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.
Davos: ‘Russian Spies’ Disguised as Plumbers Attempting to Install Surveillance Equipment Caught by Police (breitbart, Jan 22, 2020)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/22/russian-spies-dressed-as-plumbers-caught-by-police-in-davos/
“Swiss police caught two Russian men suspected of attempting to install spying equipment for the Kremlin at the World Economic Forum at Davos.
Two men, who were carrying Russian diplomatic passports were detained by Swiss Police, suspected of carrying out “preparatory work for spying” by installing surveillance equipment in hotels and cabins in Davos, ahead of the globalist economic meeting attended by world leaders and heads of industry.
The duo posed as plumbers in August of 2019, staying in the upscale ski resort town for three weeks, raising the suspicion of the authorities as it is “an expensive thing for someone who is supposed to make a living by installing pipes and repairing toilets in Russia”, writes the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger.
When confronted by the police in Davos, the Russian pair presented diplomatic passports. However, the men were not accredited as diplomats in Switzerland, meaning that they would not have had the ability to claim immunity if they were charged with espionage offences…”
Somalia Offers to Take Swedish Islamic State Members from Syria (breitbart, Jan 22, 2020)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/22/somalia-offers-take-swedish-islamic-state-members-syria/
“Somalian President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has offered to take in Swedish-Somalian Islamic State members, stating that he will accept them if European countries will not take them.
Kurdish authorities have said that around half of the Swedish woman in the al-Hol prison camp have a Somalian background, a number estimated to be between 30 to 40 people, Swedish broadcaster SVT reports.
“If no one wants them and the Europeans do not take them back, then Somalia’s president has decided that women and children who want to can be taken to Somalia,” said Somalia’s European Union ambassador Ali Said Faqi.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry has refused to comment on the offer, with the ministry’s press spokeswoman Julia Eriksson Pogorzelska saying: “We are aware of the remarks, but there is nothing we can comment on.”
Sweden has had a mixed history with returning Islamic State members and fighters, with some politicians advocating that returning jihadists should be integrated back into society.
Others, such as terror expert Magnus Ranstorp, have argued that because there are not sufficient laws to prosecute them, Sweden should not allow returning jihadists, including female members of the terror group, to return to the country.
” I do not think the Swedish women and the children will come back. We do not have a good system to take care of them and make sure they are not dangerous,” Ranstorp said last year.
Many fighters and members have already returned to the country over the last few years, including some jihadists in the southern city of Malmo who have allegedly been recruiting in underground mosques, while others have been convicted of serious crimes since their return to Sweden.
Many other countries in Europe, including Sweden’s neighbour Denmark, have ruled to strip the citizenship of dual nationals who travelled to join the radical Islamic terror group, but Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has refused to take similar measures.”
Harvard Embraces Debunked ‘Implicit Bias’ Test that Labels You a Racist (breitbart, Jan 22, 2020)
https://www.breitbart.com/education/2020/01/22/harvard-embraces-debunked-implicit-bias-test-that-labels-you-a-racist/
“A popular quiz on Harvard University’s website was designed in 1998 by psychologists to determine a person’s level of subconscious racism. Although the test has been thoroughly debunked by researchers since its introduction, it has remained a fixture of progressive activism.
The “implicit bias” test, known formally as the “Implicit Association test,” is a test designed by psychologists Anthony Greenwald, Debbie McGhee, and Jordan Schwartz to determine a person’s subconscious racism. Mahzarin Banaji, who has served as the chair of the psychology department at Harvard University, also contributed to the project. The test has received much fanfare from progressives since its introduction in 1998.
The test, which can now be taken online, asks participants to respond to a series of photos of human faces. As words flash on the screen, participants are then asked to categorize them as “positive” or “negative.” The test analyzes the participant’s responses and tells them whether or not they carry subconscious biases. “Project Implicit,” the organization that is in charge of maintaining the online test, has partnered with Harvard University to expand its reach. The test is currently hosted on Harvard’s website.
However, there is a problem with the test. Researchers across the political spectrum have questioned its accuracy. One study conducted of the “implicit association test” revealed that it had a test-retest reliability of 0.60, meaning that individual participants would likely receive a different test result after taking the test for a second time.
VOX Senior Correspondent German Lopez published a column in March 2017 entitled “For years, this popular test measured anyone’s racial bias. But it might not work after all.” After Lopez first took the test, it told him that he carried no preference for white or black people. But Lopez took the test again to confirm its consistency. To Lopez’s surprise, he received a different result each additional time he took the test.
I took the IAT again a few days later. This time, I wasn’t so happy with my results: It turns out I had a slight automatic preference for white people. According to this, I was a little racist at the subconscious level — against black people.
Then I took the test again later on. This time, my results genuinely surprised me: It found once again that I had a slight automatic preference — only now it was in favor of black people. I was racist, but against white people, according to the test.
New York Magazine published a column detailing the trials and tribulations of the “implicit association” test.
“The IAT, it turns out, has serious issues on both the reliability and validity fronts, which is surprising given its popularity and the very exciting claims that have been made about its potential to address racism,” columnist Jesse Singal wrote. “That’s what the research says, at least, and it raises serious questions about how the IAT became such a social-science darling in the first place.”
Breitbart News reported in July that the researchers behind the “implicit association test” still defend the project despite concerns about its accuracy.”
Cyprus: Turkey may have stolen data for latest gas drilling (abcnews, Jan 22, 2020)
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/cyprus-turkey-stolen-data-latest-gas-drilling-68445970
“Turkey may have stolen technical data that enabled it to send a drill ship to a specific location south of Cyprus that energy companies Eni and Total had pre-selected to carry out their own exploratory drilling, a Cypriot official said Wednesday.
Government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said that although Cypriot authorities don’t have definitive proof, it’s believed that Turkey got its hands on data that helped guide its drill ship to the specific target.
The location is in an area, or block, where Cyprus has licensed Italy’s Eni and Total of France to carry out a hydrocarbons search. The two companies are licensed to conduct exploratory drilling in seven of Cyprus’ 13 blocks that make up its exclusive economic zone.
“There’s information, which is probably correct, that they had stolen plans and studies from a specific company, that’s why they went to the specific spot,” Koushos told Greece’s state broadcaster ERT.
The Cypriot official said wasn’t suggesting that either Eni or Total handed Turkey the data.
Koushos repeated that Turkey continues to flout international law by carrying on with illegal drilling activity in Cypriot waters and accused the country of “gunboat diplomacy.”
“Unfortunately, Turkey has become the pirate state of the east Mediterranean,” he said.
This would be the fourth location inside Cyprus’ economic zone that Turkey is looking to drill since July. Turkey has dispatched warship-escorted drill ships to drilling targets to the east and west of the island nation.
