Reader’s Links for May 30, 2020

Daily Links Post graphic

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

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

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

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

About Eeyore

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

104 Replies to “Reader’s Links for May 30, 2020”

  1. Implications of US’ threat to revoke Hong Kong’s preferential trade status

  2. Coronavirus outbreak in The Hague mosque after ignoring corona measures
    https://www.archyde.com/coronavirus-outbreak-in-the-hague-mosque-after-ignoring-corona-measures/
    At the Faizul mosque on Loosduinseweg in The Hague, at least 21 members of the religious community have been infected with the corona virus, according to insiders. As a result, a leading member (77) died earlier this week. Some members of the religious community, who are concerned about health and safety, have called on the municipality of The Hague to close the mosque.

    The concerned members, whose names are known to Omroep West but want to remain anonymous, have already unsuccessfully requested the municipality of The Hague to intervene at the Faizul mosque. Because although on March 12 the board officially decided to close the house of prayer for all prayers and other meetings, including during Ramadan, this was not followed. The corona measures were also not taken into account. For example, the services would have been attended by more than thirty people without keeping a distance of one and a half meters.

    The fact that there are nevertheless meetings in the mosque despite the closure is partly made possible because there are said to be about a hundred keys of the building in circulation. Warnings from those directly involved in adhering to the corona measures were ignored. Also by the victim. Despite his advanced age, he felt strengthened by faith: “I am a Muslim, nothing can happen to me.”
    The coronavirus infection was reported to the mosque board on Friday night, May 22, a week after one of the mosque’s visitors was tested positive for Covid-19, the mosque website reports. The board took action again and decided to immediately close the building until 10 June. All visitors were advised to get tested and the mosque would be disinfected.

    Whether the mosque has actually been closed since May 22 is not clear. According to some sources, a prayer service was organized during the Sugar Feast and the body of the deceased member was laid out in the mosque on 27 May. Immediate family members, who would also have been infected with the coronavirus, would have been present. Among them also his son, who is a board member of the mosque.

    According to insiders, the chairman of the board and the imam of the mosque are now also infected with the corona virus. It is not clear how they are doing. They were not available for comment. The concerned members who are now sounding the alarm are concerned that the virus has spread even further among the faith community. Not only because of the prayer services in the mosque, but also because on May 22, 150 emergency packages were distributed door to door among older members of the community.

    The municipality of The Hague informs via a spokesperson that there have been several reports about the meetings in the Faizul mosque and that the board has been addressed. Reference is made to the emergency ordinance of March 26, which provides that there is an exception for the opening of places of worship, “provided that no more than thirty people are present.” Action will only be taken if caught red-handed. That does not appear to be the case.

  3. Egypt says 19 suspected militants killed in restive Sinai
    https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-says-19-suspected-militants-killed-restive-sinai

    “Egypt’s military said on Saturday that it had killed 19 suspected militants in targeted ground and air operations as part of its battle to quell a long-running insurgency in north Sinai.

    In a video statement replete with a dramatic score released on its social media, the army said troops killed three “extremely dangerous” insurgents as well as 16 others in precision air strikes on their “terrorist hideouts”, AFP reported.

    Troops found troves of automatic rifles, hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades in possession of the militants, the army added.

    Security forces have been battling a long-running insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula – in Egypt’s northeast – that is spearheaded by a local affiliate of the Islamic (IS) State group.

    In 2014, Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, an established militant group in Sinai, pledged allegiance to IS and changed its name to Sinai Province, claiming to be an IS branch.

    As the Egyptian military has struggled to defeat the group, which has launched attacks on tourists, security forces and houses of worship, it has also been accused of committing war crimes against civilians in the area.

    About 970 suspected insurgents have been killed in the region, along with dozens of security personnel, according to official figures…”

  4. Tunisia: 3 irregular migration attempts to Europe thwarted
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200530-tunisia-3-irregular-migration-attempts-to-europe-thwarted/

    “On Friday, the Tunisian Coast Guard announced that three irregular migration attempts to Europe were thwarted.

    National Guard Spokesman Houssem Eddine Jebabli revealed on his Facebook page that the operation resulted in arresting 119 people, including 84 sub-Saharan Africans.

