Trump’s Sanctions On Iran’s Ayatolahs Are Working

(Dr. Majid Rafizadeh’s article from The GATESTONE INSTITUTE on 27 April 2019.)

Trump has cut-off Iranian cash to the terrorists.

The US Sanctions on Mullahs are Working: "The golden days are gone and will never return. Iran doesn't have enough money to give us." -- A militant with an Iranian-backed militia in Syria, New York Times, March 26, 2019.

Feeling the pressure of sanctions on Iran, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Iran's proxy, Hezbollah, has also called on his group's fundraising arm "to provide the opportunity for jihad with money and also to help with this ongoing battle." Iran's national currency, the rial, has dropped to historic lows — one US dollar, which equaled approximately 35,000 rials in November of 2017, now buys you nearly 130,000 rials.

Thanks to the Trump administration's sanctions, the flow of funds to the Iranian government is being cut off, impacting the Iranian leaders' efforts to fund and sponsor terrorist and militia groups across the region. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Critics of US President Donald Trump and his policy regarding the Iranian government are quick to condemn him for the sanctions he has imposed on the theocratic establishment. Their argument is anchored in the idea that the only informed and effective policy that will deal with Iran's clerical establishment is rooted in enticing them in from the cold: in oher words, appeasement.

New York Times’ Antisemitic Cartoon On Trump

(Mathew Boyle’s article from The BREITBART NEWS on 28 April 2019.)

Under Fire, New York Times Finally Apologizes for Antisemitic Cartoon After Days of Failing to Do So: The New York Times has finally apologized for printing a blatantly antisemitic cartoon on the opinion pages of its international section last week.

The Times ran a cartoon on Thursday showing a blind President Donald Trump, wearing a skullcap, and being led around by Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu–who is portrayed as a dog. The leash and collar on the Netanyahu dog character in the cartoon have a Star of David on it.

It mirrors literal Nazi propaganda against Jews and then British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, as some on social media have noted. The Times‘ decision to print this has come under near-universal criticism from across the media and political spectrum, and in response the Times on Saturday retracted and deleted the cartoon–issuing an editor’s note that did not include an apology.

Saudi One-day Beheading Spree: 37 Including Boys

 (Staff article from The DAILY MAIL UK on 26 April 2019.)

The body of a crucified criminal was put on public display in Saudi Arabia after the execution of 37 nationals in one day, according to local media reports.

State-run media carried statements on Tuesday to say those executed had ‘adopted extremist ideologies and formed terrorist cells with the aim of spreading chaos and provoking sectarian strife’.

Saudi authorities said that one person was crucified after his execution, with the Middle East Eye reporting that the body was then publicly displayed. The U.N. human rights chief condemned the beheadings, saying most were minority Shi'ite Muslims who may not have had fair trials and at least three were minors when sentenced.

By The Numbers: Islamic Jihadis & Fundamentalists

(Jordan Schachtel’s article from The BRIEBART NEWS on 05 February 2016.)

Raheel Raza, a reformist Muslim and a brave woman.

In order to defeat the multiple radical ideologies growing within Islam, we must first confront these elements and engage in an open and frank conversation about the state of Islam worldwide, narrator Raheel Raza explains in “By The Numbers – The Untold Story of Muslim Opinions & Demographics,” a documentary produced by the Clarion Project.

By The Numbers argues that segments of the Left, along with Islamic groups – such as the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) – are attempting to quash any open conversation about Islam, creating an environment where combatting the spread of these dangerous ideologies becomes increasingly difficult.

Ryan Mauro, a National Security Analyst for the Clarion Project told Breitbart News regarding the group’s new documentary on radical Islam: “It’s time for an honest conversation about the threats of radical Islam, without fear of reprisals from politically correct enforcers. That conversation begins now at Clarionproject.org/numbers.

Sanctuary Judge Charged For Blocking Arrest Of Illegals

 (Staff articles from The REUTERS & BREITBART NEWS on 25 April 2019.)

Judge Shelly Joseph indicted.

BOSTON, April 25 (Reuters) - Massachusetts judge faces federal charges for blocking immigration arrest: U.S. federal prosecutors on Thursday charged a Massachusetts judge and court officer with conspiracy and obstruction, saying they blocked an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer from arresting an illegal immigrant at a 2018 court proceeding.

The move marks the latest skirmish over immigration between President Donald Trump's administration and local governments who have resisted his crackdown. The state's Democratic attorney general called the charges "politically motivated." The charges target Massachusetts District Court Judge Shelley Joseph, 51, and Massachusetts Trial Court Officer Wesley MacGregor, 56.

They focus on an April 2018 hearing in Newton District Court, outside Boston, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer intended to arrest an unidentified suspected illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic facing a drug charge.

