https://english.almayadeen.net/news/art-culture/galileo-manuscripts-at-michigan-university-fake-forged

Galileo manuscripts at Michigan university fake & forged

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor has revealed that a document, which was believed to be written by Italian physicist Galileo Galilei in the 17th century, is a 20th-century forgery.

Investigation into the manuscript started earlier this year after a scholar working on Galileo's biography, nick wilding, revealed information suggesting the inauthenticity of the document.

Speaking to a curator at the University of Michigan Library, Wilding said he believed that the document was actually the work of Tobia Nicotra, who, according to a report in 1935 by Time magazine, also forged signatures by Christopher Columbus, Warren G. Harding and more. Nicotra was sentenced to two years in jail for this.

“After our own experts studied [Wilding’s] most compelling evidence—about the paper and provenance—and reexamined the manuscript, we agreed with his conclusion,” the university said in a statement.

Up until this year, the university had believed that it had Galileo's notes regarding the astronomer's discovery of Jupiter's four moons, remarking that "It had been thought of as “one of the jewels at the University of Michigan Library."

However, a watermark on the paper reading "BMO", which refers to Bergamo, an Italian city, gave away the document as fake, as there are no other documents with such a watermark dated before 1770.

In addition, the document's origin also posed an issue: the university reeled in the manuscript in 1938, after Tracy McGregor, a Detroit books collector, passed away. The collector bought the document at an auction when it was sold alongside two other Galileo documents - which, surprise, surprise, are also forged by Nicotra.

Despite this, although the document is fake, the university still believes that it has value: “In the future, it may come to serve the research, learning, and teaching interests in the arena of fakes, forgeries, and hoaxes, a timeless discipline that’s never been more relevant,” said Lynn Raughley, an editor at the University of Michigan.

>> 1.13

https://english.almayadeen.net/articles/analysis/the-three-trojan-lighthouses-feel-the-rope-tighten

The three ‘Trojan’ lighthouses feel the rope tighten

On 24 June, at the Hudson Institute in Washington, Mike Pompeo gave a foreign policy speech entitled The Three Lighthouses - painting Taiwan, Ukraine and "Israel" as ‘beacons of freedom’. US neo-cons have always had a knack for hitching their undiluted authoritarian projects to whatever the latest cult western ‘virtue’ sloganeering, and thus manage to set a media narrative.

Since the early days of Covid, the words vulnerability, solidarity and care that have been in circulation amongst ‘performatively compassionate’ élites in respect to the biomedical régime were consolidated into a broader narrative for bullying the public into compliance with novel ‘sacrifice politics’. That is to say, ‘to be ready and willing to sacrifice your freedoms, to protect vulnerable groups: That is our solidarity … Your individual freedom ends, where collective freedom begins’.

What cant from Pompeo to use protecting ‘freedom’ amongst this group of ‘vulnerable Lighthouses’ aims to disguise a neo-conservative project which has caused the loss of life, loss of rights, loss of income, and psychological damage to many of those living adjacent to these Lighthouse ‘Trojan’ horses. Of course, “protecting the vulnerable” by destroying others’ livelihoods and lives was always an illogical proposition. Its true aim is merely to rally public support for belligerent action against Chinese, Russian and Iranian strengths.

And yet, in Pompeo’s awkward linguistic formulation, there lies the kernel of an obverse linkage between the three: Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taipei has awakened the slumbering Dragon. It now sees clearly the parallels between Taiwan and Ukraine. Since the beginning of the 20th Century, the West established several extraterritorial jurisdictions (the Concessions) inside of China that served to fragment and weaken it.

Beijing sees now that the US intends to do everything possible to ensure that a peaceful reunification of Taiwan with the Mainland never takes place, and that today’s US policy is but an extension of an old colonial strategy.

This has lent China a better understanding of the Ukraine issue: Where the West since the early 20th Century sought to leverage hard-right ethnic Ukrainian nationalism against culturally-Russian Ukrainians, in order to weaken Russia.

Like China towards Taiwan, Moscow understood that the US and its European allies would do everything possible to forestall any peaceful unification of the diverse peoples of this borderland region (as the Minsk Accords had aimed to do).

