https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/pelosi-blames-us-inflation-on-war-in-iraq

Pelosi blames US inflation on “war in Iraq”

In a massive Freudian Slip, US speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that the coronavirus pandemic and the "war in Iraq" were to blame for the rising cost of living in the United States.

"We have the war in Iraq, we have Covid," she was heard saying in a video.

Simultaneously, Pelosi's office rushed to correct her statement to read "Ukraine."

The faux pas, which Pelosi did not catch or correct, is indicative of a new trend in which American leaders failed in differentiating between the US's 2003 invasion of Iraq and the current war in Ukraine.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, President Joe Biden, and former President George W. Bush have all made major Freudian slips either by conflating the 2022 war in Ukraine with the 2003 US invasion of Iraq or by confusing "Ukrainian" for "Iranian".

Bush mistakenly bashed the "brutal, unjustified invasion of Iraq" at an event last May as he was offering a critique of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, Biden, in his first State of the Union speech, confuses "Iranian" for "Ukrainian: "Putin may circle Kiev with tanks, but he'll never gain the hearts and souls of the Iranian people" Biden said.

It is worth noting that the US invasion of Iraq left at least five million Iraqi orphans, murdered over 100,000 Iraqis, forced four to five million Iraqis to flee their homes, displaced ancient Iraqi minority groups, and destroyed much of Iraq's infrastructure and economy.

US inflation soars to highest level since 1981

In May, the annual inflation rate in the United States reached 8.6 percent, the highest level since 1981. Food and fuel prices have risen dramatically, with the national average gas price surpassing $5 per gallon this week.

A recent Wall Street Journal poll found that 83 percent of US citizens believe that the country's economic situation is poor or "not so good."

Inflation blame game

Pelosi, just like other Democrat leaders, tersely blamed the state of the US economy on the situation in Ukraine.

The House Speaker has constantly used the phrase "Putin's price hike" to blame inflation on the Russian president, echoing President Joe Biden's rhetoric.

In an effort to save Democrats from the public rage, she also blamed rising food prices on monopolies in the meat packing and shipping industries, and high gas prices on the energy industry.

Conservatives, on the other hand, argue that the buck stops in Washington and have accused Biden of strangling domestic energy production through executive orders closing pipelines and prohibiting drilling.

They also insist that by increasing the US budget to nearly $6 trillion and passing spending bills such as the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, Biden devalued the dollar and passed the cost on to consumers.

Earlier this year, Pelosi argued that increased government spending would have the "exact opposite effect" of increasing debt and inflation.

In contrast, Larry Summers, former President Barack Obama's economic adviser, called the American Rescue Plan "the least responsible macroeconomic policy we've had in the last 40 years."

Since Biden took office in January, the US inflation rate has risen dramatically, rising from an average of 1.4 percent in December 2020 to 7 percent in December 2021, two months before Russia's military operation in Ukraine began. Gas prices rose as well, from an average of $2.28 per gallon in December 2020 to $3.40 the following year.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-airstrikes-target-palestinian-resistance-sites-in-ga

Israeli airstrikes target Palestinian Resistance sites in Gaza

Al Mayadeen correspondent reported Saturday about new explosions heard in eastern Gaza and the eastern cemetery area as sirens were triggered in the Gaza envelope settlements of Askalan.

Our correspondent reported that Israeli reconnaissance planes targeted with two missiles the vicinity of a ground control point in the Malakah area in the Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza, adding that Israeli bombing targeted Resistance sites in the central governorate of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli occupation also targeted an observatory of the Resistance east of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip.

In tandem, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Waha area northwest of besieged Gaza Strip, revealed our correspondent.

Later, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) claimed that they had intercepted a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/oxford-students-forcibly-removed-for-protesting-israeli-amb

Oxford students forcibly removed for protesting Israeli amb. event

Dozens of protesters gathered Thursday outside an Oxford Union event hosting the Israeli Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely.

Throughout the event, the protesters chanted slogans such as 'Genocide in slow motion and 'Oxford Union shame on you'.

High tensions were present at the event, as a student protester was forcibly removed by police, and protesters were subjected to 'intimidation' by Hotovely's security detail.

One student and member of the Oxford Students’ Palestine Society said, as quoted by the Oxford Student: “I think it’s quite frankly an insult for an institution to host this mouthpiece of Israeli propaganda. Every institution is free to do what they want. However, to give such short notice on such an important topic for people not to be prepared is disgraceful.”

