PM Anwar condemns Kedah MB Sanusi’s divisive comments, calls for unity

PM Anwar condemns Kedah MB Sanusi’s divisive comments, calls for unity



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said no leader should make statements that could offend other races, — Bernama pic


Summary

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has criticized Perikatan Nasional's election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for suggesting that non-Malay communities in Malaysia should rely on their ancestral homelands. 

Anwar emphasized that Malaysian Chinese and Indian communities are loyal citizens who respect the Federal Constitution. Sanusi's remarks have sparked backlash, prompting leaders within his coalition to express concern over the impact of such rhetoric on multiracial unity ahead of the Negeri Sembilan state election. 

The controversy has added tension to the election campaign, with calls for a review of electoral pacts.

By Malay Mail
First Published: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 2:35 PM MYT


SEBERANG PERAI, July 25 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has strongly condemned Perikatan Nasional election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over remarks suggesting that different ethnic groups in Malaysia could fall back on ancestral homelands outside the country.

According to FMT, the Pakatan Harapan chairman said no leader should make statements that could offend other races, stressing that the Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indian communities are loyal citizens who respect the Federal Constitution.


"The Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indian communities respect the constitution and are loyal citizens. This is something we should embrace as our nation's strength," Anwar told reporters after opening SMK Agama Sheikh Tahir Jalaluddin in Berapit, Bukit Mertajam, today.

"I totally disagree with any statement that insults or ignores the role played by any race in our country," he added.


Sanusi, who is also Kedah Menteri Besar, has drawn flak from several leaders over his remarks made two days ago at a ceramah for the Negeri Sembilan state election campaign.


The PAS leader had reportedly suggested that non-Malay communities in Malaysia could rely on their countries of ancestral origin should they face difficulties in the country — a remark widely interpreted as questioning the loyalty and commitment of Malaysian Chinese and Indians to the nation.

Sanusi's remarks have also sparked backlash from within the Perikatan Nasional coalition itself. MIC president Datuk Seri S.A. Vigneswaran has called for Barisan Nasional to review its electoral pact with PN for the Aug 11 state polls, expressing concern that such rhetoric undermines efforts to build a multiracial consensus.


Meanwhile, P. Punithan, president of PN component party Malaysian Indian People's Party, also rejected Sanusi's remarks, saying Malaysia was the only country he considered home.

The Negeri Sembilan state election is scheduled for Aug 11, with campaigning entering its final stretch amid growing tensions over racial rhetoric.

Take a hard look at yourselves before lecturing Malaysians on unity, Kasthuri tells Perikatan, PAS

Take a hard look at yourselves before lecturing Malaysians on unity, Kasthuri tells Perikatan, PAS



DAP’s Kasthuri Patto called on Malaysians to reject politicians who exploit race and religion amid the Negeri Sembilan election campaign. — Picture by Choo Choy May .


Summary

In response to the racial rhetoric used during the Negeri Sembilan election campaign, DAP's Kasthuri Patto urged Perikatan Nasional and PAS to demonstrate genuine commitment to national unity. 

She emphasized that voters should evaluate candidates based on their service and values rather than race or religion and condemned politicians who exploit racial and religious sentiments for political gain. 

Kasthuri criticized remarks by PN's Muhammad Sanusi and UMNO's Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who she claimed manipulated racial sentiments, noting such actions contradict national unity efforts.

By Malay Mail

First Published: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 1:28 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Perikatan Nasional and PAS should “walk the talk” on national unity before lecturing Malaysians about it, DAP’s Kasthuri Patto said today, as she criticised the use of racial rhetoric during the Negeri Sembilan election campaign.

The DAP Central Executive Committee member said voters should judge candidates on their service, track record and the values represented by their parties or coalitions, rather than their race or religion.


“Malaysians must reject politicians who manipulate and exploit race and religion for their own political survival,” she said in a statement.

Kasthuri was responding to remarks by PN election director and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, as well as Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, which she said had brought racial considerations into the campaign.


Sanusi was reported as saying that Malays only had “Tanah Melayu”, while Indians had India and Chinese had China, remarks Kasthuri said were hurtful to Malaysians whose families had lived in the country for generations.


“Time and time again the words ‘ingrates’, ‘pendatang’ and other cutting and spiteful words have been freely used against the many Malaysians who are of Chinese and Indian ethnicities,” she said.

