen the lifeless body of a police officer lying in the street.
Sirens, gunshots and screams were heard by people in the area, which is also a busy shopping district popular with tourists that is a short walk from the Kremlin.
“The shooting began around 17:40,” one witness told Reuters. “I saw a member of the traffic police running down the road, hiding behind vehicles,” the witness said.
Five ambulances were seen leaving the cordoned-off area.
The motive for the shooting was not immediately clear.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-shooting/gunman-opens-fire-near-russian-security-service-hq-in-moscow-idUSKBN1YN25F
Russia: Footage captures moment suspected FSB HQ shooter shot dead
Ruptly obtained footage showing Russian Security Service (FSB) neutralising the gunman who opened fire near the agency’s headquarters in Moscow on Thursday.
The video shows the unidentified shooter falling to the ground after being shot at.
One FSB officer was killed in the shooting and five other people injured, according to the Russian Ministry of Health
The security services are currently establishing the shooter’s identity.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched an investigation into the deadly incident.
McConnell rips Pelosi for impeachment delay, says Dems ‘afraid’ to transmit ‘shoddy’ articles
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell set the stage Thursday for a potentially bruising fight between the leadership of the two chambers over impeachment, as he tore into Nancy Pelosi for “shoddy work” and said Democrats may be “too afraid” to send the articles to the Senate after the House speaker abruptly held off on transmitting them.
“This particular House of Representatives has let its partisan rage at this particular president create a toxic new precedent that will echo well into the future,” McConnell said on the floor, accusing Democrats of giving in to “temptation” with their impeachment vote while challenging their handling of the articles in the aftermath.
“Looks like the prosecutors are getting cold feet,” the Senate GOP leader mused.
McConnell’s remarks came the morning after House Democrats voted to impeach President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in relation to his July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mcconnell-rips-pelosi-for-impeachment-delay-says-dems-afraid-to-transmit-shoddy-articles
Surveillance footage taken during first Epstein suicide attempt missing
Surveillance footage recorded inside a Lower Manhattan prison at the time of Jeffrey Epstein’s first apparent suicide attempt has mysteriously gone missing, officials admitted Wednesday.
The footage was recorded outside the millionaire pedophile’s cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on July 23, when Epstein apparently tried to hang himself at the lockup.
Epstein was sharing the cell with Nick Tartaglione, a hulking former cop in Westchester County accused of killing four people in a botched drug deal.
Tartaglione’s lawyer had requested that the footage be preserved — but prosecutors admitted in a court hearing Wednesday that the footage has gone missing, the lawyer, Bruce Barket, said.
“I don’t know the details of how it was lost or destroyed or why it wasn’t retained when it should have been,” Barket said.
https://nypost.com/2019/12/18/surveillance-footage-taken-during-first-epstein-suicide-attempt-missing/
Gunman attacks Russian security service HQ in Moscow, kills employee
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A gunman opened fire on the headquarters of Russia’s FSB security service in central Moscow on Thursday evening in a rare shooting incident that the FSB said had left at least one of its employees dead.
The attack happened shortly after President Vladimir Putin had delivered his annual news conference and while he was speaking at a Kremlin event designed to celebrate the work of the security services.
Report Ad
The FSB suspected the attack may have been planned to coincide with Putin’s evening speech, a source close to the FSB told Reuters.
The FSB, Russia’s domestic security service, said it had “neutralised” the gunman and was working to establish his identity, the Interfax news agency reported. It was not immediately clear what his motive was.
Footage posted on social media showed automatic gunfire hitting the walls of the FSB’s main building on Lubyanka Square in central Moscow. Sirens, gunshots and screams were heard by people in the area, which is also a busy shopping district popular with tourists that is a short walk from the Kremlin.
The FSB, which Putin used to head, said several people had been wounded in the attack. Interfax cited the Health Ministry as saying five people had been hurt, some of them seriously, including two FSB employees.
https://www.oann.com/three-people-killed-in-shooting-in-central-moscow-izvestia/
Exclusive: U.S. probe of Saudi oil attack shows it came from north – report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said new evidence and analysis of weapons debris recovered from an attack on Saudi oil facilities on Sept. 14 indicates the strike likely came from the north, reinforcing its earlier assessment that Iran was behind the offensive.
In an interim report of its investigation – seen by Reuters ahead of a presentation on Thursday to the United Nations Security Council – Washington assessed that before hitting its targets, one of the drones traversed a location approximately 200 km (124 miles) to the northwest of the attack site.
https://www.oann.com/exclusive-u-s-probe-of-saudi-oil-attack-shows-it-came-from-north-report/
Hong Kong protesters seek international support on rights
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong protesters rallied outside diplomatic missions on Thursday to urge foreign governments to follow the United States and pass human rights bills to raise pressure on Beijing and support their pro-democracy campaign.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed legislation last month requiring the State Department to certify, at least once a year, that Hong Kong retains enough autonomy from Beijing to justify favorable U.S. trading terms.
https://www.oann.com/hong-kong-protesters-march-to-consulates-to-call-for-support-on-rights/
Ep. 1139 Take the Gloves Off! – The Dan Bongino Show.
“Impeachment as a Means to An End, and Not The End Itself…” by Sundance – December 19, 2019
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2019/12/19/impeachment-as-a-means-to-an-end-and-not-the-end-itself/
“Sen. Mitch McConnell slams Dem impeachment on Senate floor” December 19, 2019
“… because the President was held accountable for his reckless behavior. No one is above the law. And the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. No one is above the law and the President has been held accountable.”
– Nancy Pelosi
Will Nancy Pelosi ever be held accountable?
“Eye-popper: Is Nancy Pelosi in on eligibility cover-up?” by Bob Unruh
September 11, 2009
https://www.wnd.com/2009/09/109363/
Nancy reminds us that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. And no one is above the law.
“The Theory is Now a Conspiracy And Facts Don’t Lie” by J.B. Williams September 10, 2009
https://canadafreepress.com/2009/williams091209.htm
I won’t watch this, of course.
Might have to add Fox to the Boycott List.
President Donald J.Trump’s letter to Nancy Pelosi
The White House – December 17, 2019
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Letter-from-President-Trump-final.pdf
“Pelosi Threatens to Call Off Impeachment Unless Senate Meets Her Demands”
by Daniel Greenfield – December 19, 2019
https://www.frontpagemag.com/point/2019/12/pelosi-threatens-call-impeachment-unless-senate-daniel-greenfield/
SKY NEWS – Protesters clash with police in India over ‘anti-Muslim’ law
Women form human shield to fend off police beating during India citizenship law protests
Indian police fire tear gas, detain dozens as protests continue over citizenship law
Three die in protests against new citizenship law in India
India’s Islamist Nemesis in America
…[T]he Islamist threat faced by India contains a distinct American component. And many politicians and journalists have failed to recognize that the forces that endanger both countries operate powerful networks in the United States. The most prominent of these networks is Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the world’s most important Islamist movements.…
ICNA has spent decades accruing legitimacy and power by tactically exploiting charitable initiatives, running youth groups, building schools and women’s shelters, taking over mosques and establishing itself in the eyes of the U.S. government and media as a reputable, leading voice of American Islam.