It is worth noting that the Union announced the event Wednesday evening, less than a day before it took place, and Hotovely's appearance was not mentioned in the regular termcard.

The student added: “To see the Union giving a platform to a person who is here not to debate, but to spread propaganda, is quite frankly disgusting. It’s our responsibility, not only as people who support the Palestinian cause, but as people who support human rights and justice overall, to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and protest here, and make sure that people who come into the union to attend this talk are informed. And that Hotovely knows that wherever she goes, whether it’s Cambridge, whether it’s LSE, whether it’s Oxford, she will always face stern resistance.”

Students distributed flyers with a list of questions to ask Hotovely, most notably regarding her support for Israeli illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, and denial of the Nakba.

Attendees also condemned the Oxford Union's justification, stating that they were "pleased to provide our members with the opportunity to question and challenge the Israeli Ambassador during her visit here."

One protester said, as quoted by the Oxford Student, that “there are limits on having platforms…would they invite a fascist dictator to speak? I think that Israel is so adept with its propaganda that I think it was a mistake for them to invite her.”

Another student supported this opinion, adding that "Importantly, this person is not here to debate with anyone, this person is here only to spread Israeli propaganda."

After the event with Hotovely concluded, protesters gathered outside the Oxford Union's rear gate, where the ambassador's car was parked. As dozens of officers escorted protesters away from the back gate, the police presence quadrupled.

Police forcibly removed one student, another member of the Palestine Society, from in front of the gate. "I had my earphones in so I couldn't hear their orders," the protester explained to the Oxford Student. I sat down because they were bothering me and I was just listening to music." The protester was then grabbed by the arms and dragged away from the gate by two officers. "They grabbed me without my consent, held me tightly, and refused to let go."

Hotovely's security detail actively intimidated and endangered student protesters, according to testimony obtained by The Oxford Student.

One student, a Union member, described how a member of Hotovely's security detail prevented them from entering the chamber. They described how Israeli security, distinguishable from Union security by 'attire and aggression,' argued with Union security about keeping out Union members who they'd also seen at the protest.

Furthermore, students expressed concern about being racially profiled. "It's no surprise that we were [all] brown students," one student observed.

These students, as well as numerous bystanders, testified that Hotovely's security filmed the Union members who asked to be let in. The Oxford Student asked one of the students filmed if they believe the security taking photos of them threatened and continues to threaten their safety, to which the student replied, "Yes, especially given that I have friends and family in Palestine."

“Israel” has been chastised for what some regard as widespread racial profiling in the name of security, and pundits and activists have long been concerned about Israeli surveillance capabilities.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-mercenary-in-ukraine:-i-am-against-war

US mercenary in Ukraine: “I am against war”

In a new video circulating online, US mercenary Alexander Drueke appeared wearing a long-sleeve T-shirt and camouflage trousers, saying “I am against war” in both English and Russian language.

Former US Army Staff Sgt. Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh, who were both living in Alabama, were reported missing this month near the northeastern city of Kharkov, not far from the Russian border, and had traveled to Ukraine to fight alongside Ukrainian forces and teach them how to use US-made weapons, according to family members.

Following the announcement of two US citizens missing in Ukraine, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price stated on Friday that there are "reports of one additional American whose whereabouts are unknown."

US President Joe Biden said Friday that he had been briefed on two Americans who had gone missing in Ukraine, and urged Americans not to travel to the war-torn country.

A third former Marine Corps officer Grady Kurpasi lost contact with his family in April and was only recently identified. Willy Joseph Cancel, a fourth American veteran, was killed in Ukraine in May.

3,000 US mercenaries in Ukraine

Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported that 3,000 US “volunteers” are ready to arrive in Ukraine, amid Russia's ongoing military operation in the country.

The agency quoted the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ press service via Telegram as saying that "the volunteers are ready to repel Russia as part of an international battalion."

Among the US volunteers are army veterans "with combat experience gained in Iraq and other hotspots around the world."

Ukrinform reiterated that more than 16,000 foreign fighters are heading to Ukraine to fight Russia.

It claimed that "Ukraine is creating an International Legion of Territorial Defense consisting of foreigners who are willing to join Ukraine’s resistance and protect global security."

>>16467843

Anyone compared with Qpost of Google bikes?

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/saudi-mbs-to-visit-egypt-jordan-ahead-of-turkey

Saudi MBS to visit Egypt, Jordan, ahead of Turkey

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be launching on Monday a regional tour in Egypt that will see him going to Ankara in a bid to bolster regional ties, a Saudi diplomat said.

