Aletho News

Drone Strike, Shelling and Incursions: Israeli Enemy Steps Up Attacks in Southern Lebanon

Al-Manar | July 22, 2026

Israeli attacks proceed in southern Lebanon with drone strike, artillery shelling reported on Wednesday in Nabatieh region amid continued incursions and demolitions in other areas.

Al-Manar correspondent in southern Lebanon reported an Israeli drone strike in the town of Nabatieh Al-Fawqa.

Our correspondent reported, meanwhile, Israeli artillery shelling of the area of Ali Al-Taher, a contested hill where the Israeli enemy forces have been for weeks hardly attempting to control amid fierce resistance by Hezbollah fighters.

Our reporter said the Israeli enemy carried out sustained shelling of the area.

Demolition operations went ahead, meanwhile, with Israeli occupation forces carrying out a massive one in the town of Majdal Zoun, in Tyre district, according to our reporter.

In the neighboring town of Al-Mansouri, an Israeli light drone attack dropped a stun grenade, the correspondent added.

Elsewhere in Houla in Marjeyoun district, Al-Manar correspondent reported Israeli forces have been since the early morning hours of Wednesday bulldozing agricultural lands and homes on the western outskirts of the town, near Wadi Al-Slouqi.

Also in Marjeyoun district, Al-Manar reporter said that at around 11:00 PM on Tuesday, an Israeli force advanced to the outskirts of Burj Al-Mulouk, along the public road with Tal Al-Nhas, where it searched the home of Lebanese citizen Sh. N., inspected his mobile phone, questioned him, and confiscated his passport.

The force withdrew toward Tal Al-Nhas approximately an hour and a half later.

Lebanese return to US ‘pilot zones’ to discover Israeli ‘withdrawal’ a hoax

Press TV – July 22, 2026

Displaced Lebanese civilians have made their way back to southern towns designated by Washington as “pilot zones”, only to discover that the Israeli “withdrawal” they had been promised was nothing more than a carefully crafted ruse.

Scores of residents returned to the southern villages of Froun and Srifa on Tuesday after Washington announced the launch of the first “pilot zones” under the Lebanon-Israel Framework Agreement, which many Lebanese view as a disgraceful capitulation to Israeli demands.

Instead of witnessing an Israeli withdrawal, residents found that the zones, or at least most of them, “were never occupied by Israeli forces” to begin with.

“The inclusion of these villages is evidence that Israel is in fact not giving anything up, despite the framework agreement, and is instead able to remain in the other areas it has occupied,” villagers said.

Two Lebanese security sources confirmed the same narrative to Al Jazeera, stressing that two of the three designated “pilot zones” — Froun and Srifa — are simply not occupied.

Zawtar al-Gharbiya is the only one of the three where Israeli forces are actually present.

The US State Department officially launched the project on Monday, declaring that “pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiya in accordance with the Trilateral Framework”.

But on the ground, the reality was starkly different. Fierce resistance from Hezbollah prevented occupation forces from pushing into both Froun and al-Ghandourieh during the initial weeks of heavy fighting, a fact confirmed by local officials and correspondents on the ground.

Residents pointed to the sheer absurdity of the arrangement. “Israel is not giving anything up,” residents said. “Israel wants to sell us and the state empty walnut shells, calling it a pilot zone, when they never even entered it in the first place,” one local told Al Jazeera.

Rejecting his town’s designation as a pilot zone, the mayor of Ghandouriyeh said Israeli forces had never reached the area, asking, “How can they withdraw from an area where they are not present?”

The revelation that Israel is being credited with “withdrawing” from areas it never occupied underscores the utter humiliation of the US-brokered agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel.

Critics say the illegal deal, not endorsed by parliament, violates Lebanese law and effectively hands away Lebanon’s sovereignty in return for absolutely nothing.

Under the Framework Agreement, Israeli forces are to withdraw in phases while the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) deploy into designated areas. … Full article

Jordanians urge government to scrap US military deal amid war on Iran

Al Mayadeen | July 22, 2026

Jordanian national, political, cultural, intellectual, and tribal figures have issued a statement calling for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Jordanian territory, arguing that their presence exposes the country to security, political, and economic risks and increases the likelihood of Jordan becoming embroiled in regional wars.

The signatories called on the Jordanian government to withdraw from the security and military agreement concluded with the United States and submit it to the National Assembly, “out of respect for the rights of Jordanians, their legislative councils, and civil society institutions, to cancel or restrict the agreement and allow Jordanian public opinion to examine the obligations that may affect the state’s sovereignty and national security.”

The statement also called for “neutralizing all Jordanian strategic facilities, foremost among them airports, ports, military bases, and vital installations, and not using them in any military, security, or logistical operations connected to the war of aggression being waged against the peoples of the region, in a manner that safeguards Jordan’s security and spares it the consequences of any confrontation.”

The signatories noted that Jordan “is not a party to this war” and should not bear its consequences, pointing out that the continued escalation is having a negative impact on the national economy, internal stability, and political relations with several countries in the region.

At the same time, the statement expressed pride in the Jordanian Army, calling for “its national doctrine to remain directed toward defending the homeland and its holy sites in confronting the Zionist enemy, branded with genocide, displacement, and expansion,” while recalling its historic role in the battles of Karameh, Bab al-Wad, and Latrun, as well as at the walls of occupied al-Quds and elsewhere, in defense of Palestine and Jordan.

The signatories called on the Jordanian authorities to take immediate and practical steps to keep the kingdom out of the war, safeguard its sovereignty, protect its security and stability, and preserve its independent national decision-making by pursuing a policy of neutrality based on refraining from involvement in any military or logistical activity that serves any party to the conflict.

Calls for immediate steps to avoid alignment under US umbrella

The signatories concluded the statement by calling on the Jordanian authorities to take immediate and practical steps to ensure that Jordan remains neutral in the war, safeguard its sovereignty, protect its security and stability, and preserve its independent decision-making.

They also stressed the need for their country to avoid the “dangers of alignment under the American umbrella“, emphasizing the importance of pursuing a policy based on “not engaging in any military or logistical activity that serves any party”. … Full article

Yemen closes the other gate: Bab al-Mandab turns against Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea outlet offered a lifeline as Hormuz tightened. Riyadh’s renewed escalation against Yemen now threatens that escape route.

By Aidan J. Simardone | The Cradle | July 22, 2026

… Given the scale of the economic damage now confronting the kingdom and its already limited alternatives, Saudi Arabia is likely to respond harshly against Yemen. Its Yemeni proxy, the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), is stronger than ever after the defeat of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC).

