Reader’s Links for July 25, 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

74 Replies to “Reader’s Links for July 25, 2020”

  1. French do NOTHING as migrant boat heads for Britain – UK scrambles helicopter and boat (express, Jul 25, 2020)
    https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1314082/migrant-crisis-asylum-seekers-france-english-channel-dover-coastguard-dinghy

    “A UK sailor has launched an angry attack on French coastal patrols which he said did NOTHING after he reported a dinghy containing people-trafficked migrants launching from Boulogne in the direction of Kent – hours before it was revealed almost 200 people had made it across.

    French authorities stood by while their UK counterparts scrambled a helicopter and lifeboat to rescue the terrified migrants and bring them to Britain, sailor Brian Nelson said. Now Mr Nelson has accused the French authorities of grave negligence, pointing out the massive risk to life such hazardous crossings of the English Channel posed. The leisure sailor, who was travelling south from Boulogne to Dieppe on Saturday, said after about an hour at sea, he received a call on the radio telling him his boat was close to a dinghy containing about 50 migrants.

    Boats and ships make use of satellite navigation called Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to keep track of other vessels at sea, Mr Nelson explained.

    He told Express: “They have obviously had some sort of report that a boat had been launched, they then looked on their radar and they’ve seen a British boat which was us so they called us.

    “So we were aware that a boat had been launched close to use so we were scanning the beach with binoculars and I see about five miles down from Boulogne towards Dieppe, a tractor launched two boats.

    “One of them was a rig, with one man in it, but the other boat was a slightly bigger boat with about 10-15 people in it.

    “The really weird thing is I then saw the headlines the next day and there was a front-page picture in it of a rig with a number people in it at Dover and the picture was identical to the boat that I could see.

    “So the French had asked me to look for a boat, I reported it to them that I could see this boat and I thought there was 10-15 people in it and they said thank you very much, keep your eyes out.

    “But after that we say nothing. Then after a couple of hours we then start to hear on the VHF radio Dover coastguard saying they have tasked the Border Force vessel Searcher to intercept this boat.

    “And then we could see on AIS that the Dover lifeboat had been launched and then we heard the Dover coastguard talking to the coastguard helicopter, Rescue 163, and it was circling overhead.

    “It’s all a hugely disproportionate response – all this could have been prevented if the French had intercepted them on launch.”

    Mr Nelson said he had been forced to the reluctant conclusion that the French authorities did not regard it as their problem.

    He explained: “They don’t want to know, these people, do they?

    “They are just helping them across the Channel and letting the English deal with them.

    “We were sailing past this beach for an hour or so. An hour later I didn’t see anybody on the beach, so they haven’t responded to my report.”

    Later that day Mr Nelson and his wife arrived in Dieppe, where they saw and photographed the French Gendarme cutter, similar to Dover’s coastguard’s Searcher.

    He added: “As you can see from the photograph, this is a French fast patrol boat and they were sitting there with crew on board chatting to some yachtsmen who were coming in.

    “It’s a classic case of passing the buck, if not worse than that.”

    Mr Nelson was also keen to emphasise the danger anyone attempting to cross the choppy waters of the Channel was taking.

    He said: “We heard on the radio, and I think this may have been the boat that I saw, the helicopter was saying that only two people in the boat had life jackets and when the boat was swamped, seven people fell in the water.

    “Then Dover coastguard issued an edict that they could not deal with any routine traffic because they were dealing with a major incident, because they had to bring in about three boats altogether.

    “I wasn’t surprised by it all – I live in Kent and there is a lot about it on the news at the moment.

    “I’m more angry at the French than anything – I think what we need to focus on more than anything else is safety of life at sea.

    “We should be preventing these people from crossing to save their lives.

    “We were appalled by the French disregard for life safety let alone the dumping of migrants on the UK.”

    On Monday it was revealed 180 people had managed to get across the Channel over the weekend, with another 200 intercepted by the French on the way.

    The number of migrants trying to cross the English Channel is believed to have increased significantly during the lockdown, with some even attempting the journey in kayaks.

    Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp told Express.co.uk: “It is in the interests of both France and the UK to stop people making this dangerous journey. The French have stopped thousands of migrants this year and those who reach the UK via this route are being returned.

    “But we are pressing the French Government for stronger enforcement measures, including interceptions at sea and direct returns of boats.

    “We are also taking action to prevent boats from launching, including setting up a joint intelligence cell, to go after the criminals behind these crossings. This year, 22 people smugglers have been jailed and earlier this week our investigations resulted in 11 more arrests.”

    A spokeswoman for the French Embassy in London, speaking on behalf of the French government, declined to comment when approached by Express.co.uk

    Brian Nelson is not the sailor’s real name. He asked for his real name not to be disclosed.”