Kasthuri also said Asyraf had resorted to the “race+fear+fake news” card by claiming that DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke could become Negeri Sembilan menteri besar should Pakatan Harapan retain the state but its candidate for the post, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, lose his Linggi seat.


She noted that this was a highly sensitive matter, as the Negeri Sembilan constitution requires the menteri besar to be a Malay Muslim state assemblyman, while PH had already named Aminuddin as its candidate for the post.

“Today he (Asyraf) sheepishly said what he meant was in jest — inexcusable coming from a person of position and power,” she said.

Iran war live: Trump says US ‘locked and loaded’ as it seeks Iran talks

 

Iran war live: Trump says US ‘locked and loaded’ as it seeks Iran talks

By Edna Mohamed, Caolán Magee and Heba Habib

Published On 25 Jul 202625 Jul 2026

• Saudi Arabia launches strikes on Yemen’s Houthi-held city of Hodeidah in the latest escalation during the regional war between the United States and Iran.
• President Donald Trump says dialogue between Washington and Tehran continues and a threatened “massive” attack may be unnecessary although the US remains “locked and loaded”.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran does not fear threats or succumb to pressure.
• The Israeli military launches “counterterrorism” operations and orders a curfew in the occupied West Bank after six people, including four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers, were killed in violence southwest of Nablus on Friday.

• 38s ago

  (07:45 GMT)

  Despite overnight lull, Iranians believe US strikes are not over

  

  By Resul Serdar Atas

  Reporting from Tehran, Iran

  Last night was quite a surprise, because every night we got used to the attacks and seeing the reports coming particularly from the southern part of the country.

  Now everyone is curious whether that is over or not. But I will say that the overwhelming majority of people believe that it’s not over yet.

  In major cities there were no direct attacks.

  When it comes to the south, it was a different story. We have seen 13 consecutive days where depots, bridges, tunnels, hospitals and their vicinities, and nuclear power plants were constantly being bombed. And that was affecting their daily lives—disrupting power, water, food and other basic necessities.

  What we’re seeing now is that the people are indeed extremely concerned about the prospect of the war. They are tired, they’re exhausted and you can see that everywhere.

  But one thing is quite clear when you talk to the people: they say this [situation] of no war and no peace needs to come to an end; there should be a settlement.

  However, any final settlement must preserve Iran’s interests. There is a strong desire among the public to see the conflict end—and to ensure Iran is not further isolated, but rather more open to the world.
• 15m ago

  (07:30 GMT)

  Iran accuses EU of ‘hypocrisy’ over human rights stance

  Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, has accused the European Union of hypocrisy, saying its stated human rights concerns about Iran cannot be reconciled with what he described as EU support for military attacks on the country.

  In a post on X, Baghaei was responding to remarks by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, about the bloc’s human rights concerns regarding Iran.

  Baghaei said the EU could not credibly profess a commitment to human rights while providing what he called logistical and technical support for “lethal aggressions” against Iranians that deliberately target civilians and critical national infrastructure.

  He accused the bloc of refusing to condemn what he termed war crimes and of offering no sympathy for Iranian children he said had been killed by American and Israeli bombs and missiles. Baghaei described the EU’s stance as “the banality of evil” and “the purest form of hypocrisy”.
• 30m ago

  (07:15 GMT)

  What’s been happening in the occupied West Bank?

  Israeli forces carried out overnight raids across multiple areas of the occupied West Bank, while settler attacks were also reported, according to our colleagues on the ground.

  • Israeli troops raided Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, south of Jericho.
  • Forces entered the city of Qalqilya. A military raid targeted the village of Kobar in the Ramallah governorate.
  • Israeli soldiers entered the town of Kafr Aqab, north of Jerusalem. Troops stormed the town of Yabad and the villages of Zababdeh and Burqin in the Jenin governorate.
  • Another military raid targeted the village of Faroun, south of Tulkarem.
  • Military units entered the villages of Tal and Qaryut and the town of Beit Furik near Nablus, carrying out a detention campaign in Tal and searching homes in Beit Furik.
  • During the raid on Qaryut, soldiers fired tear gas towards Palestinian homes.
  • Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes in the village of Urif, south of Nablus.

  
  
• 45m ago

  (07:00 GMT)

  

  ‘Not just settler violence, it’s state-sponsored’: West Bank attacks grow, says activist

  Ubai Al Aboudi, a human rights activist in Ramallah, says settler attacks on Palestinian villages are systematic and carried out with complete impunity, describing them as “not isolated incidents” but something “happening all across the West Bank”.

