https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-to-announce-new-11-bln-arms-package-to-ukraine-includes-h

US to announce new $1.1 bln arms package to Ukraine, includes HIMARS

In a report released on Monday, Reuters cited unnamed American officials that disclosed that while Washington is keeping a close eye on the results of the referendums in eastern Ukraine, a new $1.1 billion fund will be announced soon by the US administration for a new package of weapons designated to Ukraine.

The report comes less than a day after the results of the referenda on the accession of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR), Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions to Russia, have been announced on Tuesday by Moscow, stating that the results will be decided upon on October the 4th.

NATO countries condemned the referenda, according to a statement revealed last Thursday.

According to the sources, the new arms aid will include technical support and training, several types of drones and radar systems, as well as HIMAR systems with their ammunition and other spare parts.

The new fund will be allocated from the USAI - Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative - which provides Biden with the ability to purchase the arms supplies directly from the industry providers rather than US military weapons stocks.

This report comes a few days after the US announced $457.5 million “in funding for Ukrainian law enforcement," not to mention billions for immediate military supplies to Ukrainian nationals.

Since the start of the war, the US has given Ukraine $15.8 billion for "security assistance", which includes a package worth $600 million in early September. Additionally, the White House asked Congress for $13.7 billion for "security and economic assistance" for Ukraine.

The US has not only been giving money and arms to Ukraine, as a senior official in the US Department of Defense said earlier this month that his country was closely engaged with Ukraine's armed forces ahead of their Kharkov counteroffensive, providing Kiev's military with intelligence in the buildup to the operation.

>>17596589

Thank you Baker

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-elbit-cybersecurity-breach-in-us-targets-369-employe

Israeli Elbit cybersecurity breach in US targets 369 employees

Elbit America, the US branch of the Israeli arms manufacturing contractor Elbit, reported a cyber-security breach and stressed that sensitive personal data was likely stolen.

The contractor specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) also noted, in a notification to the authorities in Maine earlier in September, according to TechCrunch, that 369 employees were impacted by the June cyber-attack.

“On June 8, 2022, someone attempted to interfere with Elbit America’s cyber operations. We immediately shut down our network and took steps to secure our environment,” the company said in a letter addressed to employees potentially affected by the hack.

Following the attack, Elbit hired a “leading cybersecurity firm” to investigate the incident. According to Elbit, investigations concluded that “an unknown actor gained access to and obtained certain data” from its network, including “individuals’ names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, direct deposit information, and ethnicity.”

The business provided little other insight on the cyberattack, but stated that it did not believe any personal data had been "misused as a result of this incident."

Although cybersecurity blogger Eduard Kovacs noted that a ransomware gang known as "Black Basta" boasted of an attack on Elbit Systems in late June, not long after the business claims it was compromised, the Texas-based subsidiary did not name any actors believed to have carried out the operation. Payroll records and a non-disclosure agreement were allegedly among the stolen data the group, Black Basta, uploaded at the time on its website.

Elbit is headquartered in "Israel," and its primary business is drone technology, however, it has dabbled in the surveillance market through a series of acquisitions.

Researchers at Citizen Lab discovered that starting in 2016, a Cyberbit subsidiary of Elbit created malware that was used to surveil Ethiopian dissidents in the US, the UK, and other countries.

Elbit eventually sold the majority of its Cyberbit shares, and by 2020, it retained a minority holding.

Human rights organizations have condemned Elbit for its participation in providing the Israeli occupation forces with attack, reconnaissance, and spy drones in addition to the Cyberbit incident. In July, activists attacked a British factory in Shenstone that produced UAV engines for Elbit, allegedly causing the facility thousands of dollars worth of damage in response to deadly Israeli incursions in the occupied West Bank.

In July, Palestine Action confirmed via a press release on its website that its “activists took action today seeking to dismantle an industry built on occupation, dispossession, and warfare across the globe”.

Elbit has supplied drone technology to a wide range of nations, including the United States, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Georgia, and the Philippines in addition to "Israel's" own occupation forces.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/burkina-faso-attack-leaves-11-dead-50-missing

Burkina Faso attack leaves 11 dead, 50 missing

The Burkina Faso government reports that armed fighters ambushed a convoy of 150 vehicles carrying supplies to a northern town, killing at least 11 troops. The attack which occurred on Monday in the commune of Gaskinde in the province of Soum also left 50 civilians missing.