But while Saudi Arabia can inflict a heavy toll on Yemen, it cannot defeat the Ansarallah-aligned army. A decade of sustained attacks and punishing blockades has failed to weaken the Yemeni resistance or force it into submission. The US campaign against the country also ended in defeat, with Washington signing a “ceasefire” – in reality, a surrender – in May 2025.

Yemen can impose severe costs in return. A single drone or missile strike on the East–West Pipeline could send Saudi Arabia’s oil-diversion strategy up in smoke. Repeated attacks on port cities such as Yanbu, which handles 75 percent of oil exports, or on a major hub such as King Khalid International Airport could also disrupt commerce.

Saudi Arabia could, of course, lift its blockade, prompting Sanaa to do the same. But Riyadh would view this as surrender and is unlikely to accept it readily. Conflict is therefore increasingly difficult to avoid. Yet Yemen does not stand alone at the edge of the precipice. Saudi Arabia, the Persian Gulf states, and the global economy are there with it. – Full article

Pakistan ‘reserves right’ of military action to confront Yemeni blockade of Saudi Arabia

The Cradle | July 22, 2026

The Pakistani Foreign Office announced on 22 July that an attack on any ship flying the country’s flag, or on its shipping interests, would be treated as an assault on the state itself following Yemen’s declaration of a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.

“Pakistan reaffirms that any hostile act against Pakistani-flagged vessels or Pakistani maritime interests will be regarded as a grave threat to Pakistan’s national security and sovereign interests,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Islamabad released a statement, claiming a right of armed response. “Consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, Pakistan reserves its right to take all necessary measures, including lawful use of force, in the exercise of self-defense to protect its maritime assets and national interests.”

The Foreign Office “unequivocally” condemned the continued threats issued by Yemen’s Ansarallah against Saudi Arabia and against commercial traffic in the Red Sea, adding that Islamabad was “particularly concerned by reports of threats directed against vessels engaged in lawful commercial trade” with the kingdom.

Threats of that kind, it said, are “unacceptable and violate established principles of international law.”

“Such actions threaten regional security, undermine freedom of navigation, challenge the rules-based maritime order and jeopardize uninterrupted flow of global commerce,” the ministry said.

This comes as the Ansarallah-led Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) announced on 20 July a full ban on all Saudi shipping, effective immediately upon the statement’s issuance and imposed in response to more than a decade of war and blockade waged on Yemen by the kingdom.

The YAF said the measure rests on the principle of blockade for blockade… Full article

Pakistan thought it won the peace. Now, it could be dragged into war.

By Elfadil Ibrahim | Responsible Statecraft | July 22, 2026

Four weeks ago, Pakistan looked like one of the biggest winners of the U.S.-Iran war.

Its army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, shuttled between Washington, Tehran and Gulf capitals for months. As part of his efforts, Pakistan hosted the first face-to-face U.S.-Iran talks in years and helped broker the Islamabad memorandum of understanding that Vice President JD Vance signed in June, thanking Munir and calling him one of the “very, very important people” in his life.

Islamabad hired a Washington lobbying firm to convert that goodwill into defense cooperation and minerals investment, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke of a “sun of progress and prosperity” for Pakistan’s chronically stressed economy after the MoU between the U.S.and Iran brought an end to major military operations.

Pakistan’s fortunes have since reversed. Fighting between Washington and Tehran has resumed, and Islamabad’s dual goals of being Iran’s trusted interlocutor and the Arab Gulf states’ security guarantor are once again at odds. … continue

Iran will destroy multiple energy facilities for every bridge, power plant struck by US: Report

Press TV – July 22, 2026

A senior Iranian military source has warned that any attack by the United States on Iranian bridges or power plants will face a devastating response targeting multiple infrastructure and energy facilities across the region where America has interests.

The warning came after US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy one Iranian bridge or power plant for each Iranian attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

“From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT,” Trump wrote on social media.

In response, the Iranian military source told Tasnim News Agency that Tehran has an “iron will” in exercising its sovereignty over the strategic waterway and will never allow the Strait to once again become a threat against Iran. … continue

Trump’s MAGA base sours on Iran war as costs keep mounting

Al Mayadeen | July 22, 2026

Support for the war on Iran is declining among President Donald Trump’s most loyal supporters, with a new POLITICO poll showing a sharp drop in the share of MAGA voters who believe the war is worth its economic costs.

In May, half of self-identified MAGA Trump voters said the war was worth the financial burden. That figure has now fallen by 13 points to just over one-third, according to the poll conducted by independent polling firm Public First.

The shift suggests that Trump’s core supporters are increasingly aligning with the broader American public, which has largely opposed continued US involvement in the war. … Full article

Trump’s bombing campaign in Iran just sinks U.S. into a deeper quagmire

By Martin Jay | Strategic Culture Foundation | July 22, 2026

The coming days and weeks will see Trump lower himself in the acid bath of what analysts call the ‘escalation trap’. Many analysts comment that he has already fallen on his sword in the Iran war, as his fantasy of bringing Tehran to its knees – served up by Israel’s PM Netanyahu – has proved to be the greatest deception in U.S.-Israeli relations since the birth of the entity in 1948. He has, to many, lost the war, which was really the essence of him signing the MOU on June 17th, agreeing in principle to all of the points of unconditional surrender, making Iran a bigger, bolder regional power which now controls the Straits of Hormuz and is revered by the GCC elites like never before.

Yet his own lack of diplomatic verve both with Western leaders, NATO and above all Benjamin Netanyahu made his signature worthless, and his only recourse was to continue the war, to at least make it look like he is still relevant.

But this gambit, which is foolish on so many levels – not least of all because the U.S. is very low on military hardware used up between February 28th and April 7th – is more reckless than he understands and will soon destroy him. … continue

PM Burnham approves continued US use of UK bases for aggression against Iran

Press TV – July 22, 2026

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved the continued use of British military bases by the United States for military aggression against Iran, maintaining a policy established under his predecessor, Keir Starmer.

The decision revealed on Tuesday followed a meeting of senior ministers and “security officials” held before Burnham took office, during which officials agreed that the United States could continue using the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in England for operations the UK describes as “defensive.”

Burnham, who became prime minister earlier this week, was briefed on those discussions after taking office and endorsed the policy.