The Chinese response to the Pelosi visit has been “that the noose around the neck of Taiwan’s independence” will be tightened, tighter and tighter, as Minister Wang Yi warned, adding “there is no room for compromise” on this matter.

Li Fei, a Professor at Xiamen University, has conceptualized what he calls ‘the Peking model’ that has given Beijing a notion of ‘smart reunification’ – an approach that combines peaceful efforts and military strength. Such an approach needs to be carried out step by step, and normalizing the current military drills around the island is one step forward. If ‘smart reunification’ still cannot realize our final goal, he added, a more direct approach based on strength will be needed. (In January 1949, the PLA encircled Peking, which was then occupied by the KMT forces, and eventually forced the KMT commanders to surrender, so the liberation of the city indeed did occur peacefully …).

Part 1

>>17423346

Well … Russia, step by step, is incrementally tightening the noose around the neck of the post-Maidan, NATO-trained army in Ukraine. If a solution does not emerge organically from the feel of the rope on the neck, that ‘knot’ too will be tightened.

This brings us to the third of Pompeo’s ‘Trojan’ Lighthouses – "Israel". Iran and many others understand that the US does not wish to see the Middle East united. The collective West rather sees a fragmented, polarised region, divided by sect and the Palestinian issue as the path to weakening Iran and its allies.

Hence, Iran's response. Step by step, Iran and its allies have been incrementally tightening the noose around "Israel", from four separate points on the compass. The EU has rushed to save the Iran containment mechanism - the JCPOA - even though Iran is now a ‘threshold’ nuclear power, and could in a relatively short timescale, build a weapon – should it so decide (which it hasn’t).

Admiral Shamkhani told members of Iran's National Security Commission of Parliament that Iran too could afford to go slowly, step by step. Iran can afford to say yea or nay to the EU's allegedly final, ‘final’ proposal, and confirm that Iran will not depart from its ‘red-lines’.

After all, Iran is selling its oil and generating substantial income, whilst the Middle East, Asia and the Global South are undergoing a revolutionary geo-political metamorphosis. The political landscape is consolidating into an autonomous, anti-Global Order sphere. And the West Asian economic paradigm too, stands at the brink of transformation with the advent of a new trading and financial clearing system in gestation.

In sum, Iran doesn’t have explicitly to tighten the noose at this moment. A new, broad-tent geo-strategic architecture led by Moscow, that is being drawn across the Region, is doing that fine for Iran anyway.

Part 2 - End

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/swiss-police:-riots-may-occur-this-winter-due-to-energy-shor

Swiss Police: Riots may occur this winter due to energy shortages

The Swiss police chief, Fredy Fassler, said on Saturday that people in Switzerland may go on riots if energy shortages occur in the upcoming winter.

"Power outage… will have serious consequences. Imagine the situation when we can no longer withdraw money from ATMs, we can no longer pay by card in a store or refuel at a gas station. The heaters are no longer working. The streets are all dark. In that case, it would be possible to imagine that the population would rebel," Fassler told the Blick newspaper.

He noted that he does not expect this to happen, but the authorities should be ready for the worst-case scenario.

"Switzerland is actively preparing for the threat of an electricity shortage in the winter. The energy supply is at the center of attention," he added.

The Swiss Federal Council decided on Wednesday that power plant operators could negotiate contracts for the use of backup power plants in the event of an electricity shortage this winter. Swiss authorities have warned that for the first time they may impose restrictions on energy consumption in the coming winter if electricity or gas shortages occur.

Previously, the head of the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission ElCom, Werner Luginbuhl, urged citizens to stock up on candles and firewood due to possible power outages in the country in the coming winter.

Since 2021, energy prices in Europe have been rising rapidly following a global trend. After Russia launched a military operation to denazify and demilitarize Ukraine and the imposition of several sanctions packages against Moscow, the energy situation deteriorated considerably, prompting EU countries to search for alternatives to Russian energy supplies.

So far, efforts to address this crisis have been pitiful. For instance, in Germany, recommendations to slow or halt the consumption of gas have already been issued weeks ago in order to stock up for the coming winter.

