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.

Siapa sebenarnya mengancam kedaulatan dan kesucian Islam?

Siapa sebenarnya mengancam kedaulatan dan kesucian Islam?


2 days ago
Tajuddin Rasdi


Saya cukup terkilan dengan kenyataan Hadi. Lebih-lebih lagi saya merasa hiba dengan MCA, MIC, MIPP dan Gerakan yang sanggup menjadi parti suruhan kepada naratif toksik.

Baru-baru ini pemimpin de facto Perikatan Nasional menyambung naratif kepentingan pemerintahan Melayu-Islam dan menghalalkan kerjasama PAS-Umno serta parti suruhan mereka seperti MIPP, Gerakan, MCA, MIC dan Parti Wawasan Negara. Hadi Awang menuduh DAP, PKR dan Amanah sebagai mempraktiskan sejenis ideologi politik yang bakal mengancam kedudukan istimewa Islam serta juga kedudukan raja-raja. Bagi saya, tuduhan ini amat serius dan amat penting untuk kita sama-sama renungi sebab Islam dan raja-raja Melayu tunggak penting yang mendasari banyak aspek perlembagaan kita.

Apakah tuduhan Hadi itu betul-betul bernas atau semata-mata lidah politik beliau yang tidak bertulang?


Baiklah, kalau benar semua mereka yang menyokong Pakatan Harapan, termasuklah Anwar Ibrahim, Mohamad Sabu dan Aziz Bari, ejen-ejen yang mengancam kedaulatan Islam dan kedudukan raja-raja, di manakah laporan polis untuk menamakan semua penyokong PH sebagai penjenayah besar? Apakah mengugut kedaulatan Islam dan raja-raja bukan suatu ‘criminal offense’. Mungkin saya sendiri kurang arif tentang undang-undang tetapi banyak sudah laporan polis dibuat sampai mentega pun tak boleh terbang. Jadi, where is your police report Hadi?

Baiklah kita sahkan report tak ada. Done.


Keduanya, kalau betul semua menteri-menteri PH yang dilantik dengan persetujuan ketua agama Malaysia kini ‘a clear and present danger’ kepada Islam dan institusi raja Melayu, bilakah Majlis Raja-Raja bersidang dan isytihar semua ahli PH dalam Kabinet adalah durjana dan pengkhianat agama dan bangsa? Kenapa sultan, raja dan Yang di-Pertuan sebulan dulu tak pecat menteri besar serta exco PH yang dianggap musuh Islam dan raja?

Ada tak? Tak ada pun. Done.

Kita pergi kepada authority agama pula. Mungkinkah saya terlepas pandang dan tidak mengetahui tentang suatu konvensyen mufti-mufti dan ulama yang bersidang bagi memfatwakan bahawa semua ahli-ahli politik PH serta penyokong mereka baik Melayu, Cina, India, Orang Asli, Kadazan, Dayak atau India sebagai mereka yang mempraktiskan ajaran atau ideologi yang membahayakan kedaulatan Islam serta kedudukan raja-raja Melayu?

Saya rasa-rasa macam tak bersidang pun. Done.


Keempat, kita tengok pula golongan cerdik pandai iaitu para profesor dan profesor madya di universiti-universiti sama ada mereka telah berkumpul dan membuat suatu kenyataan mengecam semua ahli PH dalam Kabinet, mengecam Anwar Ibrahim sebagai PM dan semua penyokong PH yang pelbagai agama, kaum dan budaya sebagai ‘a threat to the sanctity of Islam and the authority of the Malay rulers’? Kalau ada seminar atau konvensyen atau perjumpaan, saya pasti register untuk menghadirinya dan memberi pandangan.

Ada atau tidak perjumpaan tersebut? Saya kira tidak ada pun. Done.

Maka itu, dengan ketiadaan proses validasi keempat-empat entiti serta institusi tersebut maka saya perlu membuat suatu kesimpulan bahawa Hadi terang-terang temberang di siang hari. Tiada logik dalam kenyataan beliau. Tiada ada apa-apa kemunasabahan dalam kenyataan beliau. Tiada sokongan langsung dari autoriti sedia ada melainkan ijtihad kosong sendiri sebagai taktik untuk menghalalkan perkahwinan politik yang entah berapa kali dengan Umno yang disayang-benci sentiasa.

