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.
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This is the new Samizdat. We must use it while we can.
Iran says it ‘unintentionally’ shot down Ukrainian jetliner
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iranian state TV, citing a military statement, says the country ‘unintentionally’ shot down a Ukrainian jetliner, killing all 176 aboard.
The statement came Saturday morning. It blames “human error” for the shootdown.
The jetliner, a Boeing 737 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines, went down on the outskirts of Tehran during takeoff just hours after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at U.S. forces.
Iran had denied for several days that a missile downed the aircraft. But then the U.S. and Canada, citing intelligence, said they believe Iran shot down the aircraft.
https://www.wndu.com/content/news/Iran-says-it-unintentionally-shot-down-Ukrainian-jetliner-566898431.html
Sky News – Iran Crash: Pilot’s wife ‘warned husband not to fly’
Live Updates: Iran Says Ukrainian Aircraft Brought Down by Human Error (sputniknews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://sputniknews.com/world/202001111078005863-iran-says-ukrainian-aircraft-brought-down-by-human-error-ap-reports/
“Earlier this week, a Boeing 737 crashed in Iran killing all 176 people on board. Tehran previously stressed that the tragedy had occurred due to a technical error.
Several Western nations, however, refused to rule out the possibility that the plane was downed by a missile.
Tehran unintentionally shot down Ukraine’s Boeing 737 because of “human error”, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Saturday.
The Iranian military also confirmed in a statement on state TV that the jet was brought down unintentionally as it flew close to a sensitive military installation. According to the statement, the parties responsible will be held accountable by the judiciary.
The armed forces have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.
The Ukrainian Airlines Boeing 737-800 travelling from Tehran to Kiev crashed soon after takeoff from Tehran Airport on Wednesday.
All 176 people on board the aircraft died, including citizens of Iran, Ukraine, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Afghanistan.
Iran Identified Ukrainian Jet as Enemy Aircraft Awaiting US Response to Strikes – Military
Iranian President Orders to Take All Necessary Measures to Pay Compensation for Downed Plane – Statement
Iran Deeply Regrets Mistake Leading to Ukrainian Plane Crash – President Rouhani”
Iran Was Prepared for Full-Fledged War with US When Missile Downed Ukrainian Jet – IRGC Commander (sputniknews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001111078007348-iran-was-prepared-for-full-fledged-war-with-us-when-missile-downed-ukrainian-jet–irgc-commander/
“Earlier in the day, Iranian authorities admitted the Ukrainian jet that crashed in Tehran this week was downed with a missile by the Iranian armed forces.
Iran was poised for a full-blown military conflict at the moment its armed forces brought down the Ukrainian passenger jet with a missile, the commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, said on Saturday. The commander said that the US was partly to blame for the tragic incident as Washington had spiked tensions with Tehran prior to the plane being downed.
According to Hajizadeh, Iranian air defence systems mistook the Boeing 737 for a cruise missile. The plane was shot down with a short-range projectile, he added.
The commander said that the IRGC is taking full responsibility for the catastrophe and are ready to face any decision taken by the authorities.
Hajizadeh said he informed the authorities about the unintentional attack on the same day, adding that “he wished he could die” when he heard about the incident.
176 people died on Wednesday when the Ukrainian Airlines Boeing 737-800 travelling from Tehran to Kiev crashed soon after takeoff from Tehran Airport.
Tehran previously stressed that the tragedy had occurred due to a technical error. Several Western nations, however, refused to rule out the possibility that the plane was downed by a missile.”
Iran: Revolutionary Guards apologise for downing Ukraine plane
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh apologised for shooting down a Ukrainian passenger jet at a press briefing in Tehran on Saturday.
He blamed the “hurriedly-made decision” to fire missiles on time pressure and the fear of retaliatory attacks from the US. Iran had targeted several US military in Iraq on Wednesday morning, the day of the crash.
Hajizadeh admitted the IRGC were guilty for the incident, and said strong denials issued by Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation (CAOI) the previous day were based on incomplete information.
The delay in the admission of guilt was due to an ongoing investigation by the Armed Forces General Staff, he added.
Earlier, Iran admitted “unintentionally” shooting down the Ukrainian International Airlines (UIA) flight PS752, killing all 176 people on board.
An investigation revealed that “missiles fired due to human error,” according to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
The military said the jet turned towards a site belonging to the IRGC and was mistaken for a cruise missile.
Amir Ali Hajizadeh – JAN 06 2020 : Killing Pres. Trump… Wouldn’t Be Enough to Avenge Soleimani’s Blood
As a follow-up to SIX Nuclear Proliferation Scientists on board the flight: Conspiracy or no-conspiracy? What to think?
** Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says 57 Canadians died when Iran shot down the Ukrainian International Airlines flight.
During a press conference, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne revised the Canadian death toll in Iran’s shooting down of an airliner downward.
Earlier, the government had said 63 Canadians were killed.
Now, Champagne says 57 Canadians died. **
https://www.spencerfernando.com/2020/01/10/report-canadian-death-toll-in-irans-missile-strike-on-plane-revised/
“I wished I could die”: IRGC commander takes responsibility for Ukraine plane crash
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Senior Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh blamed the U.S. for spiking tensions in the region on Saturday, after admitting to mistakenly shooting down a Ukrainian airliner.
“When I confirmed what had happened, I really wished I could die myself,” Hajizadeh said during a press conference on Saturday in Tehran.
We all knew, as of the beginning, that Iran shot down the flight. Iran claims the missile air defense operator attempted to ask permission for the shoot-down but the communication system was scrambled. So, he had ten seconds to decide what to do.
That said, was it really unintentional?
The aircraft was clearly ascending and on an accepted flight path. I’m certain it’s not the first time the Iranian military base sees an ascending aircraft on that trajectory.
Apparently, there were six scientists specializing in nuclear proliferation onboard the flight. It will be very difficult to identify the remains.
Why is it I’m starting to think it was intentional?
Exclusive look inside the US strike that killed Iran’s Qassem Soleimani
President Trump reveals new details on imminent threat from Soleimani, responds to criticism
President Trump accuses Nancy Pelosi of belittling impeachment, wants whistleblower to testify
President Trump talks trade with China, immigration policy and the US economy
President Trump comments on turmoil for the British royal family, Olympic ban on political messaging
PT rightfully eliminated the world’s worst terrorist after Xi. Iran created and supported Soleimani. Iran is responsible for him. Iran is by extension responsible for all consequences of this creation, including the shooting down of this plane. Full stop. Twisting this truth by the likes of the CBC is reprehensible.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1113996
And in his comments about the target he has picked he ask “Who is next?”
Free fertilization treatments:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-europe-51061499
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.ft.com/content/5e827242-1519-11ea-9ee4-11f260415385
Hungary goes it alone inside the EU.
Orban wants EU policy to reflect U.S. and Israel’s on Iran:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/news.yahoo.com/amphtml/hungary-wants-see-eu-stance-111031373.html
https://m.jpost.com/Middle-East/Late-Sultan-of-Oman-vowed-to-keep-the-Strait-of-Hormuz-open-what-now-613816
What happens now?
Mine Explosion Hits Vehicle With Romanian Troops in Southern Afghanistan – Source (sputniknews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001111078007284-mine-explosion-hits-vehicle-with-romanian-troops-in-southern-afghanistan-source/
“A bomb explosion has hit a military vehicle carrying Romanian troops in the Dand district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province, a source said Saturday.
“A bomb went off on Romanian troops in the Haqdad Karez area of Dand district this morning, but no casualties were reported”, the source told reporters.
Sources say the vehicle was damaged in the blast, and the area was blocked by foreign forces afterward.
The Taliban has taken responsibility for the incident, claiming, however, that the blast killed all the soldiers in the vehicle.
“A militant tank was completely destroyed in a powerful mine explosion this morning near the airport in Krow Shelley, in the Dand district of Kandahar Province, and killed all foreign soldiers who were in the tank”, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.
Kandahar’s governor and police chief have declined to comment.”
Video: A cogent explanation of the state of modern media with examples and juxtapositions. 31 minutes long.
