New anti-Iran sanctions
The US accuses Iran of providing Russia with drones to be used in the war in Ukraine and has now imposed new sanctions on the manufacturer of the drones. This is while, Iran says it did send drones to Russia, but that was before the start of the war and not for use in the conflict.
Israeli "criminal act"
Israel’s new cabinet is already stepping up pressure against Palestinians, including those it holds in prison. Tel Aviv is angry over the Palestinians’ appeal at the International Court of Justice. The regime says it will impose a moratorium on some Palestinian construction and will place financial and political sanctions against the Palestinian Authority. Israel says the measures are a response to the PA’s decision to wage political and legal war against Israel. The Palestinian foreign ministry has reacted to the Israeli announcement, saying the measures won’t block the nation’s efforts to end the Israeli occupation. Meanwhile, an Israeli minister has paid a visit to an Israeli prison, saying he aims to ensure Palestinian prisoners’ conditions will not improve. Hamas has slammed the visit, calling the plans against Palestinian detainees an unprecedented criminal act.
US House Speaker saga
In the US the bid for the speakership of the lower chamber of Congress hangs in the balance as divided Republicans fail to gather enough votes for Kevin McCarthy. The house has voted to adjourn until 10 pm local time. That’s after McCarthy lost the 13th vote for speaker, a scenario unseen since 1860. This is even after he gained the support of some republican holdouts. McCarthy says he is confident he will get the needed 218 votes until Friday night. A group of hard-line Republicans are still refusing to back him. They say they don’t trust McCarthy to fight for the restrictions they want to impose on President Joe Biden, and the democratic-held senate.