While various forms of political activism have long been a part of ICNA’s work, the organization, along with its Islamist allies, has now fully turned its attention to India. Its officials and supporters have been working hard to convince Americans that Kashmiri terror against Indian troops is just. ICNA and its branches even use their charitable infrastructure to subsidize such violent pursuits.…
Unlike Jamaat-e-Islami organizations in South Asia, ICNA is not overtly violent. In fact, it goes to great lengths to portray itself as an innocuous civic organization for American Muslims in an attempt to shroud its extremist agenda.
But ICNA’s role as Jamaat-e-Islami’s American wing is irrefutable.… It is deeply involved in propaganda efforts – aimed at the American public, the media and government – to oppose India and excuse Islamist terror in Kashmir.…
ICNA’s undeserved reputation as a respectable voice of American Muslims has afforded it the trust and partnership of many in the country’s government. …
https://www.meforum.org/60100/india-nemesis-in-america
Facial recognition confirmed Ont. developer was wanted crime boss, but CBSA couldn’t prove it
Merkel antwortet auf AfD-Frage zu Tod in Augsburg und allgemeiner Migranten-Kriminalität
“DANGER PERSISTS: Adam Schiff says President Trump poses a RISK to our country”
FOX 10 Phoenix – December 18, 2019
“Schiff tried to get naked pictures of Trump…”
by Kane – December 19, 2019
https://www.citizenfreepress.com/breaking/schiff-tried-to-get-naked-pictures-of-trump/
“Epic Devin Nunes: “Schiff tried to get naked pictures of Trump” from Russian pranksters”
Pete Santilli1 – December 18, 2019
“Report: Schiff Funneled $60 Million U.S.Tax Dollars to His Ukrainian Friend and ‘Corrupt’ Arms Dealer Igor Pasternak”
by Missy Crane – October 5, 2019
https://www.waynedupree.com/igor-pasternak-ukraine-adam-schiff/
“LTA Congressional Subpoenas- Should SCOTUS Decide – 17 December 2019 – 04-25-09 PM”
IAMtv – December 17, 2019
CBC – Judge dismisses all 19 charges against ex-Afghanistan hostage Joshua Boyle in sexual assault case
Estranged wife Caitlan Coleman had accused Boyle of assault, unlawful confinement
Ontario Court Judge Peter Doody on Thursday dismissed all 19 charges against Joshua Boyle, a former hostage of Taliban-linked extremists in Afghanistan.
The charges included counts of assault, sexual assault and unlawful confinement of his estranged wife, Caitlan Coleman. The long trial concluded in October.
Doody said during the three-hour hearing in Ottawa on Thursday that the Crown did not prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
The judge said he did not believe Boyle’s version of events, but he could not accept Coleman’s “unconfirmed evidence.”
“I do not believe her, just as I do not believe Mr. Boyle.”
He also raised concerns about Coleman’s reliability as a witness due to inconsistencies in testimony and memory lapses.
Boyle, 36, had pleaded not guilty to all 19 charges.
Of those charges, 18 related to Coleman, a U.S. citizen, and were linked to alleged incidents between October and December 2017, after the couple returned to Canada from Afghanistan with the three children they had while in captivity. They had been held hostage for five years by Taliban-linked extremists.
Boyle sat quietly in the courtroom as Doody delivered the lengthy decision.
Coleman now lives in the U.S. with their four children, including one born in the U.S. after the couple separated. She wasn’t in court Thursday, but was represented by her lawyer.
No ‘credibility contest’
In handing down his early decisions, Doody found while Boyle’s controlling behaviour made Coleman angry, frustrated and upset, it did not make her fear for her safety.
At the start of the hearing, Doody said, “This is not a credibility contest,” after recounting different versions of events given in testimony from Boyle and Coleman.
Coleman said she was confined, tied up and assaulted, and Boyle controlled her and tried to make her believe she was mentally ill, Doody told the court.
Boyle denied physically assaulting her and said Coleman had fits where she was out of control.
Doody said there was little evidence to substantiate the claims, and his role was to determine whether the Crown had established the case without reasonable doubt.
Boyle’s lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, said his client is “extremely pleased” and relieved with Thursday’s ruling. He spent time in custody, has worn an electronic bracelet and has been under strict bail conditions for two years.
Greenspon said the acquittal is the “first step” to Boyle’s ultimate goal, which is to gain access and eventually custody of his four children. He has never seen the youngest and has not seen the others in two years.
As for the judge’s remarks shredding Boyle’s credibility, Greenspon said that weighed into the judge’s decision.
“The judge made sure to explain that on several occasions,” he said. “Because had it been a credibility contest, I think it would be a tie. They both lost.”
Coleman’s lawyer, Ian Carter, spoke with his client after Doody’s ruling and said she is “devastated” by it.
“I think the case is an example of the challenges that a complainant faces in coming forward with allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence in terms of how things operated in our justice system,” he said. “She needs some time to process what was said today and try and move on with her life.”
Crown lawyers did not make a statement or take questions after the ruling. It’s not yet known if the Crown is considering an appeal.
Doody had said he found it “incredible” Boyle testified he had not given careful thought before the trial to a “list of rules” for Coleman that included instructions for her to lose weight, have cold showers and plan interesting sex twice a week.
“I cannot accept that,” he said.
Judge cites reliability concerns
Boyle and Coleman were kidnapped near Kabul during a backpacking trip through Central Asia in October 2012.
According to Coleman, after the family arrived in Canada, Boyle was controlling and abusive. Boyle’s account was she was the one who was physically and emotionally abusive.
Coleman alleged he repeatedly hit her, spanked her, choked her and bit her both in captivity and after moving to Ottawa after their release in 2017.
On Thursday, Doody recalled Coleman’s testimony about her “fits” and recurring bouts of anxiety and self-harm. He pointed to her testimony, when she said her memory was affected by these fits she said were triggered by arguments or fights with Boyle.
He said Coleman’s testimony about her mental heath “give rise” to concerns about her reliability as a witness, given the memory issues and her ability to see things correctly at times of anguish and anxiety.
The judge did not conclude Coleman deliberately put forward inconsistent testimony due to memory lapses, but said her admission that memories can be “invented and inserted” raises questions about her reliability.
“In my view, Ms. Coleman’s memory issues raise concerns about her ability to accurately recall the events at issue, the accuracy of what she says she recalls and whether the events described took place.”
Doody also pointed to the inconsistency of Coleman stating she wanted to limit details of the case in the media, then gave several media interviews mid-trial that she knew would garner publicity. He also said she displayed an “antagonistic attitude” with defence counsel, and was at times antagonistic and non-responsive.
Greenspon suggested at trial that the pair had engaged in consensual acts of BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance and submission).
During closing arguments, Greenspon said there is reasonable doubt about his client’s guilt and argued Coleman’s allegations should be dismissed because her testimony was not credible or reliable.
Crown prosecutor Meaghan Cunningham disagreed, calling Coleman’s testimony “coherent and compelling.” She said Coleman was “terrified” of her husband.
Dawn Moore, a legal studies professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, said the extraordinary circumstances of the case — its “salacious” testimony about BDSM activities and the fact that both the accused and the complainant were held hostage — gave it a high public profile.
Test case for new rules
It was also the first case to test new rules governing how Canadian courts treat sexual assault complainants.
