https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/algeria-is-helping-to-diversify-europe-gas-supplies:-macron

Algeria is helping to 'diversify' Europe gas supplies: Macron

Macron visited Algeria on Thursday hoping "to lay a foundation to rebuild and develop" a tense relationship with the North African nation, especially since ties between Paris and Algiers became particularly stormy last year when Macron questioned Algeria's existence as a nation before the French occupation and accused the government of fomenting "hatred toward France."

At the time, he projected a French superiority complex, "Was there an Algerian nation before French colonization?" and argued that there had been previous colonizations before the French one, citing the Ottoman Empire's colonization of Algeria.

However, today, Macron, during a visit to Africa's top gas exporter as part of his 3-day visit to the country, courted Algeria and said the African nation helped Europe diversify its energy supplies by pumping more gas to Italy.

Dismissing suggestions that Italy and France were competing for Algerian gas, Macron welcomed a deal Algeria signed last month to pump more gas to Italy, telling reporters it is "good for Italy, it's good for Europe and it improves the diversification of Europe."

European nations have been scrambling to reduce their reliance on Russian energy since the war in Ukraine six months ago.

Italy's Eni, US major Occidental, France's Total, and the Algerian group Sonatrach signed a $4 billion, 25-year oil and gas production-sharing contract last month that will provide Rome with "significant volumes of natural gas," Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said at the time.

An Algerian government source also said the North African country would increase gas exports to Italy by four billion cubic meters.

Italy buys the majority of its natural gas from abroad, with about 45% of its imports historically coming from Russia. Since February, it has sought to boost supplies from Algeria, which has a pipeline through which it can pump gas to Italy.

Algeria supplies around 11% of the natural gas consumed in Europe.

The ball is in Iran's court

On the nuclear deal talks, French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday claimed that the fate of a revived nuclear deal is now in Iran's hands, and an agreement will be "useful" even if it doesn't settle everything.

When asked during a visit to Algeria about the chances of success in reviving the 2015 agreement, Macron boldly said, "Now the ball is in Iran's court."

According to EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell, most countries that are part of discussions with Iran on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal say they agree with the bloc's latest proposal as all sides wait for the United States to respond after Tehran gave its opinion on the draft.

However, that same day, Israeli media cited a security source revealing that "the United States of America has relinquished all its demands to Iran." The source explains that "the assessment is that at this stage the crystallized agreement cannot be stopped," and that "Tehran got the dream deal."

Britain is 'a friend… whoever its leaders are'

President Macron also called Britain an ally, "whoever its leaders" was. His comments came in response to Liz Truss, anticipated to become UK PM, who said when asked if Macron was a friend or foe, "President Macron: friend or foe?…. The jury's out…”

“If I become Prime Minister, I'll judge him on deeds not words," she said.

"The British people, the United Kingdom, is a friendly, strong and allied nation, regardless of its leaders, and sometimes in spite of its leaders or the little mistakes, they may make in grandstanding," Macron told reporters.

Truss currently leads former finance minister Rishi Sunak by wide margins in polls of the Tory grassroots set to choose their next leader, who will then become prime minister.

Britain and France are allies at the heart of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) political and military alliance, but have differences on a number of issues, particularly after Britain's departure from the European Union.

Furthermore, the two countries also have contrasting approaches to the war in Ukraine.

Part 1

>>17445531

During a press conference after visiting a cemetery in Algiers, Macron responded, "If we are not capable, between France and Britain, of saying whether we are a friend or enemy the term is not neutral we are heading towards serious problems."

He said, "It's never good to lose your bearings in life" and added that if he were asked the question, he wouldn't hesitate "for a second."

"The United Kingdom is a friend of France," Macron stated.

'Nuclear power must not be instrument of war in Ukraine'

In another context, French President Emmanuel Macron warned Friday against the use of civilian nuclear facilities as an instrument of war in Ukraine, where a Russian-controlled plant has been disconnected from the power grid.

"War in any case must not undermine the nuclear safety of the country, the region and all of us. Civil nuclear power must be fully protected," Macron said during a visit to Algeria.

Part 2 - End

>>17445507

This is not HRC.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/russia-fsb:-ukrainian-agent-spying-on-military-facilities-de

Russia FSB: Ukrainian agent spying on military facilities detained

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) revealed on Friday that officers had detained a Ukrainian intelligence agent in Kursk for spying on military facilities.

"The unlawful activities of a resident of the city of Kursk, a Ukrainian citizen, who is an agent of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, suspected of involvement in the collection and transfer on the instructions of foreign intelligence of information about objects of the [Russian] defense ministry for use against the security of Russia, were stopped," the FSB said in a statement.

According to the statement, special technical tools given to him by the Ukrainian special agency were seized in his apartment.

This comes in light of the recent assassination of Darya Dugina, the daughter of Russian political philosopher and analyst Alexander Dugin, who died in a car bombing prepared and executed by Ukraine's special services, as revealed by Russia's FSB.

The Russian Investigative Committee determined that an explosive device was hidden beneath the car's floor on the driver's side. The FSB revealed that Ukrainian citizen Vovk Natalya was behind the murder.

