Reader’s Links for September 15, 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

108 Replies to “Reader’s Links for September 15, 2020”

  1. Iran Urges IAEA’s Verification Activities in Saudi Arabia
    https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/09/15/2349535/iran-urges-iaea-s-verification-activities-in-saudi-arabia

    “An Iranian deputy foreign minister complained about Saudi Arabia’s non-transparent nuclear practices, calling on the IAEA to carry out verification activities in the kingdom.

    Deputy Foreign Minister for International and Legal Affairs Mohsen Baharvand held a meeting with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi on the sidelines of an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna.

    The Iranian diplomat said while all IAEA Member States are entitled to enjoy nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the situation in Saudi Arabia, its non-transparent activities, and its refusal to allow IAEA inspectors entry are a source of concern.

    The IAEA must be able to practice verification activities in Saudi Arabia, he added.

    Baharvand also highlighted Iran’s close cooperation with the UN nuclear agency, stressing that the IAEA should not be influenced by political pressures from certain countries that are aimed at disrupting the interaction between the IAEA and Tehran.

    Cooperation in a constructive atmosphere without the influence of third parties would benefit both sides, the Iranian deputy minister told Grossi.

    The IAEA chief, for his part, described Iran as a major partner of the UN nuclear agency and hailed the country’s positive cooperation and the level of verification activities inside Iran.

    Grossi visited Iran in late August. At the conclusion of the two-day trip, Iran and the UN agency issued a joint statement on agreements and the results of high-level talks between the two sides.

    Iran has agreed to voluntarily grant the IAEA access to two sites specified by the agency.”

  2. UAE FM: All People of the Middle East are Tired of Conflict
    https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2509571/uae-fm-all-people-middle-east-are-tired-conflict

    “United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said Tuesday that normalizing relation with Israel is “a historic diplomatic breakthrough” and a sign that peace in the Middle East is possible.

    In an opinion peace for the Wall Street Journal ahead of the signing ceremony of the Israel-UAE deal, he said that the US-brokered agreement is a sign that “Emiratis and Israelis, and all the people of the Middle East, are tired of conflict.”

    “The priority now is to continue to modernize our societies and to stabilize the broader region. Better ties between Arab states and with Israel will help, but we must go further and faster on other fronts,” he wrote.

    “The United Arab Emirates is ready to build on the peace agreements with Israel to build a more prosperous and stable region,” he added.

    “The first and most urgent priority is to de-escalate tensions and begin a regional dialogue on peace and security,” said the minister.

    He urged the Palestinian leadership to seize the agreement as an opportunity to reengage in productive talks, adding that the “pace and scope of normalization won’t be disconnected from progress on Palestinian statehood and rights.”

    The normalization agreement is set to be signed during a ceremony at the White House on Tuesday.

    US President Donald Trump will host the event, which will be attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE’s Sheikh Abdullah and Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Latif al-Zayani.

    Bahrain announced on Friday that it had also reached an agreement with Israel to normalize ties. It will sign a similar deal during Tuesday’s ceremony.”

    • This fits with the idea that China is drawing attention away from something Iran is preparing to do.

  3. Turkey extends operations of energy drill ship off Cyprus until mid-October
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200915-turkey-extends-operations-of-energy-drill-ship-off-cyprus-until-mid-october/

    “Turkey said on Tuesday it had extended the operations of its Yavuz energy drillship in disputed Mediterranean waters off Cyprus until October 12, in a move that could stir tension between the Greek Cypriot government and Ankara.

    Yavuz will be accompanied by three other Turkish ships, according to a maritime notice that added “all vessels are strongly advised not to enter” the area. Cyprus’ internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government has long been at loggerheads with Turkey, which began drilling for oil and gas near Cyprus last year…”

  4. UN war crimes experts urge Turkey to rein in rebels in Syria
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200915-un-war-crimes-experts-urge-turkey-to-rein-in-rebels-in-syria/

    “Turkey must rein in Syrian rebels it supports in northern Syria who may have carried out kidnappings, torture, and looting of civilian property, United Nations war crimes investigators said on Tuesday.