The government of Burkina Faso said in a statement on Tuesday that armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS have intensified their attacks since 2015 as they seized more territory.

The attack wounded 28 civilians and 20 soldiers while it also destroyed dozens of trucks.

Since Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba took over Burkina Faso in a coup in January of this year and vowed to control the country's armed groups, violence has erupted throughout the West African nation.

Al-Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated armed fighters have fueled the turmoil across the nation even after Damiba replaced his defense minister earlier this month.

Armed factions have blockaded many villages in the northern Soum province, so government convoys and airdrops have brought crucial supplies to stranded people.

Government spokesperson Lionel Bilgo called the attack "cowardly and barbaric." Bilgo explained that “The provisional toll is that 11 bodies of soldiers have been found,” adding that “About 50 civilians are missing and searches are ongoing.”

According to AFP, citing a security source, the death toll could increase to 60 dead as “Practically the entire convoy was burnt.”

Ongoing instability

On January 31, Burkina was also suspended by the African Union "until the effective restoration of constitutional order."

The UN Security Council on February 9 expressed "serious concern" over the country's "unconstitutional change of government," but chose not to describe it as a military coup or even condemn it outright.

Burkina Faso is one of the world's poorest countries and one of the most volatile in Africa.

The Sahel state has experienced repeated coups since gaining independence from France in 1960.

Since the first terrorist attacks in 2015, more than 2,000 people have died, according to an AFP tally, while the country's emergencies agency says more than 1.5 million people have fled their homes.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/taliban-signs-deal-to-buy-russian-gas-wheat-oil-products:-re

Taliban signs deal to buy Russian gas, wheat, oil products: Reuters

Reuters reported on Tuesday that the Taliban signed an agreement with Russia to supply gasoline, diesel, gas, and wheat to Afghanistan, according to Acting Afghan Commerce and Industry Minister Haji Nooruddin Azizi.

According to Azizi, his Commerce and Industry Ministry mobilized considerable efforts to diversify its trading partners. Russia had previously proposed a discount to the Taliban on average global commodity prices.

This comes as the Taliban's inked its first known major international economic deal coming back to power more than a year ago. It is hoped that it may help to ease the Islamist movement's isolation that has effectively cut it off from the global banking system.

Both the Taliban and Russia maintained diplomatic relations despite the incident that happened at the Russian Embassy in Kabul on September 5.

Besides economic cooperation, Russia has been diplomatically supportive of Afghanistan in its request from the US to have frozen assets returned.

Since reclaiming power in the country in August 2021, the Taliban movement has been battling a local chapter of IS-K, which is believed to be responsible for the majority of terrorist attacks and bomb explosions in Afghanistan.

It has also been demanding that the US returns frozen assets to alleviate the negative effects of previous years of economic isolation.

On September 17, huge rallies were held across Kabul to protest the US recent announcement to transfer part of Afghanistan's national reserves to a trust fund in Switzerland, calling for the full release of assets.

The Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in August of last year after an incredibly chaotic withdrawal of US troops and the end of the US occupation of the country.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/former-nsa-chief-trained-saudi-hackers-before-khashoggi-murd

Former NSA Chief trained Saudi hackers before Khashoggi murder

Former NSA Director Keith Alexander struck a deal with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in early 2018 and the cyber institute led by one of his closest aides, Saud Al-Qahtani, to assist the Saudi ruler in training the next generation of Saudi hackers to take on the Kingdom's adversaries, according to a report by The Intercept.

While the agreement between Alexander's IronNet and the cyber school was widely reported at the time in intelligence industry outlets and the Saudi press, it received no scrutiny for its association with AL-Qahtani, despite the murder of Jamal Khashoggi that he allegedly orchestrated just a few months later.

According to an announcement made in early July, Alexander officially signed the agreement with the Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Advanced Technologies — a school established to train Saudi cyber intelligence agents — at a signing ceremony in Washington, DC.

Al-Qahtani’s proxy at the signing noted in a statement that “the strategic agreement will ensure [Saudi Arabia is] benefiting from the experience of an advisory team comprising senior officers who had held senior positions in the Cyber Command of the US Department of Defense.”

