https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-provides-270-million-in-military-aid-to-ukraine

US provides $270 million in military aid to Ukraine

The White House announced Friday its intention to provide an additional $270 million worth of US "security assistance" to Ukraine.

The military aid will include four HIMARS rocket artillery launchers, a large quantity of ammunition, and hundreds of Pheonix Ghost drones, according to AP, citing the National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.

The aid package will also include 580 drones and 36,000 rounds of artillery ammunition for the M777 towed howitzers which have already been supplied to Ukraine by the Pentagon.

Kirby told AFP that Biden, who is recently being treated for COVID-19, “has been clear that we’re going to continue to support the government of Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes."

As of Friday, the US administration will have spent a total of $8.2 billion on funding the war in Ukraine. This includes the $40 billion package which was approved back in May.

Washington has previously sent Ukraine around 120 of the Pheonix Ghost drones, which have been “rapidly developed by the Air Force in response specifically to Ukrainian requirements,” the Pentagon said back in April.

Biden's security advisor, Jake Sullivan, advised sending more drones because he claimed that Iran was preparing to sell many hundred drones to Russia. There is no evidence that upholds such a claim thus far.

On Friday, four HIMARS launchers and one ammunition transport vehicle were destroyed by precision missile strikes between July 5 to July 20, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

On Wednesday, reports arose that three Ukrainians suicide drones targeted Europe's largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, in Energodar, damaging the facility. It wasn't clear whether the drones were Phoenix Ghosts or a US-made Switchblade.

Washington keeps insisting on impartiality from the war in Ukraine, yet it continues to send drones, weapons, ammunition, intelligence and technology, essentially funding the war.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/turkey-says-russia-denies-targeting-odessa-port

Turkey says Russia denies targeting Odessa port

Turkey Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, confirmed that Moscow has denied carrying out any attack on the Ukrainian port of Odessa, only one day after Russia and Ukraine inked a deal to resume grain exports.

"The Russians told us that they had absolutely nothing to do with this attack and they were looking into the issue very closely," Akar mentioned.

On Friday, Russia and Ukraine signed agreements in Istanbul brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN chief Antonio Guterres.

But Akar also said the incident "really makes us concerned" in comments to state news agency Anadolu.

"We will continue to fulfil our responsibilities under the agreement we reached yesterday," he added.

Ukraine military says air defenses shot down 2 cruise missiles

Commenting on the attack on the port of Odessa, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of routinely violating agreements.

"This proves only one thing: no matter what Russia says and promises, it will find ways not to implement it," Zelensky claimed during a meeting with US lawmakers, according to a statement from the Ukrainian presidency.

The Ukrainian military claimed that its air defenses shot down two cruise missiles but two others hit the port.

Guterres - who presided over the signing ceremony on Friday - "unequivocally" condemned the reported attack on Odessa, his deputy spokesperson said, and urged all sides to stick to the deal to allow grain exports.

"These products are desperately needed to address the global food crisis and ease the suffering of millions of people in need around the globe," he pointed out.

The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell directly and instantly accused Russia of the strikes without any investigation.

"Striking a target crucial for grain export a day after the signature of (the) Istanbul agreements is particularly reprehensible and again demonstrates Russia's total disregard for international law and commitments," Borell claimed.

20 million tonnes of wheat

The first major accord between the countries since the start of the war in Ukraine aims to ease the "acute hunger" that the United Nations says an additional 47 million people faces because of the war.

The two sides inked separate but identical agreements in the presence of Guterres and Erdogan at Istanbul's lavish Dolmabahce Palace.

Guterres, moments before the signing, hailed the agreement as "a beacon of hope."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later said the responsibility for enforcing the deal would fall to the United Nations, which along with Turkey is a co-guarantor of the agreement.

The agreement includes points on running Ukrainian grain ships along safe corridors that avoid known mines in the Black Sea.

Zelensky said that around 20 million tons of produce from last year's harvest and the current crop would be exported under the agreement, estimating the value of Ukraine's grain stocks at around $10 billion.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told Kremlin state media that he expected the deal to start working "in the next few days."