    The panel also said transfers of Syrian nationals detained by the opposition Syrian National Army to Turkish territory for prosecution may amount to the war crime of unlawful deportation.

    In a report covering the first half of 2020, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said assassinations and rapes of civilians by all sides, marked by “sectarian undertones”, were on the rise in the conflict that began in 2011…”

  5. Egypt, Greece agree to reject ‘provocative actions’ in Eastern Mediterranean
    http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/381137/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt,-Greece-agree-to-reject-%E2%80%98provocative-actions.aspx

    “Egypt and Greece have agreed to push ahead with a rejection of what they described as ” provocative actions” that destabilise and agitate the Eastern Mediterranean region, by developing their bilateral relations and contacting the concerned international parties.

    Tensions have been rising in the Eastern Mediterranean in recent months amid Turkey’s claims to drilling rights in the region..”

  6. Morocco Bans French Newspapers Publishing Prophet Caricatures
    https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/09/318608/morocco-bans-french-newspapers-publishing-charlie-hebdo-caricatures/

    “Morocco has banned the distribution of French newspapers publishing Charlie Hebdo’s caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.

    A source close to the Ministry of Culture told Morocco World News that the ban on distribution is in accordance with Morocco’s press code.

    Article 42 of the press code allows Moroccan authorities to ban any publication that defames Islam. The ban, however, is not permanent, and only concerns the newspapers or magazines’ issues that contain defamatory content.

    The source said that such measures are normal, as there are designed committees that inspect publications when entering the Moroccan market. The inspections aim to ensure that the publications respect local laws and regulations.

    According to the source, the ban on the distribution of newspapers with offensive caricatures is a sovereign right for Morocco, in the same way as other countries have the right to control publications that enter their territories. In no way does the ban violate international standards on freedom of expression, the source emphasized.

    The ban came after French magazine Charlie Hebdo, as well as several other publications that are distributed in Morocco, decided to republish caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.

    The publication of the caricatures coincided with the trial to prosecute the shooters who attacked Charlie Hebdo’s headquarters in Paris, France, in January 2015. The trial took place from September 2-10.

    On the first day of the trial, Charlie Hebdo decided to republish caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad in a special issue it called “Tout ca pour ca” or “All that for this.” The special issue featured 13 caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.

    Many French newspapers, including publications that operate in Morocco, redistributed Charlie Hebdo’s caricatures. In response, the Moroccan Ministry of Culture censored the concerned newspapers and magazines before they hit Moroccan shelves.”

  7. Turkey ‘neutralizes’ 11 YPG/PKK terrorists in N Syria
    https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-neutralizes-11-ypg-pkk-terrorists-in-n-syria-158286

    “Turkey neutralized 11 YPG/PKK terrorists who attempted to infiltrate into its anti-terror operation areas in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry announced on Sept. 15.

    “11 PKK/YPG terrorists who opened harassing fire and attempted to infiltrate into the Operation Peace Spring and the Operation Euphrates Shield regions in order to disrupt the peace and security were neutralized by our heroic commandos,” the ministry said on Twitter.

    The ministry also said that it will not allow peace and security in the region to be spoiled.

    It also shared the footage of the operation. Turkish authorities use the term “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

    Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and to enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

    In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.”

  8. World Economic Forum – Changing what we eat could offset years of carbon emissions

    Switching to a plant-based diet could offset 16 years of carbon emissions, a new study finds.
    It is the most effective way for high-end families to tackle climate change without compromising food security.

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.

    The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

    We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

  9. Police in Turkey arrest 3 Daesh/ISIS terror suspects
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/police-in-turkey-arrest-3-daesh-isis-terror-suspects/1974721

    “Authorities have arrested at least three people in central Turkey for suspected links to the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group, a security source said Tuesday.

