https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/texas-could-vote-to-secede-from-us-in-2023

Texas could vote to secede from US in 2023

Texas Republicans are advocating for a vote on whether the state should split from the United States. The call for Texans to be able to vote on the subject in 2023 was one of several initiatives accepted in the Texas Republican Party's platform following last week's state conference in Houston.

Under a section titled "State Sovereignty", the platform states, "Pursuant to Article 1, Section 1, of the Texas Constitution, the federal government has impaired our right of local self-government. Therefore, federally mandated legislation that infringes upon the 10th Amendment rights of Texas should be ignored, opposed, refused, and nullified."

"Texas retains the right to secede from the United States, and the Texas Legislature should be called upon to pass a referendum consistent thereto."

2023 referendum

The platform declares that Texas Republicans want the state Legislature to adopt a measure in the next session "requiring a referendum in the 2023 general election for the people of Texas to determine whether or not the State of Texas should reassert its status as an independent nation."

The US Constitution includes no provision for states to secede, and the Supreme Court concluded in Texas v. White in 1869 that states cannot separate from the Union unilaterally.

"If there was any constitutional issue resolved by the Civil War, it is that there is no right to secede," the late Justice Antonin Scalia once wrote.

Nonetheless, modern secessionist efforts have remained in the state for decades—and, according to the Tribune, cries to separate get stronger when a Democrat is president.

It's unclear how popular the initiative is among Texans, but the Texas Nationalist Movement's website claims nearly 500,000 Texans support its efforts to "make Texas an independent nation again."

'Texit'

A previous attempt was defeated, so what changed now?

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/nato-failing-to-overcome-differences-with-turkey-over-finlan

NATO failing to overcome differences with Turkey over Finland, Sweden

Despite the approaching summit in Madrid, NATO has yet to reconcile its positions on the admission of Finland and Sweden to the alliance, as Turkey allegedly refused to make compromises on the topic during trilateral negotiations in Brussels, according to the US-based Al-Monitor news website, citing sources.

On Monday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg conducted meetings between officials from the three countries in order to advance Finland and Sweden's membership bids in the face of Turkey's objections over security concerns.

According to its sources, the Turkish government has made it a condition for Stockholm and Helsinki to stop cooperating with the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which is linked with US occupation forces in Syria and affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In addition, Turkey demanded that Finland and Sweden ban the demonstration in solidarity with self-exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was designated as a terrorist over an allegation that he was behind the 2016 failed coup in Turkey. That said, Turkey requested the extradition of his adherents to Sweden, Al-Monitor stated.

According to insiders, both Nordic countries believe Turkey's demands violate their democratic norms. Sources also told Al-Monitor that the Turkish Presidency did not regard NATO's June summit in Madrid as a deadline for the negations on Sweden and Finland's accession.

"The Turks are not providing any clear perspective [for the countries' membership] and it's likely to turn into fireworks in Madrid," one of the sources was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

On May 18, three months after the Ukraine crisis began, Finland and Sweden submitted NATO membership bids, ending decades of neutrality. However, Turkey refused their applications, and President Tayyip Erdogan stated that Ankara could not consent as long as they supported Kurdish "terrorists".

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/russia-to-summon-eu-ambassador-over-goods-transit-ban-decisi

Russia to summon EU ambassador over goods transit ban decision

Anton Alikhanov, Kaliningrad's governor, confirmed that Russia's Foreign Ministry will summon on Tuesday the European Union's Ambassador to Moscow, Markus Ederer, over Lithuania's ban on the transit of goods under EU sanctions through Kaliningrad.

Lithuania banned the transit of goods under European Union sanctions through Lithuanian territory to and from the Russian exclave - Kaliningrad - citing EU sanction rules.

Alikhanov told the Russian television that "this is, of course, a situation, that can be resolved by diplomatic means."

"As far as I know, tomorrow Marcus Ederer, the European Union ambassador to Russia, will be summoned to the foreign ministry … and he will be told of the appropriate conditions involved here," the Kaliningrad governor said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry did not officially confirm the summon.

Moscow lodges protest over Lithuania decision

State-owned Lithuanian Railways halted cargo transit between Russia and its Baltic Sea area on Friday at midnight, citing EU limitations. According to the region's officials, up to 50% of all rail goods to Kaliningrad have been banned.

In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that Moscow had lodged a protest to the Lithuanian charge d'affaires in Russia in connection with the decision of Vilnius to ban rail cargo transit to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

The Ministry also summoned the Lithuanian charge d'affaires earlier in the day.

It underscored that "the head of the diplomatic mission was strongly protested in connection with the ban on the rail transit of a large range of goods through the territory of Lithuania to the Kaliningrad region, imposed by Vilnius without prior notification of the Russian side."