Last week, it was reported that millions of German lower-income households will find it hard to pay their energy bills this winter amid a sharp rise in gas prices, according to Lukas Ievenkotten, head of the German Renters' Association.

On Monday, German Economy and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck lamented the entirety of the country's business model, dismissing it as reliant on cheap energy imports from Russia that will never return.

Whereas in France, French President Emmanuel Macron has hosted MBS to discuss the importance of diversifying energy supplies to EU states. But far-right French leader Marine Le Pen urged the EU to put an end to sanctions against Russia.

Earlier today, an NHS chief warned that soaring energy costs will kill more than 10,000 people in the UK this winter; a situation the NHS Confederation referred to as a "humanitarian crisis".

The EU has vowed to pursue the imposing of severe restrictions on Russia and some nation-members have recently launched a campaign to ban Russians from entering the Schengen zone.

The reality, however, is that Russia and its economy have been defying all the odds by growing at unprecedented rates.

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.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Russia's oil output returned to pre-war levels, producing around 10.8 million barrels a day, with new crude oil exports directed to Asia, most notably India, Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/game-over-iran-made-strides-in-vienna-talks:-israeli-media

Game over, Iran made strides in Vienna talks: Israeli media

As it seems, the nuclear agreement currently taking shape with Iran is worse than the agreement that former Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encouraged former US President Donald Trump to withdraw from in 2018, deputy Israeli security minister Alon Schuster said on Saturday, as quoted by Israeli media.

"The security establishment is gravely concerned over the status-quo," Schuster told Israeli Channel 12. "We are not a party to the agreement, but we warn our partners on several issues, and we will use the remaining time to prepare important military options."

"We will not base our agreements on international agreements. We will closely monitor the situation on the ground and work together with our partners to ensure that Iran does not obtain nuclear capabilities," the Israeli official said.

The Prime Minister of the Israeli occupation Yair Lapid had previously said that "the nuclear agreement that is taking shape with Iran is worse than the previous agreement."

Sanctions insignificant

"The issue of taking off the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps off the terror list never was a red line or something non-negotiable or that we cannot let go of," Israeli Maj. Gen. (res) Tamir Hayman.

"The matter of sanctions is not something important; it is more symbolic," Hayman stressed.

The advisor to the Iranian delegation to Vienna, Seyyed Mohammad Marandi, informed Al Mayadeen that a CNN report claiming that the removal of the IRGC off the "terror list" was an Iranian condition during the nuclear talks was false.

No viable military option

"There is no viable military option against the Iranian nuclear program," Israeli Channel 12 said. "It is necessary that Israel start thinking of living under a nuclear Iran."

"Israel cannot do much to influence the agreement now, as the United States wants to return to it," the Israeli outlet added. "It is concerning if there have been leaks related to the field of technology […] Iran has made strides, especially following the [US] withdrawal from the agreement. To return to it, a price must be paid [to Iran]."

The Israeli channel raised concerns about Iran possessing large stockpiles of uranium "it can enrich to a military level tomorrow morning if it so wishes […] this is a dangerous situation that Israel has no response to."

"The game is over, and Israel, through all its attempts, it is still running in place," the Israeli new outlet stressed. "Part of the people linked to the preparations for a possible military offensive against Iran in 2011 are saying today that there is no possibility for an effective military operation."

Israeli concerns

The Israeli occupation's government on Thursday sent a message to the Biden administration saying that the EU draft resolution on the Iran nuclear deal, which is being discussed with Iran, crosses the red lines set by the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid conveyed a message to the White House today, in which he confirmed that the draft European Union agreement being discussed with Iran goes beyond the limits of the 2015 nuclear agreement, and does not comply with the red lines set by the Biden administration," an Israeli official told the Israeli Walla! newspaper.

Lapid met last Thursday with US

Representative Ted Deutch, Chairman of the Middle East Subcommittee in the US House of Representatives, and US Ambassador Tom Nides. The three officials discussed the issue of the Iranian nuclear deal.

