Aha Dua Permata

Friday 17 November 2023

Iran will ‘do whatever it takes’ to help Hamas – top commander

FILE PHOTO: Iranian Quds force commander Esmail Qaani speaks at an event in Tehran, Iran, January 1, 2021.
©AFP/Stringer

The head of Iran’s elite Quds Force has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to back Hamas in its war with Israel, claiming that the Palestinian militant group is headed for an “impressive victory” in Gaza.

In a letter addressed to the commander of Hamas’ armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Quds Force leader Esmail Qaani declared that Tehran and its allies “will not allow this brutal enemy and those standing behind him to conquer Gaza and its heroic people.”

“We will do whatever it takes in this historic battle,” Qaani said, adding that Hamas had “proved to everyone that the resistance in Gaza is capable of initiative and innovation, while maintaining its organization and field capabilities.”

Published on Thursday by the state-backed Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the letter comes just one day after Reuters reported that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had informed Hamas that his country would not get directly involved in the Gaza war. Instead, Khamenei reportedly restated Iran’s long standing “political and moral support” for Hamas, but ruled out military intervention.

Earlier on Thursday, however, top Hamas official Osama Hamdan dismissed the Reuters story, telling IRNA: “Instead of providing information, this news agency has published worthless lies.” He added that such reports are intended to harm the image of Hamas and its allies in the “axis of resistance” – a network of Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.

Iranian officials have yet to comment on the Reuters report.

Qaani went on to congratulate the Palestinian armed faction for an “impressive victory and qualitative achievement that is unprecedented in the history of the conflict,” assuring that “Your brothers in the resistance axis stand united with you.”

The Quds Force is the foreign operations arm of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), responsible for military and intelligence missions beyond Iran’s borders. Qaani took over the force in 2020 after his predecessor, Qasem Soleimani, was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad.

Letter from Osama Bin Laden goes viral

More than two decades after the attacks that ignited the US ‘War on Terror,’ Osama Bin Laden’s anti-Jewish letter justifying terrorism against Americans has resonated on social media and captured the imaginations of pro-Palestinian activists amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Videos with the hashtag “LettertoAmerica” have been viewed more than 13.5 million times on TikTok, apparently beginning with a post on Tuesday by a user named Lynette Adkins. “I need everyone to stop what they’re doing right now and go read – it’s literally two pages – go read ‘A Letter to America,’” she said. “And please come back here and just let me know what you think because I feel like I’m going through, like, an existential crisis right now, and a lot of people are, so I just need someone else to be feeling this, too.”

FILE PHOTO: A video released in December 2001 shows Osama bin Laden describing the World Trade Center attack as "commendable."
©Getty Images

Other users reacted similarly to the recently rediscovered letter, which is over 20 years old. Another TikTok user who claimed to be suffering an “existential crisis” said of the letter, “I will never look at life the same; I will never look at this country the same.”

For his part, US Senator Marco Rubio suggested in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the reactions show terrorist sympathies: “They now understand terrorism is a legitimate method of resistance against ‘oppression,’ and America deserved to be attacked on 9/11.”

Now trending on social media (especially TikTok) people saying that after reading Bin Laden’s "Letter to America," they now understand terrorism is a legitimate method of resistance against “oppression” and America deserved to be attacked of 9/11

Video Credit: @yashar pic.twitter.com/O5bemdTDzw
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 16, 2023

Bin Laden, who addressed the 2002 letter “to the American people,” condemned the US for supporting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and argued that Jews controlled American policies, capital, and media. “The creation of Israel is a crime which must be erased,” he wrote. “Each and every person whose hands have become polluted in the contribution toward this crime must pay its price – and pay for it heavily.”

The Al-Qaeda founder went on to call for the blood of Palestinians to be avenged. “It is commanded by our religion and intellect that the oppressed have a right to return the aggression,” Bin Laden said. “Do not await anything from us but jihad, resistance, and revenge. Is it in any way rational to expect that, after America has attacked us for more than half a century, we will then leave her to live in security and peace?”

The UK’s Guardian newspaper had posted a copy of the letter since an English translation was first published in November 2002. The outlet took down the document on Wednesday. A spokesman for The Guardian told Fox News that the paper had removed the letter because it was being widely shared on social media “without the full context.” The page now links to an article that provides context.