    Anti-terror teams in Kayseri province launched an operation against members of the terror group who were operating in Iraq and Syria and residing in Kayseri, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

    Digital materials were also seized in the raids, the source added.

    Turkey was one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS a terrorist organization, formally doing so in 2013. The country has since been attacked by members of the group multiple times.

    The terror group has carried out at least 10 suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks and four armed attacks, killing 315 people and injuring hundreds more.

    In response, Turkey launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks.”

  10. YPG/PKK detains Arab fighters fleeing terror group
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/ypg-pkk-detains-arab-fighters-fleeing-terror-group/1974347

    “The YPG/PKK terror group have asked for ransoms for detained Arab fighters who fled the organization during Turkey’s recent anti-terror operation in northern Syria, according to local sources Tuesday.

    Sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said terrorists searched for former members who left the group during Operation Peace Spring in 2019 and have detained scores in the last two months in Ayn al-Arab, also known as Kobane, near the Turkish border.

    The terror group have kept detainees in jail for about one month and is asking 115,000 Syrian pounds ($224) for their release.

    The terror group continues to hold those who cannot or refuse to pay.

    Despite a deal reached by Turkey and Russia in 2019, which forces the terror group to withdraw from the region, YPG/PKK terrorists continue their occupation of Ayn al-Arab.

    Ras al-Ayn and Tal Abyad in northern Syria were liberated from YPG/PKK terrorists last October as part of Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring, launched to secure the Turkish borders by eliminating the terror group from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

    During the operation, hundreds of Arab fighters who fought alongside the YPG/PKK under the SDF moniker — fled the organization and abandoned their weapons.

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

  11. Priest stabbed to death in central Como
    https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2020/09/15/priest-stabbed-to-death-in-central-como_5f6b525e-3191-4b5c-981d-2bde930a5d3e.html

    “A 51-year-old priest, Father Roberto Malgesini, was stabbed to death in central Como on Tuesday.

    The killed turned himself into the Carabinieri police after the attack, sources said.

    The assailant was a homeless foreign national with mental health problems, Como church sources said.

    The attack is said to have taken place following a row in the street.

    Don Malgesini was well known in the area for his work to help migrants.”

  12. World Economic Forum – Our planet after COVID-19 could be healthier and better protected | Pioneers for Our Planet

    Season 3 of Pioneers for the Planet kicks off witha special film which reflects on the environmental degradation that led to the COVID-19 health crisis.

    Each week we’ll bring you a new video story about the people striving to restore nature and fighting climate change.

    This is the third season of our award-winning Pioneers for the Planet collaboration with @WWF and the team behind the Netflix documentary narrated by David Attenborough, OurPlanet. ShareOurPlanet

    + comments on the YT page

  13. UN slams Saudi Arabia in rare rebuke
    https://www.dw.com/en/un-slams-saudi-arabia-in-rare-rebuke/a-54938264

    “Dozens of countries have called on Saudi Arabia to release jailed women’s rights activists and provide transparency Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi’s killing. German diplomats said it was time for “full accountability.”

    Nearly 30 countries on Tuesday criticized Saudi Arabia before the UN Human Rights Council, accusing it of detaining women’s rights activists and failing to bring the perpetrators of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder to justice.

    “We remain deeply concerned by reports of torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and detainees being denied access to essential medical treatment and contact with their families,” said the statement made by 29 countries, a vast majority of them Western nations.

    Speaking on behalf of the EU, Michael Freiherr von Ungern-Sternberg — the German ambassador to the UN in Geneva — called on Saudi Arabia to end the “prolonged detentions of women’s rights defenders.”

    At least five women’s rights activists remain in detention, including Loujain al-Hathloul, who long campaigned for women to drive. Until 2018, Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world to legally forbid women from driving an automobile…”

    • Germany/MB-aligned buddies running defense for Iran.
      To distract from this week’s execution in IRAN of a 27-yr-old Olympic wresler with a two-yr-old Saudi case. Which was an info op by the MB.