Moore said legal scholars have been watching to see the impact of the Criminal Code amendments brought in last year, which give complainants standing in the proceedings and the right to have their own lawyer make arguments during the trial.
Moore said it’s difficult to convict in such cases in the absence of forensic evidence, photos or witnesses.
“The inherent problem of prosecuting interpersonal violence, whether it’s domestic violence or sexual violence or both, is that it’s almost always a he-said-she-said,” Moore said. “And the way our criminal system works is that the burden of proof falls on the prosecution, beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Well, you can’t prove beyond a reasonable doubt when it’s one person’s word against another.”
‘Muddy water’
Moore said the ruling could spur debate around consent and BDSM acts, as well as whether a sexual assault complainant’s standing is a factor in the outcome of a case.
Bailey Reid, sexual assault services co-ordinator at Carleton University, said the fact Coleman waived her privacy rights, gave media interviews and had a legal advocate in court sent a message to others about how sexual assault complainants can be empowered.
“At the end of the day, I think what Caitlan Coleman has done is pushed our narrative forward about what it means to be a survivor in the justice system, about what we consider to be quote-unquote perfect victimhood, and what we as a society expect from survivors, and when a survivor is not one of those things, how we react to those qualities,” Reid said.
Just two weeks before Boyle was arrested by police, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a private meeting in his office with the family.
That meeting raised some eyebrows, as Boyle was previously married to Zaynab Khadr, the sister of Omar Khadr, whose late father was an associate of Osama bin Laden.
A government official said the Boyle family had requested the meeting with Trudeau. No official photographs or notices of the meeting were released by the PMO, although photos were tweeted out by the Boyle family.
The official said Trudeau agreed to the meeting because of the ordeal the Boyle family had been through.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/joshua-boyle-caitlan-coleman-verdict-1.5400633
Every which way, the lady’s a flake and he’s a tard.
They’re all playing for the media, especially the lawyers and the litigation publicists they’ve hired. One team replaces another, and the story grows feelers and tentacles.
fehhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litigation_public_relations
CBC – Captive: Caitlan Coleman vs. Joshua Boyle – The Fifth Estate
In a Canadian exclusive, Caitlan Coleman tells the dramatic story of her relationship with estranged husband Joshua Boyle.
The home-schooled, Star Wars-loving woman spent five years in captivity with her husband in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and other locations in the region, giving birth to three children while held captive.
After their escape and return to Canada, Coleman alleges her husband became her captor.
The 19 charges against Joshua Boyle include assault, sexual assault and unlawful confinement.
He has pleaded not guilty to all 19.
The Fifth Estate investigation follows the Coleman vs. Boyle court case and presents the experience through the eyes of the alleged victim.
A verdict in the case is scheduled for mid-December.
UPDATE: An Ontario court judge has dismissed all 19 charges against Joshua Boyle which included counts of assault, sexual assault, and unlawful confinement of his estranged wife, Caitlan Coleman.
Former Afghanistan hostage Joshua Boyle found not guilty on all counts
NEWSWEEK – EX-FBI AGENT URGES U.S. TO BOMB MECCA IN RETALIATION FOR PENSACOLA SHOOTING, SAYS A ‘CRUISE MISSILE’ WOULD SEND THE ‘MESSAGE’
A former FBI agent suggested that the U.S. should bomb Mecca in retaliation for the mass shooting by a Saudi aviation student at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida on December 6.
John Guandolo, who parted from the FBI in 2008 after a series of alleged ethical violations, made the remarks on the latest edition of his Understanding the Threat radio show. The title of the show mirrors the name of his anti-Muslim group, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has categorized as a hate group.
“[Even after] an organized attack where people are filming a Saudi Air Force officer killing Americans on a naval air station and we’re like, ‘Hey, the Saudi president, the Saudi king said he is really sorry, deeply disturbed,'” said Guandolo. “How about a cruise missile right down Mecca, right on the Kaaba? Maybe that would send them a message that we’re done playing in this war.”
Although the Pensacola shooter was identified as Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a 21-year-old Lieutenant in the Saudi Air Force, there has been no indication or evidence suggesting the Saudi government was involved in or endorsed the attack in any way.
Guandolo suggested the U.S. government is “incompetent” for not issuing an unprovoked attack on the Muslim holy city.
“Even an attack on a U.S. military base isn’t enough to smack any of our leaders on the side of the head like a two-by-four to wake them the heck up,” Guandolo said. “We win this war at the local level. The federal government is completely and utterly incapable of fixing this. They’re incompetent.”
Despite Guandolo’s declaration of the U.S. government’s incompetence, he is a strong supporter of President Donald Trump
Guandolo’s unwavering support of Trump includes the unusual position of insisting that critics of the president should be tried and executed for what he claims is “treason.” Other notable positions include his suggestion that only Christians should be eligible to hold public office, as well as a false claim that American Muslims do not have First Amendment rights.
Understanding the Threat’s website describes the group as “the only organization in America providing tools to leaders, police and citizens to identify and dismantle jihadi/terrorist networks in their local communities.” In addition to “jihadis” Guandolo also promises to protect America from the threat of “Marxists.” A biography on the site provides a flattering portrayal of Guandolo’s service in the FBI, failing to mention any of the allegations that led to his dismissal.
Guandolo’s departure from the FBI came after alleged ethical breaches that include “inappropriate sexual advances” towards a witness in the corruption case of former U.S. Representative William Jefferson (D-La.), as well as an alleged attempt to solicit $75,000 from the same witness as a donation to a group he supported. He is also alleged to have engaged in a number of extramarital affairs with female FBI agents. He resigned before the agency could investigate his alleged activities.
expert in earnest during the administration of former President Barack Obama. A frequently repeated conspiracy theory involved the unsubstantiated claim that former CIA Director John Brennan was secretly a Muslim.
Although Guandolo is said to have used his expertise to train law enforcement around the world, his dealings with individual officers have not always gone well. In September he lost a lawsuit filed by former Minnesota sheriff Richard Stanek, who claimed Guandolo had assaulted him during a 2017 law enforcement conference in Nevada. Stanek said Guandolo shoved and punched him after he objected to “discriminatory” handouts the hate group leader had distributed at the gathering. The jury agreed, ordering Guandolo to pay $600,000.
https://www.newsweek.com/ex-fbi-agent-urges-us-bomb-mecca-retaliation-pensacola-shooting-says-cruise-missile-would-1478129
Four Lessons a Post-Brexit Britain Can Learn from Israel
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A post-Brexit scenario requires long-term strategic thinking by the British establishment. The parallels between the situation of Israel in the Middle East and the eventual position of Britain vis-à-vis a federal European state offer lessons and suggest opportunities. If Britain acts on these lessons, it is more likely to flourish despite the economic and political pressure European leaders may try to exert on it in Brexit’s wake.
The EU may well view a post-Brexit Britain as a threat. A flourishing and peaceful Britain could deprive the European project of its raison d’être and highlight the numerous shortcomings of European federalism. Britain’s success could also induce more European states to desert the EU.
For this reason, even though the Johnson government and the European Commission might negotiate a reasonable divorce agreement in the coming months, the relationship between the two parties could be fraught with tension and subject to sabotage attempts by European leaders.