“How The Media Lies To You” by Mr Reagan
Ex CIA: How The CIA Manipulates You With Media (Pt. 3) | Bryan Dean Wright | POLITICS | Rubin Report Jan 11, 2020
Dave Rubin of The Rubin Report talks to Bryan Dean Wright (former CIA ops officer) about how the Deep State use leaks to the media like the New York Times and the Washington Post to steer the narrative in a direction more favorable to their interests. Bryan has a unique perspective being a former CIA agent and a lifelong Democrat. Bryan shares how both Democrats and Republicans use these tactics to their advantage. Bryan discusses how most often the culprits in strategic leaking to the media are done by the White House or senior level officials and not low level employees. Bryan shows how James Comey successfully used leaks to the media to get a special prosecutor to lead the Russia investigation. It is tactics like these that the FBI, and CIA have used to harm a duly elected President. Bryan while being a Democrat acknowledges that media mostly has a bias in favor of the Democratic party and that what passes for journalism these days is mostly just opinion. Finally he shares why he was suspended from Twitter and the dangers of Big Tech controlled social media.
Extremist Ideology Has Taken Over Nuclear-Armed India, May Lead to Bloodshed – Imran Khan (sputniknews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://sputniknews.com/india/202001111078007395-extremist-ideology-has-taken-over-nuclear-armed-india-may-lead-to-bloodshed—imran-khan/
“Since the passing of the controversial citizenship law in December, the Pakistani government has been urging world leaders to intervene and stop Indian authorities from “instigating violence against protesting Muslims”.
Taking a swipe at India’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the path on which the Indian administration is moving will lead to bloodshed. Mentioning the parent organisation of the BJP, Imran Khan said that the “extremist ideology RSS has taken over a nuclear-armed country of over a billion people”.
“It is an ideology based on racial superiority and hatred of Muslims and all minorities. Whenever this genie has come out of the bottle, it has always led to bloodshed,” Imran Khan said while mentioning stories related to alleged atrocities committed against Muslims during the ongoing protests against the amended citizenship law in India.
Founded in 1925, RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) is the parent organisation of Modi’s BJP and has believed from day one that India belongs to the Hindus. However, at the same time, the RSS perceives Hindu as a term and “not a religious or sectarian identity”.
The Pakistani government claimed that the CAA falls in line with the Indian government’s ideology of “Hindu Rashtra” (Hindu nation), “an idea relentlessly pushed by the right-wing leaders of the state”.
The Indian government, however, has continuously rejected the allegations that the law is discriminatory towards Muslims. “Indian Muslims have nothing to fear from the Citizenship (Amendment) Law”, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said in parliament.
The Indian government also launched nationwide awareness to dispel the fear among people who have been protesting across the country against the law. According to India’s Home Ministry, 22 people lost their lives and 288 police personnel were injured in the protests.
The citizenship law paves the way for Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains, and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to obtain Indian citizenship.”
Iranian Supreme Leader’s Twitter Account Temporarily Restricted (sputniknews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001111078006902-iranian-supreme-leaders-twitter-account-temporarily-blocked/
“The social media platform says that “there has been some unusual activity from this account”. The reasons for the suspension are not immediately clear.
The Twitter page of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been temporarily suspended.
There has been no official statement from Twitter about the reasons behind their decision to suspend Khamenei’s account.
The account was blocked just hours after Iran admitted to unintentionally downing a Boeing 737.
Earlier in the day, Khamenei held an emergency meeting during which he called for public disclosure of the probe findings into the tragedy.”
Instagram Deletes Soleimani-Related Posts, Some Iranian Media Accounts Citing US Sanctions (sputniknews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001111078008695-instagram-deletes-soleimani-related-posts-some-iranian-media-accounts-citing-us-sanctions/
“Following Washington’s designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, Instagram and its parent company Facebook started deleting accounts belonging to prominent members of the IRGC last April under the pretext of American sanctions.
Facebook and its subsidiary, Instagram have started removing users’ posts dedicated to the assassination of Iranian IRGC general Qasem Soleimani, CNN reported citing the social network’s spokesperson.
The Facebook representative linked the removal of posts with US sanctions, but didn’t elaborate further. In a similar action that saw the Instagram accounts of many IRGC officials removed in April 2019 the company cited the US designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.
“We operate under US sanctions laws, including those related to the US government’s designation of the IRGC and its leadership”, Facebook stated at the time.
The removal of the posts was first reported by Coda Story on 10 January. The media outlet brought up the examples of Emadeddin Baghi and Bahareh Letnes, whose Soleimani-related posts were removed for violation of Instagram’s community guidelines. Baghi posted a photo of the deceased general calling him a “war hero” and expressing hope about a swift US withdrawal from the Middle East in the caption. The post was later removed by Instagram’s administration.
Baghi, who is an investigative journalist and known critic of the IRGC, according to the media outlet, wrote in his now deleted post that Soleimani’s death “saddened some, and made others happy”, while condemning the US airstrike as an act contradicting the principles of international law.
Coda Story reported that not only posts have been removed from the social media platform following Soleimani’s death, but also the accounts of some Iranian media outlets have been deleted, such as Tasnim News Agency an Jamaran News. The social network has not commented on the reasons behind this.
In a separate incident, Twitter has temporarily restricted access to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s account on its platform without elaborating on the reasons except standard the caption that “unusual activity” has been detected.
‘Undemocratic’ Action
The decision by the social network to censure the content of Instagram, one of the few social media not blocked in Iran, was slammed as undemocratic by government spokesman Ali Rabiei.
The Iranian government has called for legal action against Instagram and organised a web portal for social network users, who can leave their now-deleted post for everyone to see.
Soleimani’s Assassination
IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a targeted US airstrike as he was visiting Iraq on 3 January. Washington justified its actions by claiming that the general had planned attacks on American embassies, although Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later admitted that the US didn’t know the location or time of these attacks.
The killing of Soleimani sparked harsh condemnation from Iran, which later retaliated for his death by launching a missile strike against two military bases in Iraq, hosting US troops. No soldiers were hurt in the attack, but the bases sustained “minor damage” as a result.”
ISIS welcomes Soleimani assassination and claims it will help terror gang return (express, Jan 11, 2020)
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1226975/Iran-news-ISIS-Islamic-State-Qasem-Soleimani-Donald-Trump-Iraq-Iranian
“ISIS HAS welcomed the US killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani as an act of “divine intervention” that will allow the terror gang to regroup.
However the group maintains a powerful presence in both countries and is reportedly attempting to regroup. Following the killing of Soleimani western programmes to train Iraqi forces have been greatly reduced due to security concerns.
The Iraqi Parliament also passed a non-binding vote calling for US troops to leave Iraq.
President Trump has said Iran was planning to target four US embassies before the strike on Soleimani.
Asked about the threat on Fox News he said: “I can reveal that I believe it probably would’ve been four embassies.”
Soleimani was head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force and a powerful figure within Iran.
He has been accused of organising attacks on American, British and Israeli targets.
According to reports he was targeted by the SAS in 2007, but a planned mission to kill or capture him over his role in the killings of UK soldiers in southern Iraq was blocked.
ISIS captured significant chunks of Syria and Iraq during a series of lightening offensives in 2014.
They butchered or enslaved thousands from minority communities or anyone else who opposed their rule.
The terror group would go on to organise or inspire a wave of terrorist attacks right across the world.
Shia militia groups, organised with the assistance of Soleimani and Iran, helped to stem the groups advance.
However more recently Iranian backed Shia militia groups have been accused of butchering protestors demonstrating against the Iranian presence in Iraq.
ISIS used its weekly newspaper to welcome the killing of Soleimani.
It argued the conflict between the US and Iran would weaken both, allowing ISIS to reemerge.
Following Soleimani’s killing the US suspended training of the Iraqi army to concentrate on its troops safety.
Britain also moved some of its troops to safer parts of the country whilst German military trainers were withdrawn to Jordan and Kuwait.
Trump claimed Soleimani was killed to prevent more attacks on US targets.
He said: “Qassem Soleimani was actively planning new attacks.
“He was looking very seriously at our embassies and not just the embassy in Baghdad.
“We stopped him, we stopped him quickly and we stopped him cold.
“He was a bad guy and a bloodthirsty terror.
Following the killing Iranian missiles hit two bases in Iraq housing US troops but didn’t cause any casualties.”
White House considers expanding its travel ban by adding at least SEVEN more countries that are Muslim or ‘low-performing’ to list that already includes Iran, Syria and North Korea (dailymail, Jan 11, 2020)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7874525/White-House-considers-expanding-travel-ban-countries.html
“The White House is considering dramatically expanding its much-litigated travel ban to additional countries amid a renewed election-year focus on immigration by President Donald Trump, according to six people familiar with the deliberations.