The decision means British military facilities are expected to support, what London insists to describe as, “some” ongoing US strikes. … Full article

US Threats Against Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Violate International Law – Iranian Foreign Ministry

Sputnik – 22.07.2026

Statements from the US that it might bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities violate international law, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Wednesday.

“The repeated US attacks and threats against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities not only constitute a flagrant violation of the core principles of the UN Charter, international law, and the relevant resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors, General Conference, and UN Security Council, but also reveal the United States’ deep-rooted enmity toward Iran’s scientific progress and technological development,” Baghaei wrote on X.

Iran does not conduct any nuclear activities in the area of the Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La Mountain, otherwise known as “Pickaxe,” which the United States wants to strike, the diplomat said, adding that the relevant remarks are just an excuse for more aggression.

On July 21, US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, where, per Israeli intelligence assessments, a fortified nuclear enrichment facility is located.

The US has been conducting strikes against Iran since July 8, in violation of the provisions of the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17.

US directly involved in Ukrainian strikes on Russia – Lavrov

RT | July 22, 2026

The US is directly participating in Ukrainian strikes against targets inside Russia by supplying weapons, intelligence, and communications support to Kiev, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Lavrov rejected Western claims that Russia and China were allegedly supplying Iran with weapons used to attack American military facilities.

He accused Washington of hypocrisy, pointing to its own role in the Ukraine conflict.

“The Americans, through arms supplies paid for by the European Union, the provision of intelligence, the Starlink system and much more, are not simply helping, but are directly participating in guiding Ukrainian weapons toward targets, including civilian targets, on Russian territory,” Lavrov said. … Full article

Ukraine hits two more Russian retailer warehouses

“Intentional attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects constitute a war crime under international humanitarian law”

RT | July 22, 2026

Ukrainian drones have again struck two logistics centers operated by Russian online retailer Wildberries, this time in southern Russia, leaving one employee dead and multiple others injured, according to the regional authorities. A separate attack on an oil depot in Armavir killed another worker and sparked a major fire.

Wildberries, often called the Russian version of Amazon, is one of the country’s most popular online retailers. Its founder Tatyana Kim confirmed on Wednesday that the company’s facilities in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk in Stavropol Region had been targeted overnight. Both complexes were evacuated and their operations suspended while emergency crews worked at the sites.

“Our priority is people,” Kim wrote. “I thank our team and our heroes who carried out the prompt evacuation. According to preliminary information there are unfortunately casualties. We will provide all the necessary assistance.”

Ten employees were injured at the retailer’s Krasnodar warehouse, according to Governor Veniamin Kondratyev. He said a young woman injured in the strike later died, adding that three other victims remain in a hospital, while the warehouse fire has been localized. … continue

Ukrainian human rights commissioner warns of growing public anger at forced conscription

By Ahmed Adel | July 22, 2026

Ukrainian society is approaching a violent confrontation with its political leadership because of the apparent shortcomings of current mobilization efforts, said Dmitry Lubinets, Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (unicameral parliament) Human Rights Commissioner. In a recent TV interview, Lubinets warned that rising tensions could spiral into chaos if not addressed promptly.

Lubinets noted a rise in public criticism of the mobilization process, with many Ukrainians deeply angered by the aggressive tactics the Territorial Recruitment Centers use. He cautioned that unless reforms are implemented, Ukraine could face worsening social divisions and even violent confrontations between civilians and authorities.

The ombudsman explained that Ukrainian citizens notice the lack of legal accountability for the actions of recruitment officers. As a result, citizens are taking matters into their own hands, which could potentially lead to escalated conflicts and greater instability in the future. This self-help approach, Lubinets said, reflects a breakdown in trust between the population and state institutions responsible for defense matters.

Lubinets expressed concern over the high levels of desertion and evasion occurring even before soldiers reach the front. Many conscripts reportedly escape from enlistment centers or while being transported to training sites. He noted several instances of unauthorized desertion from assigned positions. As a result, although official records may indicate a growing army, the real number of active combat-ready troops is decreasing. This gap highlights significant inefficiencies and morale issues within the military. … continue

The Zumwalt-class destroyer is an ever-growing boondoggle

By Stavroula Pabst | Responsible Statecraft | July 22, 2026

After ten years of upgrades, repairs, and program-related issues, the lead Zumwalt-class destroyer is finally returning to service this September. But it will have to go without the hypersonic missiles many hoped would give the troubled program a purpose.

Thanks to ongoing modernization efforts, the lead Zumwalt-class destroyer now has a launcher, making it the Navy’s first hypersonic strike ship. But the missiles themselves will not be tested until next year, as the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missile rollout is about two years behind schedule.

Experts tell RS the problem is par for the course for the Zumwalt program. … continue

Andy Burn ’Em, Britain’s new PM, wants to end homelessness by fueling militarism and war

By Finian Cunningham | Strategic Culture Foundation | July 22, 2026

Andy Burnham took over as British prime minister this week, promising to bring “hope and change” to poverty-stricken Britain amid a political crisis in which public contempt for governing parties is at record levels.

In his first speech outside 10 Downing Street on Monday, Burnham said: “I will put the care of people at the heart of everything I do… Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again, the moment we bring back hope.”

British media headlines were swooning over this supposed radical new beginning for Britain. At 56 years old, Burnham brings a fresh face to tired British politics.

Notably, he said his top priority was to end “rough sleeping” on the streets for thousands of homeless Britons. And he announced a budget of £340 million (€400 m, $450 m) over the next five years to fix the problem by building affordable homes.

This apparent commitment to improving social conditions may sound laudable. It buffs Burnham’s image as a caring politician on the side of working-class Britons. He likes to talk about his North of England credentials and empathy for popular concerns during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester (2017-2026).

But let’s put his homeless budget in a realistic context. On his first day in Downing Street, Burnham also made Britain’s military support for Ukraine another of his priorities. He said there would be “one hundred per cent” continuation of the policy under his predecessor Keir Starmer that made Britain one of the most gung-ho backers of the Kiev regime in NATO’s proxy war against Russia. … continue

China hawks are losing the public opinion battle

Despite a Beltway push for confrontation, polls show that average Americans want a normal relationship with Beijing

By Frank Yuwen Chen | Responsible Statecraft | July 22, 2026

It sometimes seems easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of Washington’s anti-China obsession.

Congressional Republicans, on one side, are championing a staggering $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget that would cannibalize domestic programs to “deter China.” Meanwhile, many of their Democratic colleagues are attacking President Donald Trump due to his apparent lack of enthusiasm for confronting China.

