📰 US sanctions Palestinian Authority officials after rejecting global push to give it control of Gaza
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority (PA) officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for not complying with the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002. The sanctions include denying U.S. visas to PLO members and PA officials. The State Department emphasized the importance of holding the PLO and PA accountable for undermining peace prospects. The PA and PLO were accused of violating commitments by supporting actions against Israel and internationalizing the conflict. Israel praised the U.S. for the sanctions, particularly for addressing the PA’s “Pay-for-Slay” policy and incitement against Israel.
The MEPCA builds on the PLOCCA by requiring sanctions if entities fail to comply with commitments. The State Department highlighted the PA and PLO’s support for terrorism, incitement of violence, and payments to families of terrorists. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar commended the U.S. for its moral clarity in issuing the sanctions. The U.S. announcement came after a conference where countries called for Hamas to surrender control of Gaza to the PA, a move rejected by Israel and the U.S. The U.S. also sanctioned U.N. Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for biased and malicious activities, including antisemitism and support for terrorism.
The article discusses the U.S. sanctions on PA and PLO officials for failing to comply with commitments under the PLOCCA and MEPCA. The State Department emphasized the need to hold the PA and PLO accountable for undermining peace prospects. Israel praised the U.S. for addressing the PA’s support for terrorism and incitement against Israel. The sanctions include denying U.S. visas to PLO members and PA officials. The U.S. announcement followed a conference where countries called for Hamas to surrender control of Gaza to the PA, a move rejected by Israel and the U.S.
📰 US, UK and a dozen other nations call out Iran attempts to ‘kill, kidnap, harass’ citizens
The joint statement issued by the U.S., U.K., and other Western nations condemned Iran’s attempts to harm foreign citizens through collaboration with criminal networks. Iranian intelligence agents were targeting dissidents, Jewish citizens, journalists, and government officials in Europe and North America, violating national sovereignty. The statement called for an end to these illegal activities and received support from countries like Canada, Germany, and France. More than a dozen nations labeled Iran’s actions as “unacceptable,” raising awareness of Tehran’s hostile activities in Europe and North America. Geopolitical tensions have been heightened following Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran, with reports indicating Iran’s covert malign behavior targeting foreign citizens, including assassination plots and kidnapping schemes.
The article also mentions that the Iranian Foreign Minister denied calls to wipe Israel “off the map,” and a crowdfunding campaign claimed to raise $40 million as a reward for assassinating Trump. The U.K. reported numerous Iran-linked plots to harm British nationals, while journalists and activists in the U.S. have been targeted by Iranian murder-for-hire schemes and kidnapping plots. Despite repeated denials by Tehran, reports have linked Iran to various attacks and assassination attempts in Europe and the U.S.
📰 Amusement park ride snaps at Saudi Arabia park, with 23 reported injured
A malfunction at an amusement park ride in Saudi Arabia resulted in 23 people getting injured, with three in critical condition. The incident occurred at Green Mountain Park in Taif, where a spinning wheel carrying passengers snapped off the ride’s frame, causing riders to plunge to the ground. Eyewitnesses mentioned that the riders were strapped into their seats at the time of the fall, but injuries still occurred due to the quick recoil of the central pole. Injured individuals received first aid on-site before being taken to the hospital for further treatment. Investigations are ongoing, and the ride has been cordoned off for safety measures. Other incidents of ride malfunctions have been reported at different amusement parks, including Cedar Point in Ohio and a fairground in Ecuador, where people were injured due to ride failures.
📰 Trump: Hamas surrender, hostage release is ‘fastest way’ to end Gaza war
President Donald Trump made a strong statement on Truth Social regarding Hamas, the hostages, and the crisis in Gaza, urging Hamas to surrender and release the hostages. This marks a shift in Trump’s messaging, as he previously acknowledged the humanitarian situation in Gaza and criticized Israel’s role. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu denied claims of starvation in Gaza and emphasized the need to achieve war goals by targeting Hamas. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Netanyahu to discuss a potential ceasefire deal and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, while ceasefire talks in Qatar collapsed due to Hamas’ lack of cooperation. The international community issued a declaration calling for Hamas to disarm and outlining steps to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but some, like Anne Bayefsky, criticized it as an attack on the U.S. and Israel’s foreign policy.
📰 European prime minister resigns after protests over past financial dealings
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigned after protests over investigations into his alleged business dealings. President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed Paluckas’ resignation and supported his decision. The resignation followed pressure from the president and a threat from a smaller party to leave the ruling coalition if Paluckas didn’t step down. Investigations into Paluckas’ business dealings by anti-corruption agencies revealed past convictions and financial scandals. Paluckas denies any wrongdoing and attributes the criticism to a coordinated attack by political opponents. The resignation of Paluckas and his cabinet raises concerns about Lithuania’s government stability, particularly with upcoming joint military exercises involving Russia and Belarus.
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