To brace themselves for this possibility, British leaders would do well to learn four lessons that have helped the state of Israel to thrive despite decades of widespread hostility and regional isolation:
https://besacenter.org/perspectives-papers/post-brexit-britain-israel/
NOT GUILTY: All charges dropped against Joshua Boyle
Roberto Wakerell-Cruz, 39 mins ago 1 min read
The case against Joshua Boyle has been dismissed, after a judge dropped accusations of Boyle assaulting his wife, Caitlan Coleman.
Judge Peter Doody says the Crown’s arguments did not lead to a conclusive enough end result, being unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Boyle did indeed commit the crimes he was accused of.
https://www.thepostmillennial.com/not-guilty-all-charges-dropped-against-joshua-boyle/
Obama Judge Launches Anti-Trump Rant While Sentencing Trump Aide
An Obama judge should have never been in a position of power over cases that only exist because her boss’ administration targeted the political opposition. But Judge Amy Berman Jackson has a long and compelling track record of ruling on behalf of Obama and Hillary.
And the Roger Stone case, more recently.
https://cms.frontpagemag.com/point/2019/12/obama-judge-launches-anti-trump-rant-while-daniel-greenfield
Someone compiled a great list of steps in reddit censorship of r/The_Donald
Danish Professor Says United Nations Could Use Military To Enforce Climate Change Agenda
Carmine Sabia By Carmine Sabia
Published December 4, 2019 at 1:18pm
Share on Facebook
Tweet
Email
Print
A prominent professor of international relations at the University of Copenhagen has suggested the United Nations could use military force to enforce its climate change agenda.
Professor Wæver had an interview with ABC News in Australia and said that nations who are not taking action on climate change could become engaged with the United Nations in armed conflict as it decides to enforce its agenda.
“The United Nations Security Council could, in principle, tomorrow decide that climate change is a threat to international peace and security,” the professor said.
“And then it’s within their competencies to decide ‘and you are doing this, you are doing this, you are doing this, this is how we deal with it,’” he said.
“That’s what happens when something becomes a security issue, it gets the urgency, the intensity, the priority, which is helpful sometimes, but it also lets the dark forces loose in the sense that it can justify problematic means,” he said.
Weaver said that the urgent nature of addressing climate change could lead to international action to enforce its standards.
https://thefederalistpapers.org/opinion/danish-professor-says-united-nations-use-military-enforce-climate-change-agenda
Sorry if repost
Note: the left is eating their own
NEW YORK (AP) — J.K. Rowling is facing widespread criticism from the transgender community and other activists after tweeting support for a researcher who lost her job for stating that people cannot change their biological sex.
The researcher, Maya Forstater, had been a visiting fellow at the Centre for Global Development, which in March declined to renew her contract. A London judge this week upheld her dismissal, finding that her views of sexual identity were “absolutist,” even if they violate someone’s “dignity and/or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.”
On Thursday morning, Rowling tweeted a response that said: “Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya#ThisIsNotADrill. ”
The “Harry Potter” author is otherwise known for her liberal political views and many on Twitter labeled her a TERF (Trans Exclusive Radical Feminist). Among those criticizing her was the Human Rights Campaign, which tweeted: “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Non-binary people are non-binary. CC: JK Rowling.”
https://apnews.com/4b2f01c2e0ff15010c1536ba1e31f93a
NSA Allowed To ‘Unmask’ US Citizens Without Surveillance Warrant: US Court
Profile picture for user Tyler Durden
by Tyler Durden
Thu, 12/19/2019 – 12:30
1
SHARES
A US court of appeals ruled on Wednesday that the US government may collect information about a US citizen without first obtaining a surveillance warrant, as long as it was done so inadvertently while legally monitoring a non-national abroad, according to Reuters.
The appeal in question was brought by Agron Hasbajrami, a US resident arrested in 2011 who later pleaded guilty to attempting to providing material support to a terrorist organization. He was arrested at JFK International Airport in New York as he was attempting to board a flight to Turkey, after communicating with a non-American overseas believed to be associated with a terrorist organization.
Hasbajrami asked the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in New York to toss out the charges after claiming the National Security Agency (NSA) had illegally surveilled him without a warrant, a practice known as ‘unmasking.’
The “incidental collection” of Americans’ communications by NSA electronic dragnet that explicitly targets people abroad and without U.S. ties was permissible under the U.S. Constitution, the court ruled. It also said, however, that examining the content of databases of stored NSA information could violate the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The court said the “vast majority” of evidence prosecutors had used against Hasbajrami was “lawfully collected,” but prosecutors did not provide information to the trial court about whether investigators had “queried” NSA databases. -Reuters
Brought to light by whistleblower Edward Snowden, the NSA’s surveillance program known as PRISM gathers data from tech and telecom companies governed by section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which does not require individual warrants.
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/nsa-allowed-unmask-us-citizens-without-surveillance-warrant-us-court
McConnell: “It Looks Like the Prosecutors are Getting Cold Feet – This Is Really Comical”
Christmas Celebrations Banned in Muslim West Sumatra (breitbart, Dec 19, 2019)
https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2019/12/19/christmas-celebrations-banned-muslim-west-sumatra/
“Governments on the Indonesian island of Sumatra have banned Christians from celebrating Christmas in private homes, according to a report Thursday from International Christian Concern (ICC).
This year, authorities have barred Christians from holding worship services and Christmas celebrations in Sungai Tambang, Sijunjung Regency and Jorong Kampung Baru, Dharmasraya Regency in West Sumatra, ICC said.
Officials have justified the banning of Christmas celebrations on the grounds that they were not carried out in places of worship, but rather in private homes.
“They did not get permission from the local government since the Christmas celebration and worship were held at the house of one of the Christians who had been involved. The local government argued that the situation was not conducive,” said Sudarto, director of PUSAKA (Center for Inter-Community Studies).
Christians usually celebrate Christmas and the New Year in a quiet way, he said, because a license to celebrate in a public fashion is never granted.
“It has been going on for a long time, so far they have been quietly worshiping at the home of one of the worshipers, but they have applied for permission several times. Yet the permit to celebrate Christmas was never granted,” he said.
“The house where they performed worship services was once burned down in early 2000 due to resistance from residents,” Sudarto said, which is in violation of Indonesia’s written law that guarantees religious freedom.
This week Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs published its Religious Harmony Index, according to which the province of West Sumatra is in the second to last position, at number 33 of the country’s 34 provinces. Only the province of ACEH was found to be lower.
In response to the report, the provincial governor, Irwan Prayitno, acknowledged that there are local regulations, such as the rules of reading the Koran and wearing of the hijab, but insisted that they are based on “the aspirations of society.”
“The community understands what this means and accepts it as desirable, so I think it does not matter,” he said.
Nearly 90 percent (87.1 percent) of the Sumatran population is Muslim, as is the case of Indonesia at large. A significant minority (10.7 percent) are Christians, while less than 2% are Buddhists and Hindus. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim-majority country in the world, with nearly 230 million adherents, almost all of whom are Sunnis.
According to the most recent report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in the past year “overall religious freedom conditions in Indonesia trended negative.”
The Indonesian government “continued to enforce several laws and policies that imposed significant obstacles to religious freedom, such as draconian blasphemy laws and an arduous approval process for the construction of new houses of worship,” it stated.
“The national government frequently does not intervene when provincial and local governments enact unconstitutional regulations or policies that exacerbate religious divisions,” it said.”