    • One look at planet Earth and us and do you actually think that an alien would think that it needed us? The myth that ETs are benevolent pacifists(AKA Vulcans) totally denies the fact that any advanced civilization never achieved that status by peaceful means while evolution itself would make it the top predator on its home planet. Destroying us and leaving the planet untouched would be the most likely aim. Ever since the sheer naïve lunacy of SETI have been expecting the unfriendly knock or the friendly knock with unfriendly motives. Tribalism and xenophobia is not restricted to us nor is greed and envy.

    • One look at planet Earth and us and do you actually think that an alien would think that it needed us? The myth that ETs are benevolent pacifists(AKA Vulcans) totally denies the fact that any advanced civilization never achieved that status by peaceful means while evolution itself would make it the top predator on its home planet. Destroying us and leaving the planet untouched would be the most likely aim. Ever since the sheer naïve lunacy of SETI have been expecting the unfriendly knock or the friendly knock with unfriendly motives. Tribalism and xenophobia are not restricted to us nor are greed and envy.

      • I gotta say, I HATED the movie Starman when it came out for exactly that reason. Instead of The Noble Savage myth, it was the Noble Alien Saviour myth. I probably should not have told my date at the time what I thought of the movie. We would have lasted a lot longer. It seemed to me that the safest and best course of action would be to vaporize NYC if they thought they could kill that thing and make sure it never told its home world about us.

        That just didn’t go over.

    • “Address to the 42d Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New York”
      September 21, 1987

      Excerpt:

      In our obsession with antagonisms of the moment, we often forget how much unites all the members of humanity. Perhaps we need some outside, universal threat to make us recognize this common bond. I occasionally think how quickly our differences worldwide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world. And yet, I ask you, is not an alien force already among us? What could be more alien to the universal aspirations of our peoples than war and the threat of war?

      Two centuries ago, in a hall much smaller than this one, in Philadelphia, Americans met to draft a Constitution. In the course of their debates, one of them said that the new government, if it was to rise high, must be built on the broadest base: the will and consent of the people. And so it was, and so it has been.

      My message today is that the dreams of ordinary people reach to astonishing heights. If we diplomatic pilgrims are to achieve equal altitudes, we must build all we do on the full breadth of humanity’s will and consent and the full expanse of the human heart. Thank you, and God bless you all.
      https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/research/speeches/092187b

      • “Ronald Reagan’s Remarks “The Myth of the Great Society” 1966″
        Reagan Library – January 24, 2020

  2. European media are screaming today because the editorial board at Hungary’s largest private news outlet resigned. Journalists Without Borders is also up in arms condemning Victor Orban. This is curious given the death of western journalism happened some time ago and a scant few journalists covered THAT story. This story also refers to the earlier shutdown of another large Hungarian legacy newspaper. It chooses to ignore, however, that that newspaper went bankrupt due to falling sales, not political interference, just as western print media has struggled in competing against the internet.

    That the Hungarian people reject collectivism seems to be unfathomable to western collectivists. Imagine that.

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/24/hungarian-journalists-resign-en-masse-after-claims-of-political-interference

  3. One look at planet Earth and us and do you actually think that an alien would think that it needed us? The myth that ETs are benevolent pacifists(AKA Vulcans) totally denies the fact that any advanced civilization never achieved that status by peaceful means while evolution itself would make it the top predator on its home planet. Destroying us and leaving the planet untouched would be the most likely aim. Ever since the sheer naïve lunacy of SETI have been expecting the unfriendly knock or the friendly knock with unfriendly motives. Tribalism and xenophobia is not restricted to us nor is greed and envy.

  4. No, but I can hope. Unification of humanity under the common threat of communism won’t work because that threat is inside the gates. Alien threat would hide itself only if it had vulnerabilities, no?

  5. “The Washington Post is the latest news organization to settle a defamation lawsuit launched by Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann over its botched coverage of a viral confrontation with a Native American elder that had portrayed the Kentucky teen as the aggressor.”
    https://www.foxnews.com/media/washington-post-settles-nicholas-sandmann-defamation-lawsuit-in-covington-catholic-high-school-controversy

    “…botched coverage…”

    News agencies that do not want to go to war with each other are friends with each other and not with you.

    “…botched coverage…”

    Just follow the financial and political incentives for fake-new reporting. .

    “…botched coverage…”

    A cover-up.

    • ” The former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd was hit with tax evasion charges… ”

      “Chauvin and his wife are accused of underreporting their joint income in state tax returns by $464,433 from 2014 through 2019. Chauvin earned more than $95,000 for his work as an off-duty security guard that was not reported.”
      https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/07/23/derek-chauvin-ex-minneapolis-cop-george-floyd-death-tax-charges/5492181002/

      “…underreporting…”

      How do these ‘journalists’ ever put on a straight face every morning?

      Where’s the connection? As Chavin is a defendant to an accusation of homocide, did the police then suspect a financial motivation for the killing of George Floyd as a man he previously knew? Or was it just a lucky break to find something incriminating against him?