Adkins, the social media user who posted the letter on Tuesday, includes a link on her TikTok page to a fundraising site for “Palestinian rights.” The site calls for a ceasefire in West Jerusalem’s war with Hamas, saying the Palestinians in Gaza are “living through genocide as Israel bombs, starves, and displaces them.”

Nearly 100 Protesters Calling for Israeli Ceasefire Injured in Clash With DC Police

Organizers of the protest outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters Wednesday night said 90 of its demonstrators were injured after skirmishes broke out with police.

Members of the Ceasefire Now Coalition said hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil outside the DNC building in Washington to demand a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and to pray for those taken hostage by the Hamas militants and for all who have died in both sides of the conflict.

Capitol Police said they responded to the demonstration to evacuate lawmakers from the building and said the group gathered was “illegally and violently protesting” protesters.

Speaking at a press conference Thursday, organizers accused the police of forcefully shoving the protesters down the steps, pepper-spraying them and choking one of their members without warning. They said at least one person was being treated for a concussion.

Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, who was at the headquarters Wednesday night, said her congregants “are devastated this morning,” not only from the lives lost in the Israel-Hamas war, but now because of the “violence from the police.”

“We were there lighting candles for all who have died, honoring the lives lost, to call for a cease-fire to honor those lives in prayer and in song. And instead, instead of being able to actually talk to our elected officials and pray with them and sing with them and ask them for a cease-fire, the police shoved our people down the steps,” Rosenberg said at the press conference.

Those in attendance included members from Jewish Voice for Peace Action. Dani Nobles, a member who was at Wednesday’s protest, said she does not know how the situation escalated so quickly outside the DNC.

“I mean, from my personal perspective, I don’t know, like we were doing — we were engaging in civil disobedience,” Nobles said when asked about why the situation escalated. “I’ve been at many protests this month, where we’ve engaged in like, nonviolent tactics of civil disobedience. And I personally have never seen such a like fast and violent escalation by police with no warning.”

Nobles said attendees wanted to engage with lawmakers to discuss a cease-fire in Gaza. She also accused lawmakers and Capitol Police of spreading misinformation about what happened at the incident.

“And absolutely, in no instance did anyone try to enter the building, and spreading misinformation to the contrary is extremely, extremely dangerous. We were there peacefully singing and chanting, waiting for Democratic officials to show up so that we could actually engage,” she said.

Capitol Police, organizers and lawmakers have provided conflicting information about what happened Wednesday night. Organizers disputed claims from lawmakers and Capitol Police that protesters used pepper spray on officers and blocked entrances to the building.

On Thursday morning, Capitol Police released an updated statement about the incident, saying approximately 200 people gathered “failed to obey” the orders to move them back from the DNC. Organizers said no such order was given.

“We have handled hundreds of peaceful protests, but last night’s group was not peaceful. The crowd failed to obey our lawful orders to move back from the DNC, where Members of Congress were in the building,” Capitol Police said in a statement.

Capitol Police claimed the group moved dumpsters in front of the building and used pepper spray on officers — which the organizers denied seeing anyone do. Capitol Police said its officers “quickly introduced consequences” afterward, which included “pulling people off the building, pushing them back, and clearing them from the area.”

Capitol Police said six officers were injured from minor cuts, being pepper-sprayed and being punched.

Police said they arrested 24-year-old Ruben Arthur Camacho of Woodbridge, N.Y., for assault on an officer after others witnessed him “slam another officer into a garage door and then punch the female officer in the face.”

The protest came two days after one of the largest pro-Israel gatherings in US history took place on the National Mall, where congressional leaders from both the Democratic and Republican parties were present.

At least 90 people were injured late Wednesday following a clash between Capitol Police and protesters outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, DC.

Protesters at the scene were calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict that broke out on October 7 following a surprise attack by the Palestinian Hamas group. Hostilities have remained at an all-time high as Israel has dismissed calls for a ceasefire.

Reports have indicated that Democratic representatives and candidates were present inside the DNC building during the protest, some of whom include House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark and US Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA).