Koushos denied a Turkish claim that it’s in secret negotiations with Eni on a hydrocarbons search in the area.
Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said Wednesday that the European Union is moving to expedite sanctions against individuals or companies involved in illegal drilling off Cyprus.
Turkey insists that it’s acting to protect its interests, and those of breakaway Turkish Cypriots, in the region’s energy reserves. It says part of Cyprus’ economic zone falls within its own continental shelf and that its drilling activities are also part of a deal with Turkish Cypriots.
The U.S. State Department said Washington remains “deeply concerned” over reports that Turkey is moving to drill south of Cyprus, urging Turkish authorities to halt its “provocative step that raises tensions in the region.”
The State Department reiterated U.S. support for Cyprus’ sovereign right to develop resources inside its exclusive economic zone and a deal that would allow Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to equitably share in potential gas riches.
Turkish Cypriots say they’re unfairly being left out of the gas search and are entitled to a share of any revenues. The Cypriot government says the Turkish Cypriots’ share of such wealth is guaranteed under an energy fund into which all future hydrocarbon revenues will flow and will be split after a deal reunifying the island is achieved.
Cyprus was divided along ethnic lines in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. A Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the island’s northern third is recognized only by Turkey. Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, but only the southern part, seat of the island’s internationally-recognized government, enjoys membership.
Other companies Cyprus has licensed to carry out a hydrocarbons search include ExxonMobil and partner Qatar Petroleum, as well as Texas-based Noble Energy and partners Delek of Israel and Dutch Shell.
So far three gas deposits have been discovered off Cyprus’ southern coastline.”
Donald Trump On Moments Leading Up To Drone Strike
8 ethnic Albanians convicted in Kosovo of terrorism charges (abcnews, Jan 22, 2020)
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ethnic-albanians-convicted-kosovo-terrorism-charges-68451980
“A Kosovo court on Wednesday convicted eight ethnic Albanian men of preparing terrorist acts and trying to destabilize the country’s constitutional order.
The court in the capital city of Pristina handed out prison terms ranging from two to 12 years to eight members of the so-called People’s Eye group, which, according to Judge Naime Krasniqi Jashanica, wanted to destabilize and destroy Kosovo’s fundamental political, economic and constitutional structures.
The convicted men will appeal their sentences.
Three years ago, the ethnic Albanian men carried out an assassination attempt against a former communist leader and lawyer, Azem Vllasi, who was shot and injured.
Murat Jashari, who was convicted of trying to kill Vllasi, will be imprisoned for 10 years.
The group had also threatened to kill top officials they considered to be traitors.
Kosovo’s 1998-99 war, which claimed more than 10,000 lives and left over 1 million people homeless, ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign against Serbia’s then-leader Slobodan Milosevic.
Kosovo’s 2008 independence has been recognized by about 100 countries, but not by Serbia.”
…
The day after a massive gathering of gun-rights activists at the Virginia Capitol, the state Senate on Tuesday advanced legislation that would allow authorities to take guns away from people deemed dangerous to themselves or others.
The Democratic-led Senate gave preliminary approval to the so-called “red flag” law, SB 240.
The bill had been passed by in previous Senate sessions, including the day when the Senate passed three other gun bills, including universal background checks, a ‘one handgun a month’ law, and granting local governments the authority to ban weapons during permitted events in public spaces.
But on Tuesday, it went through several fights, with amendments proposed by Republicans ruled out of order and readings of substitutes waived.
Republicans blasted the bill as an assault on gun rights and civil liberties. Democrats said the bill was a thoughtful measure that would preserve due process while also protecting people against potential gun violence.
The measure is set for a final vote in the Senate, likely Wednesday, before going to the House.
The bill is one of several gun-control measures the new Democratic majority at the General Assembly is set to pass this year.
…
https://www.whsv.com/content/news/Virginia-Senate-passes-red-flag-law-day-after-massive-gun-rights-rally-567172341.html
Ukraine Whistleblower Overheard Discussing How To ‘Take Out’ Trump In 2017, Report Says
The man suspected to be the whistleblower who sparked the impeachment of President Donald Trump over a phone call with the president of Ukraine reportedly openly discussed how to “take out” Trump not even two weeks after Trump took office, well before the call took place.
RealClearInvestigations reported Wednesday that sources overheard the CIA analyst and alleged whistleblower discussing how to remove Trump from office with fellow Obama holdover Sean Misko, who reportedly offered “guidance” to the alleged whistleblower during the impeachment process under Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff (CA).
https://www.dailywire.com/news/ukraine-whistleblower-overheard-discussing-how-to-take-out-trump-in-2017-report-says
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Illinois Election Official Admits ‘Error’ Allowed Non-Citizens To Vote in 2018
By Kayla Kunkel
Published January 22, 2020 at 10:19am
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The Illinois State Board of Elections confirmed Tuesday that not only were 574 non-U.S. citizens accidentally registered to vote in 2018, but 16 of those individuals actually voted.
Henry Haupt, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Jess White, said in a statement that the error was a programming malfunction, according to WCIA, but now Illinois House representatives are calling for White to be held accountable.
Illinois state law allows immigrants who aren’t citizens to receive a driver’s license or state identification, but both state and federal law deny non-citizens the right to vote in American elections.
Non-citizens who vote can face serious consequences, including immediate deportation.
“If that person voted, that’s a huge problem when it comes to the federal government,” Republican Illinois Rep. Tim Butler of Springfield said earlier this week.
https://www.westernjournal.com/illinois-election-official-admits-error-allowed-non-citizens-vote-2018/
Zindagi Tamasha: Pakistan film suspended after religious uproar (BBC, Jan 22, 2020)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51201994
“Pakistan has suspended the release of an award-winning film, after an Islamist political party objected to its portrayal of a struggling cleric.
The party said the film “might lead [people] to deviate from Islam and the prophet”, with officials warning screening it could lead to unrest.
Zindagi Tamasha (Circus of Life) is about a man shunned after a video of him dancing at a wedding goes viral.
The film’s director said he never intended to offend anyone.
Before the suspension, renowned Pakistani filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat, who made the film, had said he, his family and team had been subjected to bullying and threats.
“Don’t spew hate, fear and anger in the name of religion.”
The controversy over the film has again revealed the deep divisions in Pakistani society as religious groups have grown more vocal in recent years.
A spokesperson for the political party Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) was quoted in local media as saying the film’s content was “blasphemous”.
The blasphemy accusation is a highly sensitive one in Pakistan which has seen those accused targeted by hardline groups. A number of the country’s highly controversial cases have grabbed global headlines.
‘A grave test’
Zindagi Tamasha had its world premier at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival last year, where it was awarded the top fiction prize.
It was to have hit Pakistan’s screens on 24 January, and ahead of that date a trailer for the film was released showing a bearded man who is a singer of naat (religious poems).