"The crime was prepared and committed by the Ukrainian special services. The performer is a citizen of Ukraine Vovk Natalya … born in 1979, who arrived in Russia on July 23, 2022, together with her daughter … In order to organize the murder of D. Dugina and obtain information about her lifestyle, they rented an apartment in Moscow in the house where the deceased lived," the FSB said.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/lebanon-in-countrywide-blackout-on-friday-due-to-fuel-oil-sh

Lebanon in countrywide blackout on Friday due to fuel oil shortage

Lebanon's only working power station will stop operating on Friday due to fuel oil shortages, which will cause a nationwide blackout, the state-run power company Electricite du Liban (EDL) said on Thursday.

"The only working power station in Zahrani will be forced to stop operating due to the deficit of fuel oil reserves, which will lead to a power cut across the entire country," EDL said in a statement, quoted by the state-run National News Agency.

The company said it had not received any fuel oil shipments this month under the agreement between Lebanon and Iraq, which was the only option left for Lebanon to have fuel for energy production. At the same time, the dates of electric power supply from Jordan and the beginning of natural gas imports from Egypt are still undecided.

Lebanon has been mired in several years of a political and economic crisis that has led to the resignation of two cabinets since protests against the government erupted in October 2019.

A year ago, the United Nations revealed that half of the Lebanese people live in poverty and the poverty levels increased from 8% in 2019 to 23% in 2020.

According to a United Nations report revealing the tragic situation the Lebanese have reached due to the economic crisis, the consumption index rose between 2019 and 2021 by 280%, and food prices rose by 670%.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-b-2-bomber-successfully-test-fires-first-long-range-steal

US B-2 bomber successfully test fires first long-range stealth missile

A B-2 Spirit strategic bomber has successfully test-fired its first long-range stealth standoff missile, aerospace and defense company Northrop Grumman announced on Thursday.

In a press release, the company said "Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force are continuing enhancements to the B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber fleet providing new capability, including its first long-range stealth missile."

"The B-2 successfully released a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range (JASSM-ER) during a flight test in December," the release added.

According to the company, the JASSM-ER will extend the B-2 bomber’s ability to hit any target anywhere and its successful integration into the B-2 platform will now allow the Air Force to deliver a low observable asset capable of traveling greater distances than its predecessor.

"JASSM-ER is one of three new advanced capabilities being introduced to the B-2 to further modernize the platform. The B-2 fleet …is also integrating crypto modernization and a Radar Aided Targeting System (RATS)," the company explained.

Installation of the Radar Aided Targeting System will complete the latest phase of the B-2's nuclear modernization program, mentioned the release.

>>17445641

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/gantz-meets-us-centcom-chief-in-florida-to-discuss-cooperati

Gantz meets US CENTCOM chief in Florida to discuss cooperation, Iran

Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz met with the US Central Command chief General Michael Kurilla in Tampa, Florida.

As nuclear talks between Tehran and world powers heat up, the two discussed ways to expand collaboration between "Israel" and the US military, as well as strategies for fighting the so-called Iranian "threat" in the Middle East.

With the US responding to Iran's newest requests on Wednesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry verified receiving the response and studying it.

"I am completing a successful visit to CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa," tweeted Gantz. "During the visit we held significant discussions on strengthening the security cooperation between Israel, the US and the countries of the region in the face of Iranian aggression."

Gantz, following his top military meeting, said he is off to Washington next to meet with "National Security Advisor [Jake] Sullivan. I will discuss with him ways to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons."

Gantz discussed with Kurilla Israeli-American military cooperation on Iran in both an agreement and no deal scenario.

"Iran's nuclear rush must be significantly scaled back," said Gantz. "The financing of its affiliates in the region should be disconnected from the Iranian Rial pipeline. We will discuss the issue with the Americans, and at the same time, Israel will continue to build its strength and capabilities - so that in any situation, it will know how to defend itself."

Tehran; a threat to "Israel"

Tensions are mounting in the relationship between the Israeli occupation and the United States amid reported progress in efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, Axios reported.

"A deal might be closer than it was two weeks ago but the outcome remains uncertain as some gaps remain. In any case, it doesn’t seem to be imminent," a US official told Axios on Saturday.

There has been "intense" dialogue behind closed doors between "Israel" and the US in recent days, with the discussion becoming "more difficult", according to Israeli officials cited by Axios.

White House officials have been trying to reassure their Israeli counterparts that there have been no new concessions to Iran, Axios said citing US officials.

However, senior Israeli officials said that Israeli occupation Prime Minister Yair Lapid told the White House that the EU draft goes beyond the 2015 deal and crosses the Biden administration’s red lines.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/solomon-islands-denies-entry-to-us-coast-guard-ship

Solomon Islands denies entry to US coast guard ship

The Solomon Islands authorities have denied entry to US coast guard cutter (USCG) Oliver Henry for a routine logistics port call in Guadalcanal, a spokesperson for the 14th Coast Guard District in Honolulu said.

Guadalcanal is located near the country's capital city of Honiara, and this comes amid a deterioration in the ties between the United States and the Solomon Islands.