Easter Worshippers: Slaughtered Sri Lankan Christians

(Staff articles from The BNI, RT, & DAILY WIRE on 22 April 2019.)

Obama refusing to acknowledge 400 slaughtered Sri Lankans were Christians.

BEWARE! The new radioactive “C” word: Muslims are always called Muslims after an anti-Muslim attack. But when Christians are murdered in a Muslim terrorist attack on churches, they are identified as “Easter worshippers” by the sharia-compliant media and their useful idiots on the left.

The “C” word is prohibited by the Democratic Party leaders including Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton. Some people believe prominent Democrats deliberately avoided using the word “Christian” when condemning bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday as part of a policy to undermine Christian faith in the US.

The eight bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, which killed almost 300 people on Easter Sunday, sparked worldwide condemnation. But the way some US politicians expressed their condolences sparked a minor outcry among conservative Americans. Former President Barack Obama and the former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, were blasted for using the term “Easter worshipers” instead of “Christians” when referring to the victims of the attacks.

Muslim Jihadis Behind Easter Bombings In Sri Lanka

 (Fox News articles from The TELEGRAPH UK on 21 April 2019.)

Zaran Hashim The Islamist Preacher and Suicide Bomber

Easter Sunday explosions at multiple churches and hotels rock Sri Lanka, death tolls rises past 200: A pair holding U.S. and British nationalities were among the 11 foreigners killed after a series of explosions struck three churches and three luxury hotels in and just outside of Sri Lanka’s capital Easter Sunday, leaving at least 207 people dead and 450 others injured, officials said.

The six nearly simultaneous blasts—followed hours later by two more explosions—marked the bloodshed as among the worst since the South Asian country’s 26-year civil war ended a decade ago, a spokesperson for the Sri Lanka police said.

Sri Lanka's foreign ministry said the other foreigners whose nationalities have been verified included three Indians, one Portuguese national, two Turkish nationals, and three British nationals. The U.S. State Department confirmed in a statement that “several U.S. citizens were among those killed” in the explosions, though details were still emerging. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went on to condemn the Easter morning "terror attacks."

Way Of The Cross: Good Friday’s Fourteen Stations

 (Easter Procession from The Dee Why Combined Churches In NSW Australia.)

We come together to celebrate our Lord’s Passion. As we cross the way of cross let us pray that all people may be reconciled, healed, and forgiven. Let us walk with Christ together as one.

Lord, by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. We adore you, Christ, and we bless you.
(Combined Dee Why Churches’ clergy carry the cross to the First Station)

First Station: “Jesus has his last supper with his friends”

A man came among us. He was gentle. He encouraged us and gave us hope. He did not condemn but reached out to the outcast. He brought peace where there had been strife and fear. He healed our bodies and souls. He taught us to care for each other. He called us friends and showed us all that we were all brothers and sisters of a loving father. He invited us to walk with him.

How Does A Latino Invasion Caravan To US Form?

 (AP article from The NEW YORK POST on 19 April 2019.)

At least 7,000 Latinos in this caravan through Mexico.

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — “When does the next caravan leave?” ″Can I go? I’m from Guatemala. What papers do I need for my kids?” The questions pile up on the phones of hundreds of Central Americans, all with the same goal: Get as many details as possible before leaving their country.

Costly phone calls with relatives and friends in the United States to work out the route or find the best smuggler are a thing of the past for many Central Americans. Now would-be migrants create chat groups and organize using social media to leave in caravans.

“The social networks have had an empowering role in this new way of migrating,” said Abbdel Camargo, an anthropologist at the College of the Southern Border in Mexico. “They organize themselves en masse in their home countries, formed by entire families, and the networks serve them as a mechanism for safety and communication throughout the journey.”

Father Of Slain 9/11 Firefighter Blasts Ilhan Omar

 (Elizabeth Rosner’s article from The NEW YORK POST on 16 April 2019.)

My FDNY son’s death on 9/11 was more than just ‘something’: The father of an FDNY firefighter slain on 9/11 slammed Rep. Ilhan Omar Tuesday, saying she owes him an apology for describing the terrorist attack as “some people did something.”

Jim Riches made the statement at the annual GOP gala at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. He also blasted New York Democratic lawmakers who refused to condemn the freshman congresswoman’s statement.

“They can’t deal with reality — Schumer, Nadler, all the New York politicians were quiet. They didn’t say one thing,” he said. “I did nothing wrong,” he added. “She [Ilhan Omar] owes us an apology and we are going to get it.”

Riches, who wrote a seething op-ed for The Post after Omar’s remarks, also said he supported President Trump’s Twittervideo that interwove video of Omar’s remarks and footage that showed theterrorist attack. “He told it like it was that is what happened that day,” Riches said of Trump’s tweet. “Donald Trump is 100 percent right.”