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/60-neo-nazi-ukrainian-militants-eliminated-near-donbass

60 Neo-Nazi Ukrainian militants eliminated near Donbass

The spokesperson of the Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov, reported on Saturday that Russian artillery targeted the military posts of the Ukrainian Neo-Nazi Donbass formation near Verkhnekamenskoye and eliminated over 60 militants.

"As a result of damage by firepower inflicted by Russian artillery on the combat positions of the Neo-Nazi Donbass formation near the settlement of Verkhnekamenskoye, over 60 militants were killed," Konashenkov said.

The Spokesperson added that "the strikes by operational-tactical aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces eliminated more than a half of the personnel of the 2nd battalion of the Ukrainian army’s 14th mechanized brigade near the community of Belogorovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic."

In the special military operation in Ukraine, more than half of the 2nd battalion of the 14th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian army were destroyed, according to Konashenkov.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/sanctions-had-no-effect-on-moscow-yet-europe-lost-4-governme

Sanctions had no effect on Moscow yet Europe lost 4 governments: Orban

Russia sanctions have not shaken Moscow's resolve, despite the fact that Europe has already lost four governments due to economic and political crises, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday.

"The West's strategy is like a car with flat tires on all four wheels… The sanctions did not destabilize Moscow. Europe is in trouble, economically and politically, and four governments have become victims: UK, Bulgarian, Italian, and Estonian… People will face a sharp increase in prices. And the better part of the world deliberately did not support us as well — China, India, Brazil, South Africa, the Arab world, Africa — everybody is aloof from this conflict, they are interested in their own affairs," Orban said while delivering a speech in the Romanian city of Baile Tusnad.

Orban went on to say that the Ukrainian conflict will "put an end to Western hegemony, which could unite the world against someone," and that a "multipolar global order" will "knock on the door."

On a trip to Moscow today, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told reporters that the EU should be truthful about the realities of the gas supply from Russia rather than treating it as an ideological matter.

“It has been proven that the purchase of natural gas is not an ideological issue, but a physical issue that can’t be solved by talking,” Szijjarto said.

The EU has been urging member states to decrease dependence on Russian gas as a response to Moscow's military operation in Ukraine.

Euro hits its lowest, Ruble hits 2-year high

As shown by trading data, the Euro fell below $1.03 for the first time in July since December 2002. The euro traded at $1.0296 which is down from $1.0421 at a time when the dollar index was 1.04% to 106.23 points.

Fears over the European energy crisis are putting pressure on the euro. Strike-related production suspensions at many fields by Norway's Equinor increased gas prices. Nord Stream will be suspended for scheduled maintenance from July 11 to July 21. In light of this, European gas futures are rising by 6% to almost $1,800 per thousand cubic meters.

On the other hand, the exchange rate of the dollar and the euro fell against the ruble in May and the currency was trading below 69 rubles for the first time since June 2020, while the euro was trading below 73 rubles.

In terms of stock trading, the Moscow Stock Exchange denominated in rubles (MICEX) index declined by 0.02% to 2444.67 points, while the stock exchange index denominated in dollars (RTS) rose 0.87% to 1091 points.

Moscow trade

Western sanctions didn't stop Russia from increasing trade with friendly states.

The Russian foreign ministry revealed in April that it expects commodity flows with China to grow and trade with Beijing to reach $200 billion by 2024, according to the Interfax news agency, given that the West-led sanctions on Russia have driven Moscow to shift its economic ties and cooperation toward the East.

The ministry contended that Chinese companies must be cautious of the risks of subjection to secondary sanctions - however, Beijing is ready to expand cooperation with Moscow nonetheless.

Moreover, last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Moscow and Tehran's relations are strategic and deep in nature, pointing to the growth of trade between the Russia and Iran last year and in the first months of 2022.

On his part, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi pointed out that the Russian-Iranian trade relations are developing, stressing that nothing will stand in their way.

Raisi said the agreements that the two countries have reached are under implementation, highlighting that the cooperation between Russia and Iran in the Caspian Sea region is an important aspect of bilateral cooperation.

>>16788926

>>16788936

Noice

>>16788944

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/al-qaeda-linked-group-claims-responsibility-for-attack-in-ma

Al-Qaeda-linked group claims responsibility for attack in Mali

An Al-Qaeda affiliate group claimed a deadly suicide attack in a strategic garrison town near the Malian capital, Bamako, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militants' statements.