"We demanded the immediate lifting of these restrictions," the Russian statement affirmed, adding that Russia regards the actions of Lithuania as openly hostile and in violation of the international obligations of Vilnius.

Lithuania breached a pact struck 20 years ago

Lithuania's move to prohibit rail goods transit to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad is unprecedented, considered Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who described it as a "violation of everything."

On his part, Russian Senator Andrey Klimov stated in a Telegram message on Monday that Lithuania is now essentially engaged in "direct aggression" against Russia, citing Vilnius' decision to halt the transit of sanctioned commodities to Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad.

According to the Russian senator who heads a commission for the defense of state sovereignty, Lithuania has breached a pact struck between Moscow and Brussels 20 years ago by refusing to allow specific commodities to transit through its territory to the Russian region.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/lithuania-not-interested-in-escalation-of-tensions-with-russ

Lithuania not interested in escalation of tensions with Russia: PM

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said that her country is not interested in escalating tensions with Russia.

During a speech aired on the LRT broadcaster, Simonyte pointed out that the trilateral agreement between Vilnius, Moscow, and the EU on the movement of passengers still works.

The Lithuanian Prime Minister claimed that "There is no blockade of Kaliningrad … Transportation [of goods not under sanctions] will continue, as well as the transit of passengers, in respect of which we have a tripartite agreement between the European Union, the Russian Federation and Lithuania."

"Let me stress once again that Lithuania is implementing the EU sanctions that were adopted in mid-March. We definitely never had a goal to escalate anything," she mentioned.

The prime minister also said that there are exceptions in the sanctions regulations for humanitarian goods, and their transportation can not be restricted.

Russia warns Lithuania of serious consequences

In a related context, Moscow warned Lithuania of "serious" consequences on Tuesday over its restriction of rail traffic to Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.

Moscow summoned the EU's ambassador to Russia, and the Russian foreign ministry affirmed that Lithuania's actions "violate the relevant legal and political obligations of the European Union."

Moscow lodges protest over Lithuania decision

State-owned Lithuanian Railways halted cargo transit between Russia and its Baltic Sea area on Friday at midnight, citing EU limitations. According to the region's officials, up to 50% of all rail goods to Kaliningrad have been banned.

In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that Moscow had lodged a protest to the Lithuanian charge d'affaires in Russia in connection with the decision of Vilnius to ban rail cargo transit to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

The Ministry also summoned the Lithuanian charge d'affaires earlier in the day.

It underscored that "the head of the diplomatic mission was strongly protested in connection with the ban on the rail transit of a large range of goods through the territory of Lithuania to the Kaliningrad region, imposed by Vilnius without prior notification of the Russian side."

"We demanded the immediate lifting of these restrictions," the Russian statement affirmed, adding that Russia regards the actions of Lithuania as openly hostile and in violation of the international obligations of Vilnius.

Lithuania's move to prohibit rail goods transit to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad is unprecedented, considered Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who described it as a "violation of everything."

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/black-sea-drilling-platform-still-on-fire:-russian-lawmaker

Black Sea drilling platform still on fire: Russian lawmaker

A fire that broke out after Ukrainian forces fired at oil rigs off the coast of Crimea is approaching an oil well, a senior lawmaker said on Tuesday.

Crimea governor Sergey Aksyonov cast the blame on Kiev's forces for the attack, revealing that three people sustained injuries as a result of the attacks on the Black Sea platform, in addition to seven people that went missing.

"As for the fire, it is not subsiding on the platform. At night, the fire approached the oil well," Olga Kovitidi, a Russian senator for Crimea, told the Interfax news agency.

He revealed that the authorities were still conducting search missions for the missing persons, while those injured are currently receiving medical attention at health facilities, but their condition is not critical.

Preliminary information shows that not everyone was saved, Kryuchkov said, underlining that there was still hope.

The strike on the Black Sea platform was the first one to target offshore energy infrastructure in Crimea since the start of the Ukraine war in late February.

Three platforms were targeted in Crimea, revealed Governor Askyonov, which led to the evacuation of 94 people on the sites. The targeted rigs belonged to the Crimea-based Chernomorneftegaz, which the United States has had under sanctions since 2014 after the Crimean crisis.

Following the attack, the operations in the affected facilities were suspended, and the pipes were emptied of gas in order to avoid explosions.

Days ahead of the attack, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that more than 50 Ukrainian generals and officers were killed in a strike on a command center in the Ukrainian Dnipropetrovsk region.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said long-range, high-precision Kalibr missiles launched from the sea hit the headquarters of the Ukrainian forces near the village of Shiroka Dacha in the Dnipropetrovsk province, while a work meeting for the leaders of the Alexandria strategic operational group was being held.