A document outlining the plans – timed to coincide with the third anniversary of Trump’s January 2017 executive order – has been circulating the White House.
But the countries that would be affected if it moves forward are blacked out, according to two of the people, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the measure has yet to be finalized.
It’s unclear exactly how many countries would be included in the expansion if it proceeds, but two of the people said that seven countries – a majority of them Muslim – would be added to the list. The most recent iteration of the ban includes restrictions on five majority-Muslim nations: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, as well as Venezuela and North Korea.
A different person said the expansion could include several countries that were covered in the first iteration of Trump’s ban, but later removed amid rounds of contentious litigation.
Iraq, Sudan and Chad, for instance, had originally been affected by the order, which the Supreme Court upheld in a 5-4 vote after the administration released a watered-down version intended to withstand legal scrutiny.
Trump, who had floated a banning all Muslims from entering the country during his 2016 campaign, criticized his Justice Department for the changes, tweeting that DOJ ‘should have stayed with the original Travel Ban, not the watered down, politically correct version they submitted to S.C.’
The countries on the proposed expansion list include allies that fall short on certain security measures. The additional restrictions were proposed by Department of Homeland Security officials following a review of security protocols and ‘identity management’ for about 200 countries, according to the person.
White House House spokesman Hogan Gidley declined to confirm the plan, but praised the travel ban for making the country safer.
‘The Travel Ban has been very successful in protecting our Country and raising the security baseline around the world,’ he said in a statement. ‘While there are no new announcements at this time, common-sense and national security both dictate that if a country wants to fully participate in U.S. immigration programs, they should also comply with all security and counter-terrorism measures – because we do not want to import terrorism or any other national security threat into the United States.’
Several of the people said they expected the announcement to be timed to coincide with the third anniversary of Trump’s first, explosive travel ban, which was announced without warning on January 27, 2017 – days after Trump took office. That order sparked an uproar, with massive protests across the nation and chaos at airports where passengers were detained.
The current ban suspends immigrant and non-immigrant visas to applicants from the affected countries, but it allows exceptions, including for students and those who have established ‘significant contacts’ in the US. And it represents a significant softening from Trump’s initial order, which had suspended travel from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen for 90 days, blocked refugee admissions for 120 days and suspended travel from Syria.
That order was immediately blocked by the courts, prompting a months-long effort by the administration to develop clear standards and federal review processes to try to withstand legal muster. Under the current system, restrictions are targeted at countries the Department of Homeland Security says fail to share sufficient information with the U.S. or haven´t taken necessary security precautions, such as issuing electronic passports with biometric information and sharing information about travelers’ terror-related and criminal histories.
Under the existing order, Cabinet secretaries are also required to update the president regularly on whether countries are abiding by the new immigration security benchmarks. Countries that fail to comply risk new restrictions and limitations, while countries that comply can have their restrictions lifted.
The discussions come as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi prepares to transmit to the Senate the articles of impeachment the Democratic-led House passed against Trump late last year, launching a formal impeachment trial just as the 2020 election year gets underway. Trump in December became just the third president in history to be impeached by the House. The Republican-controlled Senate is not expected to remove him from office.
Trump ran his 2016 campaign promising to crack down on illegal immigration and spent much of his first term fighting lawsuits trying to halt his push to build a wall along the southern border, prohibit the entry of citizens from several majority-Muslim countries and crack down on migrants seeking asylum in the U.S., amid other measures.
He is expected to press those efforts again this year as he ramps up his reelection campaign and works to energize his base with his signature issue, inevitably stoking Democratic anger.
Just this week, a coalition of leading civil rights organizations urged House leaders to take up the No Ban Act, legislation to end Trump´s travel ban and prevent a new one.
The bill introduced last year by Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., with Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., in the Senate, would impose limits on the president´s ability to restrict entry to the U.S. It would require the administration to spell out its reasons for the restrictions and specifically prohibit religious discrimination.”
EU Doubles Down on Support for Iran Nuclear Deal (breitbart, Jan 11, 2020)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/11/eu-doubles-down-support-iran-nuclear-deal/
“The EU reiterated its support for the nuclear deal brokered with Iran, also expressing concerns Friday that the escalating tensions in the region could lead to a resurgence of the Islamic State’s activities.
The EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell called the urgent meeting of European foreign affairs ministers in Brussels after the U.S. killing of Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, in a drone attack in Iraq on Jan. 3 .
Tehran responded earlier this week with missile strikes at U.S. bases and announced it would no longer respect limits set under the 2015 nuclear deal on how many centrifuges it can use to enrich uranium, fuelling fears Iran could quickly start building a nuclear arsenal.
“We need to understand that the fight against Daesh is not over,” said NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, who attended the meeting in the EU capital and referred to an alternative name for the Islamic State group.
“We have made enormous progress but Daesh can return.”
In an attempt to avoid an escalation between Iran and the United States, EU leaders have intensified diplomatic activities, trying to keep alive the nuclear deal while making sure the U.S.-led anti-IS coalition continues to operate in Iraq. In the wake of the killing of Soleimani, Iraq’s parliament called for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas reiterated Germany’s position that the fight against IS in Iraq needs to continue.
“I can’t rule out that, if the anti-IS coalition leaves Iraq then IS will regenerate so much that it can carry out attacks in Europe again,” said Maas, speaking to German broadcaster n-tv.
And Denmark;s foreign affairs minister, Jeppe Kofod, said IS is the threat for Europe.”
Despite calls from U.S. President Donald Trump to break away from the nuclear deal, the European Union remains committed to the treaty.
“Thanks to this deal Iran is not a nuclear power,” Borrell said.
Iran struck the deal in 2015 with the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia and China. It has, however, been damaged by Trump’s decision to unilaterally abandon it in 2018 and to impose sanctions that have hurt Iran’s economy.
Iran has gradually rolled back its commitment to the accord and the recent escalation of tensions between Iran and the U.S. has dealt further blows to the pact.
“We are of the opinion that this agreement makes sense because it holds Iran to not developing nuclear weapons, and so we want this agreement to have a future,” Maas said upon arrival at the meeting. “But of course it only has a future if it is complied with, and we expect that from Iran.”
Despite its decision to get rid of restrictions in relation to its enrichment capacity, Iran has not stopped collaborating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and has made clear it is ready to return to its commitments if sanctions are lifted.
Delivering the meeting’s conclusions, Borrell urged Iran to get back “to full compliance without delay” to make sure the deal can be salvaged.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian continued to insist the accord “is not dead” and said Iran could get access to atomic weapons within “one or two years” if the deal continues to lose its substance.
In a phone call with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also reaffirmed his support for the deal.
Borrell has invited Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to Brussels for talks, but a date for his visit has yet to be set.
In front of Ghassam Salamé, the head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, the Council also addressed the current crisis in the war-torn country, with Borrell warning of an increased risk of terror activities if a cease-fire is not quickly reached.
Libya is currently governed by duelling authorities, in the east and the west, each relying on different militias. The east-based government is backed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, as well as France and Russia. The western, Tripoli-based government receives aid from Turkey, Qatar and Italy.
Borrell said the presence of fighters coming from Syria and Sudan has been detected in Libya recently and insisted the conflict could lead to a new influx of refugees in Europe.
“This crisis may spiral out of control,” Borrell said.”
French Researcher Links ‘Neglected’ Enclaves and Prisons to Rise of Radical Islam (breitbart, Jan 11, 2020)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/11/french-researcher-links-neglected-enclaves-prisons-rise-radical-islam/
“Hugo Micheron, a researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), has claimed that the rise in jihadist activity in France and Belgium is directly linked to “neglected” enclaves and prisons in the two countries.
Micheron interviewed 80 jihadists in prison and went to several key areas across France and Belgium — such as Toulouse and Paris and the infamous Brussels suburb of Molenbeek — and found links to historic Islamist movements in the areas and the individuals who would go on to wage jihad, L’Obs reports.
“These attacks are the culmination of dynamic actions that have been taking place over the past 15 or 20 years in certain enclaves,” Micheron said.
He went on to specifically highlight the arrival of Islamist preachers in the 1990s from Afghanistan and Algeria in various areas as the catalyst for the trend of Islamic radicalism in those enclaves and neighbourhoods.
“And the networks are woven: from 2000, 15 years before November 13 [the date of the Paris terror attacks], the Clains have brought preachers from Molenbeek to Toulouse,” he said. The Clain brothers, Fabien and Jean-Michel, are two of the most notorious French Islamic radicals and became senior members of the Islamic State terror group.