  14. Hungary takes on global tech giants, demands freedom of speech for Hungarian citizens
    https://rmx.news/article/article/hungary-takes-on-global-tech-giants-demands-freedom-of-speech-for-hungarian-citizens

    “In a social media world dominated by global technology giants, Hungary is seeking ways to ensure freedom of speech for all its citizens, Justice Minister Judit Varga said after a meeting of her ministry’s Digital Freedoms Committee.

    “The Ministry of Justice’s Digital Freedom Committee continued today its dialogue with state and market stakeholders in order to ensure that the right of freedom of expression of Hungarian citizens prevails on social media platforms ruled by international tech giants,” Varga wrote in Facebook post.

    There have already been a number of cases of censorship on networks such as Facebook in Hungary, but the issue has rapidly become an issue of global importance, with lawmakers across the world looking for ways to stem the monopoly Big Tech has on the flow of information and news.

    At the meeting, Varga said that the ministry received a large number of complaints from citizens which can be distilled down to two issues, with citizens demanding the democratic values of transparency and accountability be a part of today’s digital space.

    “Many are asking: Based on which laws and alongside what rule of law guarantees does Facebook have the right to censor Hungarian citizens?” she asked, adding that her ministry has sent another letter to Facebook’s regional management regarding transparency and ideological neutrality and is awaiting an answer.

    “We continue to work to ensure that these rule-of-law guarantees exist in the digital space, as well!,” Varga wrote.

    The huge economic power of Big Tech giants, their lack of transparency and their sometimes controversial tax practices are high on the governments’ agenda worldwide, as national legislators and law enforcers have a responsibility to ensure the legal security of their citizens, Varga emphasized.

    Censorship a global issue
    Hungary is not the only country in the Central European region concerned about social media censorship. Last week, a major petition from the Czech Republic signed by many well-known Czech personalities, including by game developer Daniel Vávra, musician Pavel Fajt, brewer Stanislav Bernard, writer David Zábranský, and Egyptologist Miroslav Bárta, was launched to oppose censorship on social media.

    Czech deputes have also proposed a law in the country that would make it a crime to violate freedom of speech on social media platforms.

    In Poland, the leader of Law and Justice (PiS) Jaros?aw Kaczy?ski said this year, “Today, we have political correctness and the censorship associated with it, which leads to repressive measures being used on people who say things not in line with political correctness. This all makes it hard to talk about freedom in such cases.”

    Conservative Czech politicians have been banned from YouTube, Polish news websites have been removed from both Twitter and YouTube, including the outright banning of the entire Poland Daily media outlet on Twitter last month in what has been seen as a major censorship escalation and an outright attack on the freedom of the press.

    Commenting on his YouTube ban, conservative Czech politician Tomio Okamura stated in July of this year, “I consider the fact that YouTube banned my channel, on which I published uncensored information, a gross attack on freedom of speech, as well as an attack on fundamental civil rights guaranteed in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It disrupts free competition among political parties declared in the Czech Constitution.”

    Censorship is ramping up
    The issue of censorship has also become a major point of contention for conservatives who blame left-wing bias at companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter for attacking freedom of speech in Europe, the United States, and a range of other countries. As Remix News has previously reported, 18 out of 20 members of Facebook’s global oversight board, which has the power to censor content, have ties to George Soros and his Open Society Foundation.

    In the run-up to the 2020 US presidential elections, the issue has taken on special importance, with Twitter censoring President Donald Trump’s tweets, Reddit banning the biggest page dedicated to Trump, YouTube demonetizing conservatives, and Twitter banning thousands of pro-Trump accounts.

    With conservative governments in power in a range of Central European countries, there are some clamoring for these governments to take action and set a model for protecting free speech in their countries, which could have a knock-down effect across the West.”