UK Judge Rules Belief That ‘Men Cannot Change Into Women’ Is ‘Not Worthy of Respect In a Democratic Society’ (breitbart, Dec 19, 2019)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/12/19/no-right-question-transgenderism-says-judge-freedom-speech-case/
“In a blow to free speech protections in the United Kingdom, a judge in an employment tribunal has ruled that there is no right to question whether a transgender person is a man or a woman.
Maya Forstater, a former tax expert, who was fired from her job at the Centre for Global Development after tweeting that “men cannot change into women“, lost her legal challenge against her firing.
The ruling found that the Equality Act 2010 did not protect Ms Forstater’s right to express the philosophical belief that there are only two genders and therefore her firing was legal, reports The Telegraph.
In his ruling, employment Judge Taylor said that Ms Forstater’s gender-critical position “is incompatible with human dignity and fundamental rights of others”.
Judge Taylor argued that the legal rights of a transgender person override Ms Forstater’s right to express her opinions, saying that she was responsible for “enormous pain that can be caused by misgendering a person”.
“If a person has transitioned from male to female and has a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), that person is legally a woman. That is not something [Ms Forstater] is entitled to ignore. [Ms Forstater’s] position is that even if a trans woman has a GRC, she cannot honestly describe herself as a woman. That belief is not worthy of respect in a democratic society,” Taylor said.
“Even paying due regard to the qualified right to freedom of expression, people cannot expect to be protected if their core belief involves violating others’ dignity and creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for them,” he concluded.
In response to the ruling, Ms Forstater said: “I struggle to express the shock and disbelief I feel at reading this judgment, which I think will be shared by the vast majority of people who are familiar with my case.”
“This judgment removes women’s rights and the right to freedom of belief and speech. It gives judicial licence for women and men who speak up for objective truth and clear debate to be subject to aggression, bullying, no-platforming, and economic punishment,” she added.
“I will consider the judgment closely with my legal team to determine what can be done to challenge it,” Forstater announced.
Ms Forstater’s solicitor said that “the significance of this judgment should not be downplayed”, adding that had his client won the case, it would have protected people on both sides of the argument “to express their beliefs without fear of being discriminated against”.
Jodie Ginsberg of Index on Censorship wrote that she was “deeply worried” about the ruling and its implications “for free speech — and in particular the potential it gives for ever greater policing of an individual’s personal views and opinions by employers”.
At the time of Ms Forstater’s firing, Ginsberg said: “From what I have read of her writing, I cannot see that Maya has done anything wrong other than express an opinion that many feminists share — that there should be a public and open debate about the distinction between sex and gender.”
Husband of House Judiciary Committee Democrat Paid $700,000 by Ukranian Oligarch
By Pamela Geller – on December 18, 2019
Ukrainian Oligarch Paid $700,000 To The Husband Of A House Judiciary Committee Democrat
By Chrissy Clark, The Federalist, December 16, 2019
Robert Powell, the husband of Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla., reportedly took $700,000 from a Ukrainian oligarch named Igor Kolomoisky. Mucarsel-Powell sits on the House Judiciary Committee, the committee that drafted two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump for his alleged abuse of power with regards to Ukraine.
In 2018, the Daily Beast reported that a number of businesses linked to Kolomoisky hired Powell as an attorney. One of those firms paid Powell at least $700,000 over two years, according to public records.
https://gellerreport.com/2019/12/democrat-payoffs-ukraine.html/
PETITION: ASK NETFLIX TO CANCEL FILM DEPICTING JESUS AS A HOMOSEXUAL
In this film, they present Christ as having relations with a homosexual and the disciples are alcoholics and unruly. The Virgin Mary is presented as an adulterous woman.
https://www.citizengo.org/en-gb/rf/175927-ask-netflix-cancel-film-depicting-jesus-homosexual
Just cancel your Netflix account. I did over the White People series. Show some willingness to sacrifice a little instead of complaining and interfering with people’s freedom of expression.
I am 100% with you on this. But the solution cannot be as bad as the problem. Let your money do the complaining and let them know why.
Speaking of which, ABC tried a new ‘horror’ series called Evil. As I like horror as a genre I tried it. But by the end of episode 2 or 3, it was so clearly an SJW brow beating of all non-leftists that I left it. I wonder if the series is still on. A lot of this Woke crap gets cancelled fast. Is the X-Files reboot still on? I dropped it after they bastardized La Pieta and made Jesus a muslim suicide bomber.
6 Futuristic Robotic AI Weapons That Exist Now
Iran Urges Plan to Ditch Dollar in Islamic World
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2019/12/19/2163476/iran-urges-plan-to-ditch-dollar-in-islamic-world
“Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on the Muslim countries to devise plans to abandon the US dollar and rid themselves of the American financial system.
In an address to the opening of the KL Summit 2019 in Malaysia on Thursday, President Rouhani outlined the main challenges that the Muslim world is facing, calling for efforts to counter the US threat of sanctions and its economic terrorism against the other nations.
Following is the text of his speech, released by the president’s official website:
Your Excellency Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Honorable Prime Minister of Malaysia
Esteemed Presidents and Prime Ministers;
Heads of Delegates;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
At the outset, I would like to appreciate the nation and government of Malaysia for their warm hospitality and organizing this summit. Also, I would like to appreciate Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad for presiding this important initiative and creating a valuable model of peaceful cultural diversity as well as taking new steps for bridging the east and the west of the Muslim world and his foresight in bringing diverse attitudes closer together.
Excellencies,
The Muslim world is facing emerging challenges at the national and international levels which have impeded the track of development and progress. The most important such challenges include the following:
Cultural and identity challenges
The danger of weakening national and Islamic identity, the younger generation distancing from their identity and domination of foreign cultures are the most serious threats to the Muslim world. The western pioneering in the development of new technologies has resulted in their strength in imposing and mainstreaming news, the culture of consumption and western lifestyle. Joint efforts to compensate under-development in information technology, moving towards national and regional communication networks and increasing share of Muslim states in the digital economy constitute the roadmap of our future in combatting these crises.
Security challenges:
It is regrettable that the Muslim world, from the far western spot in North Africa to the farthest area in East Asia, is grappling with serious security threats and problems ranging from the continued threats imposed by the Zionist Regime that is killing our brothers and sisters in Palestine on a daily basis to the military, political, and economic threats by the United States against some Muslim countries, to the threat of terrorism and mental and behavioral radicalism in some Muslim societies which has paved the ground for foreign intervention. The war in Syria, Yemen, and riots and turbulences in Iraq, Lebanon, Libya and Afghanistan is the outcome of the combination of domestic extremism and foreign intervention.
Challenges of under-development:
Maladies as weakening governance, poverty, unemployment, corruption, increasing and eroding violence and extremism have endangered national sovereignty in some parts of the Muslim world. Macro processes such as the globalization of economy and society, emergence of new discourse in the area of democracy and human rights, increasing attention to semantic and software power, increasing access to information and progressing growth of non-state actors have added to the dimensions of this challenge. Idealistic, but realistic, policy making in the area of development is now an inevitable necessity.