DC tonight: Hundreds are gathered at the Democratic National Headquarters demanding a #ceasefireNOW in Gaza. Police are violently arresting protestors and fired tear gas into the crowd

Like in 1968, protestors remind the DNC that “the whole world is watching” pic.twitter.com/gfsX77O3Am
— Hanna Alshaikh - هناء الشيخ (@yalawiya) November 16, 2023

At least six officers were injured and treated for minor abrasions, with officers arresting a 24-year-old individual who reportedly punched a female officer in the face. According to the US Capitol Police, officials had worked to “keep back approximately 150 people" who were “illegally and violently protesting” in the area; activists have disputed this claim, according to one report.

The police, who were attempting to evacuate lawmakers from the building, also claimed that protesters moved dumpsters in front of exits, as well as pepper sprayed police officers.

Members of the Ceasefire Now Coalition said hundreds of people were present during the candlelight vigil. Members from the Jewish Voice for Peace Action were also present during the vigil. Demonstrators have accused the police of forcefully shoving protesters down the steps of the building, pepper-spraying demonstrators and choking one member, according to a separate report.

So did the police at the DNC protest injure…themselves? pic.twitter.com/JDlw0xqIXT
— Waleed Shahid 🪬 (@_waleedshahid) November 16, 2023

“We were there lighting candles for all who have died, honoring the lives lost, to call for a ceasefire to honor those lives in prayer and in song. And instead, instead of being able to actually talk to our elected officials and pray with them and sing with them and ask them for a ceasefire, the police shoved our people down the steps,” Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg said at a news conference. Rosenberg had attend the demonstration on Wednesday night.

My last video before police-initiated violence last night. Which is also last you see of CEASEFIRE signage which seemed to be one of targets of police aggression at DNC HQ. pic.twitter.com/7FZvRpWNZQ
— #StopCopCity (@ChuckModi1) November 16, 2023

Dani Noble, a member from the Jewish Voice for Peace Action, stated she doesn’t understand why the demonstration escalated into a violent clash between demonstrators and police.

“I mean, from my personal perspective, I don’t know, like we were doing — we were engaging in civil disobedience,” Noble said, who added that those present were hoping to talk to lawmakers about a ceasefire when the escalation came from police.

People peacefully demonstrating for a ceasefire lit candles to honor the 11,200 lives lost in #Gaza, but the police attacked them, kicking over candles and violating the freedom of speech. #US #DNC #ابو_عبيدة #AlShifaHospital #IsraelIsATerrorist #Gaza pic.twitter.com/npRsttjds9
— Shahzaib 🇵🇰 (@iam_ShahZ) November 16, 2023

“I’ve been at many protests this month, where we’ve engaged in like, nonviolent tactics of civil disobedience. And I personally have never seen such a like fast and violent escalation by police with no warning.”

Last week, various House Democrats joined a majority of House Republicans in voting to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) over her criticism of the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians. Tlaib is the only Palestinian-American politician in Congress.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden faces has continued to face pressure to end his support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, as he has resisted ceasefire calls.

Thursday 16 November 2023

Video Russian kamikaze drone obliterates British - designed howitzer

A Russian marine unit fighting on the frontline of the Ukraine conflict has used a Lancet loitering munition to destroy a Kiev-operated, British-designed FH70 howitzer. The Russian Defense Ministry identified the targeted gun as it shared footage of the strike on Thursday.

The attack was reportedly launched by the 336th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade, part of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy. The clip included footage from the drone’s on-board camera and from another aircraft, presumably a reconnaissance drone, which filmed the engagement from above. The hit appeared to detonate artillery shells stored at the site hidden inside a windbreak.

The video had been circulating on Russian-military-themed social media for several days before the ministry vouched for it. Some outlets suggested that the Lancet was of a newer model, equipped with a night-vision sensor that older variants lacked.

Ukraine's Western backers have been sending FH70 155mm towed howitzers to the conflict since last year. Estonia pledged its entire stockpile of 24 pieces, while Italy provided an unspecified number of guns, estimated at ten by some defense analysts.

Lancet drones are reportedly one of the primary threats to Ukrainian heavy weapons on the frontline. The Kalashnikov-produced system has a distinctive shape thanks to its two sets of X-wings and comes in two principal versions, with payloads weighing one and three kilograms respectively. Designer Zala Aero is said to be improving its products as it gets feedback from the conflict zone.