But despite being cleared by the country’s main censor board as well as provincial boards, the film is now on hold.
Last week Mr Khoosat published an open letter to the prime minister, saying he was being inundated with complaints and threatening calls and was considering not releasing the film.
TLP then called for mass rallies across the country to protest at the planned release of the film.
“The characterisation of the naat-reader in the film is such that it can cause discomfort to the public and might lead them to deviate from Islam and Prophet (Muhammad),” the group said in a statement.
“Thus this movie must not be released as it could otherwise be a grave test of the Muslims of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”
On Tuesday, Firdous Ashiq Awan, adviser to the prime minister on Information and Broadcasting, said on Twitter that the producer of the film had been told to delay the release until the film censor board consulted with the Islamic Ideological Council, an advisory body which is influential but has no binding authority.
After the announcement, the TLP cancelled its call for a nationwide protest.
Who are the film’s opponents?
The TLP is the political arm of the Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA) movement which has previously gathered huge crowds to protest over blasphemy issues.
Led by Khadim Hussain Rizvi, it came to prominence for its opposition to the hanging of Mumtaz Qadri, a policeman who killed the governor of Punjab Salman Taseer in 2011 because he spoke out against the blasphemy laws.
Under Pakistani law those found guilty of insulting the prophet Muhammad can face the death penalty.
The TLP showed its power in 2017 when it staged a lockdown of the federal capital for weeks to protest against the government of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
However, last year it saw some of its influence curtailed when its top leaders, including Khadim Hussain Rizvi, were arrested for their involvement in violent protests against the release of Christian woman Asia Bibi who had been jailed for blasphemy.”
Smuggling arrests over transport of ‘10,000 Kurds’ to UK (BBC, Jan 22, 2020)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51214424
“Police in France and the Netherlands have arrested 23 people suspected of helping to smuggle about 10,000 Kurdish migrants into the UK.
The group is accused of picking up migrants from car parks in France and taking them to the UK in refrigerated lorries and small rubber boats, law enforcement agency Eurojust said.
Migrants were allegedly charged up to €7,000 per person for the journey.
Eurojust said 19 suspects were arrested in France and four in the Netherlands.
The law enforcement agency set up an international investigation team after French authorities spotted suspects using vehicles with Dutch licence plates.
Migrants were picked up from various car parks in France before being taken to the UK, Eurojust said.
Detectives linked migrants’ payments to an illegal hawala banking system in the Netherlands. Hawala is an informal system of money transfer based on trust where no money actually crosses international borders.
Eurojust executed European Arrest Warrants and the 23 suspects were arrested, while five premises were searched.
The law enforcement agency said the criminal network is alleged to have total profits of about €70m (£59.1m).”
Trump’s lawyers make mincemeat of Nadler:
https://twitter.com/BlazeTV/status/1220073649366941698?s=20
HE DID IT AGAIN! LIAR Adam Schiff Makes Up ANOTHER Fake Trump Quote in His Opening Argument (VIDEO)
Adam Schiff went off on a deranged Trump-Russia screed during his opening arguments at the Senate Impeachment Trial.
Schiff went from lie to conspiracy throughout his more than an hour long opening argument.
It was outrageous and insane!
Schiff opened up calling President Trump a “king” and “cheat” and then moved on to assert that President Trump is a puppet of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
At one point in his speech Adam Schiff played a joke by Trump at one of his massive rallies as EVIDENCE of wrongdoing!
It was a joke!
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/01/he-did-it-again-liar-adam-schiff-makes-up-another-fake-conversation-between-trump-and-zelensky-video/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailypm&utm_content=daily
HE DID IT AGAIN! LIAR Adam Schiff Makes Up ANOTHER Fake Conversation Between Trump and Zelensky
Apparently there is an “Extinction Rebellion” camp on the National War Memorial and they all abandoned it because it was cold outside.
https://www.reddit.com/r/metacanada/comments/esh8zb/apparently_there_is_an_extinction_rebellion_camp/
Is China Covering Up a Deadly New Virus?
Facebook Representative Admits They Lied About Tommy Robinson
Sahel: France to further strengthen Barkhane, Takuba ‘fully operational by autumn’
https://thedefensepost.com/2020/01/22/france-reinforce-barkhane-takuba-lecointre/
“France will further bolster its Operation Barkhane force in the Sahel, and the new international Task Force Takuba will be fully operational by the autumn, the country’s most senior military officer said on Wednesday, January 22.
The Chief of the General Staff of the French Armed Forces General François Lecointre told reporters in Paris he would detail the “profile and composition” of the proposed troop buildup to President Emmanuel Macron in coming days.
Announcements are expected on January 29, media reported.
France recently reinforced Barkhane with 220 soldiers “who were on short-term missions in Côte d’Ivoire,” Lecointre said. Further reinforcements will be accompanied by “additional logistical and intelligence” support, said Lecointre, with efforts concentrated on the Liptako-Gourma region of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
“Today in this extremely vast zone, the means at Operation Barkhane’s disposal are not sufficient for us to have soldiers deployed 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.
During a hearing in the National Assembly in November, Lecointre argued that Barkhane was significantly short of personnel. According to a transcript published this week, Lecointre said that once logistical, support and force protection personnel and forces stationed in Chad were discounted, he had “a maximum of 2,000 men … in this immense space, which is very little.”
“What France is doing through its intervention in the Sahel is a miracle of efficiency,” he said at the time. “We must keep repeating this.”
Concern over spread from Sahel to coastal states
The French military presence in the Sahel began in 2013 with Operation Serval in Mali, and evolved in August 2014 into Operation Barkhane, which has a mandate for counter-terrorism operations across the region. Roughly 4,500 French troops are deployed, and they focus activity in insurgent-hit Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, working alongside local troops and other international operations, including the regional G5 Sahel Joint Force (FCG5S) and the United Nations stabilization mission in Mali, MINUSMA.
Last week, Macron and the leaders of the G5 Sahel states announced a new Coalition for the Sahel which will see increased coordination between French and local forces focused on the Mali-Burkina Faso-Niger tri-border zone and targeting Islamic State as a priority. The new Sahel Coalition will see Barkhane and FCG5S forces operating under joint command.
The six leaders also urged the United States to remain militarily engaged in the counter-terror fight in West Africa, after the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, had earlier said that resources “could be reduced and then shifted” to the U.S. or the Pacific region…”
Roadside bomb kills 2 Mali soldiers in Douentza
https://thedefensepost.com/2020/01/22/mali-soldiers-killed-roadside-bomb-douentza-mopti/
“Two Malian soldiers were killed and two were wounded by a roadside bomb in Douentza Cercle, an army spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The soldiers were traveling to the town of Douentza, in the central Mopti region, on Tuesday, January 21 when their vehicle was struck by the bomb, colonel Diarran Kone said, AFP reported.