Following his death by an airstrike in February of 2019, Fabien Clain was thanked and praised by former Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi himself. His brother Jean-Michel was killed just a month later.
Micheron also noted that French security services did little to stop French jihadists going to Syria to fight for groups like the Islamic State, saying: “We did not anticipate that the ‘caliphate’ would strengthen the links between networks, bring even more departures, returns, and violent actions in France.”
The research is similar to that of French radical Islamic expert Gilles Kepel who told Breitbart London in 2017 that the Islamist movement had moved through three “ages” since the 1970s and that the current age was greatly influenced by the 2005 Paris riots.”
Report: Record 3,000 Christian Sites in Europe Vandalized in 2019 (breitbart, Jan 11, 2019)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/11/report-record-3000-christian-sites-europe-vandalized-2019/
“Christian sites in Europe suffered a record number of attacks in the year 2019, with some 3,000 Christian churches, schools, cemeteries, and monuments vandalized, looted, or defaced.
Reports compiling the anti-Christian acts during the year document a range of profanation including arson, defecation, desecration, looting, mockery, Satanism, theft, urination, and vandalism.
“Sadly, 2019 was punctuated by increasing incidents of desecration and vandalism of churches around Europe, along with the 2019 fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which captured worldwide attention,” the director of The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe, Ellen Fantini, told Breitbart News on Saturday.
“In most instances the perpetrators of these acts were unidentified, but the Observatory has documented that churches and other symbols of Christianity in Europe are targets for many groups — from Islamists to radical feminists, LGBT activists to anarchists and self-proclaimed Satanists,” Ms. Fantini said.
In all, some 3,000 Christian churches, schools, cemeteries, and monuments were vandalized, looted or defaced in Europe during 2019, making it a record year for anti-Christian sacrilege.
The greatest number of acts of violence against Christian sites have occurred in France, where churches, schools, cemeteries, and monuments “are being vandalized, desecrated, and burned at an average rate of three per day,” according to reports citing government statistics.
Germany is not far behind, with attacks against Christian churches happening at an average rate of two per day. Meanwhile, attacks on Christian churches and symbols regularly occurred in 2019 in Belgium, the UK, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, and Spain as well.
While the violence overwhelmingly involves Roman Catholic sites and symbols, in Germany, Protestant churches have also been targeted.
Police and mainstream media almost always censor information about the identities and ethnic backgrounds of the perpetrators, so it is difficult to get a clear idea as to who is committing the crimes and the motives behind them — especially when they are religiously driven.
In France and Germany, the sharp rise in anti-Christian attacks has coincided with the recent mass immigration from the Muslim world, yet the lack of official statistics makes it impossible to know precisely how many attacks can be attributed to Islamic anti-Christian hostility.
“European governments and politicians, with a few exceptions, seem reluctant to address this problem,” Ms. Fantini told Breitbart.
Fantini said she agrees with former UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt that “the UK and other Western governments have not grappled with the issue perhaps because of a misguided political correctness or an instinctive reluctance to talk about religion.”
In 2019, only nine European states reported hate crime data relating to Christians to the OSCE for their hate crime report, Fantini noted, which is fewer than the number of states that report hate crimes with an anti-Muslim or antisemitic bias.
According to Bishop Dominique Rey of Fréjus-Toulon, we are “witnessing the convergence of laicism – conceived as secularism, which relegates the faithful only to the private sphere and where every religious denomination is banal or stigmatized – with the overwhelming emergence of Islam, which attacks the infidels and those who reject the Koran.
“On one hand, we are mocked by the media that discredit the action of the Church, in particular regarding sexual abuse, and on the other, there is the strengthening of Islamic fundamentalism. These are two joint realities,” he said.”
2 US troops killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan (abcnews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nato-us-army-vehicle-hit-roadside-bomb-afghanistan-68212978
“Two U.S. service members were killed and two others injured when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said in a statement Saturday.
In keeping with defense department rules, the U.S. military did not identify the service members.
The Taliban immediately took responsibility for the attack. Qari Yusouf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, said it occurred in the southern Kandahar province.
More than 2,400 U.S. service members have been killed in Afghanistan. Last year was one of the deadliest for the United States, with 23 American troops killed, even as Washington engaged in peace talks with the Taliban.
The latest attack seemed certain to stall fresh efforts to restart the on-again, off-again peace talks between Washington and the Taliban…”
Refugees shot dead in Tripoli forced out of UN facility (abcnews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/refugees-shot-dead-tripoli-forced-facility-68212563
“Two Eritrean asylum-seekers were shot dead in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, days after the U.N. refugee agency pressed them to leave its facility citing overcrowding.
The UNHCR confirmed the deaths in a statement Friday saying it’s “deeply saddened” by the Thursday deaths in Tripoli.
Three refugees told The Associated Press that the men were among dozens forced out of the UNHCR-run Gathering and Departure Facility 10 days ago. The three spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.
The facility was promoted as an “alternative to detention” but when the numbers of refugees increased, the U.N. offered money and pressed new arrivals to leave. The slain refugees were among those who accepted the money and left.
They were among thousands held in Libya’s detention centers where abuses are rampant. The country is a major waypoint for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East to Europe.”
12 migrants found dead, 21 rescued at sea off western Greece (abcnews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/12-migrants-found-dead-21-rescued-sea-off-68213078
“Greece’s coast guard says 12 migrants have been found dead in the Ionian Sea and 21 others have been rescued after their boat took in water and sank. Searchers are looking for more survivors.
The deaths and sea rescues came southwest of the Greek island of Paxos, a coast guard spokesperson told the Associated Press, speaking on customary condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.
“The initial report is that 50 people were in the boat,” he said.
The coast guard said someone from the boat had called the 112 emergency number at 9:15 a.m. Saturday. At least four merchant ships, six coast guard ships and a helicopter were searching for survivors amid calm seas.
No further information about the migrants was released.”
Ruptly Video Agency’s Cameraman Killed In Iraq – Sputnik and RT Chief Editor (sputniknews, Jan 11, 2019)
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001111078009443-ruptly-video-agencys-cameraman-killed-in-iraq–sputnik-and-rt-chief-editor/
“Ruptly string operator Saaf Ghali has been killed in Iraq, according to Sputnik and RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan.
According to reports, the operator was killed after filming a demonstration in Iraq related to the ongoing US-Iran tensions.
“In Iraq, unknown armed people killed our stringer cameraman Saaf Ghali. Saaf actively filmed materials for our Ruptly video agency in the region. We will do everything to help his family”, Margarita Simonyan wrote on her Telegram channel.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW”
First terrorist attack in UK jail foiled by hero guards (express, Jan 11, 2020)
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1227044/first-terrorist-attack-UK-jail-fake-suicide-belts-guards-boris-johnson
“PRIME Minister Boris Johnson yesterday said we owe a “huge debt of gratitude” after heroic prison guards tackled suspected terrorists wearing fake suicide belts inside a high-security jail.
An Islamist convicted over a plot to behead a soldier and an accomplice attacked a prison officer in HMP Whitemoor, Cambs. They then targeted four staff who rushed in to help. Mr Johnson said: “My thoughts are with the staff injured in the suspected terror incident. I would like to thank them and the emergency services for their courageous response. We owe those who keep us safe a huge debt of gratitude.”
A prison source said the two men shouted “Allahu Akbar” as they attacked.
Met police said it was the first terrorist incident inside a jail.
A source said: “Counter terror police are investigating because of the people involved and some of the phrases used.” Convicted terrorist Brusthom Ziamani, 24, and his accomplice pounced as the guard opened their cell door.
They tried to force him into a storage cupboard.
The officer suffered stab and slash wounds to the head, chest and face. Three other officers and a nurse who rushed to help were also stabbed on Thursday.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: “I want to pay tribute to the immense bravery and professionalism of the prison officers who brought this attack under control.
“They are true heroes and my sympathies and thoughts go to all those who were injured.”
Ziamani, a follower of radical preacher Anjem Choudary, was found guilty of planning a terrorist attack in 2015 over a plot to behead a British soldier.
The Daily Express Protect and Respect Frontline Heroes crusade is shining a spotlight on horrendous abuse and assaults endured by emergency workers.”