Bin Salman will take off from Egypt toward Jordan and then head on to Turkey, the diplomat said.

During the tour, MBS will bring up the "regional and international files and the future of international cooperation," the diplomat added, noting that the crown prince will be signing investment and energy deals with the states he will be visiting.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Friday that MBS would visit Ankara on June 22.

This visit would mark the Saudi monarch's first to Turkey since the murder of Saudi opposition figure Jamal Khashoggi, who was a major critic of the Saudi regime. He was brutally murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, which heavily affected the ties between Riyadh and Ankara.

The visit is another step toward mending regional ties, and it comes months after a similar one by Erdogan to Saudi Arabia, which he made in April to try and fix bilats with Riyadh.

The Saudi diplomat said MBS was also expected to visit Greece, Cyprus, and Algeria, "probably in late July", none of which have been confirmed by the Saudi government yet.

Saudi is seeking to heal ties with Ankara as it grows closer with the Israeli occupation, trying to establish wider alliances and ties within the region.

Relations between "Israel" and Saudi Arabia, are growing warmer, with a new agreement on the horizon that will bring about new flight paths from occupied Palestine and through Saudi airspace, Israeli media reported last week.

Though Riyadh did not normalize ties with the Israeli occupation yet, unlike Abu Dhabi and Manama, it has already kicked off economic normalization with "Tel Aviv". The Kingdom is already issuing special visas to Israeli settlers, with Israeli and Saudi sources saying there has been a hike in signed deals recently and advanced contact concerning investments of Saudi businessmen and investment funds in "Israel".

Saudi businessmen have been increasingly asking for special entry visas for Israeli settlers, with the former going to the UAE and Bahrain for meetings with Israeli businessmen.

Dozens of Israeli businessmen traveled to Saudi Arabia for trade deals in recent months, Israeli media reported in late May.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/erdogans-former-fm-davutoglu-hints-at-running-for-president

Erdogan's former FM Davutoglu hints at running for president in 2023

Representing an alliance of six opposition parties, former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday described himself as a contender for the next general elections in 2023.

After having held positions such as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's advisor, foreign minister and the leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Davutoglu broke away from the party in 2019, forming his own splinter Future Party to challenge AKP.

Davutoglu said his party will discuss the choice of a single presidential candidate from the alliance of opposition parties.

"We [leaders of six opposition parties] became contenders when we created our parties. We all are contenders," the Yenicag newspaper quoted the former PM as saying.

Erdogan announced his bid for yet another presidential term last week. The six opposition parties had promised in February to limit presidential powers and empower parliament instead.

Back in April, it was suggested that Erdogan might nominate another member of the ruling party to run in the 2023 presidential election, as he is unsure of his victory.

The ruling AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) created the People's Alliance to re-elect Erdogan in the previous Turkish general election in 2018.

The Turkish president has become less popular amid the soaring inflation that has been hitting the country.

In January, he intimidated the local media with legal action for content "incompatible with national and moral values." According to critics, Erdogan's move came as an attempt to stifle dissent.

In the process, he fired his justice minister and the head of the state statistics agency after publishing official data that reveal the inflation rate hit a 19-year high last year.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/up-to-50-of-ukraines-heavy-weapons-destroyed:-ukrainian-offi

Up to 50% of Ukraine's heavy weapons destroyed: Ukrainian officials

Ukrainian land forces command logistics commander Volodymyr Karpenko revealed the losses of the Ukrainian forces amid the ongoing conflict his country is having with Russia.

Earlier this week, Karpenko declared that the Ukrainian military forces have lost up to 50% of their heavy weapons, including about 400 tanks, as well as a large number of military personnel.

In an interview with National Defense Magazine, the official said that losses in equipment varied between 30% to 50%. In other words, Karpenko said the Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost approximately 1,300 infantry fighting vehicles, 400 tanks, and 700 artillery systems.

During the same interview, Ukraine’s deputy minister of defense, Denys Sharapov, stated that Western supplies, despite all efforts, do not cover Ukraine’s military needs.

Without revealing specifics, Sharapov noted that Ukraine will the “need for heavy artillery systems is measured by hundreds” in order to be able to sustain the combat. The deputy minister argued that high-precision weapons, if given to Ukraine, will give the country the upper hand in its war against Russia.

The deputy minister acknowledged the complications for Western allies while arranging for the transfer of military equipment inclusive of getting permission for technology transfer from all the subsystems. Sharapov, however, stressed the high importance of the conflict in Ukraine from his perspective.