      Journalism: the journey to the source.

      “…botched coverage…”: nothing to see here.

    • They tried to ruin that kid’s life.
      The school could’ve become a target for antifa-types. It’s good they got the full video out fast.
      That was last year. These days mobs are even more hair-trigger (hare-brained).

  6. UK attack threat: ISIS using coronavirus crisis to regroup and plot attacks (express, Jul 25, 2020)
    https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1314123/isis-uk-threat-coronavirus-regrouping-un-security-council-report-world-latest

    “ISIS could be plotting a new string of attacks targeted at the West after the COVID-19 lockdown allowed them to re-establish themselves, the UN has warned.

    A UN Monitoring Team report claims ISIS plans to exploit security gaps caused by coronavirus. It warns the terror organisation is looking to target enemies while they are “weakened and distracted” by the pandemic as ISIS have become “brazen”.

    The UN report, seen by Express, said: “ISIL (ISIS) has had a captive audience during the lockdown and, if it has successfully used this for planning and recruitment purposes, it is possible that the easing of restrictions in non-conflict zones will see a spike in attacks once targets become available again.”

    It stressed the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on terrorism was “varied between conflict zones and non-conflict zones and between short- and longer-term threats.”

    The report claimed groups were using the outbreak to “advance propaganda and fundraising and, in some regions, are seeking to take advantage of perceptions that the attention of security forces is diverted elsewhere.”

    It added: “At the same time, the pandemic has made cross-border travel more difficult and targets more elusive, and the operational tempo of attacks has slowed discernibly in some regions.

    “Should the pandemic lead to a severe global recession, the international community may be faced with further headwinds in countering terrorism and extremist narratives.”

    The United Nations previously raised serious concerns about the trials of hundreds of alleged Islamic State members in Iraq, some of whom prepared meals, offered medical services or even acted as human shields for the jihadist group.

    Iraq has processed thousands of cases under its anti-terrorism law – including of detainees from outside the Middle East transferred from neighbouring Syria – in the aftermath of a 2014-17 war against Islamic State militants.

    The United States said the Islamic State was evolving into a global network that inspires extremist ideology and attacks elsewhere from being a group holding territory,

    Nathan Sales, coordinator for Counterterrorism at the US State Department said: “And this network not only plans and commits attacks…it also continues to inspire individuals to commit attacks on their own devices.”

    The UN report also stressed the “silence” of ISIS’s new leader, Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla, which “may prove a limiting factor in his influence and appeal, and perhaps that of the group”.

    It claims the number of attacks in Iraq and Syria had “increased significantly” in 2020 stressing that there were currently more than 10,000 ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria.

    According to the report, one reason for ISIS’s resilience in those countries is money.

    It claims that ISIS still has approximately £78.1million ($100million) in reserves stressing that the group assets are “believed to take the form of cash, buried or stored in caches across the conflict zone or kept with financial facilitators in neighbouring countries.

    It added: “Some of the funds have been invested in legitimate businesses in Iraq, the Syrian Arab Republic and neighbouring countries.”

    It concluded by saying that should coronavirus lead to a severe global recession then it could create conditions where “terrorist and extremist narratives gain increased currency.””

  7. Director of Biggest UK Muslim Charity Branded Jews ‘Grandchildren of Monkeys and Pigs’ (breitbart, Jul 25, 2020)
    https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/07/25/uk-muslim-charity-boss-called-jews-grandchildren-monkeys-pigs/

    “A director and trustee of Islamic Relief, Britain’s biggest Muslim charity, shared posts praising Hamas and branding Jews “the grandchildren of monkeys and pigs”, a report has claimed.

    Egypt-born Heshmat Khalifa, who also chairman of Islamic Relief Australia and a director for the Muslim charities German and South African branches, shared the incendiary Arabic-language posts on Facebook in 2014 and 2015, according to an investigation by The Times — apparently prompted by the overthrow of his homeland’s Islamist Muslim Brotherhood government by General Sisi.

    A seemingly incensed Khalifa denounced Sisi as a “pimp son of the Jews”, “Zionist pig”, “Zionist traitor”, and “Zionist criminal”, and Jews themselves as “the grandchildren of monkeys and pigs”.

    He also described Hamas as “the purest resistance movement in modern history and a symbol of honour, resistance and the real Islam” and said that proscribing its armed wing as a terrorist organisation was a “shameful disgrace to all Muslims”.

    Khalifa has now had to resign from his positions, with Islamic Relief insisting it does not endorse the sentiments he expressed.

    “Following the publication of Heshmat Khalifa’s social media posts in [the] media, Islamic Relief reiterates its strong condemnation of the offensive views expressed within them,” the charity said in an official blog post responding to the scandal.

    “These have no place in our organisation. We are appalled by the hateful comments he made and unreservedly condemn all forms of discrimination, including anti-Semitism,” the statement continued.