    Jebabli stated that among the detainees, 25 Tunisians, including a girl, were caught on a boat off the coast of the town of Manzil Tamim, in the Nabeul governorate, east of the country.

    He added that: “Eight Tunisians were caught while heading to the coast of Nabeul to catch a boat, in an attempt to cross the border.”

    According to Jebabli: “84 sub-Saharan Africans, including 35 women and seven children, were also arrested, in addition to two Tunisians who were planning to board a boat from Sfax (south) to cross the maritime boundaries towards Europe.”

    Despite the threat of the coronavirus and tight security measures, irregular migration attempts towards the Italian coasts from Tunisia have recently been on the rise.

    According to official figures, more than 22,000 young Tunisians migrated irregularly to Italy in 2011.”

  5. Turkey says may begin oil exploration under Libya deal in 3-4 months
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200530-turkey-says-may-begin-oil-exploration-under-libya-deal-in-3-4-months/

    “Turkey may begin oil exploration in the eastern Mediterranean within three or four months under a deal it signed with Libya that was condemned by others in the region including Greece, Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said on Friday, Reuters reports.

    Libya’s internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) signed the maritime delimitation deal last year. Turkey says it creates an exclusive economic zone from its southern coast to Libya’s northeast coast, and protects rights to resources.

    Greece, Cyprus and others oppose the accord and call it illegal, an accusation Ankara has rejected. The European Union also opposes the maritime deal that was signed alongside an agreement for Turkey to provide military support to the GNA, which has battled forces based in eastern Libya for more than a year.

    Speaking at a ceremony to mark the launch of Turkey’s Fatih oil-and-gas drilling ship to the Black Sea, Donmez said Turkish Petroleum (TPAO), which had applied for an exploration permit in the eastern Mediterranean, would begin operations in areas under its license after the process was completed…”

  6. Saudi Shura Council rejects proposal to let women marry without a male guardian’s permission
    https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/5/30/women-cant-marry-without-male-guardians-permission-saudi-council

    “The Judicial Committee of Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council turned down a proposal submitted by a female council member that would allow women to contract their marriage without requiring the permission of a male guardian.

    According to a Saturday report by Al Riyadh, Eqbal Darandari’s proposal called on the Ministry of Justice to work with the Supreme Judicial Council to amend the necessary laws and permit adult women to marry a partner on their own.

    The council, which is the formal advisory body of the Kingdom, rejected the proposal, saying a male guardian’s presence is a key condition to legislate a marriage…”

  7. Law enforcement agencies arrest IS militant in Karachi
    https://tribune.com.pk/story/2231946/1-law-enforcement-agencies-arrest-militant-karachi/

    “The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Karachi police and the federal intelligence agency arrested a suspected terrorist of Islamic State (IS) in a joint intelligence-based operation in Karachi, the SIU spokesperson said on Saturday.

    According to the spokesperson weapons and other sensitive materials were also recovered from the militant’s hideout. A case had been registered against the suspect, identified as Sikandar, over terrorism and other charges…”

  8. European Union says no to Taliban’s Islamic Emirate
    http://www.afghanistantimes.af/european-union-says-no-to-talibans-islamic-emirate/

    “The European Union has said the reinstatement of Taliban’s Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan is “not acceptable under any circumstances”, reiterating its support for peace and stability of the war-ravaged country.

    In a joint declaration, foreign ministers of 27 countries of the European Union have warned to cut all political backings and aid to the war-ravaged country should the insurgents reestablish their dictatorial regime.

    This comes as Kabul government and the Taliban seemed one step closer to bilateral negotiations to end the grisly war. Silver linings emerged from the temporary halt in Taliban hostilities and a subsequent release by the Afghan government of hundreds of insurgent prisoners, which is setting motion for a reduced violence and trust-building.

    The EU leaders urged the Taliban to use the ‘historic opportunity’ to join Afghanistan’s current political system. They also reiterated the EU support for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, seeking an immediate ceasefire and the start of intra-Afghan peace talks, in a bid to preserve the two-decade gains for buttressing the republic government and human rights.

    The EU declaration also seeks to solve the Afghan conflict quagmire through political and diplomatic channels that won’t run contrary to international conventions and brings about a state of permanent stability. European leaders emphasized that their assistance will fall in the sphere of buttressing government institutions, capacity building and graft-busting measures.