Part 1

>>17423421

The European Union proposed easing sanctions on Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) in order to revive the Iranian nuclear deal, formally known as the JCPOA, Politico reported on Friday.

The proposal, brokered by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in coordination with US officials, is not seeking the suspension of sanctions against the IRGC but may "significantly limit their effectiveness," the news outlet said.

If the draft resolution is adopted, it would allow companies in the European Union to do business in Iran, evading US and EU sanctions.

President Biden dismissed in April a demand from Iran for him to reverse a decision taken by the Trump administration in 2019 to label the IRGC a "terrorist organization". A group of US senators in May signed a resolution declaring that the US should not agree to any deal that would entail the lifting of sanctions on Iran.

Major powers and Iran are holding talks in Vienna with the aim of reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement and returning the United States to it following Washington's unilateral withdrawal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, who accompanied his decision with the imposition of harsh sanctions on Tehran.

In response, Iran gradually withdrew from its commitments under the JCPOA, seeing that the agreement was no longer binding.

Part 2 - End

>>17423425

Potus, is that a 22?

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/lebanon-israel-near-deal-on-border-demarcation:-source-to-sp

Lebanon, "Israel" near deal on border demarcation: Source to Sputnik

A Lebanese official source confirmed on Saturday that Lebanon and "Israel" are close to reaching an agreement on the demarcation of the maritime borders.

In a statement to Sputnik, the source said, "We are very close to reaching an agreement on the demarcation of the maritime border with Israel, and we have been informed that the answer the US mediator Amos Hochstein will carry from the Israeli side in response to the Lebanese proposal is positive, and he will soon return to Beirut."

The source added that "the border demarcation issue will be concluded in September."

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah threatened yesterday that "If Lebanon does not obtain the rights demanded by the Lebanese state, we are heading toward an escalation whether or not the nuclear agreement is signed."

The Israeli Channel 14 website reported, earlier, that the ongoing indirect negotiations between Lebanon and the Israeli occupation regarding the demarcation of the maritime borders indicate the possibility of reaching a "permanent settlement," although "several parties in Israel believe that there will be painful concessions, particularly regarding details in the agreement."

The Israeli occupation had given in July the United States an updated proposal regarding "Tel Aviv's" maritime borders with Lebanon, Israeli newspaper Walla! said on Wednesday.

Moreover, Israeli media quoted this week a senior Israeli official in the gas sector as saying that the maritime border demarcation agreement that is taking shape with Lebanon is a complete surrender by "Israel", noting that "Israel's" submission is a great victory for Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/xi-asked-biden-to-prevent-pelosi-from-visiting-taiwan-biden

Xi asked Biden to prevent Pelosi from visiting Taiwan, Biden refused

Chinese President Xi Jinping asked US President Joe Biden on July 28, during a phone conversation, to prevent his country's House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from going on her trip to Taiwan. The US president refused, warning Beijing against making any "provocative" actions if the visit takes place, The Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing White House officials.

Biden alleged that he "could not oblige", as the US Congress is an independent branch of government and that Pelosi would make her own decisions about foreign trips, the report said.

He also went on to warn his Chinese counterpart against taking "provocative and coercive" actions if Pelosi's visit were to take place, Washpo reported.

"Members of Congress have gone to Taiwan for decades and will continue to do so. Speaker Pelosi had every right to go and her visit is consistent with our long-standing one-China policy," National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said, as quoted by the newspaper.

China is calling on the United States to sever any official contacts it has with Taiwan, including negotiations on official trade and economic agreements, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday.

Wang underlined his country's readiness to take decisive measures in order to protect its sovereignty in light of rising tensions between Beijing on the one hand and Taipei and Washington on the other.

The situation around Taiwan escalated following Pelosi's recent visit to Taipei. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any direct official foreign contacts with the island.

Pelosi's visit led China to announce ending cooperation with the United States on a number of issues such as climate change, anti-drug efforts, and military talks.

More than 170 countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the One China principle since Pelosi made her visit to Taiwan, Wang underlined, highlighting that they showed their support for Beijing's efforts to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People's Republic of China.