FRANCE – YELLOW VESTS PROTEST – WEEK 61
MONTPELLIER
MONTPELLIER
DAILY MAIL – Macron caves in: French government offers to scrap plan to raise pension age to 64 after weeks of rioting and crippling strikes – as Paris burns yet again
French government has offered to withdraw plan to raise pension age by two years in compromise to unions
The message was delivered as thousands of protesters took to the streets for 38th day of protests andstrikes
The moderate CFDT union welcomed ‘the withdrawal of the pivot age’ from the controversial bill
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7876641/French-government-offers-scrap-plan-raise-pension-age.html
================================================
BBC – France protests: PM offers pension compromise in bid to end strike
In a letter, Mr Philippe said he was willing to withdraw a proposal which would raise the age at which workers can claim their pension from 62 to 64.
One of France’s largest unions, the CFDT, welcomed the announcement saying it showed a willingness to compromise.
However, the CGT union called the proposal “a smokescreen”.
In a statement it said it was “more determined than ever” to stop the reforms.
Industrial action against President Emmanuel Macron’s planned pension reform is in its 38th day and has badly disrupted France’s transport system – particularly trains.
Protesters again took to the streets of Paris and other cities on Saturday. In the capital, police fired tear gas at some groups of protesters who smashed windows and set light to rubbish bins and billboards.[…]
[…]the CGT said it would continue to demand “the withdrawal” of the pension reforms.
It called on people “to participate massively in strikes and demonstrations planned for next week”.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51078405
NANTES
CAEN
Mainstream media, why are lawyers in Caen throwing their black gowns on the ground while French Minister of Justice is speaking?
https://twitter.com/ohboywhatashot/status/1215980225831538689
===========================================
TOULOUSE
PARIS JAN 09 2020
Iran admits ‘human error’ resulted in Ukrainian plane being shot down ‘unintentionally’
Iranian state media is saying human error led to a Ukrainian flight to be shot down. Friday evening reports cited Iranian military officials, who reportedly said the nation “unintentionally” shot down the Boeing 737.
The flight was brought down shortly after takeoff from Tehran’s international airport on Wednesday. All 176 passengers on board were killed in the crash, including 63 Canadian citizens.
https://www.oann.com/iran-admits-human-error-resulted-in-ukrainian-plane-being-shot-down-unintentionally/
Iran says it shot down Ukrainian plane in ‘disastrous mistake’
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran said on Saturday its military had shot down a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 aboard in a “disastrous mistake”, saying air defenses were fired in error while on alert after Iranian missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq.
Iran had denied for days after Wednesday’s crash that it brought down the plane, although a top Revolutionary Guards commander said on Saturday that he had told authorities about the unintentional missile strike the day it happened.
https://www.oann.com/irans-zarif-says-ukrainian-plane-crash-caused-by-human-error-and-u-s-adventurism/
Dark money has bolstered Bernie’s campaign from the start
By Daily Caller News Foundation January 11, 2020
An outside dark money group has boosted presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders since announcing his campaign last February.
Sanders founded Our Revolution, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit group that can accept unlimited contributions without disclosing the identities of its donors, in 2016, and one campaign finance expert believes the group’s work to help Sanders achieve his presidential aspirations could be violating the law.
“Any entity established by a federal officeholder can only raise and spend money under federal contribution limits for any activities in connection with a federal election,” Paul S. Ryan, a campaign finance expert with the watchdog group Common Cause, told the Associated Press. “Our Revolution was undoubtedly established by Sen. Sanders, is subject to these laws — and is seemingly in violation of them.”
https://libertyunyielding.com/2020/01/11/dark-money-has-bolstered-bernies-campaign-from-the-start/
Anti-regime protests in Tehran tonight -Iran ( January 11 2020)
GOOD NEWS from FRANCE – Seine-Saint-Denis: Evangelism, on the rise, unexpected competition for Islam
A radical Protestant movement, evangelism, is booming in Seine-Saint-Denis. Muslims see it as an unexpected competition and politicians are worried about zealous excesses.
From the outside, the church looks like a minimarket. Or a multipurpose room where basketball games and tea parties would be held. You have to walk through the door on a Sunday to figure it out. […]
The Seine-Saint-Denis is at the forefront of the constant progression of evangelism in France. To illustrate this trend: a church would open every ten days in the country. About 100 are listed in the “93,” but experts estimate that there are almost as many places of worship that are not affiliated with any organization.
By comparison, the department has 117 Catholic churches and more than 160 Muslim prayer halls. Evangelism thus becomes, without making a fuss, a major spiritual current in France, especially in the suburbs. And, like any return of the religious to a largely secularized country, the proliferation of evangelicals is sure to cause concern. […]
With the rise of evangelism and the strong presence of Islam in Seine-Saint-Denis, several religious representatives expressed concern about possible future tensions between Muslims and Christians in the suburbs. The acquisition of places of worship is the focus of attention. […]
https://www.fdesouche.com/1322253-seine-saint-denis-levangelisme-en-progression-concurrence-inattendue-pour-lislam
Pakistan: Protesters burn Trump effigy, US and Israeli flags to condemn Soleimani killing
4. Montreal kicks in 1 million dollars for DE-RADICALIZATION Center.
Now we have reached a level of madness
How about taking just a tiny look into what the Imams are spewing in the mosques and the Muslim Brotherhood hoods are saying.
“If you are the gatekeeper, the self-appointed representative, you might at some point actually become the representative. If the government sees you as a reliable
partner, and, for example, it’s. big thing in a lot of European countries to teach ISLAM in schools, then the government will appoint you to teach, ISLAM in public schools. Then you have the ability to shape the education system. So becoming a gatekeeper is a very important thing for them…… They want to be the ones telling you that is what Muslims think.”
The Muslim Brotherhood hoods organizations do fund terrorist organizations such as Hamas.More greater threat comes from spreading a revivalist interpretation of Islam among Muslims which is conducive to radicalization, and which harms cohesion and integration.
The INCA (Islamic Circle Of North America) has offices in Canada and the USA. each of them also has a youth wing and a children’s wing. The youth wing in Canada is called “Young Muslims in Canada”. It’s website https:// web.youngmuslims.ca/ provides reading and references to a long list of Muslim Brotherhood figures such as founder of the Muslim Brotherhood hoods, Hassan al-Banna as well as Dr. Yusuf Qaradawi and Sayyid Qutb.
Dr. Qaradawi holds a prominent intellectual role in the Muslim Brotherhood and stated himself he grew up in its traditions.
Sayyid Qutb was a key figure of the Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950s and 1960s, and was executed for his role in the attempted overthrow of the government of the late President Nasser of Egypt. His written works such as shades of the Qur’an and Milestones retain a high profile in the Muslim Brotherhood hoods circles today.
The Muslim Brotherhood hoods still preach to the youth in Canada and the USA:
“My brothers! The Ummah that knows how to die a noble and honourable death is granted an exalted life in this world and external felicity in the next. Degradation and dishonour are the results of the love of the world nd the fear of death.
Therefore, prepare for jihad and be the LOVERS OF DEATH. Life itself shall come searching after you.
You should yearn for an honourable death and you will gain perfect happiness. May Allah grant myself and yours the honour of martyrdom in his way.”
De-radicalization after 1400 years lol, no, the government of Canada must declare the Muslim Brotherhood hoods a terrorist organization, close mosques, deport all the Muslim radicals, not allow any Muslim members of parliament and deport the radical Imams, I.e. Mazin Abdul-Adhim, the Imam and Canadian leader of Hibtz it-Tharir, living in London,Ontario.
Canadians need a man of courage to save the country from Islamic takeover.
Richard: Another data point showing the destruction of Western Civilization.
For that Person Who Has Everything… Gwyneth Paltrow Is Peddling a $75 Candle That Smells Like her Vagina
Gwyneth Paltrow is selling a $75 candle that she says smells like her vagina on her ‘Goop’ online store.
The candle sold out within hours!
Freaks.
The Business Insider reported:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/01/for-that-person-who-has-everything-gwyneth-paltrow-is-peddling-a-75-candle-that-smells-like-her-vagina/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailyam&utm_content=weekend
Brings a new meaning to “How sweet it is”. Not What will tomorrow bring in this mad world?
Well, the old blind guy who walked past the fish market and said “Hello ladies”, may not agree.
Sorry I could not resist.
Whatever happened to having a little modesty?
White House considering dramatic expansion of travel ban
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is considering dramatically expanding its much-litigated travel ban to additional countries amid a renewed election-year focus on immigration by President Donald Trump, according to six people familiar with the deliberations.
