Reader’s Links for July 31, 2020

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

83 Replies to “Reader’s Links for July 31, 2020”

  1. Signs of Food Crisis In China; Bizarre Phenomenon Sees Summer Snow in Beijing; US Forms New Alliance

    During the first virus outbreak in China, concerns began to spread about possible food shortages. This included an alleged leaked government memo that caused panic buying. And now with the floods, locusts, the swine flu, and another virus outbreak now spreading, there are signs that food supplies are becoming an issue.

    Meanwhile, in Beijing a strange anomaly was seen. Despite it being a hot summer day on July 28, it began snowing. The scene was captured on video by many residents.

    And India, Australia, and Japan are coming together with the United States to form a new alliance against China among Indo-Pacific powers. This included naval drills last week between the four nations, which were accompanied by the United States declaring China’s claims to the South China Sea are illegal; and backing of other alliance members on the same line.

    https://www.theepochtimes.com/signs-of-food-crisis-in-china-bizarre-phenomenon-sees-summer-snow-in-beijing-us-forms-new-alliance_3443636.html?utm_source=CCPVirusNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2020-07-31

    video at site

    • I remember reading conspiracy stuff about, was it DARPA? HAARP? I can’t remember all the acronyms. But it was about weather control experiments.

      Between the floods and the hot snow,….

  2. Egypt Reportedly Sends Troops to Syria to Support Assad Forces
    https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/07/31/2317929/egypt-reportedly-sends-troops-to-syria-to-support-assad-forces

    “Egypt has sent nearly 150 soldiers to Syria to support the country’s military forces loyal to president Bashar al-Assad government, according Turkish media reports.
    The report claims that the soldiers had been sent to the Aleppo countryside, Idlib area via the Hama Military Airport, Anadolu Agency said, citing reliable military sources.

    It added that the troops were later deployed in the Khan al-Asal area in the western countryside of Aleppo and around the city of Saraqib in the southern countryside of Idlib.

    Egyptian soldiers are said to have been deployed with light weapons on the front lines against the so-called moderate Syrian opposition factions.

    Idlib is home to several anti-government militant outfits receiving Turkish support. Late last year, Syria launched an anti-terror operation against the foreign-sponsored militants after they failed to honor a de-escalation agreement between Ankara and Moscow.

    Idlib tensions mounted late in February after an airstrike by Syrian forces killed dozens of Turkish soldiers, whom Russia said were “in the battle formations of terrorist groups.”

    Shortly afterward, Ankara waged its fourth incursion into Syria, dubbed Spring Shield, which escalated Idlib tensions.

    Turkey has been manning a number of observation posts in Idlib since 2018, when it struck an agreement with Russia.

    On March 5, Russia and Turkey, which support opposite sides in the Syrian conflict, came to an agreement on a ceasefire regime in Idlib, where Turkish aggression against the Syrian government had risked starting a war.

    According to the agreement, joint Russian-Turkish patrols would secure a six-kilometer-wide corridor along the M4 highway connecting the two government-held provinces of Latakia and Aleppo.

    The ceasefire also consolidates Syrian control over the M5 highway which links the capital Damascus to the major cities of Hama, Homs, and Aleppo.”

    • Egypt is moving to block Turkey and stop him from moving deeper into what most consider to be Arabic territory. A data point supporting Brad Johnson’s statement about Egypt and Turkey being on a collision course.

  3. Iran Opens Supermarket in Venezuela
    https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/07/31/2318120/iran-opens-supermarket-in-venezuela

    “A company affiliated with Iran’s Defense Ministry opened the first Iranian supermarket in Venezuela.

    Iran’s Defense Ministry said the Etka company has opened the supermarket in Caracas offering Iranian products.

    The supermarket, called Megasis, has been established with the purpose of boosting the production and export of Iranian commodities.

    Covering an area of 20,000 square meters, the store is selling more than 2,500 Iranian items, including the foodstuff, clothing, detergents, plastic and disposable products, nuts, and even tractors.

