(10 Dec 2019)
אני מודה ל @noamr ו- @GilBahat על ה-peer review
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Cuba warns UN on the human rights effects of the U.S. blockade
Cuba denounced on Friday the impact of the US blockade on human rights, just days before the presentation of the report by Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan to the United Nations.
According to Alejandro González, Director of International Organizations at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the report on the negative repercussions of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights in the Caribbean nation will be presented in Geneva on September 8 and 9.
Cuba reports that international shipping companies yield to U.S. pressure
“There are foreign companies that have yielded to this pressure and have withdrawn from the country. Others remain and continue working with us,” the Deputy Prime Minister stated.
According to Pérez-Oliva, the intensification of the blockade has severed Cuba’s banking and financial relations with numerous institutions and imposes a trade embargo through direct threats against international shipping companies.
The Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment explained that Cuba has containers being held in international ports because some shipping companies have suspended services to the island, while others are operating under “restrictions imposed illegally and unilaterally by the United States.”
Cuba takes ‘Hunger Blockade’ claim to UN Security Council, accuses US of deepening crisis
(August 26, 2026)
The Cuban government, in a statement to the Security Council on Tuesday, August 25, warned against the use of hunger as a weapon of war and argued that conflicts, economic inequalities and unilateral coercive measures were aggravating global food insecurity.
Havana specifically linked the worsening food situation in Cuba to the impact of the United States’ economic, commercial and financial restrictions, which it refers to as a blockade.
The intervention came only days after Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez launched a fresh attack on Washington over new sanctions imposed on Cuban state entities and officials, accusing the administration of US President Donald Trump of deliberately squeezing the Cuban economy and undermining the government’s capacity to provide basic services.
Rodríguez said the latest measures were particularly affecting the movement of containers carrying food, medicines and medical equipment, including supplies acquired by Cuba’s private micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Iraqi Prime Minister Stresses End of US Coalition Mission on September 30
In a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi emphasized that regional issues should be resolved through dialogue, while recalling the end date of the US coalition mission in Iraq.
He also announced September 30 as the final deadline for the withdrawal of US coalition forces from Iraq.
HE GCCSG: Treacherous Iranian Regime‘s Targeting of Infrastructure and Civilian Facilities in Kingdom of Bahrain, State of Kuwait, and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Constitutes War Crimes Requiring Immediate International Accountability
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian attacks that targeted the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, alongside the targeting of infrastructure and civilian facilities, which resulted in the injury of a number of civilian workers in the State of Kuwait.
„Iran‘s actions constitute a highly dangerous escalation, a grave violation of international law and the United Nations (UN) Charter, as well as war crimes requiring international accountability and prosecution, given the deliberate targeting of infrastructure and civilian facilities in flagrant violation of all international norms and conventions, and a persistent determination to destabilise regional security and stability,“ His Excellency underlined.
Moreover, His Excellency stressed that the GCC stands as one with the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, supporting all measures they take to protect their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while expressing his wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured individuals in the State of Kuwait.
Overnight US strikes in Iran kill eight, raising monthly death toll to 38
Eight people were killed and 20 injured in overnight US attacks on Iranian infrastructure, according to state media. The health ministry said the monthly death toll has reached 38, including three women and one minor, as US strikes continue for a sixth consecutive night.
Iran says 38 killed, at least 400 injured since US resumed strikes
At least 38 people have been killed and over 400 have been injured since the US resumed strikes on Iran in July, according to the Head of Public Relations of Iran‘s Ministry of Health and Medical Education.
In a post on X, Hossein Kermanpour said that as of July 17, „the number of injured from US attacks has exceeded 400, and 38 compatriots have been martyred; among them are 22 injured women, 3 martyred women, 9 injured under 18, and 1 martyr under 18.“
„Health is the first victim of war,“ he said.
Iran unexpectedly backs Trump’s plan to charge ships in Strait of Hormuz — then declares Tehran will collect the money
Araghchi agreed that whoever provides safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait should be paid for the service.
Then came the catch.
„Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER,“ he wrote on X.
And as for Trump‘s proposed price?