Economic challenges:
Economic sanctions have turned into the main tools of domineering hegemony and bullying. The interconnectedness of international economic, commercial and financial systems with the American economic regime and dollarization of national and global economies have provided the US with the possibility of advancing its hegemony under the threat of sanctions and economic terrorism and impose its illegitimate demands on the other nations. The Muslims world should be designing measures to save it from the domination of US dollar and the American financial regime. The fact of the matter is that Muslim states are complementary to each other in economic terms and therefore, the creation of special mechanisms for banking and financial cooperation among Muslim nations, the use of national money in mutual trade, conclusion of preferential trade agreements in the Muslim world as well as investment in areas with relative advantage and similar ideas should be thoroughly investigated by the economists and experts of Muslim states.
Distinguished colleagues and dignitaries
If we return to our national and Islamic capacity and rely on our own domestic power and strength, we would be able to convert all the above-mentioned challenges to an opportunity of growth and promotion. I consider the following capacity as the main components of power in the Muslim world:
Islam is the central component of identity amongst us as Muslims. Islam is both a source and destination as well as path and track. The divine will has been based on the foundation that Muslims, following the model and role presented by our holy Prophet, should be adopting and promoting moderation so as to act as a role model for the whole world: “And we have made you a moderate nation to the witness of people and the Prophet will witness you”.
People are the main source of power. Democracy, when coupled with faith in religion, would culminate in people and Muslim Ummah being mobilized. The spread of social justice, political and cultural security, the right to enjoyment of a decent life and good governance are the main essentials of Islamic concepts and teachings as well as the main reasons for people’s alignment.
Science and technology are the key to power and development. Knowledge is power. Whoever finds it, will be victorious. It is the matter of regret that Muslim countries have no alternative at the moment but to resort and refer to others to supply their scientific and technological needs. Our young generation are undying source of creativity and hope, and the movement of education, research and innovation is the priority of the Muslim world’s today and tomorrow.
Cooperation and interaction among Muslim nations is an unreplaceable principle. Consolidation of political and economic capacities could turn the Muslim world into a powerful bloc in international relations. The accumulation of scientific and technological capacities of Muslim countries can compensate many of the present time underdevelopments and eliminate grounds for the imposition of hegemony by the others. The standing mechanisms and institutions of the Muslims world, which have been designed for this purpose, have regrettably failed to accomplish its noble goals and purposes.
Dear friends
When I talk about hope towards confronting the challenges and problems of the Muslim world, I mean to present the success story of the Islamic Republic of Iran. My country for the past four decades has been facing all sorts of threats and conspiracies, but it has managed to overcome successfully any threat or challenge and has gained more strength and experience in a manner that we are now recognized in the world as a model of resilience and steadfastness. After its Islamic Revolution, Iran has overcome three main powerful waves of threats:
Terrorism: Since the beginning of the 1980s, my county has been confronting the scourge of terrorism inside and outside of its soil. I am confident enough to say that the people of Iran have been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism and have attained the highest success in confronting it.
War: Eight years of resistance in the extensive war imposed on Iran incurred heavy material and human costs on our nation. However, it made my country self-sufficient in defense, and today, such indigenous capability guarantees Iran’s defensive deterrence.
Sanctions: The Islamic Republic of Iran has been under oppressive sanctions of the United States of America. Recently, they were seeking the collapse or surrender of the Islamic establishment through the imposition of the heaviest sanctions or so-called crippling sanctions. While only since 8 May 2018, when the US withdrew from the nuclear deal, more than 93 sanctions measures have been imposed against Iran, today the Iranian economy has recovered properly and economic indices are improving. Under such circumstances, economic reforms are underway and the current budget of the country now being reviewed by the parliament is totally independent from oil.
Our reliance on God, enjoyment of Islamic principles and values, contribution of peoples, development of domestic capabilities and ultimately attention to science and technology are the key to success of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I firmly believe that such a success story and model could be transferred to the Muslim world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I deem it necessary to refer to the issue of Palestine now. Palestine and resistance against the occupation of the Zionist Regime remains the main issue of the Muslim world. Any ignorance and lack of attention to the issue of Palestine, while highlighting sideline and divisive issues world be a big deviation. Palestine has chosen the path of resistance and in this regard, Palestinians are benefitting from the support of Muslim nations.
Numerous crises in the Middle East, especially in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and Lebanon are clear examples of irresponsible and divisive policies. In order to resolve the internal problems of the Muslim world, we believe we need to provide necessary grounds for dialogue and engagement through tolerance of various Islamic schools of though and respect to national sovereignty of all nations.”
Iran Warns of US Plot to Control Syria’s Oil
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2019/12/19/2163571/iran-warns-of-us-plot-to-control-syria-s-oil
“Iranian President Hassan Rouhani lashed out at the US government for its attempts to gain control of Syria’s oil resources, calling for closer cooperation among Iran, Turkey and Syria to implement the Astana Peace Process.
In a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the KL Summit 2019 in Malaysia on Thursday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed concern about the continued presence of American forces in Syria and the US attempts to take control of Syria’s oil resources.
Calling for closer cooperation among Iran, Turkey and the Syrian government, Rouhani stressed the need for interaction with the Damascus government to facilitate the withdrawal of terrorist groups from Idlib and restore calm in the Arab country.
Elsewhere in the meeting, the two presidents hailed the Malaysian prime minister’s initiative to bring the heads of a number of Muslim states together at a summit in Kuala Lumpur for addressing the Islamic world’s problems.
They also talked about the regional issues, particularly the course of developments in Syria, and called for cooperation between Tehran and Ankara within the framework of the Astana Process.
Rouhani and Erdogan also reviewed the latest situation of relations between Iran and Turkey, and urged efforts to enhance the bilateral ties in various fields, including the energy industry, transportation, trade and banking sector.
It was also decided that the special envoys of the two presidents would pursue the agreements reached at the meeting and carry out the agreements made at Iran-Turkey Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation.
The two presidents also decided to hold the next session of Supreme Council of Iran-Turkey Economic Coordination in Tehran in spring, to be chaired by the presidents and attended by the cabinet members of the two neighbors.”
Iran Proposes Joint Investment with Qatar
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2019/12/19/2163411/iran-proposes-joint-investment-with-qatar
“The Iranian president held a meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelined of the ongoing KL Summit 2019 in Malaysia on Thursday.
In the gathering, the two heads of Muslim countries stressed the need for the expansion of bilateral relations between Tehran and Doha in all fields.
“We have stood and continue to stand with Qatar, and condemn any pressure and hardship inflicted on that country,” the Iranian president told the Qatari emir.
President Rouhani also emphasized that Iran and Qatar should make use of their proximity to promote the economic and trade ties, saying the two nations can fulfill each other’s demands in the current economic circumstances.
“We can cooperate in the sphere of joint investment,” Rouhani added.
For his part, the Qatari leader hailed the “special ties” between Doha and Tehran, calling for closer interaction and more frequent contacts in the current conditions.
Lauding Iran for its supports for Qatar in the face of sanctions, Al Thani noted that the two nations can ride out the difficult situation successfully.
The Iranian president is in Malaysia to attend the Kuala Lumpur Summit 2019, attended by around 250 leaders, politicians, and thinkers from 52 countries.
After attending the KL Summit, Rouhani will pay a visit to Japan at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.”
Iran Condemns UN’s Biased Human Rights Resolution
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2019/12/19/2163514/iran-condemns-un-s-biased-human-rights-resolution
“Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned a politically-motivated resolution that the UN General Assembly has adopted on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic.