Karpenko gave an estimate of the needs of their Armed Forces.

“Think about this: one brigade occupies around 40 kilometers of the fence line. That means that to cover the active combat conflict we need 40 brigades. Every brigade is 100 infantry fighting vehicles, 30 tanks, 54 artillery systems – just for one brigade, and we have 40 of them,” he explained.

Ukrainian presidential aide Alexey Arestovich declared that the Armed Forces of Ukraine, since the beginning of the Russian operation in late February, had lost around 10,000 personnel.

Read more: Stingers, Javelin missiles sent to Kiev sold on black market: Lavrov

On the other hand, the Russian Defense Ministry highlighted that in total, some 205 Ukrainian aircraft and 131 helicopters, 1,233 unmanned aerial vehicles, 342 anti-aircraft missile systems, 3,387 tanks, and other armored combat vehicles, 539 multiple launch rocket systems, 2,013 field artillery and mortars, and 3,658 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed during the war in Ukraine.

Earlier this year, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a statement "We are once again urging EU and NATO countries to stop the senseless 'pumping' of the inviable Kiev regime with cutting edge weapons systems in order to avoid risks for international civilian aviation and other transport communications."

Moreover, experts also warned in late May of the continuous supply of Ukraine with military weapons. Nils Duquet, a researcher and director of the Flemish Peace Institute stated that "there are very significant risks associated with the proliferation of weapons in Ukraine at the moment, in particular regarding small arms and light weapons."

Western nations, most notably the US, have continuously pumped weapons into Kiev's army.

On June 5th, Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying that if Kiev is given long-range missiles, Russia will "draw the appropriate conclusions and use our arms…. to strike targets we haven't hit before."

Putin did not define which targets may be targeted or the precise range of missiles to which Moscow would respond.

His remarks came just days after the US revealed that it would give Ukraine multiple High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/russian-ambassador:-pumping-kiev-with-weapons-could-lead-to

Russian Ambassador: Pumping Kiev with weapons could lead to major war

Russia has been repeatedly reiterating that the West’s endeavor to supply Ukraine with weapons will only result in further damages. Previously, various Russian officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, have noted that the continuous pumping of Kiev with heavy artillery will inevitably result in direct confrontation.

Anatoly Antonov, Russian Ambassador to the US, wrote in his latest article for Newsweek that “the short-sightedness of the United States is also seen in the current circumstances. Driven by the desire to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, the local elites are raising the stakes in escalating tensions by pumping up the Kiev regime with weapons.”

The Ambassador also noted that escalating tensions will result in direct confrontation with major nuclear powers. He hinted that the consequences of such a conflict are unknown but inevitably very dangerous.

"For a long time, we patiently explained to our colleagues the inadmissibility of such actions. We warned about the imminence of a strong and adequate response. They didn't listen to us and tried to ignore us purporting that our place is ‘in the back seat,’" the ambassador wrote.

Antonov concluded that Russian patience has its limits. He said that Washington and Brussel’s refusal to take into account Russian concerns over security guarantees was the last straw. Beyond this point, consequences have become inevitable.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hindu-temple-attack-in-kabul-leaves-2-killed-7-injured

Sikh Temple Attack in Kabul leaves 2 killed, 7 injured

Gunmen stormed a Sikh temple in Kabul on Saturday, hurling at least one grenade, killing two and injuring seven others, according to the interior ministry and witnesses.

While the number of bombings in Afghanistan has decreased since the hasty US withdrawal in August, several deadly attacks have occurred in recent months.

"I heard gunshots and blasts coming from the gurdwara," Gurnam Singh, a Sikh community leader said as quoted by AFP.

On his account, Interior ministry spokesperson Abdul Nafi Takor stressed that a grenade blast wounded two members of the Sikh community.

A car bomb detonated in the area minutes later, causing no casualties, he added.

The number of casualties could rise, according to local witnesses.

On his account, Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that the ministry is deeply concerned with the attacks, waiting for further information on the situation.

"We are deeply concerned at the reports emanating from Kabul about an attack on a sacred Gurudwara in that city. We are closely monitoring the situation and waiting for further details on the unfolding developments," the official said.

Since reclaiming power in the country in August 2021, the Taliban movement has been battling a local chapter of IS, which is believed to be responsible for the majority of terrorist attacks and bomb explosions in Afghanistan.

The presence of IS in the country is minimal, and the movement has been working to eliminate the group, according to the Taliban.