Yet under the surface, a crack is widening between how Beltway elites talk about China and how ordinary Americans view the U.S.-China relationship. In particular, younger Americans are roundly rejecting tough-on-China politics. Over time, this chasm will challenge the very foundation of Washington’s indefinite strategic competition with Beijing.

While the Blob whips itself into an anti-China frenzy, Americans are backing away from the so-called “China consensus.” Over the past two years, national surveys by reputable pollsters have consistently found that Americans are warming up in their views on China and seeking closer ties between the two superpowers. There are reasons to believe this trend will continue. … continue

Henrik Svensmark fired by his university

By Karl Iver Dahl-Madsen | CLIntel | July 21, 2026

Something unusual and encouraging has happened in Danish climate journalism. Berlingske, one of Denmark’s leading national daily newspapers, has published an excellent and genuinely inquisitive article about the dismissal of physicist Henrik Svensmark from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), where he has been working since the late nineties. The headline leaves no room for doubt: “Controversial Danish climate and space researcher has received the pink slip from DTU: It is ‘a death blow’ to my research”.

Here is how the article starts… continue

IMF approves new Ukraine tranche despite anti-graft reform ‘slippage’

RT | July 21, 2026

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved another tranche of its loan to Ukraine despite acknowledging that Kiev isn’t on schedule implementing reforms aimed at tackling corruption.

In a statement issued on Monday, the IMF said its Executive Board had completed the first review of Ukraine’s 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF), approving the release of a $690 million tranche. The latest payment brings total IMF disbursements under the $8.1 billion loan program to approximately $2.2 billion, according to the fund.

The IMF said the program’s performance has been “broadly satisfactory,” but noted that reform implementation had slowed. … Full article

Miliband comes under fire after poor start fails to break with Starmer’s Gaza policy

MEMO | July 21, 2026

Britain’s new foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, has come under fire for pledging to defend international law while describing Russia’s war in Ukraine as “illegal” but referring only to “conflict in the Middle East”, without condemning Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham appointed Miliband yesterday, replacing Yvette Cooper at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Miliband previously served as energy secretary under Keir Starmer’s government.

In a statement following his appointment, Miliband promised to defend Britain’s “values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law on the world stage”.

However, critics highlighted the striking difference in the language he used to describe Russia and Israel. … Full article

Further revelations expose $100m behind Israel’s frantic bid to win back US opinion

MEMO | July 21, 2026

Further revelations have emerged about the millions fuelling Israel’s frantic battle to win back US public opinion. They follow reports that Israeli officials were furious after a multimillion-dollar influence campaign failed to halt the collapse in support for Israel among young American conservatives.

According to an investigation by Haaretz, Israel has committed roughly $100 million to overseas campaigns aimed at improving its image and shaping perceptions of its genocide in Gaza and war on Iran since 7 October 2023.

The report uncovered government procurement documents and filings submitted under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) which reveal an extensive network of digital advertising campaigns, public relations firms, influencers and civil society organisations. Despite the unprecedented investment, polling shows that Israel’s standing among Americans has continued to deteriorate. … continue

Israeli Forces Demolish 3 Homes in Hebron and Ramallah

IMEMC | July 20, 2026

On Monday, Israeli forces demolished two Palestinian-owned homes in the central West Bank governorate of Ramallah, and another home in the southern West Bank governorate of Hebron.

Occupation forces demolished a house, two barracks, and a carpentry workshop in the town of Beit Liqya, west of Ramallah.

Media sources reported that Israeli forces, accompanied by bulldozers, stormed the “Mathalath Al-Baladi” area in Beit Liqya town on Monday morning. … Full article

Day 285 of Gaza ‘ceasefire’: ‘Israel’ burns alive family of six

MEMO | July 21, 2026

An entire Palestinian family of six was killed at dawn on Tuesday after Israeli forces bombed their house in Gaza City despite an ongoing ceasefire, the official news agency Wafa reported.

They were killed on Al-Thalathini Street amid continued violations of the ceasefire in place since Oct. 10, 2025.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams initially recovered the bodies of a mother and her four children after an Israeli strike targeting an apartment in the Al-Samer area.

A medical source said the children killed in the attack were aged between 6 and 13.

​​​​​​​According to the source, the bodies of the victims arrived at the Al-Shifa Hospital burned.

Their father was later confirmed dead in the same attack.

Gaza’s Civil Defense said its teams extinguished a large fire at the family home after the Israeli strike.

Israeli artillery also shelled areas southeast of the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City, while military vehicles stationed nearby opened heavy fire.

In central Gaza, Israeli vehicles pushed around 100 meters into the Abu Ghraba area east of Deir al-Balah, accompanied by a military bulldozer, opening heavy fire and razing land before withdrawing several hours later, according to local sources and eyewitnesses.

The Israeli military occupies more than 70% of the enclave, up from 53% under the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, Israeli officials said. … Full article

‘Israel is not giving anything up’: Residents head to US-backed pilot zones in south Lebanon

The Cradle | July 21, 2026

Scores of displaced Lebanese civilians made their way back to southern towns designated by Washington as “pilot zones” early on 21 July, as the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) deployed in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiya – one day after the US officially launched its plan.

An Israeli journalist had previously claimed that Tel Aviv would begin a limited withdrawal on Tuesday as part of the US plan, but local residents returning to the south cast further doubt on Israel’s intention to pull out. … continue

Intel Community Does Not Believe Strikes on Iran Will Impact Negotiations

By Kyle Anzalone | The Libertarian Institute | July 21, 2026

The US intelligence community has briefed President Donald Trump that bombing Iran is unlikely to change Tehran’s positions in negotiations to end the war.

Last week, the US resumed major military operations against Iran, including bombing civilian infrastructure. President Trump has repeatedly told the American people that the strikes are meant to force Tehran to comply with his demands.

However, the intelligence community has informed the President that his plan is dubious. The Washington Post reported speaking with multiple US intelligence officials who said that the CIA-led assessment concluded that the current strikes are unlikely to alter Iran’s position towards negotiations. … Full article

Iran warns Bulgaria against supporting US military aggression

Press TV – July 21, 2026

Iran has warned Bulgaria against approving a reported US request to station military aircraft at one of its air bases, saying any cooperation with military aggression against Iran would make Sofia complicit in unlawful acts of aggression.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei issued the warning on Tuesday in response to reports that the Bulgarian government is considering a US request to deploy military aircraft at Bezmer Air Base in support of operations related to the war with Iran.

Baghaei said Bulgaria is fully aware that recent US military aggression against Iran constituted a violation of the UN Charter and international law.