Saya cukup terkilan dengan kenyataan Hadi yang boleh meranapkan keharmonian kaum dan agama. Lebih-lebih lagi saya merasa amat hiba dengan golongan bukan Islam dalam MCA, MIC, MIPP dan Gerakan yang sanggup menjadi parti suruhan kepada naratif toksik dan tidak tersokong ini. Apa dah jadi kepada kamu semua yang tak kenal mana Islam yang baik dan mana Muslim yang berniat jahat?


Sebagai seorang Muslim, saya serahkan sahaja kata nista seperti yang terluah ahli politik desperado yang kemaruk nak jadi pemerintah sebagai ulasan serta taktik yang deficient nilai-nilai Islam. Saya akhiri dengan kata-kata hikmat mantan pemimpin Abim dan ulamak Melayu tersohor, Siddik Fadzil yang merungkai erti kata Islam dan pembinaan bangsa:

“Sementara itu nilai persaudaraan perlu difahami dan diamalkan dalam erti yang luas, tidak terbatas hanya dalam lingkaran persaudaraan seagama (ukhuwwah dinniyah), tetapi meliputi persaudaraan setanah air (ukhuwwah wataniyyah) dan seterusnya persaudaraan kemanusiaan (ukhuwwah insaniyyah).”

“No pork, no lard being manipulated into political hot potato: Just let diners decide”

“No pork, no lard being manipulated into political hot potato: Just let diners decide”

By Former Non-Muslim Restaurateur
1 day ago

Letter to Editor

IT IS with great concern that I see the halal-status of non-Muslim-owned restaurants being used to stir up the emotions of the masses.

This can be seen from the numerous social media postings as exemplified by those on the Halal inquiry Company direktori [sic] Facebook site which purportedly aims to raise awareness among Muslim consumers of eateries that are certified halal by the Islamic Development Board of Malaysia a.k.a. JAKIM.

In one of its latest postings, the administrator took issue with a comment (from an unidentified source) stating the non-Muslim perspective regarding restaurants that use the “no pork, no lard” signage to assuage Muslim customers.

It was contended that that many Muslims are fine with it and why are nons being accused of being deceptive or doing something wrong.

Halal inquiry Company direktori

about a week ago

Ramai orang Muslim terima term No pork No Lard. Isu yang akan memecahkan perpaduan.

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Lamenting that too many Muslims were accepting such unofficial halal guarantees, the administrator of the site grumbled that it was precisely the attitude that is preventing Muslim solidarity.

Lopsided query

There are a few things non-Muslims are noting about this site and posts of a similar ilk.

Firstly, it only seems to target non-Muslim businesses. Why is that?

I am continuously and repeatedly informed that the concept of halal extends beyond mere pork, lard and alcohol. It governs matters of hygiene and cleanliness a.k.a. halal toyyiban as well.

Thus, if a Muslim-owned eatery has decorated its premises with verses from the Holy Book and images of holy places and hires only Muslim staff but has a kitchen that is deplorable and filthy, isn’t that, too, misrepresentation of that particular diner’s halal status?

Nampak 6 red flag ini pada peniaga bazar, pusing balik dan cari gerai lain.

Kita faham bila masuk bazar Ramadan mata terus jadi rambang. Bau asap ayam percik dan warna warni air balang memang menggoda. Tapi jangan sampai nafsu makan mengatasi akal sihat.

Kita bukan nak tutup periuk nasi peniaga, tapi sebagai pembeli kita ada hak untuk memilih makanan yang bersih dan selamat. Kalau tersalah pilih, bukan setakat rugi duit, silap haribulan satu keluarga beraya di wad kecemasan s...

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Just look at the number of food stalls that clearly do NOT meet basic hygiene standards at any Ramadan bazaar. How come the venerable Halal inquiry Company direktori [sic] does not kick up a fuss about Muslims consuming non-halal foods during the fasting month?

Also, I am reminded JAKIM certification is preferred as it has a strict vetting process that covers the entire cooking process as well as the ingredients used, including common household items like noodles, cili boh and soya sauce – all of which must come from halal suppliers/manufacturers. Fair enough.