The Chinese foreign ministry had announced that Beijing will impose sanctions on Pelosi and her close relatives in response to her provocative visit to Taiwan. China also imposed restrictions on the purchase of fruit and seafood from Taiwan, as well as stopping sand supplies to the island.

The Taiwanese and Chinese militaries, in the wake of the visit and soaring tensions, held military drills on a large scale. Taipei's military held on Thursday a round of live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait after China's People Liberation Army concluded its own in the South China Sea.

In a multi-decadal first, Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office issued a white book on the island, saying it would "not renounce the use of force" against Taiwan, preserving "the option of taking all necessary measures."

>> 170 countries

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/irgc:-israel-cannot-confront-iran-and-resorts-to-saber-rattl

IRGC: "Israel" cannot confront Iran and resorts to saber-rattling

During a press conference in Zanjan on Saturday, Islamic Revolution Guards (IRGC) spokesperson Ramezan Sharif said that "Israel" is faced with the worst security conditions throughout the occupied Palestinian territory and that it is incapable to face up to Iran and thus resorts to psychological warfare through saber-rattling.

Sharif referred to the security issues that have plagued "Israel" since March while they falsely, according to the IRGC spokesperson, claimed that security reigns over the 27,000 square kilometers of the territory they control.

Sharif added that “The Israelis are extremely vulnerable and live in fear all the time. They repeat saying that they have the Iron Dome (air defense system) or cyber (defense systems), which reveals their weakness."

Sharif also slammed the Israeli argument that the armies of Arab nations cannot defeat the IOF, saying that everyone had seen how "Israel" was defeated by Hezbollah in the 33-Day War.

The general went on to add that Israeli measures will have no effect on Tehran since "Israel" is unable to tackle Iran.

Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran, warned the country's adversaries in remarks made in December 2021 that any belligerent action would be met by an Iranian military reaction so forceful that it would fundamentally alter the strategic balance.

Furthermore, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, stated in April of this year that all Iranian military forces are prepared to respond to any threat at any level with a decisive and crushing response so that Iran's adversaries would regret taking hostile action against the Iranian establishment.

>>17423504

It's about time.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/bus-carrying-israeli-settlers-targeted-near-silwan-in-ramall

Bus carrying Israeli settlers targeted near Silwan in Ramallah

Israeli media said a bus carrying Israeli settlers came under fire near Silwad, east of Ramallah, on Saturday.

According to the media, the vehicle was hit with eight bullets and sustained damage, while no injuries were reported.

Following the shooting, the Israeli occupation forces closed the entrances to the village, arrested two Palestinian women at the Beit El checkpoint near Ramallah, and assaulted Palestinians at the "Ofra" checkpoint near the entrance to Silwad.

The Israeli occupation forces intensified their deployment and set up checkpoints in many cities of the occupied West Bank after the bus shooting.

It is noteworthy that the shooting comes days after a number of Israeli settlers were wounded in a shooting operation that targeted a bus in occupied Al-Quds.

IOF raid, close six Palestinian human rights institutions

The Palestinian WAFA news agency reported Thursday, citing local security officials, that the Israeli occupation forces stormed Ramallah and Al-Bireh, raiding the ADDAMEER (Arabic for conscience) Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Defense for Children International – Palestine, Al-Haq, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), and the Union of Palestinian Women Committees, as well as Bisan Center for Research and Development.

After damaging and stealing their belongings, the occupation forces closed the six human rights institutions and installed iron plates on their gates, with the United Nations and several EU countries condemning the Israeli decision.

The Israeli occupation had labeled six of the organizations as "terrorist" in October, claiming they had ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

>>17423556

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/miscellaneous/russian-political-thinker-alexander-dugins-daughter-assassin

Russian political thinker Alexander Dugin's daughter assassinated

A large explosion tore into an SUV on a highway 20 km away west of Moscow, instantly killing its driver, who was identified as political commentator Darya Dugina, Russian political analyst and thinker Alexander Dugin's daughter. Dugin the father is an influential veteran political commentator, also known as one of the Kremlin's "ideological masterminds", and an occasional contributor to Al Mayadeen English.

