Saudi-backed EA deal brings
Kushner’s Persian Gulf
business ties.......
into focus
August 5th, 7:37pm
(PressTV)
The acquisition of video game giant Electronic Arts (EA) by Saudi
Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver
Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners has highlighted
the expanding business ties between President Donald
Trump's son-in-law and Gulf state investors.
The $55 billion deal gives Saudi Arabia a larger presence in the
global gaming industry and adds to a series of investments
involving Affinity Partners, the private equity firm
Kushner founded after leaving the Trump
administration in 2021.
Kushner developed close relations with Saudi Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman during Donald Trump’s first
presidency, when he served as a senior
White House adviser.
After leaving office, Kushner established Affinity Partners,
which quickly secured major investments from Persian
Gulf-backed funds.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund --- became one of the
firm’s largest investors, while reports have also indicated
that investment entities from the United Arab Emirates
and Qatar provided significant funding to the firm.
These business ties -------- have drawn
intense scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers.
In 2023, The Washington Post reported, citing U.S. officials,
that Trump and Kushner leveraged relationships
developed during their time in government
as they returned to the private sector.
Democratic lawmakers have since launched inquiries into these
financial links, arguing that the scale of foreign investment into
businesses connected to the Trump and Kushner families
since their government roles raises serious concerns
over potential conflicts of interest.
Lawmakers have specifically questioned whether these financial
relationships could create implicit obligations toward foreign
governments, given Kushner’s central role in shaping
US policy toward Saudi Arabia during the
Trump administration.
Kushner’s firm - and Saudi Arabia
in momentous $55 billion buyout
Video game maker Electronic Arts is going private in a $55 billion
deal that’s funded by Saudi Arabia and a Jared Kusher-backed
investment firm.
The EA acquisition.... is the latest major investment involving Saudi
Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which has aggressively expanded
into global sports, entertainment, and gaming ......as part of its
Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.
Electronic Arts ---- known for popular franchises, including EA Sports
FC, The Sims, and Mass Effect, is entering a deal that analysts say
could fundamentally reshape the company’s financial strategy.
Reports indicate -- the acquisition involves approximately $20 billion
in debt financing, with JPMorgan Chase advising on the transaction.
The deal --- marks the largest leveraged buyout (LBO) in history,
prompting analysts to raise concerns about the resulting debt
burden and its potential impact on EA’s future operations,
including investment in new projects ......and the
maintenance of its existing franchises.
Additionally, Jared Kushner’s brother, Joshua Kushner, has
expanded into sports-related investments through his
venture capital firm, including efforts to attract
capital into major sporting properties.
Ultimately, the EA deal adds another chapter to the growing
financial entanglement between Saudi Arabia’s investment
ambitions and businesses linked to Jared Kushner since
his tenure ......as a senior White House adviser.
_________________________________________
Yemeni forces target Saudi oil
tanker in Gulf of Aden ---- in
fresh retaliatory strike
August 5th, 7:11pm
(PressTV)
The spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, says the naval units
have attacked a ship affiliated with Saudi Arabia ------- as part of a
maritime campaign in retaliation for the Riyadh regime’s ongoing
aggression and all-out blockade against their homeland.
Delivering a televised speech broadcast live from the Yemeni capital,
Sana’a - on Wednesday evening, Brigadier General Yahya Saree said
the Yemeni forces had targeted the Daisy oil tanker with a ballistic
missile as it was sailing in the Gulf of Aden.
He added that the ship was precisely struck,
sustained damage, and had to ......turn back.
Saree said the attack comes within the framework of enforcing the
maritime blockade against the Saudi enemy, and is in accordance
with the principle of “blockade for blockade.”
The spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces reiterated that the
military units are closely monitoring all movements of Saudi oil
tankers, and will not allow any vessel to pass through either
the southern or northern tip of the Red Sea, until the
legitimate demands of the Yemeni nation are met
and the blockade is completely lifted.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Yemeni army announced it had struck
the Saudi oil tanker Wafaa with several ballistic missiles in the
northern Red Sea off the coast of Yanbu.
The Yemeni military spokesperson said in a statement
on X that the missiles ---- hit the tanker accurately.
On July 20, the Sana’a government announced a maritime blockade
against Saudi Arabia, saying authorities in Riyadh - have imposed
"an unjust and oppressive siege" on Yemen, for nearly 12 years,
"plundering our resources; implementing a complete blockade."
Subsequently, the Yemeni Armed Forces stated that they have
carried out strikes against Saudi vessels in the Red Sea.
Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies, have imposed
a blockade on Yemen, initiating a comprehensive war, supported
militarily, politically, and logistically by the United States .....and
certain Western countries.
The war has killed tens of thousands of Yemenis, and yet Saudi
Arabia has failed to achieve its primary goal of reinstating
Yemen's previous regime that was aligned with Riyadh.
After a tenuous ceasefire brokered by the UN in 2022, the
US, UK, and the Israeli regime have launched multiple
aggressive actions against Yemen.
These assaults aimed to undermine Sana’a's ability to conduct
solidarity strikes against Israeli targets in retaliation for Tel
Aviv's genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip.