A document outlining the plans — timed to coincide with the third anniversary of Trump’s January 2017 executive order — has been circulating the White House. But the countries that would be affected if it moves forward are blacked out, according to two of the people, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the measure has yet to be finalized.
It’s unclear exactly how many countries would be included in the expansion if it proceeds, but two of the people said that seven countries — a majority of them Muslim — would be added to the list. The most recent iteration of the ban includes restrictions on five majority-Muslim nations: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, as well as Venezuela and North Korea.
A different person said the expansion could include several countries that were covered in the first iteration of Trump’s ban, but later removed amid rounds of contentious litigation. Iraq, Sudan and Chad, for instance, had originally been affected by the order, which the Supreme Court upheld in a 5-4 vote after the administration released a watered-down version intended to withstand legal scrutiny.
Trump, who had floated a banning all Muslims from entering the country during his 2016 campaign, criticized his Justice Department for the changes, tweeting that DOJ “should have stayed with the original Travel Ban, not the watered down, politically correct version they submitted to S.C.”
The countries on the proposed expansion list include allies that fall short on certain security measures. The additional restrictions were proposed by Department of Homeland Security officials following a review of security protocols and “identity management” for about 200 countries, according to the person.
White House House spokesman Hogan Gidley declined to confirm the plan, but praised the travel ban for making the country safer.
“The Travel Ban has been very successful in protecting our Country and raising the security baseline around the world,” he said in a statement. “While there are no new announcements at this time, common-sense and national security both dictate that if a country wants to fully participate in U.S. immigration programs, they should also comply with all security and counter-terrorism measures — because we do not want to import terrorism or any other national security threat into the United States.”
Several of the people said they expected the announcement to be timed to coincide with the third anniversary of Trump’s first, explosive travel ban, which was announced without warning on Jan. 27, 2017 — days after Trump took office. That order sparked an uproar, with massive protests across the nation and chaos at airports where passengers were detained.
The current ban suspends immigrant and non-immigrant visas to applicants from the affected countries, but it allows exceptions, including for students and those who have established “significant contacts” in the U.S.. And it represents a significant softening from Trump’s initial order, which had suspended travel from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen for 90 days, blocked refugee admissions for 120 days and suspended travel from Syria.
That order was immediately blocked by the courts, prompting a months-long effort by the administration to develop clear standards and federal review processes to try to withstand legal muster. Under the current system, restrictions are targeted at countries the Department of Homeland Security says fail to share sufficient information with the U.S. or haven’t taken necessary security precautions, such as issuing electronic passports with biometric information and sharing information about travelers’ terror-related and criminal histories.
The new proposal was also quickly drawing sharp criticism.
“Different Muslim Ban – same xenophobic Administration,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. “An expanded Muslim Ban will worsen our relationships with countries around the world. It won’t do anything to make our country safer. It will harm refugees, alienate our allies and give extremists propaganda for recruitment.”
An official with Refugees International, a nonprofit that advocates for the displaced worldwide, said the news was very disappointing.
“The news that President Trump is planning to add countries to his travel ban should be heartbreaking to all Americans,” said U.S. Senior Advocate Yael Schacher. “Thousands of people have been cruelly and unreasonably separated from relatives because of the already existing ban. They have been stranded in conflict zones like Syria, Yemen, and Somalia. This is a shameful attempt by the President to misuse his power to expand a ban that principally impacts individuals from the Muslim world.”
Under the existing order, Cabinet secretaries are also required to update the president regularly on whether countries are abiding by the new immigration security benchmarks. Countries that fail to comply risk new restrictions and limitations, while countries that comply can have their restrictions lifted.
The discussions come as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi prepares to transmit to the Senate the articles of impeachment the Democratic-led House passed against Trump late last year, launching a formal impeachment trial just as the 2020 election year gets underway. Trump in December became just the third president in history to be impeached by the House. The Republican-controlled Senate is not expected to remove him from office.
Trump ran his 2016 campaign promising to crack down on illegal immigration and spent much of his first term fighting lawsuits trying to halt his push to build a wall along the southern border, prohibit the entry of citizens from several majority-Muslim countries and crack down on migrants seeking asylum in the U.S., amid other measures.
He is expected to press those efforts again this year as he ramps up his reelection campaign and works to energize his base with his signature issue, inevitably stoking Democratic anger.
Just this week, a coalition of leading civil rights organizations urged House leaders to take up the No Ban Act, legislation to end Trump’s travel ban and prevent a new one.
The bill introduced last year by Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., with Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., in the Senate, would impose limits on the president’s ability to restrict entry to the U.S. It would require the administration to spell out its reasons for the restrictions and specifically prohibit religious discrimination.
https://apnews.com/753968e412fab06e6fb8180e7ac98d47
“You’re Siding With Iran! You’re a Fraud!” Screaming Protester Crashes Elizabeth Warren Rally (VIDEO)
A protester interrupted Elizabeth Warren’s ‘rally’ in Dover, New Hampshire on Friday.
“My grandfather fought in WW2! You’re siding with ISIS! You’re siding with Iran! Why are you siding with terrorists? You’re a fraud!’ the man screamed. “Disgusting!”
2020 Dem candidate Elizabeth Warren was frightened into silence as the man screamed at her.
Warren then said, “This is a man who is deeply upset, it’s alright. It’s time for you to leave.”
The crowd of a couple dozen low energy liberals began to chant “Warren! Warren!”
Elizabeth Warren attacked President Trump for ordering a drone strike that killed top Iran leader and terrorist Qassam Soleimani, calling his decision “reckless.”
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/01/youre-siding-with-iran-youre-a-fraud-screaming-protester-crashes-elizabeth-warren-rally-video/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailyam&utm_content=weekend
The Iraq Uprising: Where Does It Go From Here?
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The killing of Qassem Soleimani could prove to be a turning point in the history of the Middle East as a whole, but first and foremost in Iraq. That country has been contending for months with a popular uprising that has produced chaos and turned it into an arena for a titanic battle between Iran and the US.
The Iraqi uprising erupted on October 1, 2019. Several months earlier, an Iraqi journalist published a scathing article under the headline, “Is Iraq Now a Leaf Blowing in the Wind?”
To answer that question, we need to look into the roots of the problems in post-Saddam Iraq, the cycles in which the country has been trapped since its establishment, and the possible impact of the uprising on Iraq’s future.
The 2003 US-led invasion created high expectations of societal rehabilitation, democratization, economic wellbeing, and political stability. In reality, the result was a radical crackup the likes of which Iraq had not known since its creation in 1920. The war precipitated a sharp transition from centuries-long Sunni domination to Shiite rule. The reins of power thus passed into the hands of inexperienced Shiites, while the Sunnis, stripped of their historical status, became fixated on turning the clock back in whatever way possible.
https://besacenter.org/perspectives-papers/iraq-uprising/
Yale Psychiatrist Calls Alan Dershowitz Psychotic for Defending Trump’s Rights (breitbart, Jan 11, 2020)
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/01/11/yale-psychiatrist-calls-alan-dershowitz-psychotic-for-defending-trumps-rights/
“Yale professor of forensic psychiatry Dr. Bandy Lee has issued a long-distance diagnosis of “psychosis” for emeritus Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz for defending the Constitutional rights of President Donald Trump.
“Dr. Bandy Lee has never met me, never examined me, never seen my medical records, and never spoken to anyone close to me,” writes Dershowitz for the Gatestone Institute Saturday. “Yet she is prepared to offer a diagnosis of ‘psychosis’ which she attributes to my being one of President Trump’s ‘followers.’ (I voted for Hillary Clinton and am a liberal Democrat.)”
Last week Dr. Lee warned on Twitter of “the severity and spread of ‘shared psychosis’ among just about all of Donald Trump’s followers,” among whom she included Prof. Dershowitz.
Lee was referring to assertions by Dershowitz that President Donald Trump had even more legal authority to eliminate Qasem Soleimani than former President Barack Obama had to take out Osama bin Laden in 2011.
She seems not to be using these psychiatric terms as “political metaphors,” Dershowitz responded Saturday, as dangerous as that would be. “She is literally claiming that we are mentally ill and our views should be considered symptoms of our illness, rather than as legitimate ideas.”
Dershowitz notes that pronouncing a public diagnosis of a person without a psychiatric examination “is a violation of psychiatric ethics and the rules of the American Psychiatric Association.”