He said any participation in preparing or facilitating such operations would amount to complicity in the crimes of aggression and war crimes.

Baghaei expressed surprise over remarks attributed to Bulgarian Prime Minister Roman Radov regarding the reported request, saying that even considering support for an “illegal war” against Iran would be inconsistent with Bulgaria’s international legal obligations and the principle of respect for national sovereignty. … continue

Hebrew media: Trump considering wide-ranging military plot against Iran

MEMO | July 21, 2026

US President Donald Trump is considering a plan for a large-scale military operation against Iran that could destabilise the government in Tehran, according to Israel’s public broadcaster.

The broadcaster said the proposed military action would involve a major expansion of the current operation. It added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among those pushing for such a scenario.

Citing a source familiar with the matter, the broadcaster said Qatar, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are pressing for a 10-day ceasefire to revive the memorandum of understanding previously signed between the United States and Iran.

Earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had received proposals aimed at reducing tensions and that they were under review. … Full article

Finance Minister: Israel Has No Interest in Joining US War Against Iran

By Kyle Anzalone | The Libertarian Institute | July 21, 2026

Israeli Finance Minister Betzel Smotrich said that Tel Aviv was not interested in rejoining the war against Iran. Multiple outlets have reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convinced President Donald Trump to start the war.

“The State of Israel has no interest in joining the contained confrontation between Iran and the United States,” the Israeli minister said on Tuesday. “The current situation is the best one for us.” … Full article

Yemeni naval blockade forces six vessels to turn back

Press TV – July 21, 2026

Six ships have turned back in the past 24 hours after Yemen’s armed forces imposed a maritime ban on Saudi vessels, a military source confirmed to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), as the “blockade for blockade” strategy against Riyadh takes effect.

The move came after Yemen’s Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center sent a warning to shipping companies, stating that vessels are banned from loading or discharging cargo at any Saudi ports and that violators “may be subject to targeting in any location within the operational reach of the Yemeni Armed Forces.”

Shipping data from LSEG confirmed that at least two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude to China and India have been forced to make U-turns in the Red Sea.

The Xin Long Yang, a Very Large Crude Carrier carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude loaded at Yanbu, reversed course and headed toward the Suez Canal rather than risk transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The smaller tanker Rodos, carrying about 700,000 barrels of Saudi crude for India, also made a U-turn for Suez. … continue

Houthi Blockade Against Saudi Arabia Creates Geopolitical, Economic Dilemma for Pakistan

Sputnik – 21.07.2026

Any threat to the Kingdom’s stability is a threat to Pakistan’s strategic and economic interests, experts stress.

Pakistan is grappling with the potential fallout from a Houthi threat to blockade Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, a development that could activate one of the region’s most consequential defense agreements. … continue

‘Escalate at your own peril’: Yemen warns KSA amid enforced siege

Al Mayadeen | July 21, 2026

… The Coastal Defense Forces commander stressed that Saudi Arabia now faces only two options: either lift the blockade and end its intervention, or continue escalating, which he warned would come at Riyadh’s own peril.

He affirmed full readiness to implement the equation of “blockade for blockade, airports for airports, and ports for ports.”

Al-Qadri said that, four years after the truce, the Saudi regime continues to engage in maneuvering, stalling, and evading implementation of the agreement reached under UN and Omani auspices, forcing Yemen to move toward direct, field-based deterrence measures.

He also said that Sanaa is more committed than any other Arab capital to avoiding confrontation with any country in the region, but that Saudi Arabia had left Yemen with no other option.

Al-Qadri’s remarks came after the Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Monday that the maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia had entered into force, stressing that the move constituted a natural and legitimate response to the blockade imposed on Yemen.

The Armed Forces stressed the Yemeni people’s right to confront blockade with blockade and comprehensive escalation with comprehensive escalation, affirming their full readiness for all possible options in the coming phase. … Full article

Israeli Channel 14: US is Incapable of Protecting Its Bases in Region from Iranian Attacks

Press TV – July 21, 2026

The United States has begun relocating fighter aircraft and aerial refueling planes from military bases across the region to Israel, Israeli media outlets say, citing concerns over the ability of American forces to protect those installations amid intensified Iranian attacks.

The Hebrew-language Channel 14 reported on Tuesday that Washington has initiated the evacuation of aircraft from regional bases and is transferring fighter jets and tanker aircraft to occupied Palestinian lands in response to large-scale Iranian strikes.

Noam Amir, a military and security analyst for Channel 14, said the US currently lacks the capability to fully defend its regional bases against Iranian attacks.

“For this reason, the United States is evacuating these bases and relocating its fleet of aerial refueling aircraft and fighter squadrons to Israel,” he said, according to the broadcaster.

Separately, Israeli Army Radio quoted the regime’s transportation minister as saying he had informed the military that no additional US aerial refueling aircraft would be accepted at Ben Gurion Airport.

The remarks follow an earlier report by Israel’s Channel 12, which said senior officials from the ministry of transportation and Ben Gurion Airport convened an emergency meeting on July 20 to discuss a new US request to deploy dozens of additional tanker aircraft to the airport.

According to the report, US officials are seeking to station several dozen military refueling aircraft in Israel over the coming days, raising concerns about airport capacity and the potential impact on civilian air traffic. … Full article

IRGC Attacks Amazon Data Center in Bahrain in Response to US Strikes on Nuclear Power Plant

Sputnik – 21.07.2026

TEHRAN – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday that it had attacked a data center belonging to US trade giant Amazon in Bahrain in response to the US strikes on the Darkhovin nuclear power plant (NPP) construction site.

On Sunday, media reported that the US military had attacked the NPP construction site in the Iranian city of Darkhovin. The International Atomic Energy Agency said that it was looking into the reports, adding that it did not believe the attack posed any radiological risk.

“In response to yesterday’s US attacks on facilities under construction and civilian areas in the Darkhovin area, the IRGC said it had launched several cruise missiles at the central data infrastructure of the US company Amazon in Bahrain, causing significant damage,” the IRGC said in a statement. … Full article

DeBasification… A Fancy Word for Booting the US Out of the Middle East

By Larry C. Johnson | SONAR21 | July 21, 2026 

Tehran delivered to Washington via Pakistan in early April, a formalized demand for the withdrawal of US combat forces from military bases across the region. It sat in a package alongside the lifting of all sanctions and UN resolutions, the release of Iranian assets held overseas, reparations, and Iran’s right to nuclear enrichment.