At the beginning of the Ukraine war, the authorities of the Lugansk People's Republic announced that 200 tons of diesel fuel caught fire as a result of an explosion at an oil storage facility in the city of Rovinki as a result of the Ukrainian bombing.

The gas pipelines were also damaged as a result of the continuous Ukrainian bombing, which led to the cutting off of gas to nearly 170 homes.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/haniyeh-in-beirut-to-meet-lebanese-palestinian-leaders

Haniyeh in Beirut to meet Lebanese, Palestinian leaders

Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas announced the arrival of the movement's chief, Ismail Haniyeh, to Beirut on Tuesday, in an official visit wherein he will meet Palestinian and Lebanese leaders.

The movement said in a statement published on its website that the head of its political bureau, Haniyeh, arrived in Beirut, leading a delegation from the movement, in a visit wherein he will meet Palestinian Resistance faction leaders, as well as Palestinian national and popular leaders, in order to foster cooperation between the Palestinian and Lebanese people and to check on Palestinians living in refugee camps.

The statement also said that Haniyeh will represent the Palestinian Resistance in a speech at the 31st Islamic-Nationalist Conference in Beirut.

Haniyeh had visited Lebanon in June 2021, following the Seif Al-Quds battle and the victory achieved by the Palestinian Resistance, and met with officials from the Lebanese government and Resistance.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/advanced-german-artillery-now-deployed-in-ukraine:-kiev

Advanced German artillery now deployed in Ukraine: Kiev

Advanced German artillery systems have been deployed in Ukraine as part of the latest deliveries of the long-term precision weapons that it has been asking for, Kiev said Tuesday.

"Panzerhaubitze 2000 are finally part of 155 mm howitzer arsenal of the Ukrainian artillery," Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov wrote on social media, thanking his German counterpart Christine Lambrecht.

Berlin had said in May that it would send self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine as part of its bid of intensifying deliveries of heavy arms to help Kiev against Russia.

A Ukrainian diplomatic source in Germany told AFP that all the seven pledged German howitzers had made it to Ukraine.

The German army has about 100 howitzer 2000s in its stocks, but only 40 are combat-ready.

The United States and France, among several other allies of Ukraine, have vowed to up their supply of weapons for Kiev, with a number of US deliveries making it to Ukraine later this month.

The West has been sending arms to Kiev even before the Ukraine war broke out, alleging that it was to help the country against Moscow. However, Ukraine has long been complaining that it had only received a fraction of what it needed, clamoring for heavy weaponry.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia had warned in early June that the weapon systems the West was delivering to Ukraine were ending up on the black market "thanks to well-known, incredible corruption of Ukrainian officials," making it possible for international terrorist organizations to purchase such equipment.

"A very simple internet search will show you that American Stingers are being sold for $7,000 a piece, and Javelins for $30,000 each," Nebenzia told the UNSC. "Of course, these sales won’t be missed out by international terrorists, including those that act in Europe and America."

Earlier that week, the United States decided to provide High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to Ukraine due to the nature of the conflict changing to an "artillery duel".

The HIMARSs were the centerpiece of a $700 million package in mid-June which includes "Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger antiaircraft missiles, powerful artillery and precision rocket systems, radars, unmanned aerial vehicles, Mi-17 helicopters, and ammunition," President Biden said.

In addition to the US package, which raised the total of supplies from Washington to Kiev to more than $5 billion since Biden took office last year, the United Kingdom said it was giving the Eastern European country US-made long-range M270 multiple launch rocket systems.

Russia has repeatedly warned the West, even via a formal diplomatic note, against continuing to send arms to Ukraine over the war in the country, with Moscow stressing that it would only exacerbate the situation.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/palestinian-man-stabbed-killed-by-israeli-settler

Palestinian man stabbed, killed by Israeli settler

An Israeli settler murdered a young Palestinian man near Askaka, Salfit, in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said on Tuesday.

The young man, Ali Hassan Harb, was murdered by a direct wound to the heart inflicted by a knife, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Harb, 27, was critically injured by a knife attack near Askaka, and he was taken to the hospital in the aftermath, where he was pronounced dead.

The Palestinian was working on his farmland, located between Salfit and Askaka, before Israeli settlers broke into the property and one of them stabbed him.

Several Palestinians tried to help Harb after he was stabbed, but the Israeli occupation forces shot in the air and threatened them against administering any aid to the injured civilian.

The Israeli occupation had confiscated large stretches of land from Askaka, 4 km east of Salfit, to expand the Ariel settlement built on the land of several neighboring Palestinian villages.