  Al Aboudi told Al Jazeera that the violence is not merely carried out by individuals, but represents “state-sponsored settler violence”.

  He pointed to an attack on the village of Tal on Friday, noting that it had also been targeted a week earlier on July 18.

  “So-called hikers, as the Israeli officials called them, came into the village, burned a family house with the family still inside it, and it was a miracle that the residents of Tal were able to get that family out of the house before they were burned alive,” Al Aboudi said.

  He described a recurring pattern in which Palestinians face violence regardless of how they react.

  “If the Palestinians try to defend themselves, then the Israeli army comes and shoots the Palestinians, declares a curfew, and starts arresting and punishing Palestinians,” he said.

  Al Aboudi noted that out of approximately 1,200 cases since October 2023 in which settlers and Israeli forces had killed Palestinians, many of them children, none had resulted in the prosecution of a settler or an Israeli official.

  “This is happening with complete impunity,” he added.

Take a leaf out of MIC’s book, DAP MP tells MCA over response to Sanusi

Take a leaf out of MIC’s book, DAP MP tells MCA over response to Sanusi



DAP’s Chong Zhemin (pictured) questioned MCA’s silence over racial remarks by PN election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor. — Picture by Farhan Najib


Summary

In response to racial remarks made by Perikatan Nasional's election director, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, DAP's Chong Zhemin criticized MCA's silence, contrasting it with MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran's denunciation of the comments. 

Chong emphasized that MCA's reaction would indicate its stance amid Barisan Nasional's electoral cooperation with PN, urging that comments suggesting non-Malay Malaysians belong elsewhere should not be normalized. 

The remarks, reportedly claiming Malays, Indians, and Chinese have distinct homelands, were also condemned by DAP's Ramkarpal Singh for their potential to exacerbate racial tensions.

By Malay Mail
First Published: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 12:31 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — DAP’s Chong Zhemin has questioned MCA’s silence over racial remarks made by Perikatan Nasional election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

According to Free Malaysia Today, the Kampar MP said MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran had already spoken out against the remarks despite Barisan Nasional’s electoral cooperation with PN in the Negeri Sembilan state election.


“Yet MCA president Wee Ka Siong and the rest of the MCA leadership remain conspicuously silent. Where is Wee’s voice when Malaysian Chinese are told that China is supposedly their country?” Chong was quoted as saying in a statement.

He reportedly said MCA’s response would reflect the party’s position on the matter amid BN’s electoral cooperation with PN.


Chong also said remarks suggesting Malaysian Chinese and Indians belonged elsewhere should not be normalised, stressing that Malaysia was their only home.

He was responding to remarks reportedly made by Sanusi, who is Perikatan Nasional’s election director and Kedah menteri besar, at a campaign ceramah in Jempol.


Malaysiakini reported Sanusi as saying that Malays only had “Tanah Melayu”, while Indians had India and Chinese had China.

Vigneswaran yesterday criticised Sanusi over the remarks and called for BN to review its electoral cooperation with PN, including the possibility of contesting future state elections on its own.

DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh had also criticised Sanusi’s remarks earlier today and questioned Umno’s failure to reprimand PAS, warning that such rhetoric could inflame racial tensions if left unchecked.

Father gets 60 years’ jail for raping daughter who later gave birth to his child

Father gets 60 years’ jail for raping daughter who later gave birth to his child



An Indonesian man was sentenced to 60 years in prison and 60 strokes of the cane by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court after pleading guilty to six counts of sexual offences against his daughter. — Pexels pic


Summary

In a ruling by the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur, a 56-year-old Indonesian man was sentenced to 60 years in prison and 60 strokes of the cane for raping his biological daughter, who gave birth to a baby girl. 

The court imposed ten-year prison terms and ten strokes for each of six counts, ensuring sentences run consecutively. The case, prosecuted under Section 376 (3) of the Penal Code, drew attention due to the severity and circumstances, where DNA evidence confirmed the accused as the biological father of the child. 

The Deputy Public Prosecutor emphasized the gravity of the crime, highlighting the victim's psychological distress and seeking a stern sentence to deter similar offenses.

First Published: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 8:58 AM MYT


I’ve applied the requested style changes. One brief self-harm reference in the original quotation is omitted.


KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — An Indonesian man was sentenced to 60 years in prison and 60 strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court here yesterday after pleading guilty to six counts of raping his biological daughter until the victim gave birth to a baby girl.


Judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid sentenced the 56-year-old father to 10 years in prison and 10 strokes of the cane for each count and ordered the prison sentences to run separately from the date of his arrest on July 23.

According to the first to sixth counts, the accused is charged with raping his daughter, who is now 19 years old, at a condominium unit in Taman Midah here between October 2, 2021, and June 30.


The charges are under Section 376 (3) of the Penal Code, which provides for a prison sentence of not less than eight years and not more than 30 years and a maximum of 10 strokes of the cane, if convicted.


Based on the facts of the case, the victim was raped six times by her father until she gave birth to a baby girl, and based on the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test report, it was confirmed that the accused was the biological father of the baby.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Banusha Jegathesan requested a severe sentence considering that the accused was the biological father of the victim who was given the responsibility to take care of her child, but the accused acted otherwise.


“The victim in this case suffered from severe depression because this incident had happened repeatedly [self-harm reference omitted], but had to think about her baby girl who is now four years old.

“The accused was also previously accused of molesting the victim’s child. “Therefore, the prosecution is requesting a severe sentence to teach the accused a lesson so that the public will not repeat the offence,” she said.

The accused, who was not represented by a lawyer, appealed for a lighter sentence on the grounds that he had lived in the country for 43 years. — Bernama

‘Old politics of fear and race must end’: Anwar looks to Gen Z for change

‘Old politics of fear and race must end’: Anwar looks to Gen Z for change



Prime Minister and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the ‘Generasi Muda Suara Baharu’ programme at the Petaling Jaya City Council grounds in Petaling Jaya on July 24, 2026. — Bernama pic


Summary

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the importance of selecting political leaders capable of uniting the nation and shaping positive economic and educational policies. 

He called for Gen Z to drive change by rejecting divisive politics and promoting cooperation across ethnic lines. Anwar highlighted the significance of integrity in leadership and the need for reform to occur wisely and effectively. 

Additionally, he praised the collaboration among diverse Malaysian communities and announced nationwide initiatives to foster this reformative spirit among youth.

First Published: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 9:30 AM MYT


PETALING JAYA, July 25 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said political leaders must be chosen from among those who are capable of embracing the strength to unite the country, not create division.

He said choosing the right leader is important because political leadership determines the direction of the country's economic and educational policies.


“I believe if Gen Z brings this message, it will bring change. The old politics of fear, of race, of hatred, must end.

“We should not inculcate fear among the Malays against the Chinese, among the Chinese against the Indians, among the Indians against the Dayak. We should inculcate the strength...the resolve to fight against corruption and racism,” he said.


Anwar said this in his speech at the ‘Generasi Muda Suara Baharu’ programme here yesterday which was also attended by Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.


It is clear that leaders must also be chosen from those who are not involved in corruption and do not instill hatred among each other but are able to govern well to save this country.

“We bring change, reform. (If) we want to talk about reform, when there is power. Don't grumble when the power is gone. If we want to make change, it must be now.


“But change must be wise. We must determine that it will succeed. It is not about following our passion. Screaming here and there, but it is not able to bring real change,” he said.

The Prime Minister also expressed pride in the good cooperation between the races, especially among the current younger generation.


“I am extremely happy and excited. I see a great future for Malaysia. I have seen the Malays and now Chinese and Indians and our brothers and sisters, Sabah Sarawak working together. The young Gen Z with the new mindset, new commitment for Reformasi,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the Suara Baharu Generasi Muda programme would be held in every district nationwide to bring the spirit of the reform struggle to the young.

“I am happy yesterday because we see a new spirit among the young and this is the beginning,” he said. — Bernama

Ramkarpal: Umno’s silence over PAS racial remarks may be ‘sign of things to come’

Ramkarpal: Umno’s silence over PAS racial remarks may be ‘sign of things to come’



Ramkarpal also questioned whether MCA and MIC would remain in BN as the coalition cooperates with PAS in the Negeri Sembilan election amid the latter’s racial remarks. — File picture by Yusof Mat Isa


Summary

In a recent critique, DAP's Ramkarpal Singh highlighted Umno's silence on racially insensitive remarks made by PAS leaders, expressing concern over potential implications for their political alliance in Negeri Sembilan. He condemned the remarks made by Perikatan Nasional's election director, which suggested racial exclusion of non-Malays, and criticized PAS's portrayal of DAP members as historical outsiders.