Alexander's for-profit cyber security firm IronNet would collaborate closely with the Saudi Federation of Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, a college affiliate dedicated to offensive cyber operations and overseen at the time by Al-Qahtani.

Saudi Arabia’s agreement with IronNet was part of a host of moves to step up its cyber capabilities, coinciding with a campaign against the Kingdom’s critics abroad.

Khashoggi received a series of threatening messages, one of which was from Al-Qahtani, warning him to remain silent. Khashoggi was lured to the Saudi Embassy in Istanbul after his family and close associates discovered listening malware electronically implanted on their smartphones.

It was there that a team dispatched by Al-Qahtani detained and tortured the Saudi government critic. Al-Qahtani, according to reports, beamed in through Skype to insult Khashoggi during the ordeal, allegedly instructing his team to “bring me the head of the dog.” Khashoggi was then dismembered with a bone saw.

What was Al-Qahtani's role?

Qahtani's role as an enforcer on behalf of Bin Salman was well known prior to Khashoggi's murder, and it has closely followed the young prince's meteoric rise as Saudi Arabia's effective leader.

He was instrumental in the abduction and interrogation of hundreds of Saudi elites in 2017, who were held captive at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh and forced to pledge loyalty and money to MBS. According to reports, Al-Qahtani personally led the questioning efforts.

According to the brother of Saudi women's rights activist Loujain Al-Hathloul, Al-Qahtani also directly participated in Al-Hathloul's torture the following year.

Al-Qahtani expands Saudi cyberwarfare tools

Al-Qahtani has made it his personal mission to acquire and expand Saudi cyberwarfare tools on behalf of the Kingdom. He has spent over a decade directly negotiating the accumulation of computer and phone infiltration technology, in addition to the deal with IronNet and other top-tier American cyber experts.

In October 2017, he was named president of the Electronic Security and Software Alliance, later renamed the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, an official state-backed effort to expand Saudi Arabia's cyber offensive capabilities.

Cybersecurity researchers discovered powerful hacking technology implanted on Khashoggi's family's phones, most likely by agents of the United Arab Emirates, a close Saudi ally. Several people received malicious text messages that infected their phones with Pegasus, a tool developed by the NSO Group that allows the NSO Group to remotely access a target's microphone, text messages, and location.

>>17596675

>>17596692

My sides hurt. Is this Rowling's new fantasy book?

>>17596702

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-ready-to-support-europe-after-nord-stream-pipeline-leaks:

US ready to support Europe after Nord Stream pipeline leaks: WH

The United States is "ready" to help European allies after leaks erupted from the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines carrying Russian gas to western Europe, a senior White House official said Tuesday.

"I'm not going to speculate on the cause, and I know our European partners are investigating. We stand ready to provide support to their efforts," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"This just drives home the importance of our efforts to work together to get alternative gas supplies to Europe and to support efforts to reduce gas consumption and accelerate true energy independence by moving to a clean energy economy."

Earlier today, Denmark's maritime traffic agency and Sweden's Maritime Authority reported a "dangerous" gas leak in the Baltic Sea close to the route of the inactive Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which experienced an unexplained drop in pressure.

The leak, southeast of the Danish island of Bornholm, "is dangerous for maritime traffic" and "navigation is prohibited within a five nautical mile radius of the reported position," the agency warned in a notice to ships.

Authorities in Germany, where the undersea pipeline from Russia makes land, said the energy link had experienced a drop in pressure, while its operator suggested that a leak may be the reason.

Nord Stream 2's operator mentioned pressure in the pipeline dropped from 105 to seven bars overnight.

Later, reports revealed that the Swedish National Seismic Network (SNSN) reported powerful underwater explosions in the area of gas leaks from the Nord Stream pipeline.

SNSN Director Bjorn Lund said as quoted by SVT that "there are no doubts that these were explosions."

“One explosion had a magnitude of 2.3 and was registered by dozens of monitoring stations in southern Sweden,” he stated. “You can clearly see the waves bounce from the bottom to the surface," Lund added.

>>17596772

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-rep-pete-sessions-claims-he-didnt-know-he-met-with-azov-m

US Rep. Pete Sessions claims he didn't know he met with Azov militants

US Republican Rep. Pete Sessions told Sputnik, following his meeting with soldiers of Ukraine's Azov nationalistic regiment on Capitol Hill, that he allegedly did not know with whom he met because these people did not wear a uniform.