>> This is going to get really ugly frens.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/italian-lawmakers-creating-new-faction-amid-rift-over-arming

Italian lawmakers creating new faction amid rift over arming Kiev

Supporters of Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, who used to chair the ruling Five Star Movement (M5S) have started collecting signatures in both houses of Parliament on Tuesday, Italian broadcaster RaiNews24 reported.

The supporters of the country's top diplomat are gathering signatures in a bid to establish more blocs in parliament amid disagreements over further arms supplies to Kiev.

Establishing a new group in parliament requires the consent of at least 20 lawmakers in the lower house and at least 10 lawmakers in the upper house.

Di Maio's supporters may be able to create such groups in both houses, meaning the minister and his close associates would de facto leave the M5S.

The parties involved in the matter are planning on calling their new group "Insieme per il futuro", which means "Together for the Future" in Italian, local newspaper Il Foglio reported.

Media reported on Sunday that the M5S appeared to be split over whether to continue sending weaponry to Ukraine, with the Italian upper house heading into a shutdown this week.

The parliament was leaning toward voting on an M5S resolution, proposed by leader Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday that recommended ending Rome's arms deliveries to Kiev to avert any damage that could be done to the prospect of peace.

The proposal put Conte on a collision course with Di Maio, who accused his own party on Sunday of immaturity and undermining national security, La Repubblica daily said.

The criticism reportedly provoked a response from M5S vice-presidents Riccardo Ricciardi and Michele Gubitosa, who hinted at their desire that Di Maio leaves the party.

Throughout the last two days, there have been several meetings between the representatives of all parties in Rome in a bid to reach a consensus on a parliamentary resolution regarding Ukraine.

Parliament had adopted in March a resolution that granted Prime Minister Mario Draghi the authority to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine, which includes sending arms to Kiev.

Draghi, alongside the leaders of France and Germany, headed to Kiev by train overnight Wednesday, seeking to voice their support for Ukraine.

The three leaders met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and reaffirmed their support for Kiev.

>>16484556

Send this tank to Ukraine.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/joint-statement-by-egypt-and-saudi-arabia-after-mbs-cairo-vi

Joint statement by Egypt and Saudi Arabia after MBS Cairo visit

The joint statement released by Cairo and Riyadh on the occasion of the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to Cairo, and his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, said that the two countries support the "presidential leadership council in Yemen and entities that support it, in order to allow it to practice its duties in implementing policies that may achieve security and stability in Yemen."

Both countries also condemned in their statement what they labeled as "the attacks of the Ansar Allah movement and the threat it poses to the security of waterways."

The statement also noted that Egypt and KSA stress the importance that Lebanon would not be a platform for what they called "terrorist attacks," or a cradle for what they described as "terrorist organizations."

It also commented on the Iranian nuclear program, saying "Egypt and Saudi Arabia agree on the importance of supporting international efforts to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon, guaranteeing the peacefulness of the Iranian nuclear program, and enforcing the role of the IAEA."

Cairo and Riyadh also pointed out their belief in the legitimacy of the decisions made by the Libyan parliament as a legitimate representative of Libya, in addition to the importance of supporting Libya's institutions so they can fulfill their responsibilities.

On Syria, the two sides stressed the importance of arriving at a "political resolution for the Syrian crisis," achieving the aspirations of the Syrian people and preserving the unity of Syria and the integrity of its soil.

Egypt and Cairo signed 14 deals, which are estimated to be worth $7.7 billion, during MbS's visit to Cairo on Tuesday.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran-slams-unsc-silence-over-israeli-attacks-on-syria

Iran slams UNSC silence over Israeli attacks on Syria

Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, blasted the UNSC for its silence over the Israeli attacks on Syria's sovereignty.

During a security council session, Ravanchi stated that the aggression of the Zionist state is condemned by Iran, as well as the regime’s targeting of civilians and civil infrastructure, including Damascus international airport.

Ravanchi highlighted that according to a UN report, 14.6 million people would require humanitarian aid in 2022, and although ensuring emergency humanitarian provisions in Syria is essential, this must be done with "full respect for Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity."

He shed light on the Astana talks on Syria and the need to increase humanitarian assistance.

Additionally, the Iranian representative also detailed how Iran supports the Syrian cooperation with the UN and emphasized the importance of cross-border aid delivery and that this must happen in coordination with the Syrian government.

"This will help prevent aid from being diverted to terrorist groups. We emphasize the need for facilitating the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original place in Syria while respecting their right to return."

Additionally, Ravanchi commended the recent declaration of amnesty for all Syrian nationals convicted of crimes before April 30, 2022.

He also highlighted the "significant role of the Constitutional Committee in facilitating the political settlement of the Syrian conflict."

Regarding the Israeli violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Ravanchi blasted the UN for its continued silence on the matter.