„20% is of course too much. We will be fair.“
Trump’s ridiculous Hormuz proposal is the last thing the world needs
The strait was open before the US and Israel joined forces to wage war on Iran, only to have that nation slam it shut. Some vessels got through during the ceasefire, with Iran charging $3 million for a fully loaded supertanker to transit the strait.
Trump’s threatened toll would jack that cost up to $69 million.
Pakistan Bypasses Afghanistan With New Corridors Through Iran and China
(July 6, 2026)
This development is particularly critical given the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis. Gwadar is situated 400 km east of the strait and serves as a virtual bypass of the conflict zone, allowing Central Asian exports to reach international waters without entering the high-risk zones of the Persian Gulf.
For Pakistan, this creates a substantial economic windfall as well. By positioning itself as the primary transit state for a massive market, the country is positioning itself to secure consistent revenue through port handling, logistics, and transit fees. In the wake of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, tariff at the Gwadar port has multiplied.
Graphic: Track U.S., state and county gas prices
Gas prices in the United States, up by 50% since the U.S. and Israel launched the war, have soared as the global oil supply constricts.
Now at a national average of more than $4.50 per gallon, according to data from motor club AAA, this price increase is straining already-stretched budgets in households across the country.
Trump’s abrupt U-turn on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz came after backlash from allies
(May 6, 2026)
Trump surprised Gulf allies by announcing “Project Freedom” on social media Sunday afternoon, the officials said, angering leadership in Saudi Arabia. In response, the Kingdom informed the U.S. it would not allow the U.S. military to fly aircraft from Prince Sultan Airbase southeast of Riyadh or fly through Saudi airspace to support the effort, the officials said.
A call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not resolve the issue, the two U.S. officials said, forcing the president to pause Project Freedom in order to restore U.S. military access to the critical airspace.
Trump says he spoke to Putin about Ukraine and Iran during phone call
President Donald Trump told reporters that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call about the wars in Iran and Ukraine. NBC News’ Gabe Gutierrez reports on the assistance Putin offered to the U.S. in the war with Iran.
A Picture’s Worth… Digital Image Analysis and Forensics
(2007)
5 Example: Dr. Ayman al Zawahiri
As-Sahab is the video production branch of Al Qaeda. They periodically release videos designed to remind people of Al Qaeda’s existence, issue threats, recruit members, and potentially act as a covert channel for triggering terrorist cells. Many of the videos by As-Sahab appear to have been manipulated.
On 20-Dec-2006, Dr. Ayman al Zawahiri (#2 guy in Al Qaeda) released a video. USA Today covered the video release with a headline story (Figure 25).24 USA Today’s description of the video says, “He wore a black turban and white robe … he had a rifle behind his right shoulder that was leaning against a plain brown backdrop.” While this is a valid description of the As-Sahab video, the picture used by USA Today did not show that image. Instead, USA Today used a picture from another video, dated 28-Sept-2006. This is an example of a mislabeled image.
The picture that USA Today chose to use with the story includes many other interesting features. First, it came from the IntelCenter (www.intelcenter.com) – an organization that tracks terrorist activities. The IntelCenter placed their logo in the top-right corner of the video. However, the company name is clearly cropped – likely by USA Today. A comparison with the same frame from the actual video shows many other observable differences. In particular, the IntelCenter adjusted the color and sharpness of the picture (Figure 26).
(…)
5.1 Other Al Zawahiri Videos
The video from 28-Sept-2006 was not the only manipulated video. In fact, many of the videos featuring al Zawahiri test positive for chroma-key masking. Consider the video released on 27-July-2006 (Figure 27).26 This video appears to show al Zawahiri sitting in a video studio.
When this video came out, many Americans became enraged at the US government. The main strife was generated
by a single argument: if al Zawahiri is sitting in a studio making videos, the why can’t we catch him? The answer is simple: he is not in a studio.
(…)
5.2 Back in Black
Claiming that there was a chroma-key background is not the same as actually seeing it. On 22-Jan-2007, the SITE
Institute (www.siteinstitute.org) – an organization that tracks terrorist activities – announced that they had
intercepted an Al Qaeda video before it had been publicly released; SITE released it. Three days later, As-Sahab
also released the video. ….