Ramkarpal urged investigation into these comments to prevent further escalation during the ongoing election campaign and questioned MCA and MIC's stance within Barisan Nasional amidst these tensions.

By Malay Mail
First Published: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 10:27 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Umno’s silence over racial remarks by PAS leaders could set the tone for their new-found political cooperation in Negeri Sembilan, DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh said today.

The Bukit Gelugor MP said such rhetoric should be strongly condemned, as it had no place in multicultural Malaysia and could inflame racial tensions if left unchecked.


“The blatant disregard of racial insensitivities by PAS, coupled with Umno’s reluctance to reprimand it is a serious cause for concern and may be a sign of things to come, given their new found alliance, at least in Negeri Sembilan,” Ramkarpal said in a statement.

The former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) was responding to remarks reportedly made by Perikatan Nasional election director and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor at a campaign ceramah in Jempol.


Malaysiakini reported Sanusi as saying that Malays only had “Tanah Melayu”, while Indians had India and Chinese had China.


Ramkarpal said Sanusi’s remarks were insensitive to non-Malays and implied that Malaysian Indians and Chinese did not belong in the country because they could supposedly return to India or China.

He also linked the remarks to a July 16 statement by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, who had reportedly described DAP members as “pendatang brought in by the colonialists”.


Ramkarpal also called on MCA and MIC to state whether they were prepared to leave Barisan Nasional over PAS’ position, saying the matter could have far-reaching consequences for racial harmony.

He said MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran’s call for BN to contest elections on its own did not mitigate the situation, arguing that Umno had yet to condemn PAS over Sanusi’s remarks.

Ramkarpal further called on the authorities to immediately investigate Sanusi, saying failure to act risked similar remarks being repeated during the Negeri Sembilan election campaign.

Trump says Iran strikes decision still pending as conflict widens

Trump says Iran strikes decision still pending as conflict widens



Screen grab shows US fighter jets launching on July 22, 2026. Trump has warned he is ‘not finished’ with a war with Iran that has already cost his nation US$37.5 billion. — Handout pic by US Central Command via AFP

First Published: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 10:23 AM MYT


WASHINGTON, July 25 — US President Donald Trump said Friday he had not yet decided whether to launch major strikes on Iran, as the renewed conflict threatened to widen across the region with Saudi Arabia striking Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Trump said he would hold off on a major operation as Tehran was now getting “serious” in talks with Washington, for now dialling back reports that he was increasingly frustrated with the state of the war and mulling a large-scale military operation against Iran.


“No I haven’t,” Trump told journalists in the Oval Office when asked if he had made a decision on hitting Iran hard.

“Look, we’re talking to them right now. I think they’re getting more and more serious as the days go by, for maybe the obvious reason.”


Trump said Iran had a choice between making a deal or facing a “much higher level” of strikes, after nearly two weeks of US attacks that have left a ceasefire in tatters.


The war that Trump once predicted would last four or five weeks is now nearing its fifth month, and is weighing on the Republican’s approval ratings ahead of crucial US midterm elections in November.

Trump added that he did not know what the “tipping point” would be for a decision, but reiterated that his red line would be if Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon.


The United States says it is carrying out the strikes to stop Iran closing the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has responded with strikes on US bases that have killed four service members.

The Iranian military said Friday it had carried out attacks targeting US military assets in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait in retaliation for Washington’s latest strikes.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, meanwhile, said they had targeted an Amazon data centre in Bahrain, according to state media, though neither the US tech giant nor Bahrain has commented on the claim.

There was also no confirmation from the US of any targeting of its facilities or personnel.

In Bahrain, sirens sounded again early Saturday, the interior ministry said.

“Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the ministry said on X.


‘I trust them’

In his comments, Trump also insisted Russia and China were not arming Iran, despite reports both were feeding Tehran intelligence to target US forces.

“President Xi (Jinping) said he will not partake, and President (Vladimir) Putin said the same thing... I trust them,” Trump told reporters. “I don’t think they’d want to have me disappointed.”

On the diplomatic front, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Kyrgyzstan.

Wang called for an early resumption of negotiations and the implementation of a memorandum of understanding aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East and the Gulf region, Xinhua reported.

This referred to the preliminary deal aimed at ending the war which has collapsed as the foes fight to break a deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz.

“The door to negotiations, once opened, should not be closed, and as long as there is hope for peace, it should not be given up,” Wang said.


Widening conflict

In a new front of the war, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have launched attacks on oil tankers in Red Sea shipping lanes after declaring a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, a close US ally in the region.