The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) tweeted that the soldiers were traveling from Boni to Douentza, and they were struck by the improvised explosive device in Dallah. The two injured troops were evacuated by helicopters from the U.N. stabilization mission, MINUSMA.
Studio Tamani reported the incident occurred between Dallah and Boni.
“The route we took was mined. My life was saved because I was [sitting] behind,” one of the wounded troops, who declined to be named, told AFP.
Roadside bombs and mines are a tactic favored by militants in the Sahel, and just last week the European Union handed over 13 Arquus Bastion armored vehicles intended to equip the two Malian battalions of the regional G5 Sahel Joint Force. Bastions have a V-shaped hull to protect against roadside bombs, and two of the vehicles are designed to combat improvised explosive devices…”
Burkina Faso to recruit and arm volunteers to protect communities from militants
https://thedefensepost.com/2020/01/22/burkina-faso-volunteers-defence-fatherland-vdp/
“Burkina Faso’s parliament on Tuesday, January 21 unanimously adopted a law allowing for the recruitment of Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP) – local volunteers who will act as auxiliaries in the fight against militants.
Parliament approved the new law as the government said a “terrorist group” killed 32 civilians in Nagraogo village and four more people in Alamou village in Sanmatenga province in the Centre-Nord Region the previous day.
Faced with these “repeated attacks” against civilians, the government launched an appeal for the people’s “frank collaboration” with the defence and security forces.
Burkina Faso’s badly equipped, poorly trained and underfunded security forces have been unable to stem growing violence, which surged throughout 2019. According to a BBC analysis of data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), there were almost 1,900 reported fatalities due armed violence in the country in 2019. Of those, 859 deaths were attributed to Islamist groups. Other analyses put the toll even higher…”
Libya suspends operations at recently reopened Tripoli airport after rocket fire
https://thedefensepost.com/2020/01/22/libya-suspends-tripoli-airport-operations-rocket-fire/
“Rocket fire forced the suspension of all flights into and out of Tripoli’s sole functioning airport for several hours on Wednesday, January 22, Libya’s embattled government said.
Mitiga airport had only reopened early last week following a truce in nine months of fighting for control of the capital with forces loyal to a rival administration based in the east.
Six military-grade Grad rockets targeted the airport in what government forces spokesperson Mohammed Gnunu branded a “flagrant threat” to the safety of air traffic and a “new violation” of the ceasefire.
He said the rockets were fired by the “militia” of the “war criminal Haftar,” referring to the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army of rogue field marshal Khalifa Haftar that have been battling to take the capital.
Airport management said flights would be suspended, before announcing a few hours later that they had resumed…”
Iran’s Zarif Urges EU to ‘Exert Sovereignty’ in Face of Trump Threats
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/01/22/2187209/iran-s-zarif-urges-eu-to-exert-sovereignty-in-face-of-trump-threats
“Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged Europe to exercise sovereignty in the face of US President Donald Trump’s excessive demands and threats…”
Larijani Warns Europe of Consequences of Moves against Iran
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/01/22/2187412/larijani-warns-europe-of-consequences-of-moves-against-iran
“Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani deplored a recent decision by the European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal to trigger the dispute mechanism in the accord and said their “political skirmish” with the Islamic Republic would have consequences for them…”
Iran Nuclear Chief Slams EU3’s Subservience to US
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/01/22/2187084/iran-nuclear-chief-slams-eu3-s-subservience-to-us
“Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi slammed a decision by Britain, France and Germany to trigger the so-called snapback provisions of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as a testimony to their submissiveness to the US…”
India’s Supreme Court Refuses to Strike Down Citizenship Law
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/01/22/2187451/india-s-supreme-court-refuses-to-strike-down-citizenship-law
“India’s Supreme Court has sought government response to petitions filed against new citizenship legislation after it refused to stay the law that has sparked widespread opposition and protests across the country…”
Algeria, France Seek to End Tensions in Bilateral Ties
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2094171/algeria-france-seek-end-tensions-bilateral-ties
“Algeria and France have agreed to exchange visits by high-ranking officials to put an end to tensions that had emerged between them in 2019.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had paid a visit to Algeria on Tuesday with diplomatic sources revealing to Asharq Al-Awsat that Algiers and Paris agreed on exchanging visits later this year.
Ties became strained when France was accused of being involved in the developments that followed the resignation of president Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April. Algiers, for its part, demanded that Paris show “greater flexibility” towards visa applicants to France.
Bouteflika’s decision to run for a fifth term in office prompted mass protests last year. Protesters had criticized France of remaining “silent” over arrests that targeted them, saying it was seeking “to maintain its interests and ties with the regime”.
France was also indirectly accused by late military chief Ahmed Gaed Salah of providing financial support to a separatist movement. A French diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Asharq Al-Awsat that both parties’ accusations were baseless.
“It wasn’t possible to comment on the developments in Algeria because the authorities approach internal issues very carefully. At any rate, France supports the Algerian people’s aspiration for democracy and Algeria’s stability is a top priority,” he added.
The Algeria Press Service reported that Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum affirmed, during his meeting with Le Drian Tuesday, that further flexibility is needed in the visa application to France and with a manner that “is up to the level and volume of the bilateral relations.”
Boukadoum said Algiers and Paris agreed to reactivate the various mechanisms that exist between them, particularly the joint Algerian-French economic committee.
He added that he also discussed with Le Drian French investments in Algeria and the latter’s support for French businessmen operating in the North African country.
Le Drian told a joint press conference with Boukadoum that “Algeria is a power of balance and peace, firmly attached to the respect of the sovereignty of the states and to political dialogue.” This was revealed recently after it launched several diplomatic initiatives, he remarked, hinting at the crisis in neighboring Libya.”
Saudi introduces new Hajj fee
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200122-saudi-introduces-new-hajj-fee/
“Saudi Arabia has introduced new charges on Hajj visa’s which will come into effect this year. Pilgrims from across the Muslim world will be required to pay $80 in addition to the skyrocketing fees charged by travel agencies to perform what is considered a religious obligation for those that can afford it and are physical able.
Details of the new charges was reported by Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Mujahid Yusof Rawa. He said the newly introduced charge for this year’s hajj season would be imposed on pilgrims from all countries.
Saudi Arabian Hajj and Umrah Minister Mohammad Saleh Bin Taher Benten made the announcement during an annual meeting related to the management and preparation of pilgrims from Malaysia for the next hajj season.
During the meeting, representatives of both countries signed an agreement to arrange the arrival of pilgrims and the management of services that would be provided during their stay.
Rawa also said that Riyadh will abolish fees imposed on repeat pilgrims.