During a phone call with Sputnik, Sessions initially denied meeting with Azov soldiers — a group that was subject to a Congress funding ban several years ago — but later clarified that he did meet with a group of people but was unsure if they were Azov soldiers.

"I did have some meeting with some people," Sessions said. "I met with a group of people."

When asked if the meeting included members of the Azov regiment, he said, "I don't know, nobody was in a uniform."

The chief of Kiev-based NGO Anti-Corruption Action Center, Daria Kaleniuk, said on Monday that Azov soldiers were received on Capitol Hill earlier in September.

Kaleniuk revealed that the Ukrainian delegation also met with Senators Joni Ernst, Dan Sullivan, Shelley Moore, Jeanne Shaheen, and other lawmakers to discuss Ukraine's request for modern tanks like the Abrams, the Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM), and other air defense systems.

The delegation's visit to Washington also included a meeting with US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central and Eastern Europe in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Robin Dunnigan and the State Department's Head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination Jim O'Brien to lobby for the designation of Russia as a "state sponsor of terrorism" and the seizure of $300 billion in Russian sovereign funds located abroad, which Ukraine can use to purchase modern weapons, according to the State Department.

Azov militants use prohibited means and methods of warfare and are complicit in the torture of civilians and killings of children, according to the Russian prosecutor general’s office.

That said, the Azov Battalion is a funded volunteer military unit, and after the Ukrainian authorities' decision to ban illegal armed formations, the volunteer battalions were offered to join the units of the Ministry of Defense. It is reported that many of the soldiers and officers of these units are members of the Ukrainian far-right groups who openly adopt neo-Nazi views.

>> The kek with this one!

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/truss-kwarteng-grapple-over-sterling-crisis-response:-source

Truss, Kwarteng grapple over sterling crisis response: Sources

The first signs of disagreement between Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng over how to deal with the falling pound have emerged to the surface, after the pair met in No 10 on Monday to discuss ways to respond.

Simultaneously, Downing Street denied that there was a schism between No 10 and No 11 over how to deal with the market reaction to the mini-budget.

However, Whitehall sources reportedly said there was talk within the civil service of a dispute between the Prime Minister and Chancellor during the meeting on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, Sky News reported that Truss had been resisting Kwarteng's proposal that a Treasury statement was needed to ease the markets.

A Downing Street source stressed it was "nonsense" that Nos. 10 and 11 were at odds during the meeting, adding that Truss meets Kwarteng every day and there was no argument.

However, another government source contradicted that, admitting that there was friction during the encounter.

Conservative MPs are still enraged about the budget, which has caused the pound to fall to a record low against the dollar at times since Friday.

At least one Tory MP is thought to have already submitted a letter to the 1922 Committee expressing dissatisfaction with Truss, with talk among backbenchers of trying to oust her if she does not change her economic course.

Tory whips were calling MPs on Tuesday to reassure them that they would vote for the upcoming finance bill, and Kwarteng held a call with backbenchers to explain his plans in greater detail.

To reassure investors, the Treasury issued a statement late Monday afternoon stating that it would commission a forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility and hold another fiscal event in mid-November.

It is worth noting that both Nos. 10 and 11 devised the mini-budget on Friday, which included £45 billion in tax cuts, but the market reaction has been harsh, with the pound hitting a new historical low and gilt yields - the cost of government borrowing - mounting.

Hundreds of mortgage deals have already been withdrawn this week as lenders skirmish to price their products due to financial market volatility.

>>A kangaroo fight.

>>17596861

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-eu-condone-their-own-economic-suicide-through-sanctions:

US, EU condone their own 'economic suicide' through sanctions: Maduro

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has labeled the US' and the EU's endless sanctions against Russia as 'economic suicide', per his statement on Tuesday, highlighting that “Europe and the US have chosen economic suicide, trying to kill Russia. Europe and the US have decreed the economic and social suicide of their economy, to finish off Russia".

According to Ultimas Noticias, citing AVN, Maduro blamed the US and the EU's own economic downfall for their implementation of packages of sanctions that led to their near-recession fears as well as being the two worst to bear the brunt of the energy crisis, adding: “They prefer energy crises, blackouts, the economic crisis, unleashed inflation to negotiating peace with Russia".