    “We are fully committed to reviewing our processes for screening trustees and senior executives’ social media posts to ensure that this will not happen again,” it concluded.

    However, The Times noted that, while praised by the likes of David Miliband while he was a Labour government minister, and funded by the British government via its foreign aid budget and the likes of the European Commission and the United Nations, Islamic Relief has “For many years… been forced to deny claims of ideological ties with Islamist organisations,” as well as allegations “that its funds were sometimes passed to questionable recipients.”

    Indeed, the charity was banned in the United Arab Emirates, which includes the Abu Dhabi and Dubai, for alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood in 2014 — “the same year [that] Israel claimed Islamic Relief was using donations to support Hamas, the militant Palestinian organisation, and banned it from working in the West Bank,” according to The Times.”

  8. Austria Presents ‘Vienna Declaration’ Against Illegal Mass Migration (breitbaart, Jul 25, 2020)
    https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/07/25/austria-presents-vienna-declaration-against-illegal-mass-migration/

    “Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer has introduced a “Vienna Declaration” to combat mass illegal migration.

    The declaration was agreed upon by 18 countries attending the two-day conference, with Nehammer saying the agreement was contrary to his own expectations.

    “With this, we can today announce not only constructive talks but also a political agreement,” Nehammer said.

    The new declaration will see closer cooperation on illegal migration and illegal smuggling between the countries represented at the conference, such as Germany, Greece, and Croatia. It will be coordinated through a new office located in Vienna, Kronen Zeitung reports.

    “We need effective protection of the EU’s external borders, we are all partners in border security,” Nehammer said.

    German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, who also attended the conference, warned of the increasing pressures along the Balkan migrant route. He said: “Migration on the West Balkan route is increasing, and the state of disorderly migration must be ended.”

    As part of the declaration, the countries involved have agreed to not only intensify cooperation against illegal migration but also process asylum applications more rapidly and increase deportations of those rejected for asylum or residence permits.

    The full scope of the new office will be detailed in another conference scheduled to take place in the Autumn.

    While Greece has largely seen a decline in illegal migration since Turkey closed the border due to the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, other countries such as Italy have seen a recent surge in new migrant arrivals.

    According to Italian broadcaster RAI on Thursday, the island of Lampedusa had alone had seen over 550 new migrant arrivals within just 48 hours.

    Another major issue regarding illegal migration has been the potential spread of Wuhan coronavirus. Migrants arriving in Greece and Italy since the start of the outbreak have tested positive for the Chinese virus.”

  9. Malaysia to expel Bangladeshi in critical Al-Jazeera report (abcnews, Jul 25, 2020)
    https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/malaysia-expel-bangladeshi-critical-al-jazeera-report-71980720

    “Malaysian authorities said Saturday they detained a Bangladeshi man and will deport him for criticizing the government over its treatment of undocumented immigrants in a documentary by news broadcaster Al-Jazeera.

    Mohamad Rayhan Kabir has been on the run after police launched an investigation in the July 3 documentary following complaints that it was inaccurate and biased. Al-Jazeera has defended its journalism.

    The Immigration Department said Rayhan, 25, was arrested by its intelligence unit on Friday. The department had earlier revoked his work permit.

    “This Bangladeshi national will be deported and blacklisted from entering Malaysia forever,” immigration Director-General Khairul Dzaimee Daud said in a brief statement…”

  10. Sudan armed group attacks Darfur village, killing at least 7 (abcnews, Jul 25, 2020)
    https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/sudan-armed-group-attacks-darfur-village-killing-71979313

    “A Sudanese paramilitary group attacked civilians in the war-scarred region of South Darfur, killing at least seven people and wounding 20 more, local activists and a rebel group said Friday.

    The assault in the troubled province came a week after government-linked armed groups stormed a protest camp in North Darfur and killed 13 people.

    The latest attack was staged Thursday by armed men who opened fire on people headed to their farms in the town of Gereida, some 107 kilometers (66 miles) south of South Darfur’s provincial capital, said Mohamed Abdel-Rahman al-Nayer, a spokesman for a rebel group known as the Sudan Liberation Movement.

    Seven people were killed, said Adam Regal, a spokesman for a local organization that helps run displacement camps in Darfur.

    Late Friday, al-Nayer put the death toll at 15, saying several more people had succumbed to their wounds.

    The flashes of violence in Darfur have threatened to destabilize the country’s fragile political transition. In April of last year, a sweeping pro-democracy protest movement toppled longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir, ushering in a transitional government jointly composed of civilian and military leaders.

    Al-Bashir is imprisoned in the capital, Khartoum, on corruption charges, although the International Criminal Court has sought for a decade to arrest him on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity over his role in the Darfur conflict.

    Sudan’s government has vowed to end the conflicts in the country’s far-flung provinces in hopes of slashing military spending, which eats up 80% of the national budget.

