Iranian authorities say they executed four terrorists linked to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad on Monday morning.
The four men were sentenced to death for spying on behalf of Israel and “managing a terrorist group with the aim of disrupting the country’s security”.
The state news agency IRNA reported that the men were convicted of planning to attack a factory in Isfahan province that belongs to the country’s defense ministry and is involved in the production of missiles and defense equipment.
The men were arrested by security forces in mid-July 2022 – days before they were reportedly to carry out the operation – and the four had previously been trained by the Israelis in an African country before entering Iran.
The executed are all Iranian nationals and have been identified as Mohammad Faramarzi, Mohsen Mazloum, Vafa Azarbar and Pejman Fatehi. They had already been sentenced to death in a separate trial in September, sentences that were recently upheld by the country’s Supreme Court.
It is not clear from the reports how the death sentences were carried out, although executions in Iran are usually carried out by hanging.
After China, Iran is the country with the most confirmed and official executions in the world each year. It should be noted, however, that executions in many countries are not published or included in official statistics, making it difficult to determine how many death sentences are actually carried out around the world.
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Israel has initiated discussions with South Sudan about expelling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to the war-torn East African country.
The plans are described as an attempt at mass expulsion and ethnic cleansing following Israel’s 22-month-long invasion and have drawn strong criticism for violating international law and humanitarian principles.
Six sources with insight confirm to Associated Press that talks are ongoing, but it remains unclear how far they have actually progressed. The proposal involves moving Palestinians from one starvation zone to another, which according to analysts risks worsening the already very difficult humanitarian situation for Gaza’s population.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for what he himself claims is “voluntary migration”, and has previously proposed similar arrangements with other African countries.
— I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there, Netanyahu said in an interview with Israeli TV channel i24 on Tuesday.
‼️‼️‼️Prime Minister Netanyahu urges Gazans to leave!! Those who care about Palestinians must open their borders now!!! Important interview with @netanyahupic.twitter.com/JtrMBfTvec
Palestinians and human rights organizations reject the plans, however, stating that it practically amounts to ethnic cleansing, where Israel could annex all of Gaza and reestablish Jewish settlements – a demand from far-right ministers in the government. Many Palestinians also fear they would never be allowed to return to their homeland.
For South Sudan, which has struggled with civil war, corruption and famine since independence in 2011, the agreement is seen as a way to strengthen ties with Israel and Trump. The country’s leadership hopes for eased sanctions and improved relations with the US.
— Cash-strapped South Sudan needs any ally, financial gain and diplomatic security it can get, says journalist Peter Martell, author of the book First Raise a Flag, which is about the African nation.
An Israeli delegation plans to visit the African country to investigate whether it is possible to establish camps for Palestinians, according to Joe Szlavik, founder of a lobbying company that works with the country.
Analysts point out that Israel is likely prepared to finance temporary camps in the country, but Edmund Yakani, leader of a South Sudanese civil society organization, warns of the consequences.
— South Sudan should not become a dumping ground for people. And it should not accept to take people as negotiating chips to improve relations, says Yakani.
Discussions with more African countries
Egypt opposes the plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza. They are concerned that this would lead to increased refugee flows from Gaza, which would negatively affect their own country.
Israel and the US have previously held talks with Sudan, Somalia and the self-declared region of Somaliland, all of which are struggling with war and famine. However, it is unclear how far these discussions have progressed.
Critics argue that the proposal to expel Palestinians from Gaza not only violates international law, but also ignores their right to their land.
Even though many Palestinians would likely consider leaving Gaza temporarily due to war and famine, South Sudan is also considered a particularly poor alternative – not only because the country is poor, chaotic and dysfunctional – but also because bloody ethnic and religious conflicts have long been ongoing in the region.
At a press conference on Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a massive operation to combat crime in Washington, DC.
As part of the measures, the city’s police will be placed under federal control, and hundreds of National Guard soldiers will patrol the streets to make the city safer. Trump simultaneously warned that New York could be next for similar measures.
— I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor – and worse. This is liberation day in DC and we’re going to take our capital back, Trump said during a press conference at the White House.
The president expressed frustration over what he described as the growing crime in the city.
— Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people, Trump said and continued: “And we’re not going to let it happen anymore. We’re not going to take it”.
Trump noted that the operations would begin quickly, in the same way as the measures taken at the southern border to stop illegal immigration. “We’re going to clean it up real quick, like we did on the southern border”, he clarified.
BREAKING: DC will now be under FEDERAL control, the National Guard will be deployed
“This is liberation day in D.C. and we’re gonna take our capitol back!” – President Trump pic.twitter.com/RbShJTQlkD
According to US legislation, the Home Rule Act of 1973, the president has the right to take control of Washington’s police force for up to 30 days, with the possibility for Congress to extend the measures. The Trump administration has sent documents formalizing the takeover to Congress, and later in the day, DC’s police chief and other federal officials met to discuss next steps.
— This will be an opportunity for us to come together and collaborate on being able to go out and execute warrants, said MPD Police Chief Pamela Smith.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified in an interview that the National Guard will not just be present but will act proactively in their operation.
— They will be strong, they will be tough and they will stand with their law enforcement partners., Hegseth said, adding: “If you take an action or a shot at them, there will be a consequence”.