    In comments at the opening of the supermarket, Iran’s ambassador to Caracas hailed the good relations between Iran and Venezuela, denounced the US’ hostile policies against the two nations, and described the opening of the store as a move to “counter the US’ policy of economic terrorism and support the Venezuelan nation at the time of heightened sanctions.”

    Iran’s Embassy in Caracas had announced earlier in June that Iranian Golsan ship would bring food to open the first Iranian supermarket in Venezuela.

    Golsan discharged its cargo of food and medical supplies at the Venezuelan northern port of La Guayra on June 21 to supply the Iranian supermarket.

    According to reports, the Iranian store is equipped with a kind of high-tech COVID-19 shield –an airport-scanner-like booth that measures shoppers’ temperatures and sprays them with disinfectant mist.

    Megasis fills a massive warehouse in eastern Caracas, a cross between Home Depot and Costco.

    In May, Iran sent five gasoline tankers to Venezuela, easing the severe gas shortage, and a ship with food in June, most of it for the new supermarket.”

  4. Erdogan Insists on Decisive Action in Libya
    https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2422136/erdogan-insists-decisive-action-libya

    “Tukey has sent mixed signals regarding the Libyan crisis by pledging a decision military action and calling for a peaceful solution in the war-torn country.

    “We are determined to make sure that our struggle in the vast region from Iraq to Syria and Libya ends in victory for our country and our friends and brothers and sisters in these countries,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

    Turkey will also continue to defend its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean, he said.

    In the same context, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar affirmed in statements Thursday that Turkey is doing its utmost to help its Libyan brothers, in order to bring about a ceasefire, stability, and territorial integrity in Libya.

    Akar added that the continued external military support received by Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar represents the greatest obstacle to peace in the country.

    Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, stated that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham arrested “Fadl Al-Libi”, the leader of “Jaysh Al-Sahel” operating under the banner of “Hurras Al-Din” organization.

    The militant was arrested for refusing to leave Syria and engage in fighting in Libya, at Turkish authorities’ orders.

    Russia’s Sputnik also revealed Thursday that a new group of mercenaries was dispatched to al-Watiya airbase in western Libya.

    Further, weapons and mercenaries were sent to Misrata ahead of a possible new operation in Sirte and Jufra.”

  5. Khamenei Rejects Talks with US over Missile, Nuclear Programs
    https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2422221/khamenei-rejects-talks-us-over-missile-nuclear-programs

    “Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, ruled out negotiations with the United States over Tehran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs on Friday and urged Iranians to resist the Trump administration’s pressure.

    “America’s brutal sanctions on Iran are aimed at collapsing our economy … Their aim is to limit our influence in the region and to halt our missile and nuclear capabilities,” Khamenei said in a speech broadcast live on television.

    “Relying on national capabilities and cutting our dependence on oil exports will help us to resist America’s pressure,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

    Relations between Tehran and Washington have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump in 2018 abandoned a pact between Iran and six world powers under which Iran accepted curbs on its nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions.

    Washington has reimposed sanctions that have sharply lowered Tehran’s oil exports. The US says it wants Tehran to negotiate a wider deal to further curb Iran’s nuclear work, halt its missile program and limit Iran’s regional influence.

    Khamenei said Friday that European states have failed to salvage the country’s 2015 nuclear deal.

    “They have inflicted a blow on Iran’s economy by hollow promises,” he said in the televised speech.”

  6. Tunisia navy rescues 70 migrants on boat from Libya
    http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/375729/World/Region/Tunisia-navy-rescues–migrants-on-boat-from-Libya.aspx

    “The Tunisian navy on Friday rescued 70 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa on a sinking rubber boat headed to Italy from Libya, the defence ministry said.

    Ministry spokesman Mohamed Zekri told AFP the boat had broken down in international waters and was taking on water when the navy intervened at around 1:00 am local time.

    Five women and four children, including a months-old infant, were among those on board, said Mongi Slim of the Red Crescent.

    The migrants, who had set off Wednesday from western Libya, were taken to Zarzis port, near the Libyan border in southern Tunisia.

    They were to undergo tests for COVID-19 and be confined to a Red Crescent centre, Slim said.