He stated that "these Israeli malign and terrorist acts violate international law, international humanitarian law, Syria's sovereignty, and jeopardize regional stability and security. We recognize Syria's legitimate right to defend itself in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter."

He also called on the "Security Council to abandon its double standard and condemn the repeated Israeli acts of aggression unequivocally, holding this lawless regime accountable for its aggressions and malicious activities."

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/russian-military-to-receive-first-sarmat-icbm-in-late-2022:

Russian military to receive first Sarmat ICBM in late 2022: Putin

Sarmat, Russia’s newest land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), will be in the military’s service already in late 2022, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

"Successful testing of the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile was carried out. It is planned that at the end of the year the first such complex will be on combat duty," Putin said at a meeting with graduates of higher military educational institutions.

Russia will further strengthen its armed forces, according to Putin. "We will continue to develop and strengthen our armed forces, taking into account potential military threats and risks," he said in televised comments.

He also stated that Russia's freshly tested Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are capable of carrying ten or more nuclear warheads and decoys, will be ready for deployment by the end of the year.

"We will continue to develop and strengthen our armed forces, considering the potential military threats and risks based on our experience of current armed conflicts. We will improve its effectiveness. Among our priorities (IN SHOT) is the equipping of troops with new weapons systems, which will define the fighting capacities of our army and fleet in the coming years and decades."

"Our armed forces now have unrivaled S-500 air and missiles defense systems. Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles have been successfully tested. We are planning for the first such complex (Sarmat) will be deployed by the end of the year," Putin confirmed.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/china:-us-presence-in-syria-is-illegal

China: US presence in Syria is illegal

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian described the United States of America as the "persecutor of our times," in reference to all the wars it has fought.

"Since 2001, the war the US provoked in the Middle East has killed 900,000 people," Legian said in a tweet.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson added that the "US presence in northeastern Syria is illegal," and is present under the pretext of "helping the Kurds eliminate the threat of ISIS."

It pointed out that "the US military has controlled the largest oil and gas fields in Syria and has been exporting oil to its bases in Iraq for more than 5 years."

Relations between the United States and China are witnessing increasing tensions, especially after Joe Biden acceded to the presidency in Washington. Moreover, the latter has since been working to increase pressure on China, both economically and politically, to prevent it from increasing its influence and presence at the global level.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/wh:-russia-record-oil-exports-to-china-sign-of-growing-colla

WH: Russia record oil exports to China sign of growing collaboration

White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, said on Tuesday that Russia's record oil exports to China are one example of the two countries' growing collaboration regarding Ukraine.

US media had reported on Monday that Russia has become China's top oil supplier, replacing Saudi Arabia, after Moscow increased its oil exports to Beijing by 55%.

“This is just a piece of China's willingness to continue to go along with Russia and we're seeing this as a yet another example of a growing collaboration between China and Russia with respect to Ukraine,” Kirby said during a press briefing.

The Financial Tribune had revealed in early May that China's independent refiners were purchasing Russian oil at substantial discounts.

In a related context, US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he is planning on holding discussions with his Chinese counterpart, but has not yet scheduled the talks.

The last summit held between the two presidents took place in November last year, following an increase in tensions between the two countries over Taiwan.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/german-autonomy-project-neutralized-in-kaliningrad-region

'German autonomy' project neutralized in Kaliningrad Region

The Russia Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev stated that the Russian authorities have succeeded to halt the activities of non-profit organizations in the country's northwest that received Western money, including plans to establish so-called "German autonomy" in the Kaliningrad region.

According to the official, the damaging activity of international non-governmental organizations and Russian non-profit organizations managed by them, which got funds from the US, the UK, Sweden, and Belgium, has ceased.

"In the Kaliningrad region, attempts to promote the project of creating the so-called German autonomy by German-controlled non-profit organizations have been neutralized," Patrushev said during a security meeting in Kaliningrad.

He added that Polish special services collected information in the Kaliningrad region to inspire discontent among locals.

Yesterday, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, indicated that the ban on the railroad transit of a number of sanctioned goods through the Lithuanian territory from Russia to its exclave region of Kaliningrad was introduced after consultations with the European Commission and under its guidelines.

"It is not Lithuania doing anything, it is European sanctions that started working from June 17. The industry that is imposing the sanctions at this point is the railroads," Landsbergis said upon his arrival at the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

State-owned Lithuanian Railways stopped transit of goods between Russia and its Baltic Sea territory starting at midnight this past Friday, citing restrictions directed by the EU.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/netanyahus-hopes-of-comeback-crushed-by-israeli-right-wing-m

Netanyahu's hopes of comeback crushed by Israeli right-wing ministers

After the Israeli decision to dissolve the Knesset and hold elections after next week's vote, some Israeli ministers have vowed to ensure Netanyahu does not return.