    The militant group of Taliban has welcomed the EU leaders’ declaration, but noted few points that they deemed to be in conflict with the ‘right to independence’ of Afghans.

    The group’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, has said that others should not interfere in our affairs just as ‘Afghans refrain from doing so’.”

  9. Turkish coast guard rescues 60 asylum seekers
    https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-coast-guard-rescues-60-asylum-seekers-155187

    “The Turkish Coast Guard rescued 60 asylum seekers on May 29 in the Aegean Sea.

    Acting on a tip, rescue teams reached asylum seekers who were on a rubber boat that was forced into Turkish territorial waters by the Greek Coast Guard.

    The asylum seekers, including 28 Congolese, 23 Afghans, five Eritreans, two Malians, one Nigerian and one Somalian, were rescued off the coast of Dikili in the Aegean province of Izmir.

    Women and children were among the asylum seekers, according to Turkish officials.

    They were taken to the provincial migration office.

    Turkey has been one of the main routes for asylum seekers wanting to reach Europe, especially since Syria’s civil war started in 2011.

    Turkey hosts nearly 4 million Syrians, more than any other country in the world.”

  10. Racism still big threat in Germany: Turkish envoy
    https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/racism-still-big-threat-in-germany-turkish-envoy-155185

    “Turkish envoy to Germany said racism is still a big threat in Germany on the 27th anniversary of a racist attack in Solingen which saw the killing of five members of a Turkish family.

    Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ali Kemal Ayd?n said the pain caused by the racist attack that ultimately killed five Turks including three children is still alive in the hearts of the Turkish community.

    “After all those years racism still is a big and heavy threat in Germany,” said Ambassador Ayd?n adding the Turkish community has been the most affected by racism in German society.

    Ayd?n also reminded the Hanau attack that killed nine migrants including four Turks in February.

    Ayd?n said German society and authorities should strengthen the fight against racism, xenophobia, and anti-Islam, which has become more pronounced in the recent period.

    Referring to the statements made after the Hanau attack, Ayd?n said they expect the swift implementation of what was said in those statements.

    “There will be a memorial service in Solingen tonight. Our hope is that attacks like these will not happen again in Germany and Europe,” said Ayd?n.

    Ayd?n also called Mevlüde Genç and her husband Durmu? Genç to offer condolences for their children and grandchildren killed in Solingen arson attack.

    The house of the Turkish immigrant family in Solingen was set ablaze in 1993 by four young far-right extremists aged between 16 and 23, amid growing resentment against foreigners in the country, after the unification of East and West Germany in 1990.”

  11. Turkey rebuts Greece on Quran session in Hagia Sophia
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/turkey-rebuts-greece-on-quran-session-in-hagia-sophia/1859019

    “Turkey on Saturday shot back at an objection from Greece on the reading of passages from the Muslim holy book, the Quran, in the Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), a landmark mosque-converted-museum in Istanbul.

    Accusing Athens of making “futile and ineffective statements” on the event, which marked the 567th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of the former Byzantine capital, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Greece’s displeasure illustrated its “intolerant psychology.”

    “The fact that Greece, the only remaining European country without a mosque in its capital, is disturbed by the recital of the Holy Quran in Hagia Sophia is a case in point illustrating the intolerant psychology of this country, especially at a time when calls to prayer can be heard from minarets in Europe and the importance of principle of mutual respect is increasingly valued,” said the written online statement.

    Aksoy’s statement came after earlier remarks from the Greek Foreign Ministry saying the move did not comply with the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

    “Turkey has acted neither against the monumental status of Hagia Sophia, nor the 1972 UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. On the contrary, thanks to Turkey’s care and attention to the Historical Sites of Istanbul, these sites have survived for present generations as cultural heritages,” Aksoy underlined.

    He also criticized “recent efforts of certain circles in Greece” to use the novel coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to silence the Muslim call to prayer in Western Thrace “which has been recited for centuries.”

    Aksoy also emphasized that the Hagia Sophia would remain a “significant treasure of Turkey and humanity,” and will continue to be protected as such.

    “We invite Greece to free itself of its mindset deriving from history,” he added.”

  12. Turkey ‘neutralizes’ 2 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-neutralizes-2-pkk-terrorists-in-northern-iraq/1858614

    “Turkish security forces “neutralized” two PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the country’s National Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

    The terrorists were “neutralized” in an air-backed operation in the Avashin-Basyan region after they were detected through reconnaissance and surveillance activities, the ministry said on Twitter.