Lee has “a history of such unethical conduct,” he continues. “She previously diagnosed President Trump as being psychotic. Now she is doubling down accusing me of having a ‘shared psychosis’ with President Trump, and having ‘wholly taken on Trump’s symptoms by contagion.’”
“It is difficult to imagine anyone ever hiring Dr. Lee as a forensic psychiatrist to offer an actual diagnosis of a litigant,” Dershowitz quips. “On cross-examination she would have to admit that she has diagnosed ‘just about all of Donald Trump’s followers’ as having ‘shared psychosis.’ This would likely include jury members and perhaps the judge, along with millions of voters.”
The emeritus professor goes on to imagine how Dr. Lee must conduct herself in the classroom where some of her students are likely to be Trump followers, and therefore “psychotic.”
“Would she grade them — or diagnose them? Would she prescribe anti-psychotic drugs to her students who she believed were Trump ‘followers’? Would she refuse to recommend them because of their illness?” he queries.
Perhaps most troubling about Lee’s remarks is how illustrative they are of the current socio-political climate in the United States, Dershowitz suggests.
“Her resort to diagnosis rather than dialogue is a symptom of a much larger problem that faces our divided nation — too many Americans are refusing to engage in reasoned dialogue with people with whom they disagree,” he writes.
And because of that, “Dr. Lee is part of that problem, not its solution,” he concludes.”
Psychiatrists are at the top of the list of professionals who commit suicide, maybe they are not too stable.
Swedes Vote Climate Policy Biggest Waste of Tax Payer Money in 2019 (breitbart, Jan 11, 2020)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/11/swedes-vote-climate-policy-biggest-waste-tax-payer-money-2019/
“The Swedish public has voted that climate change spending has been the biggest waste of taxpayer money in 2019, according to a poll by the Swedish Taxpayers’ Association.
The Taxpayers’ Association released the results of their annual wasteful spending poll earlier this week, declaring that climate policy had been the biggest waste of money, largely due to the fact that despite the spending, emissions in Sweden had actually slightly increased.
In 2014, the Swedish national government spent 5.2 billion Swedish krona (£419 million/$547 million), a number that has more than doubled to 12.6 billion krona (£1 billion/$1.3 billion) for the planned 2020 budget.
“The government has more than doubled the appropriations for climate policy, but despite this, emissions no longer decrease. In 2018, emissions even increased. That is why climate policy has been voted the worst waste of the year,” Johan Gustafsson, Waste Ombudsman at the Taxpayers’ Association, said.
“Too much tax money is wasted without benefit to those who pay. It is no less important that money has an effect when it is invested in something that is important — rather the opposite,” he added.
In second place in the poll was a project from the artists’ commission that saw over a million krona donated to a project focused on art for earthworms and fungi.
Mats Caldeborg and wife Katrin Zackrisson Caldeborg were behind the project and told newspaper Expressen: “Art for birds, bumblebees, beetles, worms, and fungi is a project that wants to turn upside down in our habitual way of seeing and understanding the world. Here, nature’s smaller inhabitants are not those depicted, but themselves, in their own right, recipients of the art.”
The wasteful spending poll results come as many Swedish municipal governments face financial hardship or even bankruptcy due to a lack of money to support recently arrived migrants who have largely remained out of the labour force.
An estimated 90 per cent of migrants who came to the country during the height of the 2015 migrant crisis and received permanent residency are unemployed.”
Iranians anguished after military admits shooting down Ukrainian jet (abcnews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://abcnews.go.com/International/iranians-anguished-military-admits-shooting-ukrainian-jet/story?id=68213477
“…”Call it ‘human mistake’ or meanness, or disgrace, whatever you name it. But I wish you would finish all of us. … We cannot bear it any longer,” Farnaz Miri, a journalist, posted to Twitter. “We are a bunch of walking-dead people with the life that you made for us.”…”
Can Taiwan Bring Democracy to China? | Huang Kuo-chang
Australian Bushfire Fake News Needs To STOP
Niger Army Base Attack Death Toll Increases to at Least 89 – Reports (sputniknews, Jan 11, 2020)
https://sputniknews.com/africa/202001121078011065-niger-army-base-attack-death-toll-increases-to-at-least-89—reports/
“On Thursday, a military base in Chinegodar, located north of the local capital in the western Tillaberi Region, was assaulted by unidentified militants. Earlier, the national defence ministry said that the attack had claimed the lives of 25 Nigerien soldiers.
The death toll from the attack on the military post in Chinegodar has risen to at least 89, Reuters reported citing four local security sources.
According to them, on Saturday, 89 Nigerien army servicemen, killed in Thursday’s attack, were buried in Niamey.
The actual number of soldiers who died repelling the assault by unidentified militants could be higher, as some of the victims had been buried in Chinegodar immediately after the militants’ raid, one of the sources told Reuters.
The updated death toll would be announced on Sunday after the meeting of the Nigerien Security Council, Minister of Defence Issoufou Katambe stated, as quoted by the Reuters news agency.
In December 2019, terrorists attacked an army camp in western Niger near the Malian border killing at least 70 soldiers, while 30 others went missing. The Daesh* terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Niger is part of the G5 anti-jihadist task force which also includes Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mauritania and is fighting against Boko Haram militants as well as jihadists linked to the Daesh* group.
*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia”
Extinction Rebellion Classified as an Extremist Group
Rashida Tlaib Calls Trump’s Alleged Travel Ban Expansion ‘Straight Up Racism’ (breitbart, Jan 11, 2020)
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2020/01/11/rashida-tlaib-calls-trumps-alleged-travel-ban-expansion-straight-up-racism/
“President Trump’s alleged consideration of expanding the nation’s travel ban is racist, according to Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
The congresswoman strongly disagreed on Friday with a report that said the Trump administration was thinking about expanding the ban to cover more countries:
No more waiting. Too many Muslims have been intentionally targeted, discriminated against, separated from their families and denied opportunities solely based on their faith. Straight up racism!
Pass #NoBanAct #RepealtheBan @MuslimAdvocates
The Associated Press report stated that the document outlining the administration’s plans had been “circulating the White House” and that countries that would be affected were “blacked out,” according to their anonymous sources.
The article continued:
It’s unclear exactly how many countries would be included in the expansion if it proceeds, but two of the people said that seven countries — a majority of them Muslim — would be added to the list. The most recent iteration of the ban includes restrictions on five majority-Muslim nations: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, as well as Venezuela and North Korea.
Even though White House principal deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley did not confirm the plan, he told the AP the travel ban made the United States safer.
Gidley commented:
The Travel Ban has been very successful in protecting our Country and raising the security baseline around the world. While there are no new announcements at this time, common-sense and national security both dictate that if a country wants to fully participate in U.S. immigration programs, they should also comply with all security and counter-terrorism measures — because we do not want to import terrorism or any other national security threat into the United States.
However, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) retweeted the article in question and urged her fellow representatives to pass the No Ban Act.
“What do 5 out of 7 of these countries have in common? They are Muslim-majority countries the President already tried to ban. We need to pass the #NoBanAct immediately to stop this madness,” she wrote.
In February, Breitbart News’s John Binder reported that Trump’s travel ban halted almost all legal immigration from countries designated as sponsors of terrorism.
“In total, more than 37,000 visas were denied in 2018 thanks to the travel ban — including about 15,400 foreign nationals seeking to permanently resettle in the U.S. and 21,645 foreign nationals wanting non-immigrant visas,” he concluded.”
The Feminist Pay Grift Continues at the BBC
Some Iranians Did Something
Erdogan named ‘Global Muslim Personality of the Year’ by Nigeria (memo, Jan 11, 2020)
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200111-erdogan-named-global-muslim-personality-of-the-year-by-nigeria/
“Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was on Friday announced as the ‘2019 Global Muslim Personality of the Year’, by Nigeria’s most authoritative Islamic newspaper, Muslim News Nigeria.
The publisher of Muslim News Nigeria, Rasheed Abubakar, confirmed that choosing Erdogan was “indisputable”, due to his consistency in standing up for Islam and oppressed Muslims globally.
In terms of conflict resolution, tolerance and peacebuilding initiatives in his region and international cooperation, Erdogan was also granted the UN-HABITAT award by the United Nations in 2010.
On the other hand, Malaysian prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, the oldest current prime minister, moves up to second place on the list of 2019. He is also recognised for his support of the renaissance of state-level Islamic activism as pioneered by himself, alongside Erdogan of Turkey and Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the current Emir of Qatar.”