But can it be guaranteed that Muslim-owned eateries also adhere to this requirement. It is easy enough for a cook to mistakenly use a bottle of kicap that does not bear the all-important halal logo. Or does it only matter when used in a non-Muslim kitchen?

Why the double standards? To this cynical observer, the site looks like a poorly-disguised vehicle to spread unease among Muslims while painting nons as opportunistic money-grabbers. All this is, of course, is done under the guise of promoting religious values.

All are equal; before the law

Secondly, speaking from first-hand experience as a former restaurateur without the JAKIM logo, I firmly believe that it is the right of the customer to choose.

The eatery served no pork and hired only Muslim staff in the kitchen which was respectfully pointed out to patrons who enquired.

There were those who were fine with it and those who said they’d prefer to dine elsewhere. Which is perfectly acceptable, isn’t it?

Leave it to the consumer to self-determine if they are comfortable dining in an establishment that has no JAKIM certification.

Yes, it is completely understandable that Muslims place great importance on the issue of halal when it comes to what they put in their stomachs.

However, the laws should apply equally to all cafes, restaurants and diners. If halal certification is a must for those that serve Muslim clientele, then it should apply to all regardless of whether it is Muslim-owned or otherwise.

One cannot force non-Muslim-owned restaurateurs to chase away Muslim customers as they are not officially certified. The onus is on the patrons to choose and make a decision they are comfortable with.

For now, I can only surmise that the Halal inquiry Company direktori’s [sic] efforts – while is praiseworthy to say the least – are nothing but a thinly-disguised vehicle to undermine non-Muslim-owned restaurateurs who have a sizeable Muslim clientele.

Until it shows that it is genuine in its efforts in raising awareness by insisting that Muslim-owned enterprises adhere to the same exacting standards it claims to promote, I remain convinced that this is yet more of 3R (race, religion, royalty) baiting in the guise of gastronomic policing. – July 23, 2026


Former Non-Muslim Restaurateur
Petaling Jaya, Selangor

'Chinese have China, Indians have India, Malays only have Tanah Melayu': Sanusi

'Chinese have China, Indians have India, Malays only have Tanah Melayu': Sanusi


Published: Jul 24, 2026 4:17 PM
Updated: 9:25 PM



N SEMBILAN POLLS | The state election campaign has intensified following controversial remarks on race and religion by Perikatan Nasional election director Sanusi Nor, which drew sharp condemnation from Pakatan Harapan leaders.

Speaking at a rally in Jempol, the Kedah Menteri Besar claimed that the political power and economic foothold of the Malays are deteriorating rapidly and risk being completely lost within a decade unless drastic changes are made.

He also likened certain Malay leaders to “Buang”, the traitorous character in the classic film “Sarjan Hassan”, accusing them of compromising their principles and aligning with certain parties for personal gain.

Sanusi also launched broadsides against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, alleging that DAP’s “Malaysian Malaysia” agenda threatens the position of the Malay community.

“Malays have no other land. Malays only have this Tanah Melayu. Indians have India, Chinese have China, Cambodians have Cambodia, and the Siamese have Thailand. Where do the Malays go? Malays are only here,” he told an audience of over 300 people.

Expressing concern over the Malay community’s economic stake, which he claimed remains stagnant at 18 percent after 50 years, he called for a reunion between PAS and Umno to defend race and religion.


Insulting and divisive rhetoric

The remarks sparked criticism from Kampar MP Chong Zhemin, who described Sanusi’s rhetoric as an insult to millions of Chinese and Indian Malaysians.

Chong emphasised that non-Malays born and raised in the country are not foreign nationals but legitimate citizens whose sole allegiance lies with Malaysia.

Kampar MP Chong Zhemin

“Our ancestors helped build this nation. Generation after generation, we have worked, paid taxes, served the community, and defended Malaysia’s interests. No political leader has the right to question our loyalty,” Chong said in a statement.

He added that using inter-communal relations as political fuel is a dangerous, extreme tactic that threatens the country’s social cohesion.

Consequently, Chong urged the relevant authorities to investigate Sanusi’s remarks under applicable laws for incitement and stirring inter-racial hostility.