The US has not only heavily sanctioned Russian gas, oil, gold and jewelry, but has so far gone as to sanction individuals after running low, as they placed embargoes on nearly every Russian politician, official, and business. The EU took a different and perhaps more deteriorating route by not merely joining in on those packages of sanctions, but also introducing a visa ban on Russian citizens - prohibiting them from acquiring a Schengen visa needed to enter Europe.

Some countries have demanded collective action last month to stop ordinary Russians from traveling to the EU on tourist visas, in the latest challenge for the bloc as it tries to punish Moscow for its military operation in Ukraine while maintaining unity among its 27 members. Countries including the Czech Republic and Poland stopped issuing visas to Russian tourists shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine in February. They have since demanded that Brussels enact a complete ban, echoing a plea from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In light of that, Maduro agreed to the establishment of an international commission initiated by Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador at the UN, intended to promote 'fair' and 'for peace' negotiations and dialogue between Russia and Ukraine as he urged the criticality of the matter: "We must reactivate the mechanisms of diplomacy, dialogue, politics, and not let a conflict continue to escalate".

He later warned of a "world war of a nuclear nature" if the war in Ukraine is not cut short, expressing that "humanity cries out for peace, understanding, dialogue and diplomacy and we from Venezuela cry out for dialogue, diplomacy and peace".

During the speech of Venezuelan Chancellor Carlos Faría at the 77th United Nations General Assembly, the Venezuelan government demanded an end to the persecutional and economical sanctions against Nicaragua, 'sister' Cuba, Iran, and Russia - derived from a letter sent by President Nicolas Maduro.

Despite incessant economic embargoes against Venezuela, the South American nation continues to be on the top of the growth record in the global economy, especially after its latest collaboration with Iran for the manufacturing of four Iranian cars as part of the Venezuela-Iran 20-year cooperation strategy that was initiated in 2020 for the expansion of energy projects and oil trade to brush off US sanctions.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/poll:-trudeau-viewed-as-arrogant-dishonest-and-corrupt

Poll: Trudeau viewed as 'arrogant', 'dishonest', and 'corrupt'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been described by a good portion of Canadians as “arrogant”, “dishonest” and “corrupt", a new Angus Reid poll revealed.

According to a September 27 poll, 49% of respondents thought the prime minister was "arrogant". 39% of respondents said they thought Trudeau was "corrupt," while another 45% said they thought he was "dishonest."

Additionally, 37% of people surveyed believed Trudeau was charismatic, while 36% said he was weak.

On the other hand, 40% of Canadians said Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was “arrogant.” Poilievre, however, has also been described as “strategic” alongside being called a “bully” and “dishonest.”

The survey had a random sample of 5,014 Canadians aged over 18 and was conducted from September 19 through September 22.

Between Trudeau and Poilievre, people voted differently based on each politician's policy approach to a topic. For example, Trudeau came out ahead of Poilievre, with 45% of the people finding him better suited, on issues such as preserving Canada’s place in the world.

Additionally, 44% of Canadians chose Trudeau to address climate change, and 39% chose him to oversee health care.

On the whole, though, most Canadians disapproved of the prime minister's performance. Only 40% of voters indicated they approved of Trudeau, compared to 56% who disapproved.

“Disapproval for Trudeau is much higher among men than women, with half of the men over the age of 34 – and more than two-in-five younger than that – saying they strongly disapprove of the Liberal leader. Women over the age of 54 are the most likely demographic to positively appraise Trudeau,” according to analysts.

Trudeau decreases in popularity in light of Freedom Convoy

As Canadians' rejection of COVID-19 mandates and vaccines escalates, so does their rejection of Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party.

This comes in light of the Freedom Convoy protests which blocked lively trade routes between Canada and the US, and following recent police crackdowns on the protestors, including over 100 arrests.

A poll conducted by Mainstreet Research conveyed this correlation, showing that support for the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) has increased 10% within the past month - this entails that if elections in Canada were to be held today, the CPC would take the win.

The CPC would've collected 36% of the ballots, compared to only 28% for the Liberal Party, according to the survey as reported by Toronto99.

The poll was conducted just two days after Trudeau invoked Canada's Emergencies Act, which suspends civil liberties - a move to completely suppress the Freedom Convoy protests. The invocation authorized the government to freeze demonstrators' bank accounts without any court orders, and equated fundraising platforms for the protests with laws that prosecute money launderers and terrorist financiers.