    Rebel groups from Darfur and southern Sudan have for months engaged in peace talks. As part of a wider effort to hold former officials to account, the public prosecutor has pledged to investigate alleged atrocities in Darfur.

    Yet sporadic violence continues, with each new attack fueling fears that ruling authorities may not deliver on their promises…”

  11. Greek protesters burn Turkish flags decrying Hagia Sophia’s reconversion to mosque

  12. A WARNING FROM YUGOSLAVIA: DON’T LET SOCIALISM COME TO AMERICA
    video – 14 mins 26 secs
    A woman who fled the former nation of Yugoslavia discuss how socialism led to the downfall of the nation and how events happening in America parallel what happened there.

    • Thank you for this Coram Deo.

      Guilt-Shaming is to Love is as Fear is to Truth.

      Get it wrong in Socialism.or get it wrong in Fascism, and you give them permission to.harm you. Because no one called them out.

  13. “After most of the Portland rioting was over in the early hours of 23 July, fights were still breaking out. A black man gets beat up by a group outside the federal courthouse.”
    Andy Ngô – July 23, 2020 – Twitter
    https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1286468088225923072

    “Video: A Black Man Was Stabbed During The “Peaceful Portland Protests” And The Alleged Perpetrator Of The Stabbing Is ANTIFA”
    Natalie Dagenhardt – July 25, 2020
    https://www.rightjournalism.com/video-black-man-was-stabbed-during-the-peaceful-portland-protests-and-the-alleged-perpetrator-of-the-stabbing-is-antifa/

  14. US-led Coalition Hands Control Over Seventh Military Base to Iraqi Forces (sputniknews, Jul 25, 2020)
    https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202007251079981869-us-led-coalition-hands-control-over-seventh-military-base-to-iraqi-forces/

    “The day before, the Iraqi military stated that the Besmayah military base used by Spanish troops as part of the US-led coalitions’ efforts in the fight against Daesh had been attacked by four short-range rockets.

    The US-led international coalition has handed control of the Besmayah military base to the Iraqi forces. Thus, this is the seventh base transferred to the Iraqis, according to the country’s Joint Command.

    “The transfer of the Besmaya military base, where the Spanish troops were deployed as part of the coalition, took place within the schedule developed by the Iraqi government and the leadership of the coalition. This is the seventh base transferred by the coalition,” command spokesman Tahsin al-Khafaji told INA news agency…”

  15. Greece: Dozens of refugees with health needs flown to Germany

    A group of 83 refugees, including minors, who require medical care left Greece’s crowded refugee camps with their families and boarded a flight from Athens to Kassel, in central Germany, on Friday.

    The refugees who come from countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Somalia, will be distributed in different German states upon their arrival.

    “I want to thank Germany for giving these people, these children, the opportunity to enter a new phase in their lives and to have hope,” said Deputy Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy of Greece Georgios Koumoutsakos, who supervised the transportation at the airport.

    Koumoutsakos considered a big part of “the weight” on Greece’s shoulders “has been lifted.”

    German Ambassador to Greece Ernst Reichel, who was present at the airport as well, pointed out unaccompanied minors had already been sent to Germany April, adding, “This group requires healthcare which Germany can provide.”

  16. “Bill Gates Warning — ‘Unbelievably big number’ of vaccine doses (per person) will be required to beat the virus…”
    By Kane – July 25, 2020
    https://www.citizenfreepress.com/breaking/bill-gates-warning-unbelievably-big-number-of-vaccine-doses-per-person-will-be-required-to-beat-the-virus/

    “Bill Gates’s Nuclear Firm Collaborated With Chinese Military Proxy”
    By Natalie Winters – July 24, 2020
    https://thenationalpulse.com/exclusive/ccp-collaborator-gates/

  17. “#Gravitas | According to a report in 2016, China has built 87,000 dams. Why does China need so many dams? Because, it wants to turn water into a weapon.
    @palkisu tells you how China is battle ready for a water war.” WION – July 21, 2020 – Twitter
    https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1285647298760806400

    “Gravitas: Three Gorges Dam | China’s dam of doom | China floods | WION” WION – July 21, 2020

  18. Afghanistan Frees Further 50 Talibs in Push for Peace Talks – Reports (sputniknews, Jul 25, 2020)
    https://sputniknews.com/asia/202007251079983929-afghanistan-frees-further-50-talibs-in-push-for-peace-talks—reports/

    “The Afghan government released another 50 Taliban* inmates on Saturday in the hope of starting long-awaited peace negotiations, media reported.

    Among those freed were militants detained for serious crimes, the Afghan news channel TOLOnews cited a source with the National Security Council as saying.

    Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen tweeted Thursday that the Islamist militant group was ready to free all remaining prisoners before the Muslim sacrifice festival of Eid al-Adha if the Afghan government did the same.