Row erupts in Germany over plans for Turkish schools (thelocal, Jan 11, 2020)
https://www.thelocal.de/20200111/row-erupts-in-germany-over-plans-for-turkish-schools
“The proposed opening of three Turkish schools in Germany has rekindled a long-standing row over the perceived influence of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government on the country’s three-million strong Turkish community.
Coming after years of debate over Turkish influence in German mosques, the proposal has met fierce criticism from conservative politicians.
“We don’t want Erdogan schools in Germany,” declared Markus Blume, general secretary of the Bavarian CSU, the sister party of Angela Merkel’s ruling conservatives, in an interview with media group RND on Saturday.
The German government is currently in negotiations with its Turkish counterparts to open three private Turkish schools in Frankfurt, Cologne and Berlin.
While critics such as Blume fear that the schools will extend Erdogan’s influence over the Turkish diaspora, Ankara sees the proposal as a simple reciprocal move.
“There are German schools in Turkey and Turkey is asking to be treated similarly in Germany,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told broadcasters RTL and NTV.
Tensions
Proponents of the plan also claim that Turkish has long been neglected in the German education system, despite strong demand in the local community.
“For decades, German education authorities have failed to offer Turkish as an optional subject alongside other foreign languages,” the chairman of the Turkish Community in Germany (TGD) Gokay Sofuoglu told the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper.
Nonetheless, the plans come at a time of diplomatic tensions between Ankara and Berlin, most notably over the arrest of numerous German citizens in Turkey in recent years.
Though Angela Merkel’s government is reliant on Turkey to prevent the flow of asylum seekers into Europe from the Middle East, it has also criticised Erdogan for what it sees as his increasingly authoritarian approach.
On Saturday, CSU boss Blume pointed to the forced closure of a German school in Izmir in 2018, which many in the German media perceived as an act of intimidation.
“If you close German schools in Turkey, you should not be allowed to open Turkish schools in Germany,” Blume told RND.
‘Indoctrination’
Other critics argue that the schools could be used to propagate Erdogan’s political agenda, with Left Party politician Sevim Dagdelen warning of possible “indoctrination”.
Leading government figures have insisted that the Turkish schools would have to operate according to German regulations.
“It has to be clear that anything taught at schools in Germany needs to be in line with our core values and laws,” Germany’s Integration Commissioner Annette Widmann-Mauz told the Funke media group.
Foreign ministry spokesman Rainer Breuel, meanwhile, said Friday that the schools would not have any special privileges.
Mosque controversy
The request for the schools comes just days after Germany’s largest islamic association Ditib announced that it would begin training imams in Germany for the first time.
The announcement Thursday came after years of criticism of the Turkish association, which runs 850 mosques and claims to represent 800,000 muslims in Germany.
Critics claim that Ditib, which has until now only employed imams sent from and trained in Turkey, has acted as an extended arm of the Turkish government in Germany.
In 2016, the association was accused of spying on members of the Turkish diaspora in Germany following a failed coup against Erdogan’s government.
Under pressure from Berlin to change its training policies, Ditib announced this week that it would open a training centre in the western town of Dahlem in der Eifel.
“In future, a large proportion of religious leaders will be more strongly in tune with the reality of life in Germany,” said Markus Kerber, secretary of state for the interior ministry.”
Inside the Aboriginal town where 250 residents armed with spears and axes burned down eight homes in a 15-hour rampage after a fatal stabbing – and why the remote community is at war (dailymail, Jan 12, 2020)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7863115/Aboriginal-township-Aurukun-explodes-inter-clan-violence-15-hour-riot.html
“Feuding Aboriginal families have again torn apart a township in far north Queensland during a 15-hour riot, turning the remote community into a tropical war zone.
Hundreds of armed residents, some drunk on sly grog, rampaged through Aurukun on the Cape York Peninsula on New Year’s Day seeking revenge over the fatal stabbing of clan member.
Rioters wielded spears, star pickets, axes and bows and arrows as they went house-to-house looking for relatives of two teens charged with killing the 37-year man.
The marauders sought vengeance as they tried to force their way into the local medical centre, stormed the airport and torched eight homes.
About 250 residents fearing further reprisals fled Aurukun, with 130 heading six hours’ west to Coen, while others travelled south to Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw.
More than 100 other refugees have sought shelter in a bush camp being run by former soldiers 80km outside the township where they were still hiding out.
‘These are innocent people frightened for their lives,’ a support worker told AAP on the condition of anonymity.
‘No one wants to speak out, otherwise they will be targeted.’
Aurukun (pronounced Arra-koon) is a former Presbyterian mission with a population of 1,269 at the last Census. It is on the eastern side of the Gulf of Carpentaria, 829km north-west of Cairns.
Most of its residents are members of the Wik and Wik Way peoples and come from five clans: the Chara, Winchanam, Apalech, Puutch and Wanam groups.
Fifty to 60 families are split into two factions known as ‘top end’ and ‘bottom end’ based on where they live in the township. Trouble occurs along those factional lines.
Inter-clan tensions which go back generations have contributed to previous riots in Aurukun in 2007, 2013 and 2015.
In previous riots the police station has been attacked and gunfire kept scared residents indoors. In 2016 the township became so violent the local school was temporarily closed down.
While it could be famed for its spectacular regional scenery Aurukun has become better known for YouTube videos of local women fighting in the street while police watch on.
In 2007 it gained international headlines when nine boys and men aged from 13 to 25 avoided jail after pleading guilty to the repeated rape of a 10-year-old girl.
At that time about 10 per cent of the township’s inhabitants were on parole or under court supervision orders, with just as many in juvenile detention centres and jails.
As part of the latest violent flare-up a 17-year-old youth and an 18-year-old man have been charged with murder and extra police have been deployed.
Investigators have charged 27 others with 118 offences since the riot. Twelve of those people have been charged with arson.
Police will allege the teens charged with murder were involved in a New Year’s Day altercation with the 37-year-old man which led to him being stabbed in the abdomen.
Superintendent Geoff Sheldon, assistant district officer of Queensland’s Far North District, said the wounded man was taken to Aurukun’s medical clinic about 4pm on January 1.
He was already unconscious and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. About 60 people soon turned up at the clinic armed with makeshift weapons including bricks, lengths of timber and metal bars.
‘Police attended and were able to repel a quite full-on entry attempt into the clinic and keep people safe there,’ Superintendent Sheldon told reporters.
‘The group then moved away and regrouped and gathered more people and it was about then that it turned out that they were seeking vengeance for the stabbing that occurred.
‘They were going house-to-house looking for what they believed were two offenders responsible for the death of the 37-year-old gentleman.
‘This became quite a violent confrontation at each and every residence. People were assaulted, property was damaged.’
Superintendent Sheldon said property was removed from some houses, put on front lawns and set alight. Molotov cocktails were thrown.
‘As it evolved there was up to 200 to 250 people wandering around the streets of Aurukun – all armed, all aggressive – and it became quite a dangerous situation for all present as well as our staff… ‘
‘Our officers were very, very worried that at a flash-point things could turn against them and the station could be the target for the next Molotov cocktails.’
That did not happen, as the rioters concentrated on chasing down their factional foes rather than attacking police.
Superintendent Sheldon said police tried to protect those threatened by rival family groups ‘armed to the teeth’, and to ‘bring some calm to the situation.’
‘That was basically unsuccessful from the get-go,’ he said. ‘There was quite a high level of violence.’…”
Epstein pal Ghislaine Maxwell under ex-Special Forces guard: Report
Maxwell faces ‘credible death threats,’ a source told The Daily Mail
British socialite and former Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell is reportedly being guarded by former U.S. Navy SEALs amid conflicting reports about where she’s hiding out.
Maxwell faces “credible death threats” and is being guarded by former U.S. Navy SEALs in safe houses in the American Midwest, a source told The Daily Mail.
EPSTEIN PAL GHISLAINE MAXWELL REPORTEDLY PLANNING TELL-ALL INTERVIEW ‘ON HER OWN TERMS’
“There has been so much rubbish written about Ghislaine. The reality is she receives multiple, credible death threats on a daily basis. The hate mail is sometimes 2 [feet] high,” the source said according to The Daily Mail. “She is constantly moving. Her life is in danger. She is being guarded by the best of the very best and that includes former U.S. Navy SEALs. She’s not under the protection of any government. She’s on her own.”
https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/ghislaine-maxwell-guards-jeffrey-epstein