The Malian army previously blamed the Katiba Macina group for the Friday attack with two vehicle-borne bombs that killed at least one soldier in Kati, the heart of the Malian military establishment.

The attack was also near the residence of the head of the ruling junta Assimi Goita and the Defense Minister.

The group claimed to have deployed two suicide bombers and "commando fighters".

In a statement, the media unit for the Al-Qaeda affiliate group, Jama'at Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen, confirmed that its Katiba Macina branch carried out the attack.

"If you have the right to hire mercenaries to kill defenseless innocents, then we have the right to destroy and target you," the statement said, referring to paramilitaries linked to Russian private security group Wagner.

It is noteworthy that the Jama'at Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen is the main militant alliance in the Sahel and is linked to Al-Qaeda.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran-arrests-mossad-network-before-carrying-out-terrorist-op

Iran arrests Mossad network before carrying out terrorist operations

The Iranian Intelligence Ministry announced Saturday that its security forces arrested a network of agents working for the Israeli Mossad.

According to the Ministry, the agents were arrested before they were able to carry out sabotage and terrorist operations.

In a statement, the Intelligence Ministry indicated that "this network's members were in contact with Mossad spy agency through a neighboring country and entered Iran from Kurdistan region with advanced equipment and strong explosives."

The statement highlighted that the arrested network planned "acts of sabotage and unprecedented terrorist operations in sensitive locations."

The Iranian Intelligence Ministry confirmed that investigations are underway and more information will be announced in the future.

US & Israeli leaders jointly pledge to 'deny Iran nuclear weaponry'

It is noteworthy that in mid-July, US President Joe Biden and Israeli occupation Prime Minister Yair Lapid signed the so-called "Jerusalem Declaration" to consolidate cooperation between Washington and "Tel Aviv".

The Declaration emphasized the United States' unwaning support for "Israel's" regional military advantage and ability to "defend itself by itself."

Prior to the announcement, Lapid spoke with Biden about "the Iranian threat, and we believe that this matter is not only a matter of concern for Israel, but the world as a whole […] there will be no nuclear Iran."

"We spoke about Saudi Arabia and the importance of forming a regional coalition to counter Iran," Lapid added.

Iran thwarting Mossad networks' attempts

It is noteworthy that on June 21, Mehdi Shamsabadi, the Prosecutor General of the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan, confirmed that some Mossad agents were arrested in the province.

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

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

Similarly, in 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 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/us-smuggles-35-of-stolen-oil-tankers-out-of-syria

US smuggles 35 stolen oil tankers out of Syria

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Saturday that 35 US vehicles, including oil tankers and a military escort convoy, made their way out of Syria heading toward Iraq through the illegal Mahmoudiya and Al-Waleed crossings.

A convoy of 35 vehicles with tankers loaded with stolen Syrian oil that the US occupation forces control, as well as several covered trucks traveled through the unauthorized Mahmoudiya crossing which was allocated by the US occupation forces more than two years ago to steal Syrian oil, one day after they smuggled 14 tankers loaded with Syrian oil.

"A convoy of 23 covered trucks and tankers loaded with US military equipment and logistical materials entered Iraq through the illegal Al-Waleed crossing," the news agency added.

SANA also reported on Thursday citing local sources that “a convoy of 156 vehicles, including 40 refrigerating cars and more than 50 tankers carrying military equipment, containers, cannons, and a number of Hummers, some of which carry huge devices entered Iraq.”

During a meeting on Friday with his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu called the US military presence in Syria a violation of international norms, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

"The head of the Russian military department drew Akar's attention to the fact that the US military has been deployed on the territory of the sovereign state of Syria for a long time. Shoigu called their stay there a violation of international norms and stressed that militants of terrorist organizations are being trained at the US bases, such as the one in Al-Tanf," the ministry told reporters.

The minister also stated that unilateral US sanctions against Damascus are illegal and worsen the Arab country's humanitarian situation. The US military has seized several Syria regions from which they illegally extract resources, according to Shoigu.

"Shoigu, in a conversation with Akar, noted the need to maintain a ceasefire in Syria. The departments of the two countries are constantly in contact on this issue at various levels," the ministry added.