Despite its decision to abolish the $533 fee for returning pilgrims, Saudi stands to increase its revenue considerably through the introduction of this new fee which more than three million Muslims will need to pay annually in order to perform their religious duty.
Rawa revealed that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would be signed between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia in the near future involving the interests of both countries in the administration of Islamic affairs. According to one Malaysian source, a long discussion on global issues, especially on extremism and Islamophobia, was also held during the meeting.”
Macron vows to not let Iran get nuclear weapon
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200122-macron-vows-to-not-let-iran-get-nuclear-weapon/
“French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday said that his country would never let Iran to get a nuclear weapon, Anadolu reports.
In a joint news conference with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Macron called for enlarging the international framework concerning the nuclear activities of Iran.
“So that the destabilization in the region will be included in the agreement along with other matters,” he added.
He said France will continue to stick to its position against any military escalation in the region…”
Haftar forces threaten to hit civilian planes in Libya
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200122-haftar-forces-threaten-to-hit-civilian-planes-in-libya/
“Forces loyal to Libya’s renegade commander Khalifa Haftar Wednesday declared Libya’s capital of Tripoli and its surrounding areas as a “no-fly zone” and threatened to hit civilian planes, Anadolu reports.
Ahmed Al-Mismari, spokesman for Haftar forces, said on social media forces declared the off-limit area from Giryan, 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of the capital city, to Terhune city, 90 kilometers southeast (56 miles) and to the Tripoli beach, including Mitiga Airport in the capital.
He said all planes in the declared area would be a “legitimate” target.
The militias bombed the Mitiga International Airport with six Grad missiles earlier Wednesday…”
Syria fighters transported to Libya attempt to escape to Italy
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200122-syria-fighters-transported-to-libya-attempt-to-escape-to-italy/
“Some of the 2,000 Syrian fighters who were transported to Libya to fight alongside the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) against its rival Khalifa Haftar have reportedly fled to Europe, according to Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).
UK-based media site the Investigative Journal today reported that LNA Major General Ahmed Al-Mismari said: “The mercenaries don’t believe that they will be returning to Turkey or Syria, so trying to get to Europe is the most logical option for them.”
According to Al-Mismari, “147 mercenaries paid down payments to go to Europe,” with at least dozens having reached Italy. In a statement at a press conference he gave on Saturday, the day before the Berlin conference on the Libyan peace process, Al-Mismari addressed his words at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, asking: “Do you know that in the last 48 hours, over 41 Syrian terrorists went to Italy through ports in Libya?”
The LNA claims some Syrian fighters using Turkey’s offer to fight in Libya to their advantage, with the aim of being smuggled to Europe once they abandon GNA forces. While such claims have not been verified by the GNA or other actors in the conflict, the case stems from a former Daesh fighter who was captured attempting to escape Libya and is now being held by the LNA. The former Daesh militant allegedly escaped from a prison in northern Syria belonging to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) before posing as a general opposition fighter to get to Libya and then to Europe…”
2019 saw more than 30,000 requests for marriage to minors in Morocco (memo, Jan 22, 2020)
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200122-2019-saw-more-than-30000-requests-for-marriage-to-minors-in-morocco/
“The Minister of Justice in Morocco announced that 32,000 requests for marriage to underage children were submitted last year, 81 per cent of which were approved.
The alarming stats reveal only 19 per cent of the total applications were refused by the judges in charge of the permits, which indicates that marriage of minors under 18 years is still prevalent in the country, and can no longer be considered an exception, stated Mohamed Ben Abd El-Kader in the House of Representatives.
Morocco had hoped to curb child marriages by raising the legal age to 18 from 16 in 2004, yet numbers since then are still soaring and this remains a persistent problem in the country, one with social, psychological, physical and economic costs to both the women affected and Moroccan society.
According to the government data, 98 per cent of the requests were submitted by the unemployed from rural areas, where families are often satisfied with a religious commitment and thereby escape the legal provisions on age.
Widely condemned as a violation of human rights, child marriage is associated with negative health outcomes – both physical and psychological.
Although the North African country reformed its family law, also known as “Moudawana” in 2004 to promote gender equality and stipulate equal rights in the family, it still allows young girls to marry before the legal age of 18 with the permission of a judge, and under circumstances such as a pregnancy and the union of adolescent girls is clearly increasing.
Human rights activists call for the abolition of articles of the family code that allow judges to certify marriages under certain conditions resulting in more than 30,000 underage girls having entered into arranged marriages in 2018.
Newspaper Akhbar Al Youm has reported a study provided by Droit & Justice, an organisation specialising in promoting “Rule of Law” in Morocco, showed that marriage requests belonging to females were higher than males by a rate of 99.31 per cent; there were more than 466,000 requests for the marriage of female minors, against 326 requests of males.
Some 48.99 per cent of marriage requests of female minors were rejected and 420,000 requests were accepted.
Bin Abd Al-Qadir acknowledged the decrease in requests for marriage to minors between 2015 and 2018, but addressed the problem of the Family Code, “which requires intervention,” he stated.
He added the rights of girls must be restored and that “the state must preserve the child’s right to education.””
Trump agrees US-Iraq ‘security partnership’ despite calls for troop withdrawal
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/1/22/trump-agrees-us-iraq-security-partnership
“US President Donald Trump and his Iraqi counterpart Barham Saleh agreed Wednesday on the need for a continued US military role in the country, the White House said.
The two leaders met in Davos, Switzerland, their first meeting since Iraq’s parliament called for the expulsion of US troops following the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike in Baghdad.
“The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing the United States-Iraq economic and security partnership, including the fight against ISIS,” the White House said. “President Trump reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to a sovereign, stable, and prosperous Iraq.”
Furious at the US hit, Iraq’s parliament voted on January 5 to oust all foreign troops, including some 5,200 American soldiers deployed alongside local forces.
While non-binding, the parliamentary resolution was also reflected in threats from Iran-backed militias in Iraq who have pledged revenge against US troops for the killing of Soleimani.
Following the vote, caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to send a delegation to Iraq tasked with formulating the withdrawal of US troops from the country. The request was refused by the US.
The meeting between Trump and Saleh took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which this year is focusing heavily on climate emergency and social inequality.
Saleh met with Trump despite threats from a Tehran-linked militia.
“We stress the need for Barham Saleh to not meet Trump and his vicious mob. If he meets with them then Iraqis will take a stand against him,” Abu Ali Al Askari, a high-ranking security official in Kataeb Hezbollah, posted on Twitter.
The US president also met with Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, while in Davos.”
32 killed in attack in disputed South Sudan border region: Official
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/361090/World/Region/-killed-in-attack-in-disputed-South-Sudan-border-r.aspx
“At least 32 people were killed Wednesday when suspected nomadic Misseriya herders from Sudan attacked a village in the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei along the border of South Sudan, a local official said.