>>17596913

>>17596919

Dasting

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/yuan-and-ruble-to-replace-dollar-in-pakistan:-pakistani-offi

Yuan and ruble to replace dollar in Pakistan: Pakistani official

According to TASS citing a statement by President of the Trade House of Pakistan Association Zahid Ali Khan to reporters on Tuesday, replacing the US dollar with Russian rubles and Chinese yuan is a potential plan Pakistan is considering.

“We are still trading in dollars, which is a problem… We are considering the issue of trading in rubles or in yuan, but the issue is still being finalized,” said Ali Khan, noting that the transition to the two currencies in trade could take place as soon as next year, as he recently participated in the ‘Export Marathon’ international forum in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

March witnessed major trade cooperation between Russia and Pakistan concerning the import of two million tons of wheat and more significantly the supply of natural gas, especially as then-Pakistani PM Imran Khan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in February to brainstorm ways in which bilateral trade relations can be bolstered and broadened.

One of those ways, discussed by the two leaders reportedly, was the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline, which was put on the back burner but is intended to be built in collaboration with Russian companies. The 1,100km pipeline that binds Russia and Pakistan was agreed upon in 2015 and is bound to be financed by both nations.

At a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the SCO sidelines in Samarkand, Putin said: "There are very interesting and large-scale projects. This is the so-called Pakistan Stream. It is about creating the necessary infrastructure for the supply of liquefied natural gas. We are talking about the supply of pipeline gas from Russia to Pakistan — and this is also possible, bearing in mind that part infrastructure has already been created — Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. We need to resolve the issue with Afghanistan".

Russian-Pakistani relations have been growing with time, as just last month, Putin congratulated Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistani President Arif Alvi on the 75th anniversary of Pakistan's independence, noting active cooperation in counter-terrorism. In a telegram sent to the Pakistani leadership, Putin expressed trust that the cooperation between Russia and Pakistan will continue to expand.

According to him, the Pakistani market is interested in the supply of Russian goods, including chemical and pharmaceutical products. “In the near future, we see very great prospects for the development of relations between Russia and Pakistan. Especially, of course, [Pakistan is interested that] Russia exports chemical products, technical products, paper… we need pharmaceuticals. These are issues that are being worked out now,” Zahid Ali Khan explained.

Other countries, such as Venezuela and Turkey, have also adopted the idea of dealing with the ruble currency in which the former welcomed the wider use of the Russian ruble, with hopes to restore the flow of tourists from Russia in the near future and the latter encouraged the use of rubles to pay for Russian gas.

In regards to China, Islamabad and Beijing reiterated their strong support for each other’s interests and commitment to deepening their strategic relations last May, as both sides agreed on the need for stronger collaboration in the areas of tourism, education, finance, and information technology.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/west-is-pushing-kiev-to-move-military-ops-inside-russia-ruda

West is pushing Kiev to move military ops inside Russia, Rudakov

The Russian decision to declare partial mobilization and the referendums on the accession of Donbass, Kherson, and Zaporozhye to the Russian Federation is preoccupying the West, and until now, analysts and observers are busy explaining the reasons and consequences of the Russian steps.

The Russian ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Rudakov, revealed in an interview with Al Mayadeen net that, "the announcement of partial mobilization means calling up 300 thousand reservists to military service, from those who previously served in the ranks of the Russian army, who have combat experience, and are holders of the required military expertise."

"The Supreme Commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces made this decision (Russian President Vladimir Putin), to confront the continues brazen, reckless and unprecedented aggression of the NATO military machine against Russia, that is carried out by the Kiev neo-Nazi forces," he added.

We have not declared war on anyone

The ambassador stressed that his country "has not declared war on anyone," stating that, "the decision of partial mobilization, which came in the context of the follow-up to the implementation of the military operation launched last February, and within its framework, is aimed at protecting our motherland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensuring the security of the peoples of Russia and its residents, as well as the Ukrainian territories liberated from neo-Nazis, in addition to disarmament and de-Nazification of Ukraine."

And after the growing Western allegations about what is happening at the Zaporophya nuclear power plant, he added, "Unfortunately, lately nothing good can be expected from Western countries, they often "openly announce more aggressive plans against Russia".