    The country’s anti-terror operations continue without letup, the statement added…”

  13. Turkey ‘neutralizes’ 5 YPG/PKK terrorists in N.Syria
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-neutralizes-5-ypg-pkk-terrorists-in-nsyria/1858792

    “Turkish security forces “neutralized” at least five YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, near Turkey’s southern border, the National Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

    “Our commandos do not allow passage to terror groups. Five PKK/YPG terrorists, who attempted to infiltrate into the Operation Peace Spring zone, aiming to disrupt the peace and secure environment, were neutralized,” the ministry said on Twitter.

    Turkish authorities often use the word “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured…”

  14. Wanted PKK terrorists among neutralized in SE Turkey
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/wanted-pkk-terrorists-among-neutralized-in-se-turkey/1859040

    “Turkish forces have “neutralized” five terrorists over two days, including two wanted by security forces, in the country’s southeast, the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

    Among the terrorists neutralized in counter-terrorism operations in Siirt province were PKK terrorists Nahide Timur and Dilan Ilhan, codenamed Beritan Van and Serhildan Evrak, respectively.

    Timur and Ilhan were on the grey category of the Interior Ministry’s wanted terrorists list, with a 500,000 Turkish lira ($73,300) prize on their heads, the ministry said.

    During the operations, Turkish gendarmerie seized equipment and documents at the terrorists’ hideout.

    The Turkish Interior Ministry’s wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and gray.

    In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women, children, and infants.”

  15. Trump on escalating protests: Violence is being led by Antifa, radical groups

  16. BBC – “Dangerous moment” as senior scientists warn lockdown is being eased too quickly

    The UK is “at a dangerous moment” according to England’s deputy chief medical officer, who urged people not to abuse the new more relaxed lockdown restrictions.

    Professor Van Tam reminded people of how rapidly the disease can spread through the population. People are being tempted out by the warm weather and there’s evidence that large numbers are ignoring the social distancing rules.

    Some scientists, including members of the government’s own SAGE expert advisory group, have warned that the lockdown is being eased too fast, risking a second peak of coronavirus infections and deaths.

    Kate Silverton presents BBC News reporting from Political Correspondent Chris Mason and Health Correspondent Catherine Burns.

  17. Twitter Fails to ‘Fact Check’ Reza Aslan for Claiming ‘Trump Supporters’ Are Looting
    https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2020/05/30/twitter-fails-to-fact-check-reza-aslan-for-claiming-trump-supporters-are-looting/

    “Twitter has yet to “fact check” a tweet from former CNN contributor and progressive author Reza Aslan that accuses Trump supporters of being responsible the violence and looting that has broken out around the country.

    “White Supremacists=Trump Supporters. These are Trump supporters burning and looting,” said Aslan on Twitter, in response to a post from a CNN reporter stating that authorities are “monitoring alleged criminals online, including postings by suspected white supremacists trying to incite violence.”

    From this claim, Aslan somehow inferred that Trump supporters are behind the violence.

    Although there is a wealth of evidence to counter Aslan’s fact-free claim, Twitter has not applied a “get the facts” label to Aslan’s tweet, despite the fact that it pertains to ongoing violence in the country and may be used to inflame tensions.

    Twitter has also failed to take action against a tweet that went viral on the platform three days ago, saying “violence is the answer.”

    Twitter has in recent weeks decided to “fact check” and censor a number of the President’s tweets.

    Most recently, it censored a tweet from the President about the Minneapolis riots. The company accused the President of “glorifying violence,” because the statement could be understood to be backing the use of military force against rioters.

    Twitter also censored the official White House account, which posted an identical tweet to the President’s.

    Before that Twitter added a “fact check” label to one of the President’s tweets expressing widely-held, factually substantiated concerns about the potential for voter fraud in mail-in ballots. Twitter later corrected its fact-check after it was itself fact-checked.

    President Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at curbing political bias from big tech companies. The order seeks to activate the FCC, FTC, and Department of Justice to narrow tech companies’ legal immunities and investigate the companies’ failure to uphold political neutrality as a potential deceptive business practice.

    Breitbart News has reached out to Twitter for comment.”