Abyei has been contested since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, while there have long been tensions between the South Sudanese Ngok Dinka community and the Misseriya herders who traverse the area looking for grazing.
Kuol Alor Kuol, the chief administrator of the Abyei area, told AFP that heavily armed Misseriya and allied militia attacked the village of Kolom early on Wednesday.
“Thirty-two people were killed among them children and women, and secondly about 24 people are wounded … and about 15 people including children were abducted and 20 houses burned,” Kuol said.
He said the wounded had been evacuated to a hospital in the town of Agok which is run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
In 2011, the UN Security Council deployed a peacekeeping force to the area after deadly clashes displaced some 100,000 people.
The United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) is made up entirely of Ethiopian troops, with some 4,500 soldiers on the ground.
UNISFA could not be immediately reached for comment on the attack.
The UN Security Council in 2018 warned that the situation in Abyei and along the Sudan-South Sudan border “continues to constitute a serious threat to international peace,” and called on the two countries to show concrete progress on border demarcation and monitoring.”
Egypt foils plot by fugitive Brotherhood leaders to disrupt national security: Interior ministry
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/360075/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-foils-plot-by-fugitive-Brotherhood-leaders-t.aspx
“Egyptian authorities foiled a plot orchestrated by fugitive leaders of the banned Muslim Brotherhood in Turkey with the aid of accomplices in Egypt that was designed to destabalise the country on the ninth anniversary of the 25 January Revolution, the interior ministry said on Wednesday.
The plan, unveiled by the National Security Apparatus, aimed at “undermining security and stability, stirring chaos in the country and damaging its economy” in tandem with the anniversary of the popular uprising, the ministry said in a statement.
The group was plotting a series of “terrorist attacks” by the militant Hasm group against important figures and buildings and places of worship on the anniversary of the revolution, and was providing the necessary funding to achieve that.
The ministry said they already carried out an attack in Qalioubiya that killed two policemen and a civilian in November.
They also attemped to use accounts on social media platforms to organise protests and provoke riots and chaos, and hired media committees to “spread lies and rumours to fuel public anger.”
The ministry identified the names of seven orchestrators of the plot whom it said are now in Turkey. Four of them face jail terms over terrorism-related charges and the others are issued arrest warrants over similar accusations, it said.
Police arrested a number of those behind online campaigns aiming to stir riots and sabotage state buildings, and others working for media platforms belonging to the outlawed Brotherhood, which was designated a terrorist organisation in 2013.
Security forces arrested some members of the militant Hasm group, including the perpetrators of the November attack, the statement added. They were found in posession of automatic weapons, shotguns, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and explosive devices.
Authorities are working to arrest the figuitives, the ministry said.”
Morocco Plans to Acquire €400 million of Armament from France
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/01/291856/morocco-armament-france/
“Morocco has concluded a set of military agreements with French arms makers for a total cost of €400 million.
According to the French newspaper La Tribune, the first contract involves the purchase of CAESAR self-propelled howitzer, worth €170 million and its ammunition for an additional €30 million. Morocco will acquire the armament from the French state-owned weapons manufacturer Nexter.
The second contract concerns acquiring VL-Mica ground missiles from the world leader in missile systems, MBDA, for a cost of €200 million.
According to FAR-Maroc, a website specializing in military activities in Morocco, the official unveiling of the contracts will take place during the upcoming visit of the French president Emmanuel Macron. The visit is set to occur on February 12 at the request of King Mohammed VI.
La Tribune added that Naval Group, a French defense contractor and industrial group, will provide maintenance services for a number of Moroccan military ships. Naval Group will also provide three Sigma corvettes acquired from Dutch Schelde in 2011 and 2012 in addition to FREMM multipurpose frigate acquired in 2008, as well as other ships.
Meanwhile, Morocco has future plans to acquire submarines from TKMS and Naval Group
From 2008 to 2018, France sold €1.8 billion worth of military equipment to Morocco, including a FREMM frigate in 2008 (Naval Group) and two spy satellites in 2013 (Airbus and Thales).
Although France and Morocco share long-standing relations, the US is the kingdom’s primary arms supplier. France provides 44% of Morocco’s weapons while the US accounts for 53% of the kingdom’s arms deals.
In 2019, Morocco’s arms transactions with the US totaled $10.3 billion, surpassing Saudi Arabia.
In 2019, Morocco purchased 25 F-16 aircraft and associated equipment in March for a cost of $3.8 billion, in addition to upgrading the country’s existing fleet of F-16 fighter jets for a cost of $985 million.
The most recent deal occurred on November 20, when the US State Department approved the sale of 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment to Morocco for an estimated cost of $4.25 billion.
The acquisition is part of Morocco’s five-year plan, established in 2017, to reach “regional supremacy” by modernizing the equipment of its army, air force, and navy. Morocco has devoted $20 billion to reach the strategic objective.”
War between two nuclear-armed countries can’t even be contemplated: PM
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2142293/1-war-two-nuclear-armed-countries-cant-even-contemplated-pm/
China chides US for interfering in Sino-Pak ties
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2142405/1-china-chides-us-interfering-sino-pak-ties/
“China on Wednesday lashed out at the US for interfering in its ties with Pakistan and dismissed American diplomat Alice Wells’ allegations about a lack of transparency in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
In a strongly-worded rebuke issued by the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, Wells’ claims were described as a repeat of “negative propaganda” by the US.
“All Chinese companies joining the CPEC enjoy international reputation,” the statement read in response to Wells’ allegation that companies blacklisted by the World Bank had been awarded CPEC contracts.
“The Chinese government always requests Chinese companies to operate according to local laws and regulations,” the embassy said.
“The entire process is open and transparent and is in line with international norm. We keep in touch with the accountability agencies of Pakistan and it is agreed that the CPEC is clean. The US holds a stick of sanctions all over the world blacklisting this and that country, but it is not for the global economy, just ways to serve its own political purpose.”
On Wells’ assertion that Pakistan’s debt burden was growing due to the Chinese financing, the embassy retorted that the total foreign debt of Pakistan was $110 billion according to the statistics of the State Bank of Pakistan and international financial institutions including the Paris Club and IMF were its largest creditors.
“[The] loan for CPEC is about $5.8 billion, accounting for 5.3% of Pakistan’s total foreign debt, with a repayment period of 20-25 years and an interest rate of approximately 2%. Its repayments will start in 2021, with annual repayments of about 300 million US dollars. It will never be a burden to Pakistan,” it added.
“Moreover, China has never forced other countries to pay debts, and will not make unreasonable demands from Pakistan. The US keeps fabricating the so-called debt story, their mathematics is bad, and their intention is worse.”