The ambassador continued, "In spite of everything, we can only hope that reason will prevail and finds its way to the hot-headed Western officials, in order for them to accept that the changes taking place in the system of international relations cannot be reversed, and in order to realize that the territorial integrity, unity, independence and freedom of our motherland will be ensured by all means available to us."

A Western push to move the war inside Russia

The Russian ambassador emphasized that " the events that took place in recent months indicate the involvement of NATO countries in the events in Ukraine, and their increased military involvement there, just follow what Western politicians are saying," and added that "the United States and the European Union are pushing Kiev to transfer their military operations to Russian territory, declaring the need to inflict military defeat on our country followed by seizing of its sovereignty and dividing and looting it."

As for the regime in Kiev, the Russian diplomat stated that "it does not have independence, either in decision-making, or in operational actions, but receives its orders from Washington and European capitals. The process of pumping Ukraine with heavy weapons, mercenaries and NATO military experts continues, and they are also being used as a tool for the destruction of the Russian state," as he described it.

Talking about our weakness is a pipedream, and the partial mobilization includes only 1 % of military reservists

Upon being asked by Al Mayadeen net interviewer about how some diplomats saw the partial mobilization decision as a sign of weakness, the ambassador replied, "We are being subjected to a fierce information and propaganda war. They are trying to discredit us in all pro-Western media, blaming us for all the problems of the world, right up to the global food and energy crises."

He went on saying that, "Part of this strategy is to spread false information about the Russian special military operation, where the process of fabricating false and fake news about the imaginary victories of Ukrainian nationalists is active on social media."

The Russian ambassador continues, "I assure you that when there is a discussion in the West about the decline of the Russian Armed Forces, or about our weakness, this is a pipe dream that has nothing to do with reality," stating that, "On the Izium front, we have carried out a tactical regrouping of troops, and as for mobilization, it affects only 1% of those who are subject to conscription into the reserve forces."

Part 1

>>17596968

Rudakov adds that Russian troops, "are successfully operating on a military contact line and a combat front, exceeding a thousand kilometers, not only in the face of neo-Nazi formations, but virtually the entire military machine of the West," stressing that, "We prioritize the preservation of human lives, and military strikes are carried out with great accuracy, limiting them to confirmed military targets, or infrastructure components used in the performance of tactical missions," stating that Russia, "continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the population in the liberated territories."

We will achieve the set goals

As the ambassador recalls that the West provides the Kiev regime with "massive and substantial support," he assures that "Russia, as usual, has the appropriate means of response. The goals set for the special military operation will be achieved, at any cost," he said.

The Russian ambassador stated that he believes that "in the midst of the process of building a new, not Western-centered world order, the United States, dissatisfied with the loss of its global hegemony, forces into a sharp conflict," adding that, "the US is trying, with all its power, to weaken us and inflict maximum damage on Russia, which firmly supports the principle of equality of sovereignty among states."

It's not like us to use threats

Commenting on the statement made by the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, stressing that his country has the right to use nuclear weapons, if necessary, while strictly adhering to the basics of state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence. We ask the ambassador: is the Russian army threatening to use its most powerful weapons?" the ambassador responded firmly, "no, It is not like us to use threats," and added, "in fact, Russia, with unrivaled responsibility and patience, has always presented to its Western partners various options aimed at ensuring a complete, just and long-term global security system, but they did not listen to us," stating that Russia has, "called for the implementation of the Minsk agreements to settle the situation in Donbas, but they (the agreements) were openly sabotaged."

"Since the beginning of the special military operation, we have insisted on launching peace talks, this process had already begun, but it was thwarted at the request of the Western curators of the Kiev regime," the Russian ambassador announced, adding that, "Currently, they are trying to claim that NATO is a defensive alliance that is not directed against anyone, we simply can't believe it anymore," and continued to ask, "Who is providing support to the Ukrainian neo-Nazis, militarily, materially and politically and who supplies Kiev with weapons, including heavy weapons, prohibited by international conventions, and condones their use, including against civilians?"

The recent referendums are a restoration of historical justice

At a time when referendums on joining the Russian Federation were widely attacked by the West, Rudakov explains that these "referendums were held in accordance with all the rules of international law, and reflects the legitimate rights of the inhabitants of these regions of their to self-determination and the organizing their lives, in accordance with their civilizational, cultural and religious traditions."