Goldman Sachs: Trump Will Win 2020 Re-Election

 (Javier David’s article from The YAHOO FINANCE on 15 April 2019.)

Goldman Sachs: Trump has 'narrow' shot in 'close call' election bid: President Donald Trump holds a “narrow” electoral advantage heading into 2020, according to Goldman Sachs, with his chances buoyed by a resilient U.S. economy and a crowded Democratic field in which a clear frontrunner has yet to emerge.

In a comprehensive report released late Saturday, the investment bank gave its preliminary thoughts on a general election that’s still more than a year away. While Trump reelection is far from assured, Goldman’s economists believe the president is bolstered by “the advantage of first-term incumbency and the relatively strong economic performance,” in what is sure to be a “close call” election.

Trump’s approval ratings remain mired below 50%, as new crises appear to engulf his administration on a near daily basis. Meanwhile, early reads on the November 2020 ballot suggest the incumbent faces an uphill climb in his reelection bid.

Reciprocal Military Operations In India & Myanmar

(Subir Bhaumik’s article from The TELEGRAPH INDIA on 10 April 2019.)

Myanmar's army is increasingly turning to India for training and weapons: The reciprocal military operations in Myanmar and India are a landmark in Indian military diplomacy in the East.

Amid much rejoicing over the Indian air strikes at Balakot in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — seen as evidence of escalation in India’s counter-terrorism response — the Indian army has achieved a major breakthrough in military diplomacy in the East.

After several high level exchanges with the Eastern Command in the last 18 months, the Burmese army, known as the Tatmadaw, struck a huge blow to the bases of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim in Myanmar’s Sagaing province.

It followed up by attacking the bases of the United Liberation Front of Asom and Manipuri rebel groups. The Ulfa has admitted to losing a major of its military wing. Indian army sources say there has been a spate of surrenders from the ranks of the Ulfa and Manipuri rebel groups as a result of the Burmese military operation.

Obama To Congress Muslims: “I’m Proud Of You”

(Staff articles from The CLARION PROJECT on 11 April 2019.)

Obama to Rashida Tlaib: ‘I’m Proud of You’: While meeting with freshmen members of Congress, former U.S. President Barack Obama told Rashida Tlaib, “I’m proud of you.”

Congress Muslim Rashida Tlaib tweeted: BarackObama met with us new members of Congress and we had a thoughtful discussion about serving our country. The best part was when he looked straight at me and said, "I'm proud of you."

Tlaib is known for being a supporter of the Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) Movement against Israel, which according to the definition of anti-Semitism adopted by the State Department, is an anti-Semitic movement. Tlaib is also known for her inaugural stunt over a map, literally wiping out Israel but posting a sticky note with “Palestine” written over it.

Ilhan Omar: 9/11 Was "Some People Did Something"

 (Lukas Mikelionis’s article from The FOX NEWS on 11 April 2019.)

Some bad Muslims flew passenger planes into Twin Towers.

Minnesota Democrat (Congress Muslim) Ilhan Omar is facing backlash after her speech at a Muslim rights group’s event where she described the September 11, 2001 terror attacks as 'some people did something.'

Omar spoke at a Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) fundraiser last month, where she called upon other Muslim Americans to “make people uncomfortable” with their activism and presence in the society and criticized the Jewish state.

But another part of the speech surfaced on social media earlier this week, in which Omar described the terror attacks perpetrated by al Qaeda. “CAIR was founded after 9/11 because they recognized that some people did something, and that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties,” Omar said at the event.

Border Crisis: Massive Invasion At US-Mexico Border

 (Staff articles from The NEW YORK POST in April 2019.)

Immigrants from 50 countries illegally entering US: Border Patrol official: A top Border Patrol official told a Senate committee on Tuesday that illegal immigrants from 50 different countries — including China, Bangladesh, Turkey, Egypt and Romania — had been caught crossing the southern border.

“People are traveling across hemispheres to attempt to illegally enter the US, using the same pathways as the Central Americans,” Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Patrol Agent Rodolfo Karisch said at a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, Fox News reported.

He said a caravan-size group of migrants flooded across the border each week in just a single sector — what he called the latest indicator of the growing migration crisis on the southern border. “Much media attention has focused on caravans coming across from Central America,” Karisch added. “But the fact is that RGV is receiving caravan-equivalent numbers every seven days.”

Wall Street Betting On Trump’s Landslide Re-election

(Thomas Frank’s article from The CNBC on 05 April 2019.)

70% of Wall Street thinks Trump will be reelected in 2020: While Biden was viewed as the most stock market-friendly possible Democratic candidate, more than 70% expect Trump to be reelected.

Elections can affect financial markets; the Dow rallied 8 percent from the 2016 election to year-end as investors grew confident in tax reform and big spending. RBC also said that if Biden does not declare, or the polling data suggests that he won’t win the nomination, it could weigh on the market. A new poll of Wall Street insiders shows that a vast majority expect President Donald Trump to win reelection in 2020.