In a statement on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi condemned the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran, which was adopted in the 74th session of the UN General Assembly with the support of Canada and certain Western states.
The Iranian spokesman said the document is based upon selective approaches, is partial, confrontational, and meant to serve political objectives.
Mousavi also noted that an obvious reason for illegitimacy of the resolution is that it has been endorsed by the front of Zionism and the reactionary regional regimes, who ignore all kinds of human rights norms, sponsor terrorism and extremism, and violate the basic human rights.
“The political and instrumental use of human rights and the employment of double standards in this area are in contravention of the sustainable promotion of human rights,” the spokesman added.
“Despite this fact, the attitude of supporters of the resolution is adoption of ‘double standards’ on the status of human rights in the countries and referral of the issue to the international circles, particularly to the United Nations. Accordingly, we deplore the fact that the UN mechanisms have been subject to such abuses,” he added.
Mousavi also noted that the destructive approach that supporters of the resolution have adopted against the Islamic Republic of Iran contains multiple errors and flaws, such as the instrumental and political employment of human rights, ignoring the values, the creeds, and the distinguishing cultural features of various societies, ignoring the facts under the influence of an anti-Iran media propaganda, and the disregard for and silence on the widespread violation of the Iranian nation’s human rights as a result of the cruel and illegal sanctions.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is a democratic religious administration that has taken steps to promote and advance human rights at the national, regional and international levels within the framework of the religious and moral commitments and in conformity with its Constitution, normal regulations and the international treaties, and also feels practically obligated to observe them,” the spokesperson underlined.
On December 18, the UN General Assembly adopted draft resolution II, “Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran”, by a vote of 81 in favor, to 30 against, with 70 abstentions.
The Assembly also called on Iran to cease what it called the widespread use of arbitrary arrests and detention and to release persons detained for the exercise of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Saudi Aid to Refugees Reached $17 Billion over Past 2 Decades
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2043066/saudi-aid-refugees-reached-17-billion-over-past-2-decades
“Saudi Arabia reaffirmed commitment to its leading humanitarian role in delivering programs and support for refugees by giving more than $17 billion within two decades, in addition to hosting more than a million Yemeni, Syrian and Rohingya refugees.
Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah said that Saudi Arabia has provided refugees and displaced people in the world over the past two decades with more than $17 billion, including $925 million for UN and international organizations.
He added that $287.9 million were allocated to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Al Rabeeah’s statements were made at the first Global Refugee Forum held in Geneva, in the presence of heads of state, UN senior officials, development organizations and business leaders…”
Ex-ISIS Militants, Women and Children Return to Bosnia
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2043581/ex-isis-militants-women-and-children-return-bosnia
“A group of former ISIS militants, women and children, some of them orphaned, returned to Bosnia on Thursday, the prosecutor’s office said.
Hundreds of people are believed to have left Europe to fight for ISIS in Syria and Iraq, and many are now in detention camps waiting to be handed over to their countries of origin.
“The suspects … are under investigation for the criminal offences of organizing a terrorist group, unlawful formation and joining of foreign paramilitary or paramilitary formations and terrorism,” Reuters quoted the office as saying in a statement.
“Some of these persons were sought on international arrest warrant by order of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the office said without saying how many people have arrived.
Bosnia’s presidency chairman said early in December that 24 people were expected to return to Bosnia.
Authorities said they had carried out security checks on all returnees.
Bosnia has been preparing to take back and put on trial nine of its nationals suspected of fighting for ISIS in Syria since October but their repatriation has been postponed twice after Turkey carried out a military operation into northeastern Syria to fight Kurds.
Under Bosnia’s criminal code, citizens who leave to fight in foreign wars must be prosecuted under terrorism charges.
Bosnia’s state court has tried and convicted 46 people who returned from Syria or Iraq over the past few years.”
French Warship to Spearhead European Mission in Gulf from 2020
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2043556/french-warship-spearhead-european-mission-gulf-2020
“A European operation to ensure safe shipping in the Gulf region will get underway next month when a French warship starts patrolling there, a French armed forces spokeswoman said on Thursday.
The French government has pushed for a European security alternative in the Strait of Hormuz after ruling out taking part in a US-led coalition protecting oil tankers and cargo ships from Iran’s threat.
France and others including Germany had feared that joining the US mission would send the wrong message at a time of increased friction between Washington and Tehran.
“The Frigate Courbet will take part in the European maritime security initiative from the start of next year,” Reuters quoted Deputy Armed Forces spokeswoman Brigadier General Anne-Cecile Ortemann as saying.
France has said that about 10 European and non-European countries would join its mission, pending parliamentary approvals.”
Tunisian Observatory of Rights and Freedoms: ‘More than 500 citizens under house arrest’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191219-tunisian-observatory-of-rights-and-freedoms-more-than-500-citizens-under-house-arrest/
“A Tunisian human rights observatory announced, on Wednesday, that more than 500 citizens have been under house arrest for various periods, either on suspicion of terrorism or corruption since the state of emergency was imposed in the country in 2015…”
Official: Iraq repatriated 598 children born to Daesh members
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191219-official-iraq-repatriated-598-children-born-to-daesh-members/
“Iraq has successfully repatriated a total of 598 children born to members of Daesh back to their countries of origin, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
Ahmed Al-Sahaf told Russia’s Sputnik news agency that the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, in coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council and security authorities, has repatriated a total of 598 children to Turkey, Russia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Germany, France, Sweden, Georgia, Belarus, Ukraine, Algeria, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
The Iraqi official explained that the Foreign Ministry had invited all countries, through its missions and embassies abroad, to initiate coordination with Iraq to receive the children, in accordance with the sovereign, legal and constitutional contexts.
Iraq has been returning the children of Daesh members whose parents were killed, fled, or arrested during the Iraqi military operations to recapture cities previously under the terror group’s control in the governorates of Anbar, Nineveh, Salahuddin and parts of Kirkuk…”
Fighting intensifies between Libya GNA and Haftar forces south of Tripoli
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191219-fighting-intensifies-between-libya-gna-and-haftar-forces-south-of-tripoli/
“Clashes have intensified between forces loyal to Libya’s internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) and forces loyal to renegade General Khalifa Haftar south of the capital, Tripoli.
Turkey’s Anadolu Agency reported that Haftar’s forces attacked the capital from 11 sites including areas around Tripoli International Airport.
According to the news agency, clashes continue between the two sides in Al-Khalatat, Yarmouk, Ain Zara, Wadi Al-Rabie’ and Al-Zatarna areas, south of Tripoli as well as Ramla, Al-Tuwaysheh and Al-Kazerma near Tripoli International Airport.
Clashes also erupted in the areas of ??Warsfana, Al-Sa’idia, Al-Aziziya and Al-Hirah, southeast of Tripoli.
Haftar forces have also intensified their shelling of civilian areas and residential neighbourhoods in the capital.
Human rights organisations recently warned of the increasing number of internally displaced persons attempting to escape the indiscriminate shelling by Haftar forces against densely populated areas.”
Iran, Russia warn of Daesh relocation to Afghanistan
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191219-iran-russia-warn-of-daesh-relocation-to-afghanistan/
“Iranian and Russian security chiefs have expressed concerns that the Deash terrorist organisation will re-group from their former Middle East strongholds into Afghanistan.