The Russian diplomat attributes Moscow's support for the decision to join these regions to the Russian Federation, as "just an integral step on the implementation of the task set by the country's leadership to protect civilians from the atrocities committed there by neo-Nazis for years," and that, "this is the restoration of historical justice through the reunification of the native Russian lands in Novorossiya," as he said.

Part 2

>>17596985

Winter in Europe will be difficult and harsh

In light of the energy crisis in Europe, Ambassador Rudakov assures that, "it is impossible to fully compensate the supply of cheap Russian gas to the European market in such a short period of time, winter in Europe is expected to be difficult and harsh," he stated.

"I would like to emphasize, once again, that Russia has never practiced any blackmail in the field of energy sources towards anyone, and has never refused to fulfill its international contractual obligations," confirming that, "despite the EU's statements that unilateral and illegal sanctions do not target Russia's agricultural sector, they continue to negatively affect World Food Security," and that, "Europe has not yet taken effective and clear steps to remove barriers to the export of Russian agricultural products (primarily wheat) and fertilizers to world markets," he said.

The Russian ambassador concludes his talk with Al Mayadeen net by noting that "the EU restrictions are discriminatory, for example; Europeans are allowed to import Russian grain and potash fertilizers for their own needs, but transit to third countries is prohibited," insisting that, "it is difficult to stabilize the global food situation with such double standards."

Part 3 - End

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/calls-to-protest-lapids-decision-to-sign-deal-with-lebanon:

Calls to protest Lapid’s decision to sign deal with Lebanon: Reports

Israeli media outlets reported that "a group of citizens [settlers] concerned about the agreement with Lebanon on maritime border demarcation will hold a protest today at 6 p.m. near Prime Minister Yair Lapid's house in Ramat Aviv."

The protests come as Lebanese media reported that Lebanon and "Israel" are close to reaching an agreement on the demarcation of the maritime borders, as per Israeli media.

The Israeli media added that "protestors will take other measures, including filing a petition or complaint by attorney Zahava Gur, and it is also expected that Dr. Udi Cohen's will submit an opinion to be included in the petition."

The protestors believe that Lapid has no mandate to sign an agreement with Lebanon without a referendum or without a vote on the deal with Lebanon in in the Knesset as required by Law, according to Israeli media.

In this context, reports noted that Lapid might bypass Knesset by holding a secret vote on a border deal with Lebanon.

Lebanese Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab Bou Saab has lately confirmed that maritime demarcation negotiations with the Israeli occupation are "going in the right direction," affirming that "Communication and contacts will intensify in September and we hope we will be able to reach a result."

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, had stressed that the Israeli threats are to no avail, adding that Hezbollah's decision and approach are clear and "we are waiting for the coming days to act accordingly."

US President Joe Biden had stressed to the Israeli occupation Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, the importance of completing negotiations to demarcate the maritime borders with Lebanon in the coming weeks.

Axios quoted a White House official as saying that resolving the maritime issue between "Israel" and Lebanon is a major priority for the administration of US President Joe Biden.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/draghi-comforts-eu-new-government-policy-to-remain-same:-rep

Draghi comforts EU, new government policy to remain same: Reports

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi assured the leaders of France, Germany, and the European Commission that the next government will continue the country's pro-European and pro-Atlantic policy, as per diplomatic sources.

Draghi contacted French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to provide assurances about the three main lines of action for the next Italian government, which will be formed based on the results of the elections on Sunday.

According to sources in Brussels, Draghi specifically stated that the government will continue to support Ukraine, including militarily, will follow the European Union on the issue of sanctions against Russia, and will support NATO "without hesitation."

A center-right coalition received approximately 44% of the vote in Italy's Senate and Chamber of Deputies elections on September 25. Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party leads the coalition with over 26% of the vote.

Draghi had two phone conversations with Meloni, who is expected to become Italy's new prime minister, in the last three days, according to La Repubblica. The officials met face to face, as per unconfirmed reports.

Meloni's fate, according to the report, is dependent on whether she abandons the radical policy of the electoral campaign and returns to Rome's traditional partners.

Following the publication of the report in La Repubblica, the government palace of Chigi (Council of Ministers) denied the reports, stating that Draghi "made no agreements or commitments."

>>17597010

thanks for the kek