Aleksandr Mikheev, head of the Russian arms-export agency Rosoboronexport, has claimed a high interest in the Lancet drones from potential foreign buyers.

“However, it is not supplied to foreign markets because the Russian armed forces have a high demand for it and there is no export permission for it yet,” he told TASS on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow 2023 military expo.

The main thing from the report of the Russian Ministry of Defense:

In the Kupyansky direction, three attacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were reflected in the areas of Sinkovka and Zagoruykovka, in the Krasnolimansky direction - one attack in the area of Chervona Dibrova. The total losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in two directions are up to 285 people.

In the Donetsk direction, 14 enemy attacks were repelled, in the South Donetsk direction, manpower and equipment were hit by fire. The total losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are up to 310 military personnel.

In the Zaporizhia direction, strikes were launched against units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Rabotino, Uspenivka and Malaya Tokmachka areas. Here and in the Kherson direction, the total losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces amounted to 170 people.

A Ukrainian MiG-29 was shot down in the Krasnoarmeysk area, and two HIMARS shells and a JDAM bomb were intercepted within a day.

Truth Social puts Fake News on notice for egregious media smears

On November 13, 2023, Truth Social’s merger partner, Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC), submitted an amended S-4 registration statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The submission was a major milestone toward completing our merger with DWAC. The mainstream media, however, responded by launching a momentous smear campaign against Truth Social and its parent company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG).

Instead of reporting that we’re advancing toward completing our planned merger with DWAC, dozens of outlets, in an apparently coordinated attack, published a fake news story that fabricated utterly fictitious financial results for TMTG.

TMTG will not tolerate being smeared like this. We have now sent media outlets more than twenty retraction demand letters. Every outlet that defamed TMTG or Truth Social must completely retract its article and issue a public apology in print, on its website, and on its social media accounts—or face swift legal action.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

DWAC has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement, which includes a preliminary proxy statement of the Company, and a prospectus in connection with the proposed Business Combination with TMTG. The definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents will be mailed to stockholders of DWAC as of a record date to be established for voting on the Business Combination. Securityholders of DWAC and other interested persons are urged to read the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and amendments thereto, and, when available, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus in connection with DWAC's solicitation of proxies for the special meeting to be held to approve the Business Combination because these documents will contain important information about DWAC, TMTG and the Business Combination. DWAC's securityholders and other interested persons will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus, without charge, once available, on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Digital World Acquisition Corp., 3109 Grand Ave, #450, Miami, FL 33133.

NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES REGULATORY AGENCY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE, PASSED UPON THE MERITS OR FAIRNESS OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION OR RELATED TRANSACTIONS OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS PRESS RELEASE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

Participants in Solicitation

DWAC and TMTG and certain of their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the securityholders of DWAC in favor of the approval of the proposed extension and the Business Combination. Securityholders of DWAC and other interested persons may obtain more information regarding the names and interests of DWAC's directors and officers in the Business Combination in DWAC's filings with the SEC, including in the definitive proxy statement and the Registration Statement, and the names and interests of TMTG's directors and officers in the proposed Business Combination in the Registration Statement. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. TMTG and its officers and directors who are participants in the solicitation do not have any interests in DWAC or the proposed Business Combination other than with respect to their interests in the Business Combination.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed Business Combination between the Company and TMTG. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result" and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties.

Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the Business Combination and the securities purchase agreements (the "SPAs") with certain institutional investors (the "PIPE Investors") pursuant to which the PIPE Investors agreed to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of Digital World's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") for a purchase price of $1,000 per share for an aggregate commitment of up to $1,000,000,000 in a private placement (the "PIPE") may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of DWAC's securities, (ii) the risk that the Business Combination may not be completed by DWAC's Business Combination deadline, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Business Combination or the PIPE, including the approval of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 20, 2021 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the "Merger Agreement") by the stockholders of DWAC, (iv) the lack of a third-party fairness opinion in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed Business Combination, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement, (vi) the failure to achieve the minimum amount of cash available following any redemptions by DWAC stockholders, (vii) redemptions exceeding a maximum threshold or the failure to meet The Nasdaq Stock Market's initial listing standards in connection with the consummation of the contemplated transactions, (viii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the PIPE or the Business Combination on TMTG's business relationships, operating results, and business generally, (ix) risks that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of DWAC, (x) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against TMTG or against DWAC related to the Merger Agreement or the Business Combination, (xi) the risk of any investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authority relating to the PIPE, the Merger Agreement or the Business Combination and the impact they may have on consummating the transactions, (xii) Truth Social, TMTG's initial product, and its ability to generate users and advertisers, (xiii) changes in domestic and global general economic conditions, (xiv) the risk that TMTG may not be able to execute its growth strategies, (xv) risks related to the future pandemics and response and geopolitical developments, (xvi) risk that TMTG may not be able to develop and maintain effective internal controls, (xvii) costs related to the Business Combination and the failure to realize anticipated benefits of the Business Combination or to realize estimated pro forma results and underlying assumptions, including with respect to estimated stockholder redemptions, (xviii) DWAC's ability to timely comply with Nasdaq's rules and complete the Business Combination, (xix) risks that DWAC or TMTG may elect not to proceed with the Business Combination after completing their respective updated due diligence investigations, and (xx) (xxi) those factors discussed in the DWAC's filings with the SEC and that will be contained in the definitive proxy and the Registration Statement relating to the Business Combination. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Registration Statement, DWAC's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on October 30, 2023 (the "2022 Annual Report") and in other reports DWAC files with the SEC. Risks regarding the Business Combination are also discussed in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC on November 13, 2023, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to DWAC (or to third parties making the forward-looking statements).

These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and while DWAC and TMTG may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither DWAC nor TMTG gives any assurance that DWAC, TMTG, or the combined company, will achieve its expectations.

Spain PM announces commitment to recognise Palestine statehood

Spanish acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during the investiture debate at the Spanish Parliament in Madrid, Spain on November 15, 2023 [Isabel Infantes/Getty Images

Spain’s Prime Minister has announced that his government will work to recognise Palestinian statehood, as some European states increasingly condemn Israel’s war crimes and invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that his government will recognize a Palestinian state, as a growing number of European countries condemn Israel's war crimes and invasion of the Gaza Strip. In a debate in parliament this week, Sanchez stated that Spain urged Israel to immediately implement a ceasefire and comply with international humanitarian law.

At a debate in Parliament this week, ahead of a vote of confidence to take place tomorrow, Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, stated that “We demand an immediate ceasefire on the part of Israel in Gaza and strict compliance with international humanitarian law, which today is clearly not respected”.

Sanchez also reiterated his backing for Israel and its claims to self-defence, saying there is no doubt that “we stand with Israel in rejecting and its response to the terrorist attack that this country suffered in October”, referring to the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas’s operation into Israeli-held territory on 7 October.

He emphasised, however, that with the “same clarity we reject the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank”, making the remarks the Prime Minister’s strongest condemnation of Israel’s bombardment of the besieged land strip and the attacks by settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, so far.

Madrid’s reported commitment to recognise Palestinian statehood is based on the resolution that Spain’s legislature – Cortes Generales – approved back in 2015.

There is speculation in Spain on whether Sanchez would even be able to remain in office in the near future, due to controversial domestic policies such as his government’s amnesty to Catalan separatists.

⚡🇵🇸🇪🇸 The new government is going to work in Europe and, of course, in Spain to recognize the State of Palestine." - Pedro Sanchez #IsraelTerrorism #Spain #Palestine #AlShifaHospital #انقذوا_مستشفى_الشفاء pic.twitter.com/Os9dFbUZsG
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) November 15, 2023

He is expected to win a re-election, as his Socialist party has reached deals with small parties in order to ensure the support of a sufficient number of legislators.

The Spanish premier’s announcement of his commitment and his condemnation of Israel’s indiscriminate killings come at a time when there are growing expressions of discontent within Europe with regard to the Occupation state’s actions.

Belgium, for example, has also expressed concerns over the issue, with deputy Prime Minister, Petra De Sutter, last week calling on the Belgian government to adopt sanctions against Israel and investigate the bombings of hospitals and refugee camps in Gaza. Belgian Minister of Development Cooperation, Caroline Gennez, also revealed that the country is considering recognising the State of Palestine, stating that it “is necessary to achieve peace in the long term”.