https://english.almayadeen.net/news/economics/biden-asks-congress-to-suspend-federal-gas-tax-for-3-months

Biden asks congress to suspend federal gas tax for 3 months

US President Joe Biden will ask Congress to suspend the federal gas tax of 18.3 cents per gallon for three months, as the US struggles to combat high inflation.

The White House has hinted that the announcement will come just days before millions of Americans fill up their tanks in preparation for July 4 weekend travel.

"Today, he [Biden] is calling on Congress to suspend the federal gas tax for three months, through September, without taking any money away from the Highway Trust Fund. And he is calling on states to take similar action to provide some direct relief, whether suspending their own gas taxes or helping consumers in other ways," a White House statement read.

"President Biden understands that high gas prices pose a significant challenge for working families. That’s why he has taken action in recent months to boost the supply of oil and gas, including a historic release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and encouraging oil companies and refiners to boost capacity and output to get more supply on the market," it added.

Later in the day, the US President is scheduled to deliver a speech on the subject.

A divided US congress

Some Democrats and Republicans have already questioned the wisdom and effectiveness of suspending the federal gas tax for months, stressing that it will provide little assistance to Americans in need.

Republicans, in particular, have characterized a potential gas tax suspension as a political stunt by a president whose popularity has plummeted as the cost of a variety of goods has risen.

It is worth noting that the Biden administration has constantly claimed that higher fuel prices are the result of the war in Ukraine and alleged price gouging by energy companies.

On his account, Biden has blamed companies for not refining enough oil for affecting supply.

71% of Americans disagree with Biden's handling of inflation, according to an ABC News poll conducted this month.

Furthermore, the poll indicated that inflation and the economy are the two concerns that respondents consider "very significant", with inflation being the "single most important issue" for more people than any other.

Meanwhile, Russia has denied the allegations, affirming that sanctions imposed by the US and its allies, as well as Ukraine's mining of the Black Sea, have thrown the market off balance and contributed to higher energy, food, and fertilizer prices.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/belarus:-mass-executions-of-iraqi-refugees-by-polish-soldier

Belarus reveals mass executions of Iraqi refugees by Polish soldiers

The Investigative Committee of Belarus said that an Iraqi delegation visiting Minsk was handed over evidence and information about the mass and secret executions of Iraqi refugees by Polish soldiers on the Polish side of the border with Belarus.

According to a statement published on the website of the Committee, a meeting was held with the Iraqi delegation in the Committee's central office.

During the meeting, the Iraqi side was informed of the details of the investigation concluded about mass executions and secret burial of refugees killed by the Polish army.

The Iraqi side also received information on the progress and results of the investigation into the crimes against humanity, propaganda for war, and willful endangerment of others, as well as details related to violations committed by officials in Poland such as illegal acts including deportation, cruelty, torture and deliberate failure to provide assistance that led to the death of refugees from West Asian countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

The statement mentioned that these crimes had been assertedly committed on the basis of race, nationality, nationality, and religion.

According to the statement, "Belarusian investigators documented criminal actions committed against 135 Iraqi citizens, who were physically injured as violence was used against them by Polish security forces."

The Investigative Committee of Belarus is also investigating three cases related to bodily harm and illegal expulsion from the EU to Belarus, which led to the death of Iraqi citizens.

It is noteworthy that in February 2023, the International Criminal Court in The Hague will look into the statement of Belarusian human rights activists on the genocide of migrants in Poland.

On January 25, Poland's border guards announced the start of construction of a 186-kilometer (115-mile) fence at the border with Belarus after thousands of migrants from West Asia streamed to the border in an attempt to cross into the European Union.

>>16489256

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/technology/nso-tells-lawmakers-pegasus-used-by-multiple-eu-nations

NSO tells lawmakers Pegasus used by multiple EU nations

The Israeli spyware business NSO Group informed European legislators on Tuesday that at least five EU nations have used its software, claiming that the company had canceled at least one contract with an EU member country due to misuse of its Pegasus monitoring software.

Speaking to the European Parliament's committee investigating the use of spyware in Europe, NSO Group's General Counsel Chaim Gelfand admitted that the business had "made mistakes", but claimed that it had also lost a significant amount of cash by allegedly terminating contracts after the abuse was discovered.

Gelfand told members of the PEGA committee that the group was attempting to "do the right thing," claiming that every country that purchases the software is given due diligence regarding the law in the country beforehand.

Gelfand said he would return with a more concrete number, noting that at least 5 nations are using the tool.

Following findings that the malware is prevalent in Europe and has been used against some of the bloc's most famous politicians, including Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and political parties in Spain, Poland, and Hungary, EU parliamentarians initiated the investigation.

The issue in Spain has prompted a government inquiry into the activities of the country's intelligence service, CNI, which Catalan political organizations accuse of spying on leaders of the region's independence movement.

Carles Puigdemont, a member of the investigation committee and a Catalan politician who was targeted with Pegasus spyware, said he backed a total ban on the corporation, citing a recent US decision to blacklist the firm because the organization admitted that it cannot monitor its usage.

In March, the European Parliament formulated a special committee to investigate breaches of law after Hungary and Poland reported illegal use of the program by their respective governments.

The meeting was the culmination of MPs' efforts since March to investigate and limit the use of invasive malware. It was a heated discussion that threatened to devolve into outright hostility as Gelfand dodged probing inquiries.

NSO has attempted to quell the criticism by claiming it hopes to see an international body regulating spyware.

“There’s a lot to be done, that's why we’re calling for an international standard," said Gelfand.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/blinken-reassures-bennett-lapid-of-us-support-amid-political

Blinken reassures Bennett, Lapid of US support amid political meltdown

Israeli PM Naftali Bennett spoke Tuesday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who vowed Washington's support for "Tel Aviv", amidst a heated political division, while also reiterating the shared opposition to Iran.

In a statement, Blinken said, “I spoke with [Bennett] today regarding the dissolution of the Knesset, underscoring our respect for democratic processes, our unwavering commitment to the strong US-Israeli strategic relationship, and our mutual concerns about Iran’s malign influence in the region."

The Secretary of State's hostile remarks against Iran come as the chances of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal are slimming down, notably after the IAEA's US-led biased report was deemed anti-Iran, leading to Tehran putting an end to all its commitment beyond its nuclear safeguard accords with the UN nuclear watchdog.

Moreover, US President Joe Biden's upcoming trip to "Israel" and his scheduled meetings with Israeli political figures was mentioned despite the political turmoil plaguing the regime.

Blinken spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister and alternate PM Yair Lapid earlier on Tuesday, who will become the caretaker PM once the government is dissolved until the next elections due to take place in the fall. It is worth noting that this is the occupation's fifth election in under four years.

Bennett and Lapid announced Monday their decision to dissolve their government over failure to garner enough support for upcoming legislation in the Knesset, and their inability to deal with former PM Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud coalition's fervent opposition

The Israeli FM's office said the two officials discussed Biden's upcoming visit, and described it as “an opportunity to emphasize the president’s deep personal connection to Israel, to America’s commitment to Israel’s security, and to strengthening Israel in the region.”

In another show of hostility towards Tehran, the statement added “The visit has significant implications for the region and for the struggle against Iran."

Interestingly, it is "Tel Aviv" that has been conducting acts of provocations and aggressions in recent months on Iranian soil, leading to an increasingly heated situation in the region.

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's trip to West Asia will see him spending two days in "Israel" and the occupied West Bank before landing in Saudi Arabia to take part in the annual meeting of the GCC+3 with the top brass of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Egypt, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/bin-salman-visits-turkey-for-the-first-time-since-khashoggi

Bin Salman visits Turkey for the first time since Khashoggi murder

Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman will pay his first visit Wednesday to Turkey since the murder in 2018 of Wahington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate.

The talks in Ankara between bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan come one month ahead of a visit to Riyadh by US president Joe Biden, for a regional summit allegedly focused on the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.

Erdogan's decision to revive ties with one of his biggest rivals is also driven in large part by economics and trade. Turks' living standards are imploding one year before a general election that poses one of the biggest challenges of Erdogan's two-decade rule.

After Khashoggi's death, Erdogan's government released drip-by-drip details of the murder that deeply embarrassed the Saudi crown prince.

"He gets off the plane and hugs the killers"

Turkey's rapprochement with the Saudis began with an Istanbul court decision in April to break off the trial in absentia of 26 suspects accused of links to Khashoggi's killing and to transfer the case to Riyadh.

US intelligence officials have determined that bin Salman approved the plot against Khashoggi - something Riyadh denies.

The court's decision drew strong protests from Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, but it paved the way for a visit to Saudi Arabia by Erdogan three weeks later when he hugged the crown prince.

"He gets off the plane and hugs the killers," expressed Turkey's main opposition leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu - Erdogan's likely chief rival in the presidential race.

"You should be ashamed," he said, addressing the Turkish president.

Ankara expects the mending of fences between the two powers to help improve the Turkish economy at a crucial stage of Erdogan's rule.

A Turkish official indicated that the sides will discuss a range of issues that include cooperation between banks and support for small and medium-sized businesses.

>>16489324

MWAH! Thank you Tinkerbelle. You're awesome. And my name is not Abdul, it's Christian.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-soldier-arrested-over-suspected-base-bombing-in-syria

US soldier arrested over suspected base bombing in Syria

The Pentagon revealed that a US airman is currently in military custody for suspected involvement in an insider attack on a US base in Deir-Ezzor, in northeastern Syria earlier this year, as the suspect is expected to be charged in the coming weeks.

US Air Force Spokesperson Ann Stefanek announced the arrest on Tuesday and told CNN that the suspect - who has not been publicly identified - was placed in custody earlier this month.

“As part of an ongoing investigation, on June 16, an Airman was taken into custody stateside in conjunction with the attack in Green Village, Syria. After reviewing the information in the investigation, the Airman's commander made the decision to place him in pretrial confinement,” the spokesperson indicated.

Initially, US officials thought that an April 7 attack on the US base came as a result of indirect artillery or rocket fire.

However, earlier this month, the Pentagon pointed out that the US service member was a “possible suspect”, noting that it found evidence of the “deliberate placement of explosive charges."

CNN cited two officials as saying that the explosives used in the attack on the US base were “not insignificant”, while another official said the explosives were “military grade.”

Furthermore, the officials revealed that the attack took place in the middle of the night, and have got their hands on surveillance footage where they observed two instances of a figure moving quickly.

It is noteworthy that US President Joe Biden's administration acknowledges the deployment of around 900 troops in Syria despite objections from the Syrian government.

The US for years has been backing the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), aiding in resource theft and US occupation in northeastern Syria for oil and gas.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/russias-lavrov-due-in-tehran-to-discuss-jcpoa

Russia's Lavrov due in Tehran to discuss JCPOA

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated on Wednesday that the country's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, will go to Tehran today to discuss Tehran-Moscow ties as well as several international concerns, including the nuclear deal.

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov will visit Tehran on June 22-23 for a working visit, the ministry's spokeswoman confirmed during a news conference on Wednesday, according to TASS.

"On June 22-23, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a working visit to Tehran on invitation from the Islamic Republic’s foreign minister," Maria Zakharova said.

The Russian diplomat stated that they will discuss a number of pressing international issues, including the situation surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - Iran's nuclear deal - as well as developments in Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Transcaucasus, Yemen, and the Caspian Sea region.

"Discussions are planned around bilateral agenda, primarily those aspects of it that relate to ties in trade and economy in the context of the implementation of key joint projects in energy and transport and prospects of enhancing cultural and humanitarian contacts," Zakharova added.

Last month, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Moscow to discuss bilateral cooperation and the Vienna Talks to revive the nuclear deal with Russian officials.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said that the talks to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are being carried out as usual and that there are no "artificial delays" in the process.

"Work on some aspects of a future agreement to restore the nuclear deal continues. The text is still being amended on the remaining issues between the US and Iran. A number of negotiators will also have to make political decisions regarding the approval of the final text of the agreement. Negotiations are moving forward as usual, and there is no talk of any artificial delay in the process," the ministry said in a statement.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-knesset-votes-to-dissolve-making-snap-election-close

Israeli Knesset votes to dissolve, making snap election closer

"Israel" moved closer to its sixth election in less than four years on Wednesday, with lawmakers voting to dissolve parliament and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ranked ahead in the campaign.

The Knesset voted unanimously to dissolve in a preliminary reading of a law anticipated to be approved next week, after which Foreign Minister Yair Lapid will lead an interim government in place of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Lapid, who, along with Bennett, ended Netanyahu's record-breaking reign a year ago, which has since failed due to infighting, has characterized the approaching election as a war between moderates and Netanyahu-backed radicals.

Netanyahu, "Israel's" current opposition leader, was overjoyed by Bennett and Lapid's decision to dissolve what he has called the worst government in Israeli history, as he seeks to shatter his record and win a sixth term in office.

Four polls released on Tuesday showed Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and its potential allies, nationalist and ultra-religious groups, dominating the polls but falling short of a governing majority in "Israel's" 120-seat Knesset.

Their opponents on the entire political spectrum have promised to prevent Netanyahu from returning to power, while he is on trial for corruption accusations, which he denies.

Coalition politicians are already drafting legislation that would make it illegal for someone who is under criminal investigation to lead a government, though it is unclear whether they have the votes.

"Netanyahu knows if 'Israel' remains a liberal democracy that he will not be able to cancel his trial," Lapid said at an economic conference in Occupied Al Quds.

"Our mission is to ensure these people don't take power and not to let them crush 'Israel's' democracy," Lapid said.

"Only a strong national government headed by Netanyahu will put "Israel" back on a right-wing course," Likud said in response to Lapid's remarks.

The specific election date, which will most likely be between late September and early November, will be determined next week.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/mexicos-president-will-ask-biden-to-drop-charges-against-ass

Mexico's President will ask Biden to drop charges against Assange

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador considered Tuesday that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been treated “very unfairly”, affirming that Mexico is willing to receive him.

The Mexican President told reporters that he would touch on Assange’s case during his July meeting with US President Joe Biden, and ask the latter to drop charges against the Australian journalist.

Lopez Obrador considered that “Julian Assange is the best journalist of our time in the world and he has been treated very unfairly, worse than a criminal."

“This is a shame for the world," he expressed, adding that the UK's approval to extradite Assange to the US is "very disappointing".

He pointed out that Mexico is willing to provide Assange sanctuary if and when he is released, adding that he had urged former US President Donaldo Trump's administration to drop charges against the journalist as “a prisoner of conscience.”

It is noteworthy that UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has approved the US government's request to extradite the WikiLeaks publisher.

The interior minister "must sign an extradition order if there are no grounds to prevent the (extradition) order from being made," and the courts had found none. Assange has 14 days to file an appeal, according to the Home Office.

The United States is prosecuting Assange over espionage charges after the organization he founded published thousands of classified documents that exposed war crimes committed by US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan during the so-called "war on terror".

Assange is currently on remand at the Belmarsh maximum-security prison in southeast London and has been there since October 2020 after serving an 11-month sentence for breaking bail conditions.

The UK authorities detained him after he sought shelter in the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012, where he remained until 2019 over concerns that he could be extradited to the United States.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/spike-in-number-of-suicides-among-israeli-occupation-soldier

Spike in number of suicides among Israeli occupation soldiers - Report

"Israel's" national broadcaster Kan reported that the number of suicides in the Israeli occupation forces has increased in the last six months. Since the beginning of 2022, 11 troops have committed suicide, compared to 11 soldiers in the previous year and nine soldiers in 2020.

In the wake of this alarming jump, Kan reported that the head of the Labor Force Department in the IOF, Yaniv Ashour, held an emergency session with mental health officials to study the reasons that led to this alarming rise in suicide cases.

The session didn't have a clear conclusion, but the army commanders ordered increased vigilance and attention to the issue. The head of the workforce also ordered the opening of a hotline for the Israeli army.

The IOF's spokesman stressed that all deaths of Israeli troops would be investigated in-depth, with aim of reaching the truth and obtaining the required conclusions. "This also happened during the recent incidents, after investigations were completed, and conclusions were sent to the Military Prosecution for examination."

In a report last year, three Mossad agents committed suicide in one year, Israeli Channel 12 reported. "Two of the agents committed suicide in the Mossad headquarters," Israeli media said.

The agents' families argued that working in the Mossad is what pushed the agents to kill themselves. "Their families are now struggling to have the Mossad acknowledge its responsibility" for the suicides, the reports added.

The Mossad has always been unstable, especially during the latest period, as Channel 13 reported in November that three senior Mossad officials, whose ranks equated that of a lieutenant in the IOF, resigned following adjustments made by the new Mossad chief.

Moreover, while "Israel" investigates the reasons behind the high number of suicides, children in Gaza are suffering from trauma, as a result of the Israeli occupation and its aggression on Palestine.

A report by Al Mayadeen English discussed that children in Gaza, with a total area of 365 km2 and a population of over 2 million, were already under Israeli occupation and suffered from a 15-year blockade.

“Any aggression against children leaves very difficult psychological effects. The difficulty lies in the fact that we are restoring the psychological situation of children as much as possible, but in the event of renewed aggression, we relapse from zero”.

It is worth mentioning that 91% of Gazan children now suffer from some form of trauma, to say the least, according to a new report from the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, a Geneva-based independent, nonprofit organization that the Israeli occupation government outlawed in 2016.

Before May 2021, approximately 33% of children in Gaza required mental health support as a result of trauma, the same study reported.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/russia-accuses-germany-of-russophobic-hysteria

Russia accuses Germany of "Russophobic hysteria"

Russia accused Wednesday Germany of anti-Russian sentiment in a statement on the anniversary of the invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi troops in 1941.

"Russophobic hysteria is systematically fuelled by almost daily public attacks against our country by members of the German government," Russia's Foreign Ministry considered.

It pointed out that the authorities in Berlin "have recently been undermining the process of historical reconciliation between Russians and Germans" after World War II.

The Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that Berlin "jeopardizes the results of the efforts made by Russia and Germany for decades to overcome post-war enmity, hostility and distrust between the peoples of our countries."

It said "the anti-Russian propaganda campaign" has provoked "unmotivated aggression bordering on mass psychosis" against Russians and Russian speakers in Germany.

The ministry also accused NATO member Germany of building up its military presence near Russia's western borders, "bringing to mind the most bitter periods of Russian-German relations for our people, including the events preceding May 1945."

Earlier on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Kremlin wall in Moscow on the anniversary of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.

Last week Russia's energy giant Gazprom cut gas supplies to Germany via the Nord Stream pipeline, citing delayed repairs, a move Berlin called an "economic attack".

Advanced German artillery now deployed in Ukraine: Kiev

It is noteworthy that Berlin has joined international sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine and supplied weapons to 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.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-using-tariffs-as-weapon-punishment-against-russia

US using tariffs as weapon, punishment against Russia

The United States has been using tariffs as a weapon and punishment against Russia, according to Katherine Tai, a trade representative who spoke to Congress today, Wednesday.

"Tariffs are like 2x4s. They can be used for lots of different purposes. With respect to Russia, these tariffs are punishment. We are using these 2x4s as a kind of a weapon," Tai told a US Senate Appropriations subcommittee.

"We are continuing to engage in the administration through our conversations also with other partners and allies to look at how we can use these new authority to impose additional consequences on imports from Russia," Tai said.

The US raised tariffs on 75% of Russian imports

After the suspension of normal trade ties with Russia, the US increased tariff rates on more than 75% of Russian imports, revealed Tai.

"As a result of the bill that Congress passed and that the president signed into law earlier this spring, the United States has with respect to trade suspended permanent normal trade relations with Russia. And that means we've imposed non-MFN [most favored nation] tariffs on imports from Russia. That action alone has increased tariff rates on over 75% of US imports from Russia," she said.

The US wants to take apart the Russian economy

Washington seeks to take apart the Russian economy, or in its own words, its "supply chain".

In April, the Deputy Treasury Secretary, Wally Adeyemo, announced that Washington wants to dismantle Russia's "war machine" by disrupting its defense industry and supply chain.

"The next phase of our work will be to take apart Russia’s ‘war machine’ piece by piece by disrupting their military-industrial complex and its supply chain," Adeyemo said in a virtual discussion organized by the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

However, this isn't so new.

In earlier April, US President Joe Biden said the United States and its allies will continue to ratchet up economic costs on the country and further isolate it.

He also claimed that the sanctions imposed on Russia have wiped away Russia's economic development over the last 15 years.

"Our sanctions are lucky to wipe out the last 15 years of Russia's economic gains and because we have cut Russia off from importing technologies like semiconductors and encryption security and critical components of quantum technology that they need to compete in the 21st century. We are going to stifle Russia's ability as an economy to grow for years to come," Biden said in an address to North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) Legislative Conference.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-occupation-forces-storm-marka-village-south-of-jenin

Israeli occupation forces storm Marka village south of Jenin

The Israeli occupation forces stormed Wednesday the village of Marka, south of Jenin, in the occupied West Bank.

This comes after the IOF launched Tuesday a massive campaign of arrests, targeting and attacking about 19 citizens of the West Bank, and destroying their property.

In a similar context, 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 martyr, Ali Hassan Harb, was murdered by a direct knife-inflicted wound to the heart, 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.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-parole-committee-classifies-manasras-case-a-terroris

"Israel" classifies Ahmad Manasra's case as "terrorism"

Al Mayadeen correspondent reported Wednesday that an Israeli occupation parole committee has classified the case of the Palestinian prisoner Ahmad Manasra as "terrorism".

Our correspondent indicated that this decision prevents the early release of Manasra despite the deterioration of his mental health.

Manasra's defense team described the decision as “legally and constitutionally flawed”, slamming it as a “gross violation of the legal and constitutional bases of the local and international legal system, particularly the legal system pertaining to minors.”

The defense team explained that the decision means that the prisoner's case will not be transferred to a committee to reduce one-third of the sentence imposed on Manasra for allegedly stabbing a settler in Al-Quds in 2015.

Manasra's defense team indicated that the prisoner's lawyer, Khaled Al-Zabarqa, confirmed that during his visit to the prisoner on June 16, he did not communicate with Manasra, adding that he noticed traces of wounds on his left arm up to the wrist, as well as on his right arm.

The team made it clear that it would work on an appeal against the illegal Israeli decision.

Last week, Manasra's defense team announced that "the Israeli occupation prisons authority has transferred Manasra to Ramle Prison hospital due to the deterioration of his mental health condition."

It is noteworthy that Manasra was only 13 years old when the Israeli occupation arrested him for false accusations. He has been in solitary confinement since early November 2021.

He has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, suffers from psychotic delusions, and is severely depressed with suicidal thoughts.

On June 20, human rights organization Amnesty International called the Israeli occupation for the immediate release of the 20-year-old prisoner.

“Ahmad Manasra has been subjected to a catalogue of injustices by the Israeli authorities, including deleterious effects of incarceration on his development and prolonged solitary confinement. He endured ill-treatment during interrogations, which were conducted without his parents or lawyers’ presence, and was denied the right to a fair trial," underlined Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“Pending his release from detention, he must be given access to adequate medical care and never be placed in solitary confinement again. Allegations of torture and other human rights violations that Ahmad has suffered must be effectively and transparently investigated," stressed Morayef.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/kuwaiti-crown-prince-dissolves-parliament-calls-for-early-el

Kuwaiti Crown Prince dissolves parliament, calls for early election

Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah dissolved parliament and called for an early election on Wednesday.

In a televised speech, he said, “We have decided to dissolve the National Assembly and call for general elections… The people themselves will have the final word in rectifying the political scene by selecting those who properly represent them.”

He also claimed that the executive branch has not carried out its responsibilities "properly" and that some officials have not "committed to the pledge to work toward achieving political stability and serving the country and its people."

Sheikh Al-Sabah reiterated that the constitution will be firmly followed and will not be amended, obstructed, or suspended.

It is noteworthy that the current National Assembly was elected in December 2020.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/rocket-attack-targets-uae-company-in-iraqi-kurdistan

Rocket attack targets UAE company in Iraqi Kurdistan

The office of an Emirati oil company in the Khor Mor gas field in Iraqi Kurdistan was shelled on Wednesday.

A source in the local security agency said, as quoted by Sputnik, that "a rocket fell near the office of the UAE oil company Dana Gas in the province of Sulaymaniyah."

They reported "no material damage or injuries", an assessment confirmed by a security official who requested anonymity.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

On his account, the mayor of Qadir Karam subdistrict in Chamchamal district Sadiq Mohammed told reporters that the vital Khor Mor gas field, operated by UAE-run company Dana Gas, was targeted by rockets late Wednesday afternoon, stressing that the number of rockets fired is unknown.

It is worth noting that the Khor Mor field produces around 452 million standard cubic feet per day, as per Dana Gas.

Several unclaimed attacks have targeted energy infrastructure in Iraqi Kurdistan in recent weeks.

In one incident, a rocket targeted an area in Dohuk Governorate, northern Iraq on Tuesday, without causing any casualties or damage.

Early last month, sources said there was "minor material damage" at the Kawergosk refinery northwest of the Iraqi Kurdistan capital Erbil following a rocket attack.

In early April, three rockets landed near Kawergosk, with no casualties or material damage reported.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/french-minister-investigated-after-rape-allegations

French minister investigated after rape allegations

Prosecutors in France announced Wednesday that they are investigating a junior minister in President Emmanuel Macron's administration after two rape claims were made against her.

According to the French magazine Marianne, the rape claims date back to when Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, now state secretary for development, Francophonie, and international partnerships, was still a gynecologist.

According to officials, one complaint was filed on May 25 and the investigation began two days later. On June 16, the second complaint was filed.

Greece-born Zacharopoulou, 46, joined Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne's administration in May after three years as a member of the European Parliament. Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna reports to her.

She rose to notoriety in 2015 by pushing for more public awareness of endometriosis alongside actress Julie Gayet, who married former French President Francois Hollande this year.

Zacharopoulou was heavily involved in the United Nations' COVAX coronavirus vaccine rollout project and has advocated for women's reproductive rights.

These are not the first rape charges to hang over Macron's government, and they come at a time when the President is facing electoral difficulties after failing to keep a majority in legislative elections.

Prosecutors also investigated Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin in 2017 following a rape accusation.

He denied any involvement, and prosecutors requested for the case to be abandoned in January.

In a dispute that emerged last month, Solidarity Minister Damien Abad was also accused of rape, although French prosecutors stated they were not presently launching an inquiry.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/journalists-demand-release-of-assange-from-uk-prison

Journalists demand release of Assange from UK prison

A global alliance of journalists, editors, and publishers requested on Wednesday that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange be freed from a UK prison immediately and that all accusations against him be abandoned.

Fifteen international journalist and publisher unions and organizations convened in Geneva for a "call to free Julian Assange in the name of press freedom."

Dominique Pradalie, head of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which has 600,000 members across 140 countries said, "We are demanding that Julian Assange be freed, returned to his family, and finally permitted to live a normal life."

During the event, Pradalie stated that "if Julian Assange is freed today, they will still have stolen 10 years of his life."

The request came after the British government accepted Assange's extradition to the United States last week.

On Tuesday, Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador considered that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been treated “very unfairly”, affirming that Mexico is willing to receive him.

The Mexican President told reporters that he would touch on Assange’s case during his July meeting with US President Joe Biden, and ask the latter to drop charges against the Australian journalist.

Lopez Obrador considered that “Julian Assange is the best journalist of our time in the world and he has been treated very unfairly, worse than a criminal."

Last Friday, supporters of Julian Assange pledged to resist his extradition to the US after Britain granted a US request for the Wikileaks founder to stand trial for leaking classified military data.

Stella Morris, the wife of Assange, said, "We're going to fight this. We're going to use every appeal avenue."

Assange's lawyer Jen Robinson urged the US President to drop the charges and said they would appeal to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.

Flagrant violation of human rights

The event on Wednesday slammed the British decision as a "flagrant violation of human rights and a showing of total contempt for freedom of the press".

The chairman of the Swiss Press Club, which is organizing the event, Pierre Ruetschi, warned that "democracy is being taken hostage." "This attempt at criminalizing journalism is a serious threat."

Tim Dawson, of the National Union of Journalists of Britain and Ireland, agreed.

"If Julian Assange can be threatened with prosecution as a spy, what might that mean for other journalists?" he asked.

Edgar Block, the co-president of the Swiss journalist association Impressum expressed that "Assange revealed war crimes, human rights violations, and all the information revealed is of course of public interest."

"If he is extradited and condemned today, other journalists will be condemned as well."

A number of petitioners also urged Swiss authorities to expedite his release by providing him with protection from further prosecution in Switzerland.

Can Assange handle extradition?

It is worth mentioning that last year, a defense lawyer for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange argued that US promises that Assange would not be subjected to harsh prison conditions if extradited were not enough to address concerns regarding his fragile mental health and high risk of suicide.

Assange's lawyer said the Australian was "too mentally ill" to be extradited to the US in light of his trial on "espionage charges".

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