    Nearly half of the 11,000 or so migrants who made shore in Italy this year set off from Tunisia, and most of those were Tunisian citizens, according to Rome.

    Other arrivals largely set off from war-torn Libya.”

  7. Nigeria president says security problems ‘very, very disturbing’
    http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/10/375725/World/Africa/Nigeria-president-says-security-problems-very,-ver.aspx

    “Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, in a rare interview, on Friday acknowledged the scale of security problems in two troubled regions, saying developments were “very, very disturbing”.

    Buhari came to power in 2015 vowing to crush a bloody jihadist revolt in the northeast, which has escalated while violence by criminal gangs has spread in the centre and northwest of the country.

    Referring to the latter regions, Buhari said, “What is coming up in the northwest and north central is very, very disturbing indeed.

    “I believe the military, the police and other law enforcement agencies, from the reports I am getting, I think they could do much better,” he said on national TV.

    “They could do much better, but we are keeping them on the alert all the time to do their duties.”

    Buhari, a 77-year-old former general, has typically had close ties with the military, often insisting that the country’s security problems were under control.

    His criticism of the security forces came only days after armed forces chief Tukur Buratai said he was “proud” that Nigerians “are living in peace, and Nigeria is safer now than… five years ago”.

    Boko Haram’s insurgency in northeastern Nigeria has claimed more than 36,000 lives in 10 years and forced around two million people from their homes.

    The jihadists have also stepped up their attacks in the Lake Chad region abutting Nigeria, affecting Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

    Four people were killed late Thursday when rockets slammed into Maiduguri, the main town of Borno state, where Boko Haram first emerged.

    Conflict of a different kind has gripped the northwest and north-central of the country, hitting the states of Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Katsina.

    Here criminal gangs have spread terror in rural areas, stealing cattle, carrying out ransom kidnappings and carrying out ruthless raids on villages.

    They are not deemed to have an ideological motive, although some commentators have warned that they could link up with jihadists, noting an ambush in Katsina that killed at least 23 troops.

    Last week, the Senate passed a resolution calling for military chiefs to resign or be fired over the country’s “deteriorating security situation”.

    The house also asked for an official investigation after a newspaper reported that 356 soldiers had asked “for voluntary retirement” early this month because of poor conditions and high risks.”

  8. In UN, Pakistan voices concern over India’s hate campaign against Muslims, minority religious groups
    https://tribune.com.pk/story/2257542/in-un-pakistan-voices-concern-over-indias-hate-campaign-against-muslims-minority-religious-groups

    “Pakistan has voiced its concern to a United Nations’ panel about Indian government’s deliberate campaign of hatred targeting Muslims and minority religious groups with state-sponsored violence and increased attacks on their places of worship.

    At the launch of ‘Group of Friends of Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief” on Thursday, Pakistani delegate Qasim Aziz said hateful political rhetoric and incitement of violence in India was routinely used as a weapon against vulnerable minority groups.

    Aziz also expressed grave concern over the alarming rise of Islamophobia across the world…”

  9. At least 9 ISIL suspects detained in Diyarbak?r
    https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/at-least-9-isil-suspects-detained-in-diyarbakir-157020

    “At least nine suspected ISIL terrorists were detained in simultaneous operations in southeastern Turkey on July 30.

    In a statement, the Diyarbak?r Governorship said the suspects were planning to carry out an attack during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.

    It said police raided various locations to apprehend the suspects and also seized a large number of documents, digital material, a shotgun, and ammunition.

    In 2013, Turkey was among the first countries to list ISIL as a terrorist group…”

  10. Turkey’s new social media law put into effect
    https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-new-social-media-law-put-into-effect-157029

    “rules for social media platforms in Turkey was published in the Official Gazette and put into force on July 30.

    The Turkish Parliament passed the bill that gives authorities more powers to control social media content on July 29. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) supported the bill, while the opposition parties objected to the argument that the legislation will lead to greater censorship in the country.

    The CHP earlier indicated that they might apply to the Constitutional Court for social media regulation.