>>16789098

She looks familiar.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/dprk-denounces-washingtons-comments-on-cyberattack-capabilit

DPRK denounces Washington's comments on cyberattack capabilities

On Saturday, North Korea denounced comments made by a senior White House official over Pyongyang's cyberattack capabilities and vowed to continue to oppose what it called American aggression toward the country.

According to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Washington's antagonistic approach against North Korea is truly reflected by labeling the country as a "group of criminals."

Earlier on Wednesday, Anne Neuberger, the US Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, stated that North Koreans were a criminal syndicate pursuing revenue "in the guise of a country."

KCNA, a North Korean state news agency, quoted the DPRK FM spokesperson as saying, "After all, the US administration has revealed the true picture of its most vile hostile policy, once covered under the veil of 'dialog with no strings attached' and 'diplomatic engagement'," adding that "in a similar fashion, the DPRK will face off the U.S., the world's one and only group of criminals."

In another US attack on North Korea, the US Department of State issued on July 20 an annual update of the Trafficking in Persons Report, which examines the prevalence of human trafficking worldwide and offers recommendations for countries to address it.

The report accuses Pyongyang of exploiting forced labor as "a part of an established system of political repression and a pillar of the economic system" through prisons and labor camps, mass mobilizations, and overseas work.

Pyongyang retaliated by saying in an article published on the government website that the US should place itself "on the operating table first" before meddling in other countries' affairs and hiding its own "ills".

"The U.S., which still follows its nasty human trafficking history, issues the 'Trafficking in Persons Report' every year and assesses the 'human trafficking situation' of other countries at its will is absolute nonsense and an insult to the human rights," according to the North Korean Foreign Ministry

The article also included discussions on the recent deaths of around 50 immigrants in a shipping container in the suburbs of San Antonio, Texas, and noted that 12.5 million Africans were forced into slavery from 1525 to 1866.

In another instance, ate last year, a grand jury in Georgia indicted two dozen people in a case of modern slavery involving an organized crime ring that exploited the H-2A visa program for migrant workers after more than 100 people were released from forced labor.

The 24 people were charged with dozens of felony offenses in the United States District Court, including forced labor, witness tampering, and mail fraud, among others.

The defendants allegedly made $200 million by importing migrants into the United States to work as agricultural workers in deplorable conditions, according to authorities.

>>16789222

Any excuse will do for these crazy people. if it's not this, then it will be something else.

>>16789229

kek!

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/erdogan-picture-with-putin-raisi-challenge-to-nato:-german-f

Erdogan picture with Putin, Raisi 'challenge' to NATO: German FM

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock considered that a joint picture of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and their Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi is a "challenge" to NATO.

"Having the Turkish president in this photo is a challenge, to be kind," Baerbock told Germany's Bild, commenting on the photo.

According to Baerbock, such a photo for her is "more than incomprehensible" from the point of view of a NATO member.

Israeli media: "Israel" not liking Putin's photos in Tehran

It is worth noting that this same picture aroused great interest in Israeli media. One media outlet considered the summit "a kind of challenge against Biden's visit to the region," while another outlet described it as "the summit of opponents of Western sanctions."

Channel 12 commentator alleged that Putin wants to tell the West that "I have my allies as well."

The correspondent also stated that "these are the pictures that we receive in a live broadcast from Tehran, where Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived with his presidential plane, and they are pictures that Israel never likes to see, especially against the background of what is happening behind the northern border. This is a not-so-good regional development."

Putin, Raisi, & Erdogan meet in Tehran

The "trouble-making" picture came during the trilateral Astana format talks held between the Russian President and his Turkish and Iranian counterparts over Syria.

According to a joint statement published by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iran, Russia, and Turkey asserted their rejection of all unilateral sanctions against Syria.

The presidents called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to increase assistance to all Syrians without politicization, discrimination, or conditions.

In addition, the three leaders reviewed the changes that have taken place in Syria since the last time they held a summit, stressing the relevance of the Astana format.

Putin, Raisi, and Erdogan "condemned increased presence and activities of terrorist groups and their affiliates under different names in various parts of Syria, including the attacks targeting civilian facilities, which result in loss of innocent lives."

>>16789308

Parasites taken care of.