He demanded that Sanusi retract his statement and issue a public apology, while calling on BN leaders, particularly those from MCA and MIC, to clarify their stance, given that the comments were made on a joint BN-PN platform.

‘Seditious’

Joining the backlash, Harapan Youth chief Woo Kah Leong condemned Sanusi’s remark as inherently racist and seditious.

Harapan Youth chief Woo Kah Leong

He stressed that every Malaysian, regardless of ethnicity, holds the same blue identity card and that ancestral roots or linguistic abilities must never be used to link citizens to foreign nations.

Woo also firmly rejected any notion that non-Malays hold allegiance elsewhere, asserting that Malaysia is the sole homeland for all its citizens.

He then warned that accusing Chinese and Indian Malaysians of having foreign homelands is a dangerous falsehood aimed at undermining national identity.

Calling for immediate accountability, the youth leader urged the police to take swift legal action against Sanusi and cautioned that unchecked rhetoric of this nature poses a serious threat to the country’s peace, unity, and multi-ethnic harmony.

 

Eight Newly Produced MQ-9 Reaper Drones Destroyed in Iranian Strike: Fleet Shortages Increasingly Critical

Middle East , Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

July-24th-2026

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MQ-9A Reaper (left) and Destruction of Reaper Hangar in Jordan

Eight newly produced and unassembled U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft were destroyed during an Iranian missile strike on King Faisal Air Base in Jordan, according to reports from multiple regional sources. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted the facility, as well as Prince Hassan Air Base and Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, as part of its 25th wave of retaliatory strikes responding to U.S.-led attacks on the Iran. Two additional Reaper drones in active service were also destroyed in the attacks. Although multiple types of aircraft have been lost in Iranian attacks on U.S. bases, ranging from UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters, to F-15E fighters, the MQ-9 stands out due to the increasingly severe shortages the U.S. Air Force has faced as a result of wartime attrition. 

Explosion From Iranian Missile Strike on Muwaffaq Al Salti Air Base in Jordan

Reports of unassembled MQ-9 drones being present at air bases in the Middle East corroborates with reports from U.S. sources that a number of airframes stored by the type’s primary producer, General Atomics, could be purchased by the Air Force to replenish wartime losses. Responding “to demand for additional aircraft, the firm reported in early June: “Between parts in stock for new builds, and company-owned Reapers with some number of flight hours on them, there are less than 10 total ‘new’ MQ-9As available to any customers anywhere in the world.” The destruction of eight of these new aircraft thus likely accounts for the United States’ entire reserve of its most critical unmanned aircraft type. 

U.S. Air Force MQ-9A Reaper

The U.S. Air Force cannot place orders for additional MQ-9A Reapers due to the suspension of production, as while limited production of the MQ-9 continues, only the very different MQ-9B SeaGuardian, which has a redesigned airframe that has different systems and logistics requirements, is being produced. At least 53 MQ-9As have been lost in combat since late 2023 in clashes with Iranian and Yemeni Ansurullah Coalition forces. The lack of an ability to replenish losses has been interpreted by analysts as an indication of how limited the United States’ ability is to rapidly regenerate its losses have become in the post-Cold War era.

MQ-9 Moments Before Shootdown Over Yemen

According to a report by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a drone maintenance facility and multiple MQ-9 drones were destroyed, with a hangar used to prepare F-15 fighters also hit. The statement elaborated two U.S. heavy-lift helicopters suffered significant damage after a helicopter hangar was hit, and a strike on a U.S. troop accommodation facility resulted in an unspecified number of personnel being killed or wounded. This follows a report by The New York Times, citing an assessment based on satellite imagery, verified videos, and official statements, reporting that a significant number of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were damaged in an Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and other facilities in Jordan.

Open Source Satellite Images of Damage to Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base in Jordan

Iranian reports have been further corroborated by satellite imagery showing significant damage to aircraft hangars at King Faisal Air Base in Jordan, with a destroyed hangar structure with a large plume of black smoke rising from the site indicating that at least one of the F-15E Strike Eagle fighters inside was destroyed. The U.S. has lost at least five F-15 fighters during hostilities with Iran, four of which were shot down under unclear circumstances. MQ-9 losses have been among the most extreme, however, with the aircraft’s particularly central role in offensives against Iran, and U.S. reliance on the type for operations globally, having the rapid rate of losses particularly concerning. 