On the transparency of CPEC projects, the Chinese embassy noted that during its planning or implementation, every project was equally discussed, carefully studied and jointly implemented by both China and Pakistan.
“All projects strictly follow the market-oriented and internationally accepted business model and adopt state-of the-art technology and strict environmental protection standards,” it maintained.
On the US diplomat raising the issue of the cost escalation of the ML-1 project, the embassy responded that the initial design of the project was jointly accomplished by the China Railway No 2 Bureau, National Engineering Services Pakistan Limited (NESPAK) and Pakistan Railways Advisory and Consultancy Services Ltd.
The project was launched in 2016, and the initial design was submitted in May 2017. In April, 2019, it has successfully passed the initial design review, organised by Pakistan Railways, of the complex.
The embassy further noted that as the project had not been approved yet, the expenditure would be adjusted according to the conditions and the needs of Pakistan.
“After finalising the design of the project, we will initiate a bidding process in accordance with international practice. This is a completely normal business practice.”
The embassy maintained that Wells’ comments held nothing new and she used the same clichés from her November 2019 speech, which was repeatedly rejected by China and Pakistan.
“However, the US still ignores the facts and is obsessed with the story it made for the CPEC,” it added.
“We would be more than glad to see the US develop its relationship with Pakistan, but we strongly oppose the US interference in China-Pakistan relations and the CPEC. Although you can never wake up a person who is pretending to be asleep, we have to make our position clear and reject the negative propaganda by the US. We must not let the truth be distorted and lies run wild.”
The embassy further stated that China and Pakistan were firmly committed to the principles of mutual consultation and cooperation for shared benefits in CPEC projects. “We put Pakistani people’s interests first. Major progress has been achieved in the past five years, with 32 projects achieving early harvests. This has significantly improved local transportation infrastructure and power supply, created over 75,000 jobs directly and contributed one to two percent of the GDP growth in Pakistan,” it pointed out.
“It shows that the CPEC is playing an important role in boosting Pakistan’s socioeconomic development and improving people’s livelihood. Whether the CPEC works [or not], the answer should be given by the Pakistani people rather than the US.”
The embassy further stated that before raising questions about China-Pakistan relations, the US should first look back at what it had done to Pakistan.
“Think about how much contribution have you [the US] made for Pakistan. Did Ms Wells bring any aid, investment or trade for Pakistan during her visit? If the US truly cares about the development and prosperity of Pakistan and this region, it should bring cash and funds, promote win-win cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, fairness, and justice, rather than act as a world policeman, spreading rumors and provoking China-Pakistan relations.”
The embassy further said China-Pakistan ties were rock-solid and unbreakable. “China will continue to work with the Pakistani government and people to steadily advance the Belt and Road Initiative and CPEC to promote regional peace and development.””
How long will Pakistan continue to ignore forced conversions?
https://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/93243/how-long-will-pakistan-continue-to-ignore-forced-conversions/
“The news of young non-Muslim girls being made to convert to Islam seems to have become a daily occurrence in Pakistan. Just last week, a young Hindu girl was kidnapped in Jacobabad and her family stated that this was done in an attempt to convert her to Islam. Yet, quite often these cases simply slip between the cracks and into the abyss which houses the various human rights abuses that plague Pakistan. One incident which grabbed the media headlines last year was that of two sisters from Ghotki, who were reportedly abducted and forced to convert to Islam. However, later a video of them stating that they had willingly converted to Islam began to do the rounds on social media. While the Islamabad High Court declared that this was not a case of forced conversion, the judgement did lead to a great amount of debate around how exactly such matters are dealt with by the authorities. As a result, the increasing need for a bill which addresses forced conversions and ensures that there are legal provisions in place to tackle this problem has been apparent for quite some time. Yet it seems that lawmakers in the country are simply not interested in tackling this matter.
Last year in the Sindh Assembly, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) turned down a proposed bill against forced conversions which had been moved by Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) MPA Nand Kumar Goklani. Unfortunately, the fact that PPP rejected the bill did not come across as particularly surprising since various religious groups in the country had been exerting pressure for the bill to be dropped. Nonetheless, the fact that PPP capitulated to these demands is shameful, especially since Sindh witnesses cases of forced conversions at an alarming basis. Reportedly, the parliamentary committee to protect minorities from forced conversions believes that “cases of forced conversions are mostly occurring in Sindh, while certain religious groups might even be considering conversion of minor girls through criminal tactics as legal.” Hence, the need for such a bill in Sindh is self-evident.
Furthermore, the matter is only further compounded when the authorities are unable to adequately determine what constitutes as a forced conversion, because of which several religious groups in the country use this shortcoming to propound the narrative that a forced conversion bill would be inherently flawed. Such groups argue that while forced conversions are not permissible, “forcibly preventing someone from embracing Islam (is) also against the Shariah.” Given the power religio-political groups have in the country, as evidenced by the backlash being faced by Sarmad Khoosat for his film Zindagi Tamasha, it seems unlikely that the forced conversion bill will see the light of day anytime soon. Instead, the rights of religious minorities residing in Pakistan will continue to be held hostage.
A recent conference held by Christian rights activists at the Karchi Press Club once again attempted to raise a voice for the disenfranchised and called upon the government to tackle forced conversions. However, it must also be noted that passing such laws is only half the battle, and ensuring their implementation is perhaps an even harder task. Even if the forced conversion bill is approved in the future, the ability of police personnel to conduct a transparent investigation into cases of forced conversion would need to be ensured by the state.
Statistics provided by the Aurat Foundation state that 1000 women and girls belonging to religious minorities in Pakistan are “abducted, forcibly converted and then married off to their abductors every year.” Evidently, this is a problem which simply cannot be ignored any longer, either by Pakistan’s political parties or by the citizens of Pakistan. While many in Pakistan readily criticise India for the religious persecution taking place in our neighboring country, it is perhaps time to turn our gaze inwards and ensure we have legal mechanisms in place to prevent forced conversions in Pakistan. Instead of only being outraged for religious minorities who reside outside of Pakistan, it would not hurt us and our politicians to protect the rights of the non-Muslims who call Pakistan their home. This national duty can no longer be ignored, no matter what the cost.”
Every Afghan wants peace and ceasefire, says survey
http://www.afghanistantimes.af/every-afghan-wants-peace-and-ceasefire-says-survey/
“KABUL: A survey launched by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Afghan Policy Group says that every Afghan wants peace. It says that 60 per cent of Afghans are optimistic to gaining of peace, while 40 per cent express concerns over the process, looking at it from ambiguity glasses.
The survey has interviewed 600 people from different social classes in the provinces of Balkh, Bamyan, Kandahar, Nangarhar and Herat in a two-month job.