    Shaheen also said that Talibs would sit down at the negotiating table after Eid al-Adha, provided that the prisoner swap was completed by then. The festival begins on 30 July and ends on 3 August.

    The Taliban reached a deal with the United States in February that Kabul would allow 5,000 militants to walk free in return for 1,000 captives held by the insurgency, paving the way for intra-Afghan reconciliation talks.

    *Taliban is a terrorist group banned in Russia”

  19. Iran Strong Enough to Withstand Sanctions, COVID-19: President
    https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/07/25/2313871/iran-strong-enough-to-withstand-sanctions-covid-19-president

    “The Iranian nation has proved to be powerful enough to deal with the pressures of sanctions and the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, President Hassan Rouhani said, reminding the enemies that Iranians will never be brought to their knees.

    Addressing a Saturday session of the Coronavirus Fight National Headquarters, Rouhani said the great Iranian nation has proved that it has enough power and capability to deal with the pressures by withstanding the heightened sanctions over the past two years and a couple of month and tackling the coronavirus disease during the past five months.

    “This great nation has proved very well that it will never be brought to its knees in the face of the enemies’ pressures and excessive demands,” he underlined, saying the Iranian people can address every problem with determination, cooperation and rapport.

    He also described Iran’s resistance to the US government’s bullying policies as a reflection of the “culture of Ashura”, stressing that Iranians will commemorate the anniversary of martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shiite Imam, in compliance with the health protocols.

    The mourning events in commemoration of Imam Hussein (AS) must be held across the country magnificently and in strict conformity with the health protocols to contain the spread of COVID-19, the president underlined.

    This year, the mourners must wear face masks, observe the social distancing regulations, and refrain from forming crowds, Rouhani added.

    The mourning ceremonies in the lunar month of Muharram (to start on August 21) must be held with detailed planning in Iran, in such a way that they would not provide any pretext for the enemies and that the rituals would become a model for other countries and Shiite Muslims who hold mourning ceremonies in commemoration of Imam Hussein (AS), the president said.

    In remarks on Thursday, Rouhani said a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in Iran has been a result of insufficient attention to the health protocols, not the resumption of economic and social activities.

    The surge in the COVID-19 cases was a result of failure to observe the health regulations fully and strictly, he said, adding that the assumption that the virus has gotten weaker and the move to hold gatherings and parties, such as wedding ceremonies and mourning events, resulted in a rise in the infection cases.”

  20. Egypt’s ‘Ifta’: Muslim Brotherhood Seeks to Spread Chaos Online
    https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2410426/egypt%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98ifta%E2%80%99-muslim-brotherhood-seeks-spread-chaos-online

    “The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) seeks to incite hatred and chaos in Egypt through electronic terrorism, said the country’s Dar al-Ifta on Friday.

    It stressed that the group, which is classified as terrorist by Egyptian authorities, “is affiliated with foreign agendas hostile to the Egyptian state.”

    It also indicated that “leaders of violent groups, mainly the MB, seek power and exploit the youth by adopting online rhetoric based on disinformation.”

    According to al-Ifta, “MB elements work on producing and preparing fabricated media reports and programs that include falsified news about the internal conditions and state institutions, then promoting them online and via their satellite channels that broadcast from abroad.”

    It hailed the security efforts made by the Interior Ministry in line with maintaining stability and security and stopping sabotage schemes and chaos.

    Former President Mohamed Morsi, the MB affiliate, was deposed on July 3, 2013, following widespread popular protests against his one-year rule. He died during his trial on June 17.

    Al-Ifta says that day made a difference in Egypt’s modern history as Egyptians became aware of some of the conspiracy leads against their country, attempts to affect its national security, and threats against national institutions.

    On Thursday, authorities announced the arrest of six MB elements, who have planned to prepare fabricated media reports and programs on the situation in the country and spread rumors among Egyptians.

    In a statement in this regard, Al-Ifta said the group has been stirring unrest, through its media arms abroad, and broadcasting lies to undermine the efforts of the Egyptian state institutions.

    It called on Egyptians to join hands to protect the country’s resources and preserve the gains of economic and social development and state institutions.

    It warned them against believing its rhetoric and responding by active participation in national entitlements.”

  21. Analysis: Turkey forges military pact with Niger, Libya’s neighbour
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200725-analysis-turkey-forges-military-pact-with-niger-libyas-neighbour/

    “The signing of a military agreement with Niger, a neighbouring country of Libya, reflects Turkey’s interest to have a foothold in a country adjacent to Libya, The New Khalij reported on Friday.

    The agreement was reached during last week’s tour by the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavu?o?lu of Africa, as Niger was among the African countries he visited.

    Çavu?o?lu met with President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou, and both sides discussed the effects of the unstable security situation in Libya on their countries.