The assassination was carried out at 21:35 Moscow time. Witnesses divulged that the explosion happened in the middle of the road, where debris and metal wreckage scattered in the air right before the car crashed into a fence, according to photos and videos.

According to emergency services, there was only one person inside the car, and it was a female body burned beyond recognition.

The identity of the victim is yet to be confirmed by authorities - however, multiple Russian media sources and Telegram channels have reported that the victim was Darya Dugina, 30. According to videos circulating social media, her father arrived at the scene just after the explosion, devastated.

As for the cause of the explosion, preliminary reports suggest that a homemade explosive device may be involved, however, investigators have not yet confirmed it.

On Saturday evening, Dugin was giving a lecture in Moscow on "Tradition and History" at a traditional family festival in Moscow; Dugina attended the event as a guest. Reports are claiming that Dugin planned to leave the festival with his daughter, but instead took a separate car. Darya took her father's Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

Darya, in July 2022, was placed on the UK sanctions list. Her father in 2014 and 2015 was sanctioned by the EU, US, and Canada.

More details are to unfold.

>>17423556

>>17423575

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/moscow:-kiev-adopting-state-terrorism-if-part-of-dugina-assa

Dugina assassination could have Ukrainian trace, investigation opened

The Russian Investigative Committee reported on Sunday morning that a criminal case has been opened in connection with the assassination of Aleksandr Dugin's daughter, Darya Dugina.

Darya Dugina, 30, has been formally identified as the victim of the explosion outside Moscow, according to the agency.

According to authorities, a bomb blasted through her Toyota Land Cruiser outside the town of Bolshie Vyazemy in Moscow Region at 9:35 pm local time on Saturday. It is suspected that a bomb detonated inside the car, which subsequently caught fire. The Investigative Committee said that “The female driver, who was behind the wheel, has been killed on site.”

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, if the allegation of a Ukrainian connection to the death of journalist and political analyst Darya Dugina is confirmed by the appropriate authorities, Kiev is engaging in its policy of state terrorism.

"The Russian law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of Darya Dugina. If the Ukrainian trace is confirmed, and this version was voiced by DPR head Denis Pushilin, and it must be verified by the competent authorities, then we are talking about the policy of state terrorism implemented by the Kiev regime," Zakharova wrote on Telegram.

The FM spokesperson further recounted a variety of incidents throughout the years, ranging from political appeals for violence against the ruling class to the involvement of Ukrainian official entities in criminal activity.

"We are waiting for the results of the investigation," she concluded.

On Saturday evening, Dugin was giving a lecture in Moscow on "Tradition and History" at a traditional family festival in Moscow; Dugina attended the event as a guest. Reports are claiming that Dugin planned to leave the festival with his daughter, but instead took a separate car. Darya took her father's Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

Zakhar Prilepin, a political activist and writer from Russia who participated in the festival, made the observation that Ukraine may be responsible for the bombing.

"They do things like this. They’ve crossed the line long ago,” he stated on Telegram, citing the assassination, in 2018, of Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the former head of the Donetsk People's Republic, which Kiev was held accountable for, as well as other prominent bombings in the Donbass region in more recent years.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/south-koreans-protest-against-us-seoul-war-drills-demanding

South Koreans protest against US-Seoul war drills, demanding US out

The magnitude of the US administration's influence over mainstream media is no hoax, notably as there are barely any reports about the thousands of South Korean unionists and supporters who rallied in Seoul's downtown on August 13 to protest against the joint US-South Korea war games planned for later this month.

The drills, which are the largest in years, come after the election of incumbent President Yoon Suk-yeol, who promised tougher stances against North Korea. Union leaders, however, have been concerned regarding the risks that come with such policy.

South Koreans held banners demanding that the US leave their land.

Many South Koreans argue that the US military and Seoul's alliance with Washington prevent the improvement of ties with North Korea, generating further tension.

According to the Pentagon, the war games are meant as a response to "challenges" posed by North Korea.

This comes after drills that began on August 1 were concluded on August 14, revealing that the three military allies “participated in a missile warning and ballistic missile search and tracking exercise” near the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii, part of what they called the ‘Pacific Dragon’ exercises.