Two key right-wing ministers in "Israel's" outgoing coalition government vowed on Tuesday to prevent a comeback by former premier Benjamin Netanyahu as the country braced for a fifth election in three years with polling predicting no clear winner.

The Israeli occupation government announced its intent to dissolve the Parliament (the Knesset) while the occupation's Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, will become a caretaker Prime minister instead of Naftali Bennett during the transitional period before heading for early elections.

According to Israeli Channel 12's political commentator, Amnon Abramovich, in the current manner of holding elections, "we're practically breaking 'Israel' apart one step at a time."

Netanyahu declared the move to dissolve parliament as "something great", eyeing an opportunity.

Surveys routinely give Likud approximately 30 of parliament's 120 seats, making it the largest party but requiring Netanyahu to find like-minded friends, including among current coalition members in Bennett's alliance.

Two of them, Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Justice Minister Gideon Saar, have said they will not work with Netanyahu, who is facing corruption allegations that he keeps denying.

Saar told Army Radio that "I won't be bringing Bibi (Netanyahu) back. All of the party members are with me. No one will succumb to inducements (to defect to Likud)."

At a press conference, Lieberman stated that coalition MPs may tie the resolution to dissolve the Knesset to a bill prohibiting anybody under criminal investigation from leading a government.

Netanyahu's legal issues prevented him from forming the stable right-wing coalition he wanted through four elections in his final two years in government.

According to a survey conducted by "Tel Aviv" radio station 103 FM on Tuesday, Netanyahu and his expected rightist or ultra-Orthodox Jewish partners might command 59 parliament seats in the next election, compared to 55 anticipated for parties in the present coalition. Six seats were won by an Arab party that was not anticipated to support either alliance.

However, the ultimate political geography might shift if smaller parties merge or disintegrate, or if Netanyahu or Lapid, whose centrist Yesh Atid party is polling second, can reach out to unlikely partners.

Lapid: "Israel" in need of deep, wide reform

"Israel's" Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, said during a press conference with Israeli occupation PM Naftali Bennett on Monday that "Israel's" challenges will not await, even if the elections are months away, adding that the rise in living costs and the fight against Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah are things that must be handled.

He further stated that what happened in the past few days is additional proof that the Israeli institution is in need of deep, wide reforms.

After the Israeli government announced its intent to dissolve Knesset, and for the occupation's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to handle the premiership instead of Naftali Bennett in the interim period, before heading for early elections, Maariv said the agreed-upon date for the elections is October 25, 2022.

Israeli media outlets said the decision to dissolve Knesset was made after efforts were exhausted to keep some sort of stability in the coalition and that Naftali Bennett is currently in talks with party leaders.

It was also reported that Yair Lapid will be the one to receive Biden during his visit on July 13.

>> Bibi's hair color looks weird in this picture.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iof-launch-massive-arrest-campaign-in-west-bank

IOF launch massive arrest campaign in West Bank

The Israeli occupation forces launched Tuesday a massive campaign of arrests, targeting about 19 citizens of the occupied West Bank, attacking citizens, and destroying their property.

The Prisoners’ Information Office reported that the Israeli occupation forces raided the areas north of Ramallah and arrested six Palestinians - including a freed prisoner - from the towns of Sarda, Kobar, and Jalazone camp.

IOF arrest a 13-year-old boy

In addition, the Information Office indicated that the IOF arrested nine Palestinians - including a child and a 13-year-old boy - from the towns of Al-Ram, Bir Al-Basha, Qabatiya, and Tuqou.

The Prisoners' Information Office also mentioned that the IOF arrested two young men from the towns of Beit Furik and Tubas, adding that the occupation arrested two young brothers from the Balata refugee camp in Nablus and released them after questioning them.

Similarly, local Palestinian sources mentioned that the Israeli occupation forces stormed the town of Qabatiya, leading to the eruption of confrontations with Palestinians.

During the confrontations, the IOF used live and metal bullets, as well as tear gas canisters, to disperse Palestinians who threw stones.

Two Palestinians wounded by IOF bullets in northern West Bank

In the same context, two Palestinians were injured during IOF raids on several governorates in the West Bank.

Palestinian medical sources said two Palestinians were wounded by live bullets, during confrontations that erupted with the IOF in the town of Qabatiya, in the Jenin governorate.

>>16484645

We know, and [they] know it too. We've been waiting for it for a full month now, a bit more than that. We know it's going to happen very soon, but we don't know when. This is why Israel is poking its neighbors. [They] think if [they] can control when the war starts, then [they] can win this war. This is why we are seeing all of nasty acts against the Palestinians and the other neighbors.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/mossad-spy-network-arrested-in-iran

Mossad spy network arrested in Iran

Mehdi Shamsabadi, the Prosecutor General of the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan, confirmed Tuesday that some Mossad agents were arrested in the province.

