Double standards and regime of martial law in Ukraine, terrorism in Egypt, tensions between Israel and Iran, US against ISIS.
1. Ukraine signed regime of martial law
Martial law is a special legal regime that is introduced in Ukraine in case of armed aggression or threat of attack, threat for Ukraine’s independence or territorial integrity.
“Martial law is a special legal regime that is introduced in Ukraine or on its separate territories in case of armed aggression or a threat of attack, threat for Ukraine’s independence or territorial integrity,” the document said. Martial law can be imposed after the Verkovna Rada adopts the corresponding presidential decree.
Martial law includes forced settlement of citizens of a foreign country that threatens to attack or conduct aggression against Ukraine. According to the law, introduction of martial law entails labor duty for the population of the working age; allows expropriation of property, prohibits meetings and gatherings, activities of certain political parties; introduces media regulation, curfew; limits the freedom of movement for citizens and so on.
Materials of Tass
2. Kiev Rebuffs Rebel Offer to Keep Donbass as Part of Ukraine
The leadership of the Luhansk and Donetsk territories have put their willingness to remain as a part of Ukraine — albeit with greater autonomy . Representatives from the two republics, Vladislav Deynego and Denis Pushilin, have submitted changes to the Ukrainian constitution which recognize Donbass as an autonomous region of Ukraine. The document states:
“The certain areas with special status or their associations are an integral part of Ukraine, and within the powers defined by the Constitution, special laws of Ukraine, as well as agreements on the delimitation of powers between these areas, their associations and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the ministry, other central bodies of executive power settle the issues, carried to their authority, by themselves”.
But Kiev does not even consider the changes. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Vladimir Groysman, declared that they would discuss constitutional changes only with “legally elected” representatives of Donbass. What can be more legal than choice of people.
Materials of Russia Insider
3. “Maidan 3.0” Organizer With Possible Ties to US Kicked Out of Ukraine
“Maidan 3.0” organizer Rustam Tashbaev has been expelled from Ukraine and declared persona non grata, Ukrainian Security Service head Valentin Nalyvaichenko announced on Tuesday. Questions remain about Tashbaev’s identity and about his political masters.
Nalyvaichenko added that Tashbaev had been one of the organizers of “a provocative aping of the just protests which took place a year-and-a-half ago, including on Maidan Square in Kiev.” The security official also noted that Tashbaev “was among those who, with funding and support from the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics purchased tents, a platform and attempted to express his provocative rhetoric.”
New Ukrainian authorities blame Ukrainian activists for their ties with the US. But they have forgotten how Maidan 2.0 was carried out and who sponsored a coup d’etat.
Materials of Sputnik
4. Egyptian Police Arrests US Embassy Worker On Terror Charges
An Egyptian national working in the security service of the US Embassy in Cairo was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of participation in an Islamic terror group, according to reports from Egypt on Tuesday.
The suspect, named in the press as 42-year-old Ahmed Ali, is accused of participation in 13 terror attacks, and with being a commander of the militant Helwan Brigades group.
The Helwan Brigades, a militant Islamic group named after a district in the south of Cairo, has been accused by Egyptian authorities of carrying out terrorist attacks, and of being affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
“We understand an Embassy employee, who is an Egyptian citizen, has been arrested by Egyptian security. We are in touch with Egyptian authorities regarding the charges and the next steps in the legal process,” a US Embassy spokesman told the Egyptian press.
Materials of Sputnik
5. More airstrikes and advisers: US claims to have a “clear strategy” against ISIS
Hundreds of additional US troops may be going to Iraq to help train and equip government forces and militias fighting against ISIS, as President Obama came under criticism for saying the US lacked a “complete strategy” for the conflict.
Pentagon officials said they were “working through a strategy” on how to train more Iraqi troops, acknowledging it would involve setting up additional training camps and sending more US personnel to the region.
“Less than a thousand” additional advisers and instructors may join the 3,000 currently in Iraq, if the program goes ahead, unnamed officials told AFP.
“Because the forces we’ve trained are performing better than expected, we feel it’s in everyone’s interest to train more,” Pentagon spokesman Col. Steven Warren told reporters Tuesday.
During a news conference at the G7 summit in Germany, President Obama said the US did not yet have a “complete strategy” for dealing with the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). He called on the Iraqi government to recruit more troops and take advantage of the training the US and its allies were willing to provide.
Materials of RT
6. Israel’s Neighbors Skeptical of Iran Nuclear Deal – Netanyahu
Arab leaders share Israel’s belief that the emerging deal between Iran and the P5+1 group that aims to ensure the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities will not help in preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
In April, 2015, Iran and the P5+1 group of international mediators, comprising the United States, China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom plus Germany, agreed to a political framework on the Iranian nuclear program in the Swiss city of Lausanne.
The process for lifting sanctions and the scope of inspections have been sticking points during the talks. Iran is looking for immediate sanctions relief and is opposed to allowing inspectors into military sites, which Tehran says are not related to its nuclear program.
Materials of Sputnik
7. Luxor suicide bomber, another assailant die in attack on temple, Egypt says
Two assailants were killed and one injured in a thwarted attack at Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt, on Wednesday morning, authorities said.
The attackers confronted security officials at Karnak with firearms and explosives, Egypt’s Interior Ministry said in a statement.
The three men, who were in a car, tried to enter the temple’s parking lot when a plainclothes policeman forced it to stop, Egypt’s Tourism Ministry said. Security forces confronted them, and two were killed: one died when he detonated the explosives he was carrying, and another was shot in the head, the Interior Ministry added.
Materials of CNN
Ukraine forgets who sponsored its coup d’etat and blames the US in attempt to organize a new Maidan. Egypt suffers from terrorism. Israel opposes Iran in nuclear program and the US is to send up to 500 troops in Iraq.