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While overwhelmingly supporting NATO because of Mark Rutte (former Dutch PM) being NATO's General Secretary, even though he's one of the biggest bootlickers of daddy Trump.

A Belfast judge has found three anti-genocide activists not guilty of criminal damage to Israeli products in a Sainsburys supermarket. The prosecutor offered no evidence against them.

Martin Rafferty, Eoin Davey and Yasmary Perdomo were accused of putting BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) stickers on Sodastream products. All had denied the charge. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) told the court it was making no case and claimed this was because of “new information or evidence”. However, it still dragged the trio through a lengthy and stressful court process, which their lawyers condemned after the verdict:

[The PPS] made every attempt to secure a conviction – even though there was literally no evidence of any alleged damage.

It is an injustice that our clients had to come to court multiple times since last June before the PPS offered ‘no evidence’ this morning. We urge the PPS to withdraw similar cases which have been brought against other BDS activists.

Solicitor Aiden Carlin said there had been thirteen separate hearings.

However, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) offered no evidence against the three defendants.

They were formally acquitted after District Judge Anne Marshall dismissed the case.

Speaking outside court, their legal representative hailed it as a “spectacular” outcome.

BDS activists face deja vu all over again

That PPS were pursuing the case until today, then presenting no evidence, is even more remarkable than it seems at first glance. This is the second time in just three months that the three have been acquitted on the same charge of putting stickers on Sodastream products.

Belfast magistrates dismissed those charges against them last October. His solicitor Carlin said in that case that the prosecution had made “every effort” in a “case that should never have been brought”:

In that first case, the judge allowed one witness to give evidence from behind a screen to avoid “intimidation”. Another’s statement was allowed to stand in evidence even though the witness refused three times to come to court. The judge still threw out the charges, yet the prosecutor allowed the second case to drag on – and then presented no evidence at all.

In a self-exculpatory statement, the PPS claimed today that it has:

a general duty to keep prosecution decisions under consideration and take into account any change in circumstances that occurs as the case proceeds.

Where new information or evidence becomes available it is considered along with all the existing information and evidence in the case and the test for prosecution applied, as happened in this case.

Following a change in the evidence available in this case, it was determined that the test for prosecution was no longer met.

Yet it seems it had learned absolutely nothing from the failure of its first prosecution of the BDS activists.

Deranged and drawn-out prosecutions to protect Israeli interests. Where have we heard that before?

Featured image via FaceBook/Carlin Solicitors Ltd

By Skwawkbox

From Canary via This RSS Feed.

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cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/7398025

cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/7390419

https://chuffed.org/project/145057-help-hazem-and-his-family-survive

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353675.shtml

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Snip:

Madagascar may soon be admitted to BRICS as a partner nation, the country’s interim President Col. Michael Randrianirina said, adding that this topic was raised during his visit to South Africa this weekend.

"The South African president [Cyril Ramaphosa] has accepted our request to make Madagascar one of the BRICS partner countries," he told the TVM television channel.

He said that he plans to attend the BRICS summit in Indie scheduled for June.

Madagascar may become the fourth African BRICS partner country along with Algeria, Nigeria, and Uganda.

Snip:

US President Donald Trump's decision not to strike Iran this week may have been influenced by a warning from his ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who pointed out Israel's lack of preparedness to defend itself in the event of a retaliatory strike from Tehran, Axios reported citing US and Israeli officials.

According to the report, Netanyahu told Trump that Israel was not prepared to defend itself against a possible retaliatory strike from Iran, especially since the US did not have sufficient forces in the region to help Israel intercept Iranian missiles and drones. Furthermore, Netanyahu believes that the current US plan is not effective enough and will not produce the desired results, the report said citing one of the prime minister's advisers.

The phone call between the leaders took place on Wednesday, January 14, when Trump was expected to launch airstrikes against Iran. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Salman also spoke out against the strikes in a phone call with Trump, citing concerns about regional security, Axios noted.

cross-posted from: https://news.abolish.capital/post/21152

On Saturday, January 17, the government of Iran claimed that the United States is making false accusations against the country in its latest attempt to “fuel tensions” in the region. It dismissed the US allegation of attacks on American bases in the region, warning that any move to militarily target Iran would be retaliated.  The comments were made by the spokesperson of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, in a press conference in response to a post on the US Deparment of State’s Farsi page, claiming Iran is preparing to launch attacks on its bases in the region.