“Doubled up on Baghdad”
Trump defended his decision and showed a chart during the press conference comparing murder statistics per capita in Washington, DC with the capitals of cocaine-exporting Colombia, Mexico and Iraq.
— We doubled up on Baghdad, he claimed, describing the situation as “completely unacceptable”.
— They’ll immediately begin massive enforcement operations targeting known gangs, drug dealers and criminal networks to get them the hell off the street, Trump said. He also suggested that certain criminals, whom he claimed came to the US illegally, will be deported.
Photo: screenshot/Truth Social/Trump
— They come from Venezuela, they come from all over the world. We’re going to get them the hell out, he explained.
The National Guard will also assist in a larger operation to remove homeless camps from public places, including parks and underpasses.
— We’re getting rid of the slums, Trump promised and mentioned that beautifying the city’s public areas and repairing median strips and potholes are part of the operation.
“False numbers”
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who is a Democrat, confirmed that she will comply with the federal operations but expressed concern that Trump’s decision represents a major interference in local self-governance.
— I’m going to work every day to make sure it’s not a complete disaster, Bowser said, claiming to be particularly concerned about the presence of plainclothes law enforcement personnel.
— All law enforcement be identifiable by uniform, a badge, a jacket, so that people know that they are law enforcement.
Trump addressed the criticism and responded in his way.
— I know it’s not politically correct. We’re going to get them the hell out. They won’t be here long,
New York next?
Defense Secretary Hegseth also clarified that soldiers from other states will assist in the operation.
— They will be standing right alongside our federal agents, like they were in Los Angeles. They’re going to be proactive.
Trump also mentioned that he is looking at other cities that may need similar federal operations.
— You look at Chicago, how bad it is. You look at Los Angeles, how bad it is. We have other cities that are very bad. New York has a problem, Trump said, suggesting that more cities may receive federal support if the situation doesn’t improve.
The president also took the opportunity to express his long-term visions for the city.
— Washington, DC, should be one of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful cities anywhere in the world, and we’re going to make it that, Trump summarized and promised that he intends to “clean it up real quick”.
Portable “pop-up houses” are now available for purchase on American retailers Walmart and Amazon. The houses are manufactured in China and come in several sizes and price ranges.
The houses, which are built from containers, are called “expandable prefab houses” and are created by Chinese company Chery Industrial. They can be purchased in various sizes, ranging from a simple office with bathroom that costs approximately €14,000, to a larger house with bedroom, living room and dining room along with bathroom and kitchen that costs around €24,500.
The pop-up houses can be bought on Amazon and also at American discount retailer Walmart, but it’s likely cheapest to buy directly from the manufacturer, reports Fortune.
The house can be packed up and becomes “container-sized,” according to the company. Delivery to the buyer is included, but the buyer is responsible for moving the house from the truck. This requires a forklift strong enough to lift the container house, but for the larger houses it’s recommended to rent a crane. The house is delivered folded up and then you need help from friends to unfold it.
China is now building small, affordable homes, that you can buy at Walmarts in the USA.
Buy an acre of land with some friends and put a few of these on there.
Before purchasing, you need to have land to place the house on, but also plan for connecting water and electricity. Toilet and shower are included in most houses, but furniture you naturally choose yourself.
In recent years, so-called “tiny houses” have become a movement, particularly in the USA, where people advocate for more minimalism and simply living more simply with fewer possessions. Often the houses are portable, extremely small in size compared to regular houses, but also planned and well-thought-out in both structure and furnishing.
US Vice President J.D. Vance states that the country is moving toward ending its economic support to Ukraine in the war against Russia.
At the same time, he emphasizes that he has nothing against Europe continuing to deliver American weapons to Kiev – as long as they pay for this themselves.
— I think the President, and I certainly think that America, we’re done with the funding of the Ukraine war business. We want to bring about a peaceful settlement to this thing. We want to stop the killing, Vance said in an interview with Fox News, which aired on Sunday.
He emphasized that public opinion in the US no longer supports continued economic aid to Kiev.
— But Americans, I think, are sick of continuing to send their money, their tax dollars, to this particular conflict, Vance continued.
“Got to step up”
JD VANCE: “THE U.S. IS DONE FUNDING THE UKRAINIAN WAR”
Senator JD Vance just dropped a political bombshell:
️ “If the Europeans want to step up and actually buy the weapons from American producers, we’re okay with that — but we’re not going to fund it ourselves… pic.twitter.com/PXzTaGzhbH
The Vice President did, however, leave the door open for the US having nothing against continued European military support to Ukraine – even where American weapons are involved – as long as this happens without American financing.
— But if the Europeans want to step up and actually buy the weapons from American producers. We’re okay with that, but we’re not going to fund it ourselves anymore, he added.
The interview was recorded before the official announcement of President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week, but was aired in its entirety only on Sunday. Vance also repeated the Trump administration’s line that European countries must themselves bear greater responsibility for the war.
— What we said to the Europeans is simply: First of all, this is in your neck of the woods, this is in your back door. You guys got to step up and play a bigger role in this thing. And if you care so much about this conflict, you should be willing to play a more direct and a more substantial way in funding this war yourselves, Vance explained.