    The New Khalij disclosed that Turkey, which has military agreements with Libya, does not have ground borders with it. Therefore, it expected that it would be difficult for it to deal with the issue when it comes to military confrontation with Egypt, which supports the renegade Libyan Commander Khalifa Haftar.

    Consequently, The New Khalij explained that there is a possibility of a ground confrontation in light of the continuous remarks by Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, who continues pledging to stop Turkish support for the UN-backed Libyan government in Tripoli.

    During the visit to Niger, Çavu?o?lu expressed: “We would like to make a contribution to Niger’s development in the areas of transportation, construction, energy, mining and agriculture.”

    As part of the Turkish cooperation with Africa, Anadolu Agency reported that the Turkish government has donated millions of dollars for infrastructure development on the continent and has sponsored hundreds of African students.

    Turkey’s presence is felt across the continent, where there are a number of Turkish organisations, including the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Maarif Foundation and Yunus Emre Institute, among others.”

  22. Daesh attack kills 5 in northern Iraq
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200725-daesh-attack-kills-5-in-northern-iraq/

    “Five people were killed in an attack by Daesh in Iraq’s northern Saladin province on Saturday, according to a local military source, Anadolu Agency reports.

    Daesh militants attacked the home of the mayor of Semum village, north of Saladin, killing him and four other people, including his two sons, the source said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

    The attackers fled the scene unscathed…”

  23. Soldier martyred, three others injured in Balochistan ambush
    https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256631/soldier-martyred-three-others-injured-in-balochistan-ambush

    “A Pakistan Army soldier embraced martyrdom while three others sustained injuries in an ambush on their convoy near Turbat in Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Saturday.

    The terrorists opened fire on security forces during routine patrolling near Pidarak in Kech district, approximately 35 kilometres southeast of Turbat, said the statement.

    “During the exchange of fire, Lance Naik Javed Karim embraced shahadat (martyrdom) while three other soldiers got injured,” the military’s media wing said.

    Later, security forces cordoned off the area for search of the terrorists…”

  24. Supreme Court hints at banning YouTube
    https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256150/supreme-court-hints-at-banning-youtube

    “The Supreme Court hinted at banning YouTube in Pakistan on Wednesday while hearing the case of a man, Shaukat Ali, involved in a sectarian crime.

    Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin and Justice Mushir Alam were on the bench hearing the case. The court objected to unregulated content on social media, particularly comments regarding the judiciary, the armed forces and the government.

    We have no objection to freedom of expression, remarked Justice Amin. Our salaries are paid from the money of the people, they have the right to raise questions on our decisions and our performance, he said. But the Constitution also grants us the right to privacy, added Justice Amin.

    Justice Amin remarked that family members of the judiciary come under scrutiny on YouTube. He referred to a decision announced yesterday which was discussed on the platform and asked whether the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had taken notice of such happenings on the platform where judges are mocked and embarrassed.

    A PTA official told the court that the PTA cannot remove objectionable content but can only report it.

    YouTube is banned in many countries, said Justice Mushir Alam. He asked whether anyone would dare post content against the United States or the European Union on the platform.

    Justice Amin asked how many people have been prosecuted for such crimes while Justice Alam noted that social media is regulated through local laws in many countries.

    People are incited against the judiciary, the government and the armed forces, remarked Justice Amin.

    The court issued notices to the attorney-general of Pakistan and the foreign ministry on the matter.

    Pakistan’s digital space has been frequently restricted and is monitored closely through laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 as well by the federal agencies PTA and FIA.

    The first half of the previous decade saw bans on different social media platforms and blocks on various websites, the three-year ban on YouTube being the most infamous for thumping the growth of digital content in the country.”

  25. Turkey disappointed those expecting it to bow down: Erdo?an
    https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-disappointed-those-expecting-it-to-bow-down-erdogan-156862

    “Having no designs on territories and resources of other countries, Turkey also does not allow others to step on its interests, the country’s president said on July 25.

    “We do not have designs on anyone’s right, law, territory, sea, and natural resources. But, we do not allow anyone to step on our own right, law and interest,” Recep Tayyip Erdo?an told the opening ceremony of the Amasya Beltway via a video link.

    Underscoring that Turkey defended the right, law and interests of both its nation and friends on the land, at the sea and in the air, Erdo?an said it disappointed those who expected Turkey to “bow down.”

    Erdo?an added that if there was any threat towards Turkey, whether it was in Iraq, Syria, Libya or the Aegean Sea, Turkey showed its strength and determined stance against them without any hesitation.

    “The reason why those who loudly objected Turkey’s steps but could not make any presence in the field is that they see the power our country has in every field,” Erdo?an added.

    Regarding the Amasya Beltway, he said it will shorten the 30-minute-route to 7-8 minutes.

    Besides traffic safety and comfort, 110 million Turkish liras ($16 million) will be saved from fuel and time annually, he added.