According to the prosecutor, the arrested Mossad agents sought to assassinate Iranian nuclear scientists.

Shamsabadi indicted that "the arrest of these Mossad operatives came after a complicated intelligence operation that lasted for eight months of monitoring them."

He pointed out that the arrested agents are under investigation, adding that a lawsuit will be filed against them soon.

It is noteworthy that last April, three Israeli Mossad spies were arrested in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan upon judicial order. According to Iranian intelligence, the spies were involved in disseminating classified information and documents.

In late May, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps' public relations department announced the arrest of a spying network linked with Israeli intelligence.

In a statement, the IRGC indicated that "the network, led by the Zionist regime's intelligence service, attempted to steal and destroy personal and public properties, and abduct people and get fabricated confessions."

Similarly, the Iranian Security Directorate also announced in March the dismantling of an espionage network working for "Israel" in western Iran.

The Directorate indicated that the network was recruiting people to carry out sabotage operations inside Iran.

In the same context, Iranian media had said that the intelligence apparatus of the IRGC arrested the members of a Mossad network that attempted to reach the IR6 centrifuges at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry announced in July 2021 that it had arrested agents who were members of a network working for the Israeli occupation and that it had seized a cache of weapons and ammunition intended for use in riots and terror in the country.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/biden-under-mounting-pressure-to-contain-iran

Biden under mounting pressure to 'contain' Iran

US President Joe Biden is under mounting pressure from Washington's key allies in West Asia to draw up a plan to "contain" Iran, hoping to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action amid preparations in the White House for Biden to visit Saudi Arabia and the Israeli occupation in July.

Saudi Arabian Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman told senior officials in Washington that he was concerned about the lack of a comprehensive strategy on the US end for dealing with the prospect of a nuclear-capable Iran and its arsenal of ballistic missiles, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

According to regional officials, the Biden administration is yet to tell its allies, mainly "Tel Aviv" and Riyadh, about a possible Plan B in case the Vienna talks aimed at reviving the Iran nuclear deal fail to yield any results.

"The situation with Iran is getting very hot," a senior Biden administration official underlined in light of the Islamic Republic's decision to Tehran putting an end to all its commitments beyond its nuclear safeguard accords with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA.

Iran had abandoned all commitments beyond the Safeguards Agreement in response to the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors' adoption of an anti-Iran resolution, an Iranian lawmaker revealed on Saturday, condemning the resolution passed by the agency.

Iran's delegate to the IAEA had also denounced the decision the agency's Board of Governors took, which was the adoption of a resolution drafted by the United States and the E3. The decision came despite Russia's representative to the IAEA warning that such a decision would push success out of reach in the Vienna talks.

The concerns over the relations with Iran also come in light of a series of offensives and crimes committed by the Israeli occupation in Iran, from sabotaging nuclear facilities to assassinating Iranian scientists and officials.

"We are committed to consulting closely with our regional partners regarding US policy on Iran, and in broad terms, we support dialogue among the countries in the region on issues of regional security and stability," a National Security Council spokesperson told CNN.

If negotiations fail in the Austrian capital, sources familiar with the matter have said, Washington indicated that it would maintain its policy of maximum pressure on Iran's economy while also ramping up sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

The Gulf States, on the other hand, are demanding reassurance from the United States, demanding that they feel that "America stands with them. But the biggest question mark right now is whether the US can be relied upon," Ali Shihabi, a Saudi operative close to Riyadh said.

"Saudi Arabia wants as much involvement from the US as possible in constraining Iran, so that will be a discussion that will dominate the GCC-Biden meeting," he added, referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council that will be attended by US President Joe Biden during his upcoming visit to the Kingdom.

The Biden administration lacks a common stance on Iran, with some saying that Tehran's main goal is sanction relief and that it would simply use the threat of advancing its nuclear program as leverage, while others believe that the Islamic Republic wants to produce nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence against Washington.

"We will remain committed to diplomacy as the best, most durable means of addressing our concerns with Iran's nuclear program," the NSC spokesperson said.

US intelligence and military officials are closely watching for signs of any escalation between Iran and the Israeli occupation ahead of Biden's trip to West Asia, especially in light of "Tel Aviv's" surging provocations and crimes on Iranian soil in recent months.

The Israeli occupation was behind the assassination of a top Islamic Revolution Guards Corps who was killed by two terrorists riding on a motorcycle in front of his house in Tehran.

Iran also believes that the Israeli occupation was behind the assassination of two Iranian scientists who were deliberately poisoned in late May.

The Israeli occupation reportedly never informs the United States of its offensives beforehand, often even not acknowledging its role in the bloody crimes, even privately.