Instead of waiting for the US to agree to the demand, Iran has launched targeted attacks during the past two weeks on key US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. This has produced a de facto evacuation of US forces and equipment from most of these bases. The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain is in shambles; the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid in Qatar has been closed and moved to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. And Iran continues to pound bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar to ensure that no US aircraft or missile launchers remain intact at those locations.

Besides the bases in the Persian Gulf nations, Iran also has pummeled the Muwaffaq Salti Airbase and the Prince Hassan Airbase in Jordan. There are grainy satellite images showing that the United States has removed all aircraft from the open-air parking lot at the Muwaffaq al-Salti airbase, fearing that they would be destroyed by Iranian missiles.

The US also has relocated the $250 million MQ-4C Triton. … continue

Germany to deny automatic temporary protection to Ukrainian men fleeing the draft – interior minister

By Robert Bridge | RT | July 20, 2026

Germany will stop granting automatic temporary protection to Ukrainians fleeing conscription, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said.

Kiev imposed general mobilization shortly after the escalation of the conflict with Russia in February of 2022, barring all able-bodied men aged 22 to 60 from leaving the country. Despite the restrictions, tens of thousands have crossed the border illegally and fled to the European Union. As of the spring of 2026, about 4.33 million Ukrainians were living under temporary protection across the bloc, including up to 1 million military-age men, according to Eurostat. … Full article

UK migrant racket: One village has had enough

By Robert Bridge | RT | July 20, 2026

The small, leafy, village of Piddington has voted to hold a referendum for independence from the United Kingdom because the government is planning on dumping over 1,000 illegal aliens into the village of just 370 people.

The vote came after the Home Office – the United Kingdom’s lead government department for immigration, passports, homeland security, and law and order – announced in late June that it would convert a vacant military storage facility on the outskirts of the village of Piddington into general accommodation for single men aged 18 to 65.

Needless to say, the residents were not pleased by the news. It did not help matters that despite the significance of the move, no government official came to talk to the villagers before the plans were announced, which smacks of sheer arrogance.

The village of Piddington has no shops, no pubs, and not even a police force. It must rely on outside communities for all of its needs. They have no way of providing any protection for their residents. So this isn’t an asylum seeker issue as far as the townspeople are concerned, it’s about the practical realities regarding how to protect the older people and the kids in the neighborhood from a new presence that promises to be dangerous.

Incredibly, the villagers were told that no women or children would be sent to live with the illegal male migrants because it would not be safe for them. Yet the people of Piddington, without so much as a single police officer, will have to fend for themselves against all odds. … continue

Pentagon accused of concealing scale, strategy of US war on Iran

Al Mayadeen | July 20, 2026

The Pentagon is facing growing criticism over its refusal to publicly explain the direction, cost, and battlefield consequences of the expanding US war on Iran, as official briefings disappear and reporters are forced to rely increasingly on unnamed military sources, CNN reported.

Despite renewed American air strikes and the recent deaths of US service members in Jordan and Iraq, War Secretary Pete Hegseth has offered no detailed account of Washington’s military objectives or the circumstances surrounding the casualties.

The Pentagon has not held a formal press briefing since May 5, leaving journalists, military families, and the wider public with limited access to official information about the campaign. … Full article

‘Couldn’t find a hotel to stay’: Roger Waters says pro-Israel pressure campaign seeks to silence Israel’s critics

MEMO | July 20, 2026

Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters has accused pro-Israel lobbying groups of orchestrating an international campaign to silence him over his outspoken criticism of Israel and its actions against Palestinians in Gaza, Anadolu reports.

Speaking in an interview with Tucker Carlson released Friday, Waters said he had been denied hotel accommodation in several South American countries during his 2023 tour.

“I couldn’t find a hotel to stay anywhere in Buenos Aires or in Colombia or in Ecuador,” Waters said, adding that he also encountered difficulties in Montevideo, Uruguay.

He said his team was eventually able to secure accommodation for one night in Quito, Ecuador, but claimed the hotel had to conceal his presence.

Waters attributed the incidents to what he described as highly organized pro-Israel lobbying networks operating internationally and pressuring hotels, venues and public officials to cut ties with him.

The musician also cited efforts to cancel a concert in Frankfurt, Germany, and the cancellation of a performance in Krakow, Poland, as examples of the professional consequences he has faced.

“They wanted to cancel me because I was critical of the apartheid, of the genocide,” Waters said.

He argued that other artists and prominent public figures remain silent about Israel’s actions because they fear similar retaliation, including cancelled appearances, lost work and damage to their reputations. … Full article

UK Consulate in Jerusalem X account suspended after highlighting Israel’s abuse of Palestinian detainees

MEMO | July 20, 2026

The official X account of the British Consulate General in Jerusalem has been suspended after it published a joint diplomatic statement raising alarm over Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees.

Visitors to the @UKinJerusalem account are now met with a notice reading, “Account suspended.” X states only that it suspends accounts which violate its rules, but the platform has not publicly identified the rule allegedly breached or the content that prompted its action.

Yesterday the consulate published a four-part thread carrying a joint statement from 14 diplomatic missions, including the UK, Canada, the European Union and several European countries.

“Over 9,000 Palestinians are detained in Israeli prisons, including thousands held without charge or trial,” the missions warned, highlighting Israel’s extensive use of administrative detention.

The statement noted that human rights organisations have described conditions inside Israeli detention facilities as “harsh and life-threatening”. Palestinian detainees have faced inadequate food, denial of medical treatment, mistreatment and the continued suspension of family visits.

The diplomatic missions called on Israel to meet its obligations under international law and guarantee detainees access to legal assistance, information about the accusations against them and fair trials.

They also demanded that Israel provide the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with immediate access to all prisons and detention centres holding Palestinians. Israel has prevented the organisation from visiting Palestinian detainees since October 2023. … Full article

Israeli authorities prohibit Palestinian journalist from entering al-Aqsa Mosque

Press TV – July 20, 2026

Israeli authorities have enforced a ban against Palestinian journalist Ahmad al-Safadi and prohibited him from accessing the al-Aqsa Mosque compound after he was abducted from his residence in the central part of the occupied West Bank.

Local sources reported that Israeli occupation forces invaded Safadi’s home in occupied al-Quds on Sunday.

Safadi, who is affiliated with the National Action Committee in Occupied al-Quds, was then kidnapped and transported to the al-Qishla police station in the Old City of al-Quds, where he received the exclusion order.