    Turkish president, Italian PM discuss Libya over phone

    Meanwhile, Erdo?an spoke to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte over the phone on July 25.

    Turkey’s Communications Directorate said in a statement that Erdo?an and Conte discussed regional developments, particularly in war-weary Libya, as well as cooperation in fighting COVID-19.

    The leaders agreed to maintain dialogue for a political solution in Libya.”

    • Turkey decries burning of its flag in Greece

      Greek authorities ‘provoked public, allowed burning of Turkish flag’ on return of Hagia Sophia as mosque: Foreign Ministry

      Turkey’s Foreign Ministry slammed Saturday that Greek authorities “provoked public and allowed burning of Turkish flag in Thessaloniki” over reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque.

      “We strongly condemn hostile statements made by members of the Greek Government and Parliament provoking the public opinion and allowing the burning of our glorious flag in Thessaloniki,” Hami Aksoy, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, said in a written statement.

      […]He said “the spoiled children of Europe”, who cannot accept the reopening of the iconic architecture as a mosque, were “delirious” again.

      “These racist mindsets, who have not drawn the required lessons from history, those who disrespect our glorious flag should remember their fate in the Aegean,” Aksoy stressed.

      […]“No country can teach Turkey about exercising her national sovereignty,” he warned.

      […] those who hung the Byzantine flag next to the Greek flag on Friday and declared mourning cannot disrespect our flag.

      https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-decries-burning-of-its-flag-in-greece/1921855

      ======================================================
      Ankara condemns statements by Greek officials, burning of Turkish flag

      […]”Greece showed once again its enmity towards Islam and Turkey with the excuse of reacting to Hagia Sophia Mosque being opened to prayers,” ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a written statement.

      […]“Greece should, from now on, wake up from the Byzantine dream that she has been unable to wake up for 567 years and get rid of her frustration emanating from it,” Aksoy said.

      […]He added that the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, like other cultural assets on the Turkish lands, belongs to Turkey, and said: “… it will be in our possession and protection forever.”

      https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ankara-condemns-statements-of-greek-officials-and-burning-of-turkish-flag-156854

      ======================================================

  26. Outrage in France after 23-year-old Axelle Dorier killed by Youcef T. and Mohamed Y. in brutal hit-and-run
    https://rmx.news/article/article/outrage-in-france-after-23-year-old-axelle-dorier-killed-by-youcef-t-and-mohamed-y-in-brutal-hit-and-run

    “Axelle Dorier, a 23-year-old French woman and nurse, was struck by a vehicle and dragged 800 meters to her death on July 19 while walking her dog in the city of Lyon, with prosecutors stating that the migrant driver “knowingly knocked down” and drove away from her dismembered body.

    The 21-year-old driver, Youcef T., has been placed into custody for “manslaughter” for being responsible for the “hit-and-run death”, Lyon prosecutors say.

    Maître Céline Cooper, a far-left lawyer who is defending the suspect said the popular outrage over the incident is from right-wing citizens and lambasted the French Minister of the Interior of having spoken of “murder” in the case.

    The atrocious killing has sent shockwaves through France just a week after 58-year-old bus driver Philippe Monguillot was beaten to death by four migrant men, one of which was from Africa, who was arrested in the apartment of Mohammed A, an individual already known to the police. The incident prompted his wife Veronique to tell French newspaper Le Parisien, “We were destroyed in a few seconds, I have the impression of living a nightmare. A nightmare which is getting worse by the day.” Monguillot was killed for trying to enforce a mandatory mask rule on the bus and for demanding the men purchase tickets when they tried to force their way onboard.

    In addition, on July 6, 26-year-old French gendarme Mélanie Lemée was killed by an African male who ran her over as he tried to escape a police checkpoint. During the police chase that ensued, he fatally struck the female officer with his vehicle, tearing her leg off. Not only was he on narcotics, but his license had been suspended since 2019.

    23-year-old nurse’s death sparks rage in France
    Now, on top of these two recent incident, the death of Dorier on July 19 is sending the French nation into grief and leading many to question the growing violence both citizens and authorities are facing.

    Following Dorier’s death, the hashtags #JusticePourAxelle and #OnVeutLesNoms, which translates to “We want their names” began trending on social networks in reference to the two men indicted on Monday evening, according to Lyon Mag.

    Adeline Noirmain, an advisor to Les Republicans, wrote that “Axelle is part of the silent majority who live their life without fuss but who endure violence. She will not be entitled to the mobilization of show business and her family will not be erected as an icon like the Traores. Insufferable and revolting.”….”

  27. (Richard: Damn I go into the hospital for 6 days and you guys let the world go to hell.)</em)

    7 Earthquakes Hit China;College Board's CCP Ties Exposed; Deep Dive Into Houston's Chinese Consulate


  28. China’s Three Gorges Dam ‘moved, leaked, and distorted,’ Xinjiang’s capital declares wartime status