Biden administration officials are concerned that while it remains unlikely that a war breaks out between the Islamic Republic and the Israeli occupation, a miscalculation is very likely to spiral out of control.

"The more the Israelis push - especially if the Iranians decide JCPOA is dead - the more the Iranians are going to push back," said Jonathan Panikoff, head of the Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council and a former deputy national intelligence officer for the Near East at the National Intelligence Council.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-media:-netanyahu-now-looking-to-postpone-knesset-dis

Israeli media: Netanyahu now looking to postpone Knesset dissolution

Israeli media revealed on Tuesday that the head of Knesset's opposition, and former Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, greenlit the postponement of Knesset's dissolution until next weekend, to make use of the time to work on talks for the formation of an alternative government.

Israeli Kan TV's political commentator Michal Shemesh said that today, during a Knesset session, Netanyahu opposed the decision to dissolve parliament tomorrow, saying it will not happen.

Shemesh further added that Netanyahu's move was important and sudden, noting that this comes at a time when Netanyahu was saying behind closed doors that time is on his side and that an alternate government can be established under the current Knesset.

Knesset's committee in "Israel" had earlier today approved a bill to dissolve the Israeli parliament.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his Foreign Minister Yair Lapid had decided to dissolve parliament and appoint Lapid as prime minister of the caretaker government, before early elections.

He further stated that what happened in the past few days is additional proof that the Israeli institution is in need of deep, wide reforms.

Israeli media outlets said the decision to dissolve Knesset was made after efforts were exhausted to keep some sort of stability in the coalition, and that Naftali Bennett is currently in talks with party leaders.

Against return for Netanyahu

Two key right-wing ministers in "Israel's" outgoing coalition government vowed on Tuesday to prevent a comeback by former premier Benjamin Netanyahu as the country braced for a fifth election in three years with polling predicting no clear winner.

Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Justice Minister Gideon Saar, have said they will not work with Netanyahu, who is facing corruption allegations that he keeps denying.

Saar told Army Radio that "I won't be bringing Bibi (Netanyahu) back. All of the party members are with me. No one will succumb to inducements (to defect to Likud)."

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-overlooks-saudi-human-rights-abuses-war-crimes:-eu-offici

US overlooks Saudi human rights abuses, war crimes: EU official

Irish Clare Daly, a member of the EU, stated that the US has secured Europe as a new captive market for its LNG exports, and the White House is backtracking on its policy promises about Saudi human rights violations and war crimes.

Riyadh-Washington ties deteriorated after Biden took office in January 2021, pledging during his campaign to marginalize and isolate Saudi Arabia. Human rights, the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, and the US-funded Yemeni war have all pushed relations downward between the two countries.

While Biden initially focused on human rights issues in Saudi Arabia, he now plans to visit the Saudi prince during his regional tour of the Middle East.

Analysts now believe that Washington's perception of Riyadh has shifted and that the US president would want to strengthen ties with the Saudis in order to achieve a number of particular goals during his impending visit to Riyadh.

In this regard, Clare Daly, a Member of the European Parliament, told Mehr News Agency, "Saudi Arabia's bargaining power has hugely increased since the war in Ukraine. In response to the Ukraine war, Europe has passed sanctions against Russia, and this increasingly includes a ban on Russian energy imports, which Europe depended heavily on. "

"The United States is very keen to prolong the war in Ukraine and to prevent any improvement of relations between Europe and Russia for as long as possible because it is in the US strategic interests to see Russia bogged down in a prolonged conflict, while Europe is trapped in a US-led NATO alliance. But if the situation is to continue like this, alternatives to banned Russian energy imports have to be found or else Europe will begin to waver," she added.

"Although the United States is an energy exporter, and has now secured Europe as a new captive market for its LNG exports, it cannot meet Europe's energy needs on its own. And so Biden is very keen to unlock alternative sources of energy for Europe," adding that, "the US has walked back foreign policy commitments in a number of other ways – resuming, for example, dialogue with Venezuela, another oil-producing nation. Saudi Arabia – which enjoys historically close relations with the United States - is a natural candidate."

Daly mentioned that "Saudi Arabia has been refusing to increase oil production to meet the crisis – a clear bargaining position, and as a result, the United States is walking back its policy commitments regarding Saudi human rights abuses and war crimes."

This only means one thing, the United States is not concerned with human rights because it overlooked them for fuel and isn't concerned about the war in Yemen because it flooded weapons into the Kingdom. With Biden's trip to the Kingdom, the true face of America is being uncovered.

>>16484977

still nothing about it on local news. I'm waiting for it to confirm.

>>16485007

You gotta be kidding me. I really do hope it's 22.

>>16485075

Salameh has many houses. He has been playing hide and seek for some time now.