According to a report from the al-Quds Governorate, Israeli occupation authorities continue to issue exclusion orders that prohibit Palestinian worshippers, activists and notable figures from accessing the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. […]

The development comes a few days after Israeli occupation forces abducted Palestinian journalist Mohammed Hassan Shreiteh in the village of al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya, northwest of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. … Full article

Two Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire during settler attack in West Bank

Palestinian Information Center – July 20, 2026

RAMALLAH – Two Palestinians were martyred early Monday when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened fire at them during a violent settler attack on the town of Deir Jarir, east of Ramallah in the West Bank.

The Palestinian health ministry identified the martyrs as Awda Farakhneh, 53, and Ahmad Abu Makho, 26.

Earlier, medical sources reported that three citizens were seriously wounded in the IOF-settler attack on the town.

According to local sources, Israeli forces and settlers launched their attack on the town after midnight on Monday.

Local sources said Israeli forces not only provided cover for the settlers but also directly targeted an ambulance that was attempting to evacuate the wounded from the town.

In a separate incident, settlers set fire to vast tracts of farmland in the Khillet al-Qateel area of Beit Dajan town, east of Nablus. Local residents attempted to contain the blaze despite facing threats and harassment from armed settlers.

Israeli Colonizers Injure Elderly Man in Surif Attack

IMEMC | July 19, 2026

Illegal paramilitary Israeli colonizers injured an elderly Palestinian man and caused additional bruises and minor wounds to others after attacking residents in the town of Surif, northwest of Hebron, on Sunday evening.

The head of Surif Municipality, Hazem Ghneimat, told WAFA News that a group of colonizers, carrying clubs and batons, invaded the Khallet Ghoneim area and assaulted residents inside their homes, injuring an elderly man in the head after beating him with clubs and batons.

He added that several other residents suffered bruises and minor injuries as a result of the attack. … Full article

Six Palestinians Killed, Dozens Injured, In Israeli Strikes In Gaza

IMEMC | July 20, 2026

Six Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip, Monday, three of them were killed and dozens were wounded when an Israeli drone fired a missile at a civilian vehicle in the al‑Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and one in an Israeli strike in Gaza city.

The attacks came amid continued Israeli airstrikes across multiple parts of the Gaza Strip, striking densely populated areas and causing additional casualties.

Medical sources said the Israeli drone strike that targeted the Palestinian vehicle in in al-Mawasi in Khan Younis killed three Palestinians instantly and left many others with severe and critical injuries.

Medical teams reported that the wounded from the al‑Mawasi strike were initially transported to the British Field Hospital before several critical cases were transferred to other facilities due to the high number of injuries.

Journalists on the ground confirmed that children and women were among the most severely affected, with emergency crews at al‑Saraya Hospital of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and the Shifa Medical Complex treating multiple trauma cases.

In Gaza City, an Israeli airstrike targeted a civilian vehicle on al‑Jala’ Street, one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, killing one Palestinian and causing fourteen injuries, including children.

The slain Palestinian has been identified as Mahmoud Saleh. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames, and several civilians were injured. … continue

Israel carries out demolitions in southern Lebanon despite truce deal

Press TV – July 20, 2026

The Israeli military has carried out large-scale demolitions in southern Lebanon, while Israeli drones repeatedly violated Lebanese airspace over Beirut and its southern suburbs, a fresh breach of the US-mediated framework agreement signed between the Lebanese government and the Israeli regime.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported on Monday that a powerful explosion shook the southern town of Kfartebnit before noon, later confirmed to be the result of an Israeli demolition operation. Thick plumes of smoke rose from the site.

In a separate incident, an Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade over the town of Mansouri in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon.

In recent weeks, Israeli forces have systematically demolished homes, blown up bridges, and destroyed civilian infrastructure across southern Lebanon. … Full article

IOF injure two children in Syria’s Daraa incursion

Al Mayadeen | July 20, 2026

Two children were injured on Monday after Israeli occupation forces opened fire toward civilians in the village of Jamla in the Yarmouk Basin area of western Daraa countryside, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.

In detail, a patrol belonging to the Israeli occupation forces raided the village of Jamla and set up a checkpoint in the area, coinciding with the gunfire that resulted in the injury of the two children. … Full article

Israeli forces detain Syrian civilian during incursion in Quneitra

Al Mayadeen | July 20, 2026

Israeli forces continued field operations and incursions into Syrian territory on Monday, detaining a young man at a temporary military checkpoint established west of the village of Sayda al-Jolan in the Quneitra countryside.

According to field reports, the Israeli forces had moved into the vicinity of Sayda al-Jolan earlier in the day and set up a checkpoint, where they conducted searches of passing civilians.

On Sunday, military movements were also observed, with Israeli forces deploying military vehicles near the Kodna Dam and Tell Abu Qubais in the southern Quneitra countryside.

In a related development, Israeli forces positioned at the Hamidiya base fired an artillery shell toward surrounding agricultural lands, resulting in a loud explosion heard across the Quneitra countryside. The forces subsequently fired a second shell that landed near the town of Hamidiya in the central Quneitra countryside. … continue

Israel’s Lawlessness Will Be Its Undoing

By Kevin Barrett | American Free Press | July 20, 2026

Israel has been the world’s worst international outlaw since 1948. That year, the Zionists used terrorism—mass rape and the slaughter of thousands of men, women, and children—to murder or expel 750,000 Palestinians from their homeland. When Palestine’s outraged neighbors tried to protect the Palestinian genocide victims, the Zionists attacked them and blamed them for the violence!

On December 11, 1948, the United Nations passed Resolution 194 ordering Israel to allow surviving genocide victims to return and reclaim their homes and be compensated for their suffering. Israel thumbed its nose at the law, murdering Palestinians who tried to return. Since then it has continued violating Resolution 194 along with dozens of other UN resolutions.

Every year, more and more Palestinian property is stolen by greedy Jewish squatters. Murder and terrorism are their instruments. And woe to anyone who tries to interfere! Rachel Corrie, the brave young American who lay down in front of a Zionist bulldozer in Rafah in 2003, was blithely crushed to death by Israelis who know that in today’s Holocaust-narrative-brainwashed world, Zionist criminals enjoy near-complete impunity. The bulldozer driver was never punished. To this day, Israelis continue to celebrate the murder of Rachel Corrie in myriad ways, including feasting on pancakes bearing her name.