_________________________________________
Pro-Palestine Democrat wins US
state primary, angering Trump,
Israel lobby
August 5th, 7:07pm
(PressTV)
A pro-Palestine Democrat has won a Senate primary in the US
state of Michigan, overcoming massive spending by AIPAC
for his opponent and angering US President Trump,
who views him --- like other anti-Israeli figures
--- as a “communist”.
Abdul El-Sayed ....narrowly defeated Haley Stevens in the
Democrat Senate nomination in Michigan on Wednesday.
This comes, as the US/Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC),
the powerful pro-Israel lobby, had reportedly spent over $30
million to support Stevens, a US House Representative
and staunch supporter of the Israeli regime ---- who
once said that the Israeli-occupied territories
appeared in her dreams.
El-Sayed, a former public health official, however... has advocated
for Palestinian rights, while calling for an arms embargo on Israel
during his primary race campaign.
His victory has been viewed as a political earthquake and
a major defeat for the Israel lobby in the United States.
He will face Republican Party nominee
Mike Rogers in the general election
in November.
The primary result triggered a quick reaction from Trump, who has
seen a freefall in his ratings in the past months, mainly because
of the war of aggression on Iran --- and its economic impacts,
leading many to project sweeping victories for Democrats
in the upcoming elections.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to attack El-Sayed,
mainly for his pro-Palestine and anti-Israeli views.
“Great news for the Republican Party. El-Sayed, a Communist loser
who hates Jews and Israel, is the projected winner in this race
with the Socialist,” he said after initial results of the primary
came out earlier on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu claims New York City Mayor
Zohran Mamdani "supports Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah."
El-Sayed has distanced himself from anti-Semitic views that target
the US Jewish population, saying he will only oppose the Israeli
regime ---- and its genocide against the Palestinians.
Trump has a history of opposing and ridiculing pro-Palestine voices
in US politics, mainly because of his close connections with AIPAC
and the Israeli regime.
He had previously labeled New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, an
outspoken critic of the Israeli genocide against Palestinians
in Gaza, a communist.
“I'll have to deal with a communist in New York City. I never thought
that was going to happen,” Trump said in September 2025, when
Mamdani was running to become mayor.
Mamdani is a democratic socialist and a member of the New York
State Assembly representing parts of Queens, widely recognized
for his staunch advocacy for Palestinian rights, and progressive
economic policies.
As a prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of America
(DSA), he has consistently championed causes like universal
rent control, public transit expansion, and an immediate
end to US military aid to Israel.
_________________________________________________
Scottish educators defy
pro-Israel pressure,
------ vow to teach
Gaza genocide
August 5th, 6:09pm
(PressTV)
A group of Scottish educators advocating for peace in the occupied
Palestinian territories has dismissed allegations made by a pro-
Israel lobby group, affirming its dedication to teaching about
Palestine and the genocidal war in Gaza based on
evidence and international conventions.
Educators for Peace (EfP) refuted what it defined as endeavours by
UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) to intimidate instructors and curtail
their scholarly freedom.
The campaign group’s stance was taken, following the submission of
a 50-page legal dossier by the pro-Israel organization to the Scottish
government, local authorities, and various educational institutions,
in which they accused the EfP, of incorporating what they termed
“politically biased” content into schools & utilizing educational
resources they labeled as “anti-Israel.”
In response, the group published an open letter appealing to
educators and academics -- to unite in support of its cause.
It asserted that the claims against it stemmed from a distortion
of its viewpoints and a mischaracterization of the educational
resources it provides, which are designed to promote the
ideals of peace, justice, and human rights.
The case garnered significant media coverage in Britain -- following
the publication of two reports by the daily national newspaper The
Times, which were based on the claims made by the organization.
One report examined allegations regarding efforts to sway students
in educational institutions, while the other highlighted the criticism
directed at the group’s co-founder, Sarah al-Owaisi, for her
involvement in the opening of the Scottish Parliament
at the request of a Green Party legislator.
The report characterized the invitation as an indication of the
group's increasing influence in both the educational and
political spheres.
In a formal statement, EfP dismissed all allegations, emphasizing
that its activities do not contravene the principle of professional
neutrality. Instead, it asserted that its approach is grounded in
fact- and evidence-based education.
The group stated that integrity in the presentation of information
is distinct from a type of neutrality that equates verified facts
with unsubstantiated claims.
It noted that, throughout the previous year, training sessions were
conducted for educators focusing on the principle of neutrality in
education and its connection to teachers' duty - to advocate for
social justice.
It further highlighted - that these discussions are included in the
professional development initiatives for educational personnel.
The group said educating on major historical events -- including the
genocides in Rwanda and Srebrenica, is evidence-based and does
not necessitate attributing equal credibility to the narratives of
the perpetrators. It stated that this same principle should also
be applied when educating about Israel’s war on Gaza.
Educators for Peace referenced the conclusions of the UN
Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which
declared in September 2025 that there were sufficient
grounds to believe Israel had engaged in actions
constituting genