https://english.almayadeen.net/news/technology/nasa-chief-says-china-wants-to-claim-moon-for-itself

NASA chief says China wants to claim moon for itself

In an interview for the German news source Bild, NASA chief Bill Nelson said he is concerned about China's lunar missions because he believes Beijing intends to claim the moon for itself.

Nelson believes everyone should be concerned about Chinese space development because one day Beijing will reportedly land on the moon and declare, "it's ours now and you stay away."

The former US congressman and NASA administrator went on to say that Chinese lunar missions will be "military" and that Beijing will use its moon base to examine the feasibility of taking down other countries' satellites.

While Nelson commended China's overall accomplishments in space exploration after launching numerous gadgets to the moon, he quickly moved to belittle the achievements by suggesting they were based on technology Beijing allegedly "stole" from other countries.

The NASA administrator did not clarify which countries he was thinking of, nor did he provide any proof to back up any of his allegations.

China has announced that it intends to not only send people to the moon by 2025 but also to establish a presence there by 2035, in collaboration with Russia. The US has similar ambitions, which involve the creation of a lunar outpost, as well as a space station circling Earth's satellite. The latter might be used to refuel and launch spacecraft to Mars, another target for NASA.

Notably, neither the US nor China has mentioned employing a lunar outpost for military objectives, despite the fact that several US military projects suggest that attempts to militarize space exist in clear violation of international accords.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/maduro-calls-on-national-armed-forces-to-raise-alert-levels

Maduro calls on national armed forces to raise alert levels

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday called on the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela to raise their alert levels in order to face potential threats against the country.

During a promotion ceremony for the professional military personnel of the presidential honor guard and Directorate-General for Combating Military Espionage, Maduro accused the outgoing Colombian President Ivan Duque of taking out vengeance on Venezuela, warning that the country must remain vigilant.

Maduro Tweeted that Colombia was planning attacks against the National Electric System and figures from the Bolivarian government.

He called for the defeat of the outgoing Colombian government's threats against Venezuela, in high spirits.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro spoke a few days ago about their common desire to "return" cross-border travel, which has been subject to significant restrictions since 2019, due to the end of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Maduro formerly congratulated Petro on his victory and considered that the will of the Colombian people is renowned for defending democracy and peace.

>> Very interesting. He signed trade deals with many countries some days ago, including Iran. Now, He raises alert level and hints for attack on electrical grid. Sounds familiar?

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/belarus-will-continue-to-support-russia-against-nazism:-luka

Belarus will continue to support Russia against Nazism: Lukashenko

According to BeITA, Belarus has backed Russia and will continue to do so, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said on July 3 at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mound of Glory memorial outside Minsk.

Lukashenko stressed that Belarus is reproached as "the only country in the world that supports Russia in its struggle against Nazism, for its efforts to put up a barrier against the abuse of Russian people. We have supported and will continue to support Russia. These reproaches are ridiculous and sad."

According to the President, Russia and Belarus are fraternal states, and Belarus is to Russia "the closest state in the world."

"Our tragedy is that today two sister nations - Russians and Ukrainians - have clashed. This is our tragedy. But we always say that the truth is stronger. The truth is on the side of fraternal Russia today,” Lukashenko explained.

“We are the only country that supports Russians in this struggle. And how many countries are on the other side? There are almost fifty, who are actually fighting against Russia in Ukraine."

Lukashenko wondered how those who reproach Belarus do not know that the alliance being built between Russia and Belarus is a "single, powerful, independent Union State of two independent peoples? We are trailblazers; this experience is unique in the world. We must set this example for others. Didn't they know that the union of Belarus and Russia has a single grouping of armed forces which was set up a long time? In fact, this is a single army. They all know that. So why are they reproaching us today? We have been together with fraternal Russia."

The President reiterated that from the start of the operation in Ukraine, Belarus voiced its support for Russia.

"On the first day of the operation, I said: we will not allow anyone to shoot Russia in the back. We are holding the fort from the Brest Fortress to the southern borders and have Russia's back against NATO troops. They can't forgive us for this."

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