The warnings were made during the second edition of the Regional Security Dialogue conference held in Tehran yesterday by the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, and his Russian counterpart, Nikolai Patrushev, reported Press TV.
Also in attendance were security officials from China, India, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. “Since Daesh’s defeat in Iraq and Syria, one of the [pressing] security concerns has been the relocation of the defeated Daesh elements from the two countries to Afghanistan,” Shamkhani said.
Russia’s Patrushev said Afghanistan currently hosts between 2,500 and 4,000 Daesh terrorists and that the only solution is direct and unconditional talks between the Taliban and the Kabul government. He also referred to the increase in drug production in Afghanistan as one of the principal sources of funding terrorism, and said around $600 million of the funds deriving from drug production and sales go to terrorist outfits in the region each year.
Mohammad Ali Watanzadeh, the top Tajik security official in attendance, said that the “Presence of terrorist groups in northern Afghanistan is a serious growing threat.” He added: “With regard to expansion and stabilization of terrorist groups in northern Afghanistan, establishment of an independent terrorist ruling system is probable.”…”
Report: US probe of Saudi oil attack shows it came from north
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191219-report-us-probe-of-saudi-oil-attack-shows-it-came-from-north/
“The United States said new evidence and analysis of weapons debris recovered from an attack on Saudi oil facilities on 14 September indicates the strike likely came from the north, reinforcing its earlier assessment that Iran was behind the offensive, Reuters reports.
In an interim report of its investigation – seen by Reuters ahead of a presentation on Thursday to the United Nations Security Council – Washington assessed that before hitting its targets, one of the drones traversed a location approximately 200 km (124 miles) to the northwest of the attack site.
“This, in combination with the assessed 900 kilometer maximum range of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), indicates with high likelihood that the attack originated north of Abqaiq,” the interim report said, referring to the location of one of the Saudi oil facilities that were hit.
It added the United States had identified several similarities between the drones used in the raid and an Iranian designed and produced unmanned aircraft known as the IRN-05 UAV.
However, the report noted that the analysis of the weapons debris did not definitely reveal the origin of the strike that initially knocked out half of Saudi Arabia’s oil production.
“At this time, the US Intelligence Community has not identified any information from the recovered weapon systems used in the 14 September attacks on Saudi Arabia that definitively reveals an attack origin,” it said.
The new findings include freshly declassified information, a State Department official told Reuters.
The United States, European powers and Saudi Arabia blamed the 14 September attack on Iran. Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attacks, and Iran, which supports the Houthis, denied any involvement. Yemen is south of Saudi Arabia.
Reuters reported last month that Iran’s leadership approved the attacks but decided to stop short of a direct confrontation that could trigger a devastating US response. It opted instead to hit the Abqaiq and the Khurais oil plants of US ally Saudi Arabia, according to three officials familiar with the meetings and a fourth close to Iran’s decision making.
According to the Reuters report a Middle East source, who was briefed by a country investigating the attack, said the launch site was the Ahvaz air base in southwest Iran, which is about 650 km north of Abqaiq.
Some of the craft flew over Iraq and Kuwait en route to the attack, according to a Western intelligence source cited by the report, giving Iran plausible deniability.
The 17-minute strike by 18 drones and three low-flying missiles caused a spike in oil prices, fires and damage and shut down more than 5% of global oil supply. Saudi Arabia said on Oct. 3 that it had fully restored oil output.”
Pope denounces “torture, slavery” in Libyan migrant camps
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191219-pope-denounces-torture-slavery-in-libyan-migrant-camps/
“Pope Francis called for the closing of migrant detention camps in Libya on Thursday, saying they were rife with torture and slavery, Reuters reports.
Francis, who has made defence of migrants and refugees a key part of his pontificate, made his comments in to a group of refugees, including women and children, brought to Italy by the Vatican from a transit camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.
“How can we fail to hear the cry of so many brothers and sisters who prefer to face a tempestuous sea rather than die slowly in Libyan detention camps, places of torture and ignoble slavery?” he said.
More than 5,000 refugees and migrants are held in 19 official detention facilities in Libya, some controlled by armed groups, as well as an unknown number in squalid centres run by traffickers, according to the United Nations.
Rights groups say abuses are rife including beating and forced labour.
“We need a serious commitment to empty out the detention camps in Libya, evaluating and activating all possible solutions,” Francis said, adding, without elaborating, that “complicity by institutions” should be denounced…”
Libya’s internationally recognised government ratifies security deal with Turkey
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191219-libyas-internationally-recognised-government-ratifies-security-deal-with-turkey/
“Libya’s internationally recognised government said on Thursday it has ratified a security and military cooperation deal it agreed with Turkey last month, opening the way for potential military help from Ankara as it fights a months-long offensive by rival forces, Reuters reports.
The Government of National Accord (GNA) said in a statement that the memorandum of understanding has been ratified but did not give further details.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara would improve cooperation with Libya by offering military support to the GNA and backing joint steps they have taken in the Mediterranean.
It was not immediately clear what kind of military support Turkey might offer Libya or when.
The GNA, based in the capital Tripoli, has been fighting since April to push back an offensive by the eastern-based Libyan National Army forces led by Khalifa Haftar.”
UN calls for lifting restrictions on Iran diplomats
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/12/19/un-calls-for-lifting-restrictions-on-iran-diplomats
“The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday called on the US – which hosts the organisation’s headquarters – to lift restrictions on Iranian diplomats.
The resolution also condemned the denial of visas to Russian diplomats.
Since the summer, Iranian diplomats and ministers have been under strict movement restrictions when they are in the US. They are limited largely to the area around the UN headquarters in New York, the Iranian mission and the ambassador’s residence.
The UN resolution, proposed by Cyprus on behalf of Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica and Ivory Coast, was approved by consensus without being put to a vote.
Unlike those passed by the Security Council, General Assembly resolutions are not binding but do have political weight.
Without naming specific countries, the text was mainly aimed at the restrictions imposed on Iran, as well as the visa denials to Russia’s delegation during last September’s General Assembly, diplomats said.
The resolution said the UN “urges the host country to remove all remaining travel restrictions imposed by it on staff of certain missions and staff members of the Secretariat of certain nationalities”.
The UN “takes seriously” the travel restrictions and arguments of the “two Missions” that say they are hindered in their functions, the text added.
Tensions between the US and Iran have risen since May last year when President Donald Trump abandoned a 2015 multinational deal with Iran aimed at curbing its nuclear program and began reimposing sanctions.
In September, while participating in the annual General Assembly, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif complained he was unable to visit the country’s UN ambassador in a US hospital.
The UN also “expresses serious concern regarding the non-issuance of entry visas to certain representatives of certain Member States,” the resolution said, referring to 18 Russian diplomats who were denied US visas, also in September.
They were supposed to participate in various UN committees until December.
According to UN diplomats, during a lunch organized by the White House in early December for members of the UN Security Council, Russia’s ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia stressed to Trump that the denied visas were damaging to the United States’ image as host country.
The US president said he was not aware of the issue and asked his team to look into the matter, the diplomats said.
The visa refusals have led to work delays for the concerned committees. The UN is considering the possibility of hosting sessions in the Geneva or Vienna headquarters in 2020 if the problem continues.”