The Defense Department revealed few details about the exercises, except that the drills “demonstrated the commitment of the US, [South Korea] and Japan to furthering trilateral cooperation,” upholding the “rules-based international order,” as well as responding to “DPRK challenges."

Seoul, moreover, recently confirmed that it would resume live-fire drills with Washington later this month. South Korean forces have recently raised concerns in Beijing, which has repeatedly criticized Seoul's decision to host the US-made Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD), arguing it undermines its national security.

South Korea has rejected calls to refrain from additional THAAD deployments.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/palestinian-foreign-ministry-warns-of-israels-plans-against

Palestinian Foreign Ministry warns of "Israel's" plans against Al-Aqsa

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry pointed out Sunday that Al-Aqsa Mosque is still subjected to the most heinous forms of targeting and Judaization as part of an official Israeli policy to achieve its racist colonial goals.

In a statement on the 53rd anniversary of the burning of the mosque, the ministry indicated that Al-Aqsa is subject to continuous Israeli aggression through a wide range of occupation measures.

According to the ministry, the Israeli occupation is attempting to isolate Al-Aqsa from its Palestinian surroundings and besiege it by preventing Palestinian citizens from accessing it and depriving them of praying in the mosque, while imposing more restrictions and collective punishments.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry stressed that it has become clear that the Israeli occupation authorities continue to implement their plans against Al-Aqsa Mosque in order to establish its temporal division on the path of spatially dividing it.

The statement underlined that these plans are accompanied by a fierce campaign launched by the Israeli occupation authorities against the Islamic Endowment Department with the aim of removing its powers and preventing it from exercising its various duties toward Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Palestinian Ministry warned that what Al-Aqsa Mosque is subjected to is part of the processes of Judaization and deepening of illegal Israeli settlements in Al-Quds through its attempt to forcefully impose changes in its features and cultural identity.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry held the Israeli occupation responsible for its violations and crimes against Al-Aqsa Mosque and warned of the dangers facing the Mosque on a daily basis.

It is noteworthy that on August 21, 1969, a Zionist Australian extremist named Michael Dennis stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and deliberately set fire to its eastern side, which led to the destruction of its facades, ceiling, carpets, and furniture.

The burning of Al-Aqsa Mosque provoked huge reactions among Arabs and Muslims. The next day, thousands of Muslims performed Friday prayers in the outer courtyard of the Mosque.

Demonstrations erupted in the occupied city of Al-Quds and other Islamic and Arab countries condemning the crime.

Israeli excavations threaten Al-Aqsa, undermine historic features

In late June, relevant institutions and authorities revealed that excavations made by "Israel" under Al-Aqsa Mosque are threatening its foundations, revealing that new cracks have appeared in the floor of the Holy Mosque.

The cracks appeared near the Islamic Museum and the Mughrabi Gate adjacent to Al-Buraq Wall, all the way to the Umayyad palaces area.

On its part, the Council of Endowments, Islamic Affairs, and Holy Sanctuaries in the occupied city of Al-Quds said it is following the dangerous activities of "Israel" in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa.

The council stated that the "Israel" Antiquities Authority and the "Elad" settlement association have been conducting suspicious and mysterious excavations in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, especially from the southern and western sides adjacent to the mosque's external foundation, in the areas of Al-Buraq Wall and the Umayyad palaces.

The Council also indicated that it has been monitoring for a while a group of workers using bulldozers and heavy excavating machinery working at an extremely suspicious fast pace in the said areas.

According to the Council, the works included digging the sand out and making holes in the walls adjacent to the southern wall of the mosque.

Observers have also monitored continuous crushing for months of important huge archaeological stones, which are converted into smaller stones in order to hide their traces and are removed in the guise of mounds intended for rubbish.

>>17423690

Pence looks different

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/japan-sets-us-backed-taiwan-contingency-initiative

Japan sets US-backed "Taiwan contingency" initiative

With its intent of narrowing the "missile gap" with China, the Japanese government wants to alter its Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles so they can be fired from vessels and aircraft to strike land targets, according to a major Japanese newspaper, Yomiuri, on Sunday, which cited numerous government sources. The missiles would also need to be extended to have a range of at least 1,000KM.