Remains of MQ-9 Reaper Drone Following Iranian Shootdown in March 2026

The MQ-9 performs persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition and precision strike missions that are routinely shared with allied militaries through combined operations. NATO partners and coalition forces have increasingly relied on U.S. Air Force Reapers to provide continuous battlefield awareness, reducing their own need to field equivalent capabilities. A diminished fleet therefore risks lowering the availability of high-end ISR coverage and precision strike support across multiple theatres simultaneously, forcing allies either to accept reduced situational awareness or commit more of their own limited assets. For allies whose operational planning assumes sustained U.S. logistical support and advanced ISR capabilities, the episode serves as a reminder that U.S. inventories and defence-industrial capacity are finite and can come under significant strain during extended combat operations. 

Two Chinese win world's top Maths prize for solving century-old problems

Two Chinese win world's top Maths prize for solving century-old problems

5 hours ago
Joel Guinto and
Fan Wang

Getty Images
Mathematicians Yu Deng and Hong Wang are China's first Fields Medal recipients


Two Chinese academics have won the world's top prize for mathematics for the first time, according to state media.

Chinese mathematicians Hong Wang and Yu Deng won alongside John Pardon from the US and Jacon Tsimerman from Canada. They each won 15,000 Canadian dollars ($10,500; £8,000).

Both won for solving problems that have baffled mathematicians for more than a century. And 35-year-old Wang, who teaches in the US and France, is only the third woman to receive the honour.

The Fields Medal, regarded as the Nobel prize equivalent for mathematics, was handed out on Thursday in the US as human computations are increasingly challenged by AI.

The achievement has made waves on Chinese social media.

The hashtags "Fields Medal" and "First Chinese mathematicians to win Fields Medals" generated millions of views across various social media platforms from Weibo to Rednote.

"Pride of all Chinese people," a comment from a Weibo user reads.

"We are witnessing history," another said.

Chinese media also extensively covered the two academics, with articles detailing everything from their educational backgrounds and personal interests to what their achievement means for the country.

"For the Chinese mathematics community, this is a dream we have been hoping to realise for decades," said Shing-Tung Yau, the first ethnic Chinese Fields medallist.

Together with her colleague, Josh Zahl, Wang answered a question posed by Japanese mathematician Soichi Kakeya in 1917: If you rotate a pencil so as to turn it completely around, what is the smallest area it sweeps out?

Wang and Zahl analysed the problem on the assumption that the pencil was floating in a three-dimensional space, rather than on a flat surface. They published their study last year.

"If this conjecture fascinates people so much, it is because this kind of phenomenon shows up naturally in problems from very different fields," Wang told AFP News Agency.

Deng, a 37-year-old mathematics professor at the University of Chicago, was honoured for his work solving another century-old problem.

In 1900, German mathematician David Hilbert asked what would become known as Hilbert's Sixth Problem: how the behaviour of a whole can be calculated based on the movement of individual particles.

Deng solved the problem by looking at the behaviour of gases.

He said it is a "really great honour to have my name listed after all those great mathematicians I've always been admiring".

Wang has worked in harmonic analysis, which looks into the movement of waves.

The Fields Medal is given every four years to outstanding mathematicians under the age of 40.
Born in China, trained abroad

Born in 1991 in the tourist city of Guilin in the southern region of Guangxi, Wang skipped two grades in primary school and was admitted to China's prestigious Peking University in 2007 at the age of 16.

Although she initially majored in earth sciences, she transferred to the mathematics department a year later.

After graduating, she pursued further studies abroad, studying at Paris-Sud University and the École Polytechnique in France, and earned her doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

She is now a professor at New York University and a permanent professor at France's Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES).

On Thursday night, she received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, who congratulated her on receiving the medal. "She embodies the excellence of our research and our training," Macron said in a post on X. "Choose France for science," he added.

Deng, who began taking part in mathematics competitions while in primary school, was admitted to Peking University in 2007 - the same year as Wang - but transferred to MIT in 2009.

He earned his doctorate from Princeton University and has been teaching at the University of Chicago since 2024.