Israel is a fundamentally lawless state. It refuses to even declare official borders, because it is stealing more land and property every single day. … continue

The Iran War and the Manipulation of Oil Markets

By Ron Unz • Unz Review • July 20, 2026

… By July 10th the war was on the verge of resuming, with the Iranians about to close the Strait to traffic. But on that same day, market prices for oil dropped to their low, prewar levels. There seems no logical explanation for this.

The totally inexplicable behavior of the oil markets was further compounded by other geopolitical developments.

Russia has long been the world’s second largest oil exporter, just behind Saudi Arabia. But during June and into July, Ukrainian drones had begun successfully hitting Russian refineries, putting them out of commission. As a result, Russia experienced very serious local shortages of gasoline and instead of exporting petroleum products was forced to urgently begin importing them instead. Russia’s oil refining volumes have dropped to their lowest levels in more than two decades, with 58% of its total capacity hit by drones.

Even if the Middle East had been entirely at peace, major attacks that crippled the capacity of a leading world oil exporter should have caused a large spike in prices, but nothing like that occurred. Russia’s largest refinery deep in Siberia was attacked and seriously damaged on July 7th yet global oil prices took no significant notice of that very serious incident.

The Manipulation of Our Oil Markets?

When financial markets begin violating every rational pricing principle and seem to ignore the basic law of supply and demand, sensible observers must grow very suspicious, and over the last few months I began wondering about these matters. … Read full article

US doesn’t have what it takes to repel Iranian counterattacks – expert

Sputnik – 20.07.2026

While the US does retain an enormous offensive capability, which allows it to conduct an intense wave of attacks against Iranian facilities, it can only weaken Iran, veteran war correspondent Elijah J. Magnier tells Sputnik.

The US has plenty of offensive weapons to attack Iran, but at the same time has a limited supply of interceptors needed to repel Iranian counterattacks against US assets, allies and Israel.

“The United States could therefore launch a major campaign, but sustaining it would force difficult choices: which bases to protect, which cities to defend, which incoming threats to intercept,” Magnier explains.

In the meantime, Iran will likely seek to widen the “geography of the conflict, multiplying the number of targets Washington must defend, and raising the political and above all economic costs of an additional American strike.”

Using concentrated ballistic and cruise missile attacks to saturate enemy air defenses, and forcing the US and its allies to expend their interceptors on decoys, Iran can unleash hell upon US bases, logistics hubs, ports, radar installations, and fuel storage facilities in the region. … continue

Trump booed during FIFA World Cup trophy presentation to Spain

Press TV – July 20, 2026

US President Donald Trump was received with loud boos from sections of the crowd during the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy presentation.

Trump was booed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday at the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain as he presented the Spaniards with the trophy after their 1-0 victory over their rival.

Trump was asked to step aside by the “winners” of the globally sought Gold Cup, with Spain’s captain Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, also known as Rodri, ushering Trump to exit the stage before the World Cup trophy lifting ceremony. He, however, refused to leave the scene and awkwardly lingered on the side of the giant podium as the loud boos and whistles rang out across the stadium. Eventually, a brief exchange between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Trump resulted in the host of the event giving in to his unpopularity and leaving the world stage viewed by billions of football fans across the globe. … continue

How to Honor the Dead US Service Members

By Ron Paul | July 20, 2026

Over the weekend the Pentagon announced that four more US soldiers have been killed in President Trump’s war on Iran. That brings the total to 17, but many believe the real number of dead US servicemembers is much higher than that. The Pentagon has claimed it has no obligation to reveal how many military personnel have been injured, which suggests that number may be much higher than we are hearing. Many of these injuries will be horrific and life-altering.

Back on April 12th, President Trump told Fox News that Iran, “has no cards. Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Totally gone. They have nothing.” Yet three months later, US bases in the region continue to be successfully attacked, US military equipment worth billions continues to be destroyed, and US servicemembers continue to be killed and injured.

This war was launched by President Trump without Congressional approval in February because the President believed that Iran, at 6,000 miles away, posed an existential threat to the United States. At the same time, he believed that the Iranian government was so weak that after a couple of days of bombing the political system would collapse and a “US-friendly” government could be installed in its place.

This makes no sense. How can a country be strong enough to threaten the United States but be so weak it is about to collapse?

Now, five months later, we continue to attack Iran to open a Hormuz Strait that was open before the war and to end a nuclear weapons program that does not exist. And the American middle and working classes are hit with a price tag for this senseless war that could exceed one trillion dollars. … continue

Yemen imposes naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in tit-for-tat move

Press TV – July 20, 2026

Yemen has declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, with the country’s military spokesman stressing that it will come into effect immediately.

In a statement on Monday, Yemeni armed forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced “a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of ‘siege for siege,’” adding that “it will come into force from the moment this statement is issued.”

According to the statement, the blockade was imposed in response to Saudi Arabia’s continued “unjust and oppressive siege on our dear people for nearly 12 years, plundering our resources and imposing a comprehensive blockade on [the country’s] ports and airports by land, sea, and air” as well as the recent attacks on the Sana’a International Airport.

The spokesman affirmed the Yemeni armed forces’ “complete readiness for all options,” warning that “any foolish act” by Riyadh will be met with a “harsh” response.

The statement hailed the steadfastness of the Yemeni nation and its participation in million-strong demonstrations in support of the Sana’a government, saying “we assure them that we will spare no effort in restoring their plundered rights and ending the unjust siege against them, regardless of the results and repercussions.”

Tensions flared earlier this month when Saudi Arabia tried to prevent the return of an Iranian plane carrying a delegation of Yemeni officials, who had traveled to Tehran for the funeral of Iran’s martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The plane was diverted after the Sana’a airport was bombed and landed safely in the city of Hudaydah. … continue

At least five civilians killed in Ukrainian drone strike on bus – governor

RT | July 20, 2026

A Ukrainian kamikaze drone hit a passenger bus in the town of Shebekino in Russia’s Belgorod Region on Monday, killing five and injuring more than 20 others, acting governor Aleksandr Shuvaev has said.

Shebekino, which remains one of the prime targets for Ukrainian cross-border attacks, was subjected to multiple drone strikes throughout the day. The UAVs targeted an administrative building as well as damaged a truck and a residential building, according to local authorities. While the attacks caused only material damage, the strike on the passenger bus proved more deadly.

“Today, in the town of Shebekino, a drone belonging to neo-Nazi Kiev terrorists deliberately and cynically struck a passenger bus,” Shuvaev said.

The attack killed at least five people, including a child, while 23 others were injured. Three of the wounded were hospitalized in critical condition, according to the acting governor. … Full article