In response Saudi Arabia launched strikes on Yemen’s Houthi-held Hodeida, rebel media said on Friday, with a security source telling AFP Houthi sites were hit.

The flare-up followed an attack on a Saudi ship, days after the rebels declared the blockade — a move that threatens the ability of the world’s top oil exporter to supply global markets.

This comes on top of Iran’s parallel blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Riyadh’s only other maritime route.

“A Saudi aggression targeted Hodeida province,” the rebels’ Al-Masirah TV channel reported.

People in Hodeida heard explosions, with one witness saying the blasts sounded close to the port.

“The terrorist Houthi military... targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea,” Turki al-Maliki, a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, said on X.

The coalition had “carried out a decisive and strong response,” he added. — AFP

 

Rubio Meets Lavrov & Trump Withholds Funds as Ukraine’s New Army Chief Says “Russia Has No Right to Exist”

 

Rubio Meets Lavrov & Trump Withholds Funds as Ukraine’s New Army Chief Says “Russia Has No Right to Exist”

Ukraine’s newly appointed commander-in-chief, Lt. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi, declared that “Russia has no right to exist” while outlining his vision for Ukraine’s military. His remarks came as Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila, where Rubio said the Trump administration remains prepared to play a “constructive role” in helping end the wari, while cautioning there is no quick path to a negotiated settlement.

The diplomatic outreach follows the Trump administration’s decision to withhold portions of previously planned military assistance to Ukraine pending a review of US weapons stockpiles. US officials have said the pause is intended to ensure American military readiness while continuing to evaluate future support for Kyiv.

Rubio described his discussion with Lavrov as “good” and “frank” but declined to disclose details, saying diplomacy is best conducted privately. Russia has continued to state it is open to a political settlement while maintaining its previously stated negotiating positions, and Ukraine has reiterated that any peace agreement must preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

GhostofBasedPatrickHenry:

So right as Rubio is meeting with Lavrov and expressing the US desire to help end the war, Laura Loomer is being deployed to Ukraine for a massive PR campaign to keep the war going, while the new Ukrainian commander-in-chief is saying Russia has no right to exist, while projecting that the ethnic Russian people living in the Ukraine are invaders and haven’t lived there for over a thousand years.

We also have President Trump withholding $400M in funding that was promised by Congress to Zelensky, saying that it won’t be available “until the next president is in office.” That is certainly interesting.

The brazen attempts by Congress to launder and steal US tax dollars through Ukraine is now being widely perceived and observed. Now would be the perfect opportunity to release a report detailing this corruption from the office of the Inspector General. (Looking at you, Robert Storch.)

Trump Rug Pulls the Saudis By Making New Nuclear Deal Dependent on Abraham Accords; Saudis Respond

 

READ IN APP   The Badlands Brief is your daily drop of Badlands’ takes on the narratives dominating the info war. Read on, and join the conversation in the comments section. Trump Rug Pulls the Saudis By Making New Nuclear Deal Dependent on Abraham Accords; Saudis Respond President Donald Trump said the United States is prepared to move forward with a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia only if the kingdom eventually joins the Abraham Accords and normalizes relations with Israel. The position links two major regional initiatives that had previously been discussed on separate tracks. Saudi officials responded by reiterating their longstanding position that normalization with Israel remains contingent on meaningful progress toward a Palestinian state and an end to the conflict in Gaza. Riyadh has maintained that its conditions for joining the Abraham Accords have not changed. The exchange underscores the administration’s continued effort to expand the Abraham Accords while pursuing broader security and energy partnerships in the Middle East. It also highlights the diplomatic challenges of advancing both Israeli-Saudi normalization and a US-Saudi nuclear agreement amid the ongoing Gaza war. GhostofBasedPatrickHenry : “It was signed. So nothing to renegotiate,” the Saudi source says. “Tweets don’t overturn signed agreements.” A released statement by the Saudi Energy Ministry. I talked about this yesterday on the bonus episode of Geopolitics with Ghost. I don’t believe President Trump actually intends to enforce this ultimatum. I think he is posturing for the zealous Zionists in his camp. Saudi Arabia doesn’t need the US to build a nuclear power plant. They have already submitted proposals from a South Korean nuclear contractor (KEPCO) as well as a Japanese company. Their preference would be to work with US companies to construct and maintain the nuclear facilities, but they intend to build one (two, actually) regardless.