While Joe Biden was viewed as the most stock market-friendly possible Democratic candidate for the White House, more than 70% of survey respondents told global investment bank RBC Capital Markets that they expect Trump to be reelected.

Chris Matthews: Trump Could Win In A Landslide

 (Rusty Weiss’s article from The MENTAL RECESSION on 05 April 2019.)

Chris Matthews Warns Trump Could Win in a Landslide: Chris Matthews, the host of MSNBC’s Hardball, has a different feeling running down his leg these days – one of dread.

Matthews warned the Democrat party that they are being pulled so far to the left by freshman congresswomen and radical socialists in the party, that it could result in President Trump winning re-election by a landslide in 2020.

Following a rundown of today’s progressive agenda – support for such extreme measures as abolishing the electoral college, late-term or post-birth abortions, and open borders – Matthews wondered how it would play out to voters in key swing states. He then foresaw gloom and doom for the party, just like 1972 when “the party went hard to the left” with George McGovern.

Freedom Of Speech Is Dying In Australia Too

(James Griffiths’ article from The CNN on 04 April 2019.)

Australia passes law to stop spread of violent content online after Christchurch massacre: Internet providers and tech giants like Facebook and Google will be compelled to remove violent content in a sweeping new law passed in Australia in the wake of the Christchurch massacre that killed 50 people.

Under the new law, which (was rammed through without debate and) sadly passed both houses of Parliament Thursday, obligations will be placed on internet companies to stop the spread of violent material. Failure to do so could see executives face up to three years in jail, or fines of up to 10% of the platform's annual turnover.

Much of the March 15 massacre was live streamed on social media by the shooter. Platforms have struggled in the weeks since to remove copies of the video, which have been repeatedly uploaded.

Iran & Hezbollah Squeezed By Trump’s Sanctions

(Staff articles from The NPR & CLARION PROJECT in 2018 & 2019.)

Ayatollahs regularly hang political prisoners.

Squeezed By U.S. Sanctions, Iran Has Had An Especially Bad 2018: One of candidate Donald Trump's pledges during the 2016 election campaign was to get tougher on Iran. He slammed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as a lopsided giveaway to Tehran, and promised a return of American sanctions on Iran.

President Trump has been true to his word, making 2018 a difficult year for Iran. Although other countries have stuck with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed with Iran, Trump pulled the United States out of the deal in May and announced that U.S. economic sanctions on Iran would return in two phases.

Some of the most painful ones — targeting Iran's oil exports, its main economic lifeline — kicked back in last month. (They were less painful than they might have been, however: Washington granted waivers to eight countries, including China, India and Japan, the world's biggest importers of Iranian crude.)

The European Union, one of the deal's signatories, vowed to create a mechanism to keep doing business with Iran despite the American sanctions, but so far it hasn't materialized. The results to date have included defiant rhetoric from Iranian leaders, economic pain felt by ordinary Iranians and a political weakening of President Hassan Rouhani, who's under increasing attack from hard-line conservative forces.

US Ends Reliance On Foreign Oil For Very First Time

 (Bloomberg article from The MSN MONEY on 12 July 2018.)

US is now a net energy exporter for very first time.

US ends its reliance on foreign oil for the first time in 75 years: America turned into a net oil exporter last week, breaking almost 75 years of continued dependence on foreign oil and marking a pivotal -- even if likely brief -- moment toward what U.S. President Donald Trump has branded as "energy independence."

The shift to net exports is the dramatic result of an unprecedented boom in American oil production, with thousands of wells pumping from the Permian region of Texas and New Mexico to the Bakken in North Dakota to the Marcellus in Pennsylvania.

While the country has been heading in that direction for years, this week’s dramatic shift came as data showed a sharp drop in imports and a jump in exports to a record high. Given the volatility in weekly data, the U.S. will likely remain a small net importer most of the time.

Casinos Will Be Legal In Burma (Myanmar) Soon

(Chan Mya Htwe’s article from The MYANMAR TIMES on 31 March 2019.)

Casino operations to be legalised under new gambling law: Casinos will soon be able to legally operate in Myanmar after the 2018 Gambling Law is enacted in May, replacing the existing 1986 legislation. The new law, which includes recommendations from President U Win Myint, is now in the process of being approved in Parliament, which will resume after Thingyan in April.

The updated law was drafted in 2017, after the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism made a request to the Ministry of Home Affairs to allow casinos to operate officially as a service industry for foreigners in selected hotels. These include hotels on islands popular with tourists.

A new gambling law allowing casinos to operate was jointly drafted by the Ministry for Union Government Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The aim is to boost tourism as well as tax revenues. Currently, Myanmar and Thailand are the only two southeast countries that do not have casinos.