The US Department of State reiterated threats of striking Iran, saying that “all options remain on the table” and warning Iran not to “play games with president [Donald] Trump.” Trump has been issuing threats of strikes on Iran since the beginning of the year, after protests broke out in the country over economic suffering.

President Trump has also repeatedly threatened the Iranian government not to use force against protesters, whom he even encouraged to occupy institutions, promising “help on its way”. On Sunday, Trump went so far as to accuse Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei of misrule and excessive use of violence against the protesters to stay in power. He also repeated his call for change in the country’s leadership.

The US president’s open support for Iranian protesters and threats of military intervention has invited strong criticism from top Iranian officials, who have claimed that this encouraged the protesters to turn violent, attack public and private property, and to turn the movement into a regime-change mission.

On Saturday, Supreme Leader Khamenei reacted once again to the allegations, claiming that Trump was the main culprit behind the killings and destruction during the protests that took place over the last two weeks.  Although official data is yet to be released, it is speculated that hundreds of people were killed after the nationwide protests over growing economic hardship turned violent in the first two weeks of January.

Trump is responsible for the death and destruction in Iran

Speaking during a religious ceremony on Saturday, Khamenei said that “the US president is responsible for casualties, damages, and false accusations directed against the Iranian nation.” He claimed that the US has been trying to incite violence against the Iranian state for decades. Previously, this was done through misuse of the media and the backing of low-profile politicians. However, this time it was different, he said, as “the president of the US himself intervened, made statements, encouraged the rioters, and even spoke of providing military support.”

Read more: Iran condemns US attempts to exploit protests for political gain, as Trump seemingly backs off military threat

Khamenei said this approach was pursued because “the US cannot tolerate a country with Iran’s characteristics, capabilities, vastness, and scientific and technological progress.” He asserted that authorities would not lead the “country toward war, but we will also not let domestic and international criminals go unpunished.”

On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that Iranians are facing economic hardship. In a post on X, he claimed that this is a result of sanctions imposed by the US and its allies. Pezeshkian also warned the US and Trump against attempting to target the Iranian supreme leader, claiming any attack on Khamenei would be treated as an attack on the whole country.

US withdrawal from Iraqi base welcomed

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Iraq on Sunday. During a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, he expressed satisfaction at the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq’s Ain-al Asad airbase after years of presence. He called it good for regional peace and stability.

As per the agreement reached with the Iraqi government in 2024, US troops pulled out of the airbase last week, handing over control to Iraqi troops. US forces first occupied the base after the 2003 invasion and until 2011. They reoccupied it in 2014 upon returning, in the wake of the emergence of ISIS in the country.

The presence of the US forces in Iraq has been one of the major points of contention with Iran, which has been campaigning for a complete withdrawal of US and foreign troops in the region, describing their presence as a threat to regional peace and security.  Iran has often claimed Ain-al Asad was used by the US to launch attacks inside the country. It had also fired several missiles on the base in January 2020, after the US assassinated General Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad.

Araghchi noted that stability in Iraq is a guarantee of security and peace in the region.

The post Iran rejects Washington’s “false accusations” and continued attempts to fuel tensions in the region appeared first on Peoples Dispatch.

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I write these words while doing everything I can to shield my children from the brutal reality we endure every day in Gaza. The cold is relentless, and the tents we live in are worn and torn, offering almost no protection from rain or strong winds. Our nights are long and heavy, filled with fear and uncertainty, especially for my children.

For weeks, aid has been extremely limited—far from enough to meet even our most basic needs. My children are suffering from hunger, freezing temperatures, and constant anxiety. Prices have risen beyond our ability to cope, and finding food or clean water has become a daily struggle.

Any support, no matter how small, can truly make a difference—whether it’s a warm meal, a blanket, or essential supplies to ease my children’s pain. Please consider standing with us and sharing our story. Your compassion and solidarity can bring a ray of hope in the midst of this darkness. https://gofund.me/00439328

Nearly two weeks after finally being freed from the Israeli military prison Neve Tzedek, 18-year-old conscientious objector Yuval Peleg forcefully called out the Israel Defense Forces in a Monday statement shared by Amnesty International.

"After five times being imprisoned and a total of 130 days spent in military prison for refusing to enlist in the IDF, I have finally been released and exempt from army service. I am incredibly happy to be out of prison," said Peleg, who was released January 6.

Even though Peleg made his objection to compulsory enlistment clear through the refusal process by the conscientious objector network Mesarvot, and to IDF representatives at the recruitment center in Ramat Gan last year, the military initially declared his refusal to be disobedience. Amnesty has advocated for the release of Peleg and other "prisoners of conscience."