Jun 1979 – Israeli Invasion of Southern Lebanon, March 1978 -Deployment of UN Peace-keeping Force -Israeli Withdrawal
(June, 1979)
Israel on the night of March 14–15, 1978, launched a major invasion of southern Lebanon with 20,000-25,000 ground troops backed by tanks, artillery, fighter planes and gunboats. The operation was mounted notwithstanding a number of diplomatic moves to forestall an anticipated reprisal attack in reply to the March 11 guerrilla raid on Israel and despite assurances by the Lebanese Government that it was in no way responsible for the Palestinian action[see above].
Another U.S. strike on suspected drug boat in the eastern Pacific kills 4
(April 11, 2026)
The latest strike brings the death toll to 175 since the operations began in early September. The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for one survivor from an attack Saturday.
U.S. Southern Command posted aerial video on social media Tuesday showing a vessel bobbing in the water before being struck by a projectile and exploding. The military earlier said it struck two boats on Saturday and a third on Monday.
Hackers found a way to steal data from air gapped networks using powerlines
(8th May 2018)
Hot on the heels of exploits that use fan noise, infra red cameras, heat, LED lights and drones, magnetic fields and smartphones, and a multitude of other hacks to gain access to sensitive air gapped computer systems, the researchers from Israel’s Ben Gurion University have shown once again that air-gapped networks are not safe from a determined and patient attacker.
The researchers have already devised several devious techniques to extract data from isolated or air-gapped computers that store highly sensitive data and now their latest technique, dubbed PowerHammer, exploits current fluctuations flowing through the power lines supplying electricity to air-gapped computers.
The researchers have been able to exfiltrate data at a rate of 1,000 bits per second for lines connected to the target computer and 10 bits per second from the grid.
UNIFIL statement (18 April 2026)
18 April 2026
This morning, a UNIFIL patrol clearing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghanduriyah to re-establish links with isolated UNIFIL positions came under small-arms fire from non-state-actors. Tragically, one peacekeeper succumbed to his injuries and three others were injured, two of them seriously.
The injured peacekeepers have been taken to medical facilities for treatment.
We extend our most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the brave peacekeeper who lost his life in service of peace. Our thoughts and wishes go out for the full and speedy recovery of the injured peacekeepers.
UNIFIL condemns this deliberate attack on peacekeepers engaged in their mandated tasks. The work of explosive ordnance disposal teams is vital in the mission’s area of operations especially in the wake of the recent hostilities.
UNIFIL has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Initial assessment indicates the fire came from non-state actors (allegedly Hizbullah).
We reiterate the obligations of all actors under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times. Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes.
UNIFIL calls on the Government of Lebanon to swiftly initiate an investigation to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable for the crimes committed against UNIFIL peacekeepers.
China and Cuba’s solar revolution: solidarity in practice
As a result, Cuba’s share of solar in total electricity generation has risen from 5.8 per cent a year ago to over 20 per cent today.
(…)
Battery storage–currently in place at only four of Cuba’s 55 solar parks–will need to be expanded significantly to address the evening peak demand. Wind energy will also make a growing contribution, with 19 wind farms totaling 415 MW currently being built, again with Chinese support. But the pace of the solar buildout, measured against where Cuba was just months ago, is already extraordinary.
Pramila Jayapal calls U.S. oil blockade on Cuba ‘outrageous’: Full interview
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press after her visit to Cuba, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) says the Cuban people are being collectively punished by the U.S. oil blockade, and says she would like to see formal negotiations between the two countries.
Scores Arrested at Jewish-Led Protest Demanding New York Senators Vote Against Arms to Israel
Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders said Monday he will force a vote this week on legislation to block the sale of nearly half a billion dollars’ worth of bombs and bulldozers to the Israeli military. Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats will compel a vote on an Iran war powers resolution, now that the House is back in session.
Netanyahu Corruption Trial Testimony Delayed Due to ‚Security and Political Reasons‘
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s request to delay testifying in his criminal trial was accepted by judges on Sunday due to „security and political“ reasons related to „the dramatic events that have occurred in the State of Israel and throughout the Middle East in recent times,“ according to a letter sent to judges.