It has asked questions about peace and economic development, peace and neighboring states, peace and co-existence, peace and security, peace and education as well as peace and justice.
Mohammad Fahim Hashemi, from the Afghanistan Policy Group has said that 60 per cent of the people are optimistic to peace while the remaining 40 per cent are concerned if peace was not gained.
He said that people interviewed, want a moderate economic development across the country far from political, ethnic and regional options. They have also demanded cooperation with the neighboring countries.
They have said that seminaries are teaching religious lessons, while children should be provided with general education first.
These people have called for a ceasefire between the government and Taliban as the initial step toward peace.
Also questions about the post-peace situation like; how would be it when Taliban come? And government’s role in peace was asked.
Leila Jafari, an official at the state ministry for peace, said: “Peace is not gained lonely and we cannot succeed to gain peace lonely.”
Sima Samar, special presidential envoy and state minister on human rights, criticized that victims of war were not paid attention, saying that however, the majority of people want peace.”
Turkish court hands jail terms to over 130 FETO members
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-court-hands-jail-terms-to-over-130-feto-members/1710454
“A Turkish court handed down jail terms to 131 members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) following their trial, a judicial source said Wednesday.
A court in the capital Ankara sentenced former police intelligence chief Ramazan Akyurek to 45 years in prison, while his ex-deputy Gursel Aktepe received 27 years.
Former Ankara deputy police chiefs Lokman Kircili and Hami Guney were sentenced to 22 and 28 years in prison, respectively.
Also, police chiefs Yurt Atayun and Ali Fuat Yilmazer were sentenced to seven years in prison. Both had previously been handed jail terms in a separate court in Istanbul.
The convicts were found guilty for being members of a terror group, military and political spying, illegal wiretapping, forgery of official documents, aggravated fraud and illegal disposal of confidential documents.
Hasan Ali Okan, Ilyas Tekin, Ozgur Ozturk, Seyit Golcuk, Fatih Dogan, and Ertan Aslan were sentenced to 16 years each in prison. They were found guilty of being members of a terror group and military and political spying.
Another 126 convicts were found guilty of being members of a terror group, illegal wiretapping and forgery of official documents.
Four others were convicted of illegal wiretapping, forgery of official documents, aggravated fraud and illegal disposal of confidential documents.
The court separated the court files of 43 other defendants, while acquitting 37 others.
FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen is accused of orchestrating the defeated coup July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.”
Tunisian envoy blasts ‘deplorable provocation’ from Salvini
http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2020/01/22/deplorable-provocation-from-salvini-tunisian-envoy_f5c24c4e-c890-4fa0-9dcb-0b56a1a7fe2b.html
“Tunisia’s ambassador to Italy on Wednesday said nationalist opposition League party leader and populist strongman Matteo Salvini was guilty of a “deplorable provocation” after the anti-migrant former interior minister rang a Tunisian family’s doorbell in Bologna to ask if a drug pusher lived there.
Ambassador Moez Sinaoui told ANSA he had written to Senate Speaker Maria Elisebetta Casllati to complain about Senator Salvini’s “regrettable” behaviour, which he said had shown “a lack of respect for the private abode of a Tunisian family” and had been “divulged in an ostentatious way to public opinion”.
Sinaoui voiced his “consternation” at the “shameful episode”.
Earlier Wednesday the Tunisian parliament’s deputy speaker said Salvini had shown himself to be a “racist” in the episode.
The incident in Bologna’s high crime working class Pilastro district showed “a racist and shameful attitude that undermines relations between Italy and Tunisia,” said the official, Osama Sghaier. Salvini was led to the flat by a local mother of a dead addict who told him a pusher lived there.
He commended her actions, saying more people should show such concern for their communities.
Salvini rang the bell of the Tunisian family and said “good evening madam, is your son a drug pusher?”.
Anti-migrant Euroskeptic League leader Salvini has been criticised for anti-migrant policies he enacted as interior minister in the last government.
These including shutting Italy’s ports to NGO rum migrant rescue ships, and a migrant and security decree which critics said criminalised migrants by stripping them of certain rights.
Salvini responded to the Tunisian official’s charge by saying “I listened to the cry of pain from a mother courage who lost her son to drugs.
“An act of appreciation that we should all do: the fight against drug pushers should unite and not divide.
“Zero tolerance for drugs and pushers of death: for us it is a priority.
“In Emilia Romagna and in the whole of Italy there are decent hardworking immigrants, who have integrated and respect the law.
But those who push drugs are a problem for all: whether they are Italian or foreign, it makes no difference.” Salvini is campaigning hard in Emilia Romagna ahead of regional elections there on Sunday.
The alleged pusher, 17, said Wednesday he was seeking legal advice from a local lawyer who has set up a campaign against hate speech, Cathy La Torre.
The youth was born in Italy of Tunisian parents. His father has also resorted to La Torre’s services.
Meanwhile popular DJ, writer and actor Fabio Volo mocked Salvini for “only taking it out on the weak” saying “go and ring the doorbell of the Camorra”, the Naples mafia, “if you have the balls for it”.”
Lebanon faces ‘catastrophe’, says new PM Diab
http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/politics/2020/01/22/lebanon-faces-catastrophe-says-new-pm-diab_920e7f42-14ab-4879-aa23-8d462eefa341.html
“Lebanon, on the verge of bankruptcy, is facing a ”catastrophe” and the challenges it has ahead are immense, said newly elected prime minister Hassan Diab Wednesday. Following a night of violence in several cities, the 61-year-old academic said that he was ready to deal with the ”unprecedented challenge” that awaits him.
”Today we are in a financial, economic and social dead end,” he said in remarks read by a government official after the new cabinet’s inaugural meeting in Beirut.
”We are facing a catastrophe,” he said. He added that ”we must alleviate the impact and repercussions of this disaster on the Lebanese” and that ”the challenges are immense”.
”The Lebanese are tired of the promises and programs that are not respected,” he said. Numerous streets were blocked throughout the country on Wednesday due to ongoing anti-government protests after the announcement of a new government formation under Diab. The interior minister said Wednesday morning that the roads to the north, south, and east of the capital were blocked by protestors. Internal streets in Beirut have so far remained open, as have schools.”
CBC – Muslim CSIS agent claims workplace harassment
A Muslim employee of Canada’s spy agency, CSIS, is suing his employer alleging he suffered constant bullying and abuse from colleagues because of his religion.
He says he and his family were put under surveillance and that he was physically harassed when he would pray in his office and he now suffers from PTSD and depression.
the rebel – Jonathan Yaniv ARRESTED by Surrey RCMP!
Jonathan Yaniv was sent to jail. Surrey RCMP arrested the infamous Trans-parasite in response to the assault Yaniv committed on January 13th. Yaniv will be appearing in court on charges to be disclosed shortly.