The video below was shared by Mesarvot in November, when Peleg was released from his fourth stint behind bars.

Yuval Peleg was released today after 100 days in military prison and is expected to return in the coming days for a fifth term of imprisonment.

Hear his words to @amnesty about his refusal to serve in the IDF: https://t.co/4mZqG8bFOJ pic.twitter.com/jFk1iYqiX1
— Mesarvot מסרבות (@Mesarvot_) November 19, 2025

"It was a difficult experience, and lasted longer than I had hoped," Peleg said Monday, "but I want to thank everyone at Amnesty International for the support—it was incredibly strengthening to know that even though I'm imprisoned there are people all over the world who support my actions and are pushing for my release, and without them I'm not sure how I would have gotten through it."

"As difficult as this was, I do not regret refusing the draft and would do so again," he continued. "The IDF has proven itself to be a despicable, criminal organization, and there is no excuse for joining it. I, and many others, will continue to fight and oppose it as long as is necessary. I would like to remind everyone that while I have finally been freed, there are still two other conscientious objectors in prison currently, and another that might be sent back. I hope they all get released as soon as possible, and support them throughout their incarceration."

"Most importantly, the criminal actions of the IDF and state of Israel have not ceased," Peleg stressed, pointing to the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip launched after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack. Since then, Israeli forces have killed at least 71,550 Palestinians in Gaza and wounded 171,365, according to local health officials. Global experts warn the true toll is likely far higher.

The IDF's killing has continued despite a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in October. Since then, the Gaza Health Ministry said Monday, Israel has killed 465 Palestinians and injured 1,287, plus 713 bodies have been found beneath the rubble.

Scholars, world leaders, human rights groups—including Amnesty—and other critics like Peleg call the Israeli assault genocide. The conscientious objector noted Monday that "the genocide in Gaza is ongoing despite the facetious 'ceasefire' and the now almost 60-year occupation of the West Bank keeps accelerating, to add to the campaign of ethnic cleansing carried out by the Zionists since even before 1948."

"This is what truly must be fought against," he said, "and as long as it continues, so will the resistance to it."

Peleg's comments came after Reuters reported Friday that not only are Palestinians in Gaza suffering "a volcano" of psychological trauma, but also Israel's Defense Ministry has recorded a nearly 40% increase in post-traumatic stress disorder among its troops since September 2023, with 60% of the 22,300 people being treated for war wounds experiencing PTSD.

"An Israeli parliamentary committee found in October that 279 soldiers had attempted suicide in the period from January 2024 to July 2025, a sharp increase from previous years," according to the news agency. "The report found that combat soldiers comprised 78% of all suicide cases in Israel in 2024."

The US 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—which offers 24/7, free, and confidential support—can be reached by calling or texting 988, or through chat at 988lifeline.org. For the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255.

From Common Dreams via This RSS Feed.

cross-posted from: https://news.abolish.capital/post/21154

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) announced on Sunday, January 18, the launch of an extensive military operation in Jabal Johar area, in the southern West Bank governorate of Hebron.

The IOF claimed that the operation aims to “dismantle terror infrastructure sites, eradicate illegal possession of weapons, and enhance security in the area”. It also added that the campaign will continue for several days.

The move was interpreted as an attempt to abort any resistance actions by Palestinians from Hebron before they may be carried out, and as part of Israel’s comprehensive efforts to crack down on Palestinian resistance groups in the occupied West Bank.

The fresh assault on Hebron came less than two months after the IOF began its second sweeping onslaught on the northern areas of the West Bank in the span of one year.

The successive brutal campaigns of the IOF alongside the non-stop violent setter attacks across the occupied territory resulted in the deaths of at least 240 Palestinians, including 55 children, according to a report released by the United Nations on January 7, 2026.

The post Israel launches large-scale military operation in the southern West Bank governorate of Hebron appeared first on Peoples Dispatch.

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https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-technology-the-trump-administration-could-use-to-hack-your-phone

cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/10427432

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/norwegian-leader-says-he-received-trump-message-that-reportedly-ties-greenland-to-nobel-peace-prize/

On Saturday in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, a pro-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and anti-Muslim hate rally organized by racist Jake Lang was abruptly aborted after Lang was swarmed by local residents and counterprotesters. The robust community response to the rally underscores the unpopularity of Trump’s “mass deportation” policies and attacks on immigrants.

footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AuLhDJnaEk