    The law requires international social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to appoint Turkish-based representatives to address authorities’ concerns over content and includes deadlines for removal of material they take exception to.

    Companies could face fines, the blocking of advertisements or have bandwidth slashed by up to 90 percent, essentially blocking access, under the new regulations on cases such as if they fail to designate a representative or if the content that has been found unacceptable is not removed or blocked within 24 hours.

    Administrative fines for providers who fail to meet obligations would be raised to encourage compliance. Previously, fines were between 10,000-100,000 Turkish Liras ($1,500 – $15,000), but the amount would now be between 1 million – 10 million Liras ($146,165 – $1,461,650).

    If the representative will be a real entity, not a legal one, it has to be a Turkish citizen. The new legislation requires user data from social media networks to be stored in Turkey.”

  11. Migrants: ship with 700 places for quarantine in Sicily
    http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2020/07/31/migrants-ship-with-700-places-for-quarantine-in-sicily_ce2d6d50-5b09-46ad-a335-b212fcce6853.html

    “A ship with the company Grandi Navi Veloci will arrive in Sicily in the coming days to allow for the transfer aboard of migrants who arrive on Italian shores and have to be placed in quarantine. The interior ministry assigned the contract from the July 26 call for tenders.

    The ship will most likely be anchored off the island of Lampedusa, and has more than 1,000 places: between 600 and 700 for migrants, after places are assigned for on-board personnel, police, and Red Cross personnel. The first migrants aboard will be those currently hosted at the Lampedusa hotspot and in the reception centre of Porto Empedocle. The interior ministry is also working to find a second, smaller ship that will be transferred to Calabria.”

  12. Germany has 68,000 female genital mutilation victims and migration is to blame: German family minister
    https://rmx.news/article/article/germany-has-68-000-female-genital-mutilation-victims-and-migration-is-to-blame-german-family-minister

    “The number of girls and women who are victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Germany has increased by 44 percent since 2017 to 68,000, announced German Minister for Family Affairs Franziska Giffey.

    According to the minister, mainly migration is to blame for the massive increase as many migrants coming to Germany commonly practice FGM in their own home countries. The practice, which is a human rights violation, involves the ritual cutting off some or all of the external female genitalia.

    Giffey confirmed that the increase in cases compared to 2017 is so significant because of the rising numbers of immigrants from Eritrea, Somalia, Indonesia, Egypt, and Nigeria arriving in Germany,

    The government report further estimates that almost 15,000 girls in Germany may be at risk of undergoing the procedure, including girls who are also second-generation citizens whose parents migrated to Germany, which demonstrates the practice has not faded despite some families living in Germany for years.

    Giffey said that it was an “archaic, terrible human rights violation” that produces serious physical and psychological damage to the women who experience it, according to Die Welt.

    In the broader world, 90 percent of girls are circumcised in some countries, according to the children’s aid organization Unicef. About 200 million women around the world have gone through the female genital cutting, the World Health Organization estimates.

    “Female genital mutilation is a serious violation of human rights and an archaic crime that violates girls’ and women’s right to physical integrity and sexual self-determination,” said Minister Giffey.

    The German family minister declared that her goal is to protect girls and young women from such practice, as well as offer them help.

    “It has lifelong physical and psychological consequences for those affected,” warned Giffey, calling on local communities to introduce measures that would prevent the rising number of FGM victims.

    Raising awareness about female genital mutation in Germany
    In Germany, Fadumo Korn is committed to raising the issue of FGM practices while serving as the chairwoman of the association NALA – Education Instead of Circumcision. She came to Germany from Somalia 40 years ago in Berlin and during Giffey’s press conference described what happened to her as a child, saying, “I was robbed of my femininity at the age of seven.”

    In the steppes of Somalia, she was held by two women without any anesthesia and circumcised with a razor blade.

    “You can’t imagine that (…) There is no word that can describe this pain if you have your organs cut out without anesthesia,” she described.

    Following the procedure, she almost died after falling into a coma, but has since used her experience to warn Germans and others about the dangers of the practice, saying that it is a “powerful tradition” in many countries that continue till this day.”