Death Toll Passes 1,260 in Lebanon as Israeli Strikes Target Beirut Suburbs
Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 1,268 people in Lebanon, including more than 125 children, since the resumption of hostilities on March 2, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, as a new wave of bombards hit the southern suburbs of Beirut.
In the past 24 hours alone, 21 people were killed and 70 wounded, the ministry’s Emergency Operations Center reported.
Oil plunges, stocks soar after Iranian president offers first signs of willingness to end war with US
In comments first reported by state media, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told EU Council president António Costa that Iran has „the necessary will to end this war“ but expects certain guarantees in exchange.
Pezeshkian also said on Monday that any end to the war in the Middle East must „guarantee the security and interests of the Iranian people,“ according to comments first published by the state news agency IRNA and reported by regional media.
Iranian missiles sow panic in Israeli town
It is the first time Israel‘s nuclear research center has been targeted in the fighting. Israel‘s military said it was not able to intercept missiles that hit the southern cities of Dimona and Arad, the largest near the center in Israel‘s sparsely populated Negev desert.
Die Verfolgungsmaßnahmen gegen Julian Assange sind heute die Norm
Der Begründer der Enthüllungsplattform Wikileaks, Julian Assange, ist frei, genau seit dem 25.6. 2024. Der Druck aber auf die berichterstattende Branche ist heute massiver denn je. Im Westen, da, wo Meinungsfreiheit und Pressefreiheit eigentlich Markenkern sind. Eine unvollständige Bestandsaufnahme:
Trump Hands Humiliating Oil Victory to Putin Thanks to Iran War Chaos
Oil prices spiked to nearly $120 per barrel this week, their highest level since the pandemic. At the opening of the Asian markets on Friday, the price stayed above $100 per barrel, despite Trump bending the knee to the Kremlin dictator.
The Financial Times reported Thursday that Russia was already the biggest winner from Trump’s war, raking in as much as $150 million per day in extra budget revenues from oil sales.
But Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, after announcing the move to release the sanctioned oil, said it “will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government.”
Why Vladimir Putin may be the big winner in Trump‘s Iran war
March 10, 2026)
Russian media was awash Monday and Tuesday with headlines and analysis about how the soaring oil prices will affect the country, but also its adversaries in the West. “Eastern Strike: Oil Price Could Surpass $150” read the headline in Russia’s pro-government Izvestia newspaper.
Elsewhere, firebrand pro-Kremlin TV host Olga Skabeyeva quipped Tuesday about people in the neighboring NATO nation of Estonia having to walk because public transport was already running out of fuel.
After Putin‘s meeting Monday, President Donald Trump appeared to hand him another gift as he suggested his administration was lifting sanctions on “some countries” to stabilize the oil market.
Thailands ungewöhnliche Maßnahmen gegen Energieknappheit
Premierminister Anutin Charnvirakul hat staatliche Behörden angewiesen, ihren Energieverbrauch deutlich zu reduzieren. Eine der ersten Maßnahmen: Viele Staatsbedienstete sollen vorübergehend von zu Hause aus arbeiten. Damit sollen Pendelverkehr, Stromverbrauch in Bürogebäuden und andere energieintensive Abläufe reduziert werden. Ausgenommen von dieser Regelung sind lediglich Mitarbeiter, die im direkten Kontakt mit Bürgern arbeiten und deren Präsenz in Behördengebäuden notwendig ist.
Zusätzlich hat die Regierung ihre Angestellten dazu aufgefordert, Treppen statt Aufzüge zu benutzen, um den Stromverbrauch in öffentlichen Gebäuden zu senken. Auch wenn diese Maßnahme eher symbolisch wirkt, soll sie Teil eines umfassenderen Programms sein, mit dem staatliche Institutionen ihren Energiebedarf möglichst schnell reduzieren.
China Halts Fuel Exports as Hormuz Crisis Tightens Global Supply
(today)
The Chinese government has moved to ban all fuel exports amid a worsening supply crunch because of the severe disruption in tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The ban covers gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, unnamed sources told Reuters.
The restrictions will take immediate effect, applying to all cargoes that had not passed through customs as of March 11, the sources also said.