Yomiuri stated that an enhanced ground-launched variant of the missile is anticipated to enter service two years sooner than first anticipated, probably in 2024. According to the publication, Tokyo eventually wants "more than 1,000" of these missiles stationed around the Nansei Islands. The alleged missile strategy is a component of a "Taiwan contingency" initiative.

The US military and Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) reportedly forged an agreement in December to set up an attack base on the Nansei Islands in the case of an "emergency," should war arise between Taipei and Beijing.

To explain such "counterstrike capabilities," Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has previously stated that it intends to modify and partially classify the country's current National Security Strategy by the end of the year, with an emphasis on whether Japan may obtain weapons to strike enemy bases. Given Japan's defense-focused constitution's express renunciation of war, the topic is delicate.

The proposal, if implemented, would see US troops stationed on the Nansei Islands at a temporary attack base, with the SDF providing support in the form of additional troops if a military danger to Taiwan was near, according to Tokyo officials cited by the Kyodo news agency.

There are over 200 islands in the Nansei Islands, some of which are uninhabited. According to reports, three of the islands - Amami-Oshima, Ishigaki, and Miyako - were being evaluated as locations for missile sites, but their proximity to the disputed Senkaku Islands would infuriate China further by Japan's escalated militarization of the area.

>>17423770

>>17423766

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/french-pm-beats-macron-in-popularity-by-four-points:-poll

French PM beats Macron in popularity by four points: Poll

The approval rating of French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has exceeded President Emmanuel Macron's by 4 percentage points, according to a poll conducted by the IFOP research group for the French magazine Le Journal du Dimanche and published on Sunday.

The poll found that 41% of respondents approved of Borne's professional performance. The senior official has been gaining popularity among young people, small entrepreneurs, and supporters of France's center-right The Republicans party.

Meanwhile, Macron's approval rating reached 37% in August as 63% of respondents said they were not satisfied with how he performed as President, and 75% of those polled were not pleased with measures he applied in the security sector, the survey showed.

In July, a poll by Elabe showed that almost one in two French citizens disapproved of Macron's professional performance and only 12% approved it.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ukraine-to-be-charged-with-state-terror-if-involved-in-dugin

Ukraine to be charged with state terror if involved in Dugina's death

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Sunday that if any Ukrainian trace in the murder of journalist and political analyst Darya Dugina is confirmed by competent authorities, then Kiev will be held on charges of implementing a policy of state terrorism.

"The Russian law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of Darya Dugina. If any Ukrainian trace is confirmed, as voiced by DPR head Denis Pushilin, and verified by the competent authorities, then we will confirm that Kiev has implemented a policy of State terrorism," the diplomat wrote on Sunday on her Telegram channel.

Zakharova recalled that there have been many facts over the years: from political calls for violence toward the leadership to the participation of Ukrainian state structures in crimes.

"We are waiting for the results of the investigation," she said.

Dugina's murder

Earlier, law enforcement agencies told sources that a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado car exploded near the village of Bolshiye Vyazemy. The female driver was killed. Andrey Krasnov, the head of the Russian Horizon social movement and the person familiar with the victim, confirmed to sources that the deceased was Darya Dugina.

The car exploded on the Mozhaisk Highway as she was driving from the Tradition festival. According to Krasnov, the car belongs to Daria's father, Russian public figure Alexander Dugin, an influential veteran political commentator, also known as one of the Kremlin's "ideological masterminds", and an occasional contributor to Al Mayadeen English.

The Russian Investigative Committee press office told sources that Dugina's murder was planned.

The police prepared an expert examination to investigate the case, including biological, genetic, physical, chemical, and explosion-technical tests, and removed the video from the car's dashboard.

Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin instructed to transfer the criminal case of Dugina's murder for further consultation to the Main Investigative Department of Russia’s Investigative Committee.

Darya, in July 2022, was placed on the UK sanctions list. Her father in 2014 and 2015 was sanctioned by the EU, US, and Canada.