"The Government of the Solomon Islands did not respond to the U.S. Government’s request for diplomatic clearance for the vessel to refuel and provision in Honiara," Lt. Kristin Kam said in an email to US newspaper Stars and Stripes on Thursday.

GCG Oliver Henry changed its course accordingly, traveling to Papua New Guinea on Tuesday for refueling and provision, the spokesperson said. However, she did not specify when the vessel was initially expected to make the Guadalcanal port call.

"The US Department of State is in contact with the Government of the Solomon Islands and expects all future clearances will be provided to US ships," Kam added.

The US and the Solomon Islands have long been allies, with a partnership being in place since World War II. The two countries, however, have been growing colder together in recent decades, with the US going as far as shutting down its embassy in Honiara two decades ago.

Due to the wedge between Honiara and Washington, the Solomon Islands started developing ties with China in 2019, causing the United States and Australia to grow concerned.

China around mid-April signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands, which prompted Australia to worry that the pact could be a step toward Chinese military presence less than 2,000 km away.

Zed Seselja, Australia's minister for international development and the Pacific, visited the Solomon Islands' capital Honiara to try to convince authorities not to sign the framework pact.

Officials of both countries denied that China had plans on building a military base on the island nation, but then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison still stressed that Beijing constructing a military base in the Solomon Islands would be a "red line" for Canberra and Washington.

The White House even warned that the United States would respond if China establishes a permanent military presence on the Solomon Islands, and a senior US official in the Pacific did not rule out military action against the Solomon Islands if Honiara allowed China to establish a military base.

Regardless, Solomon Islander Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare reassured that his country would not host a foreign military base as this would render it a target for military strikes.

The US, UK, and Australia had formed their AUKUS alliance, ignoring China's concerns on the matter. The alliance was based on enhancing Australia's nuclear capabilities through advanced technology and nuclear submarines in order to increase the alliance's strength in the South Pacific as China grows more influential in its region.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/new-financial-ploy-by-cia-to-meddle-in-turkish-russian-affai

New financial ploy by CIA to meddle in Turkish-Russian affairs

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used intimidation against Turkish businessmen involved in trade with Russia, prying into their real estate contracts with Russians, Turkish daily Yeni Şafak reported on Friday.

According to the Turkish daily, the CIA Turkey chief called and "openly threatened" the officials of construction companies with links to housing purchases made by Russian entities and individuals. The CIA official reportedly interviewed Turkish businessmen, asking them about the number of houses sold to Russians, the currency and method used in transactions, and other confidential details like if it was paid by cash on hand or through a bank.

Another instance of "meddling" in Turkish internal affairs includes a letter that, according to Yeni Şafak, US Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo sent to the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD). The letter reportedly dated this Monday, August 22, threatened to impose sanctions on TÜSİAD members that were doing business with Russia.

Adeyemo also held a phone call with Turkish Deputy Finance Minister Yunus Elitaş last Friday, in which he made claims that Russian entities and individuals are attempting to use Turkey to circumvent sanctions imposed by the West.

The US and a number of aligned countries began imposing sanctions on Russian individuals and entities in response to the launch of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine in late February. So far, Turkey has not joined the sanctions regime against Moscow.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ukraine-keeps-no-track-of-us-weapons-accounts-on-paper:-dod

Ukraine keeps no track of US weapons, accounts on paper: DoD official

According to Acting Inspector General of the Department of Defense Sean O'Donnell, Ukraine keeps track of the weapons using "hand receipts".

"It is all paper," the official acknowledged, adding that he doubts that the Kiev authorities "have much fidelity" as to where the arms end up. O'Donnell noted that a "lack of effective record-keeping" got in the way of Pentagon investigations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, NATO officials appear to be "confident that the security was sufficient for the transfer of weapons," O'Donnell said. Interestingly, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously said the arms supplied by the West to Ukraine were ending up on the black market and spreading across West Asia.

O'Donnell's office also intends to look into the spending of Ukraine-related funds, along with intelligence-sharing agreements between Washington and NATO allies, the effectiveness of training of Ukrainian forces, and possible sales of arms in the black market.

Just last Friday, a high-ranking Pentagon representative affirmed during a briefing that the US has been shipping HARM anti-radar missiles (that are used for targeting radar systems) to Ukraine without actually announcing it publicly. The total number of Ukraine-related military contracts signed with the US reached 7,800 valued at a total of around $2.2 billion, with the latest military aid package valued at $2.98 billion.

A senior US defense official warned, on Tuesday, that hundreds of millions of dollars worth of US weapons sent to Ukraine might “drop into a big black hole, and you have almost no sense of it at all after a short period of time," stressing that the US military supply to Ukraine is "certainly the largest recent supply to a partner country in a conflict."

However, current US officials and defense analysts agree that the risk is that some of those weapons will end up in the hands of mercenaries.

Moscow has repeatedly denounced the continuous flow of weapons to Ukraine from its Western allies, saying that it adds fuel to the fire. In April, Russia sent a note to NATO member states, condemning their military assistance to Ukraine. In July, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that foreign weapons supplied by the West to Ukraine ended up in illegal markets, not only in Europe but also across West Asia.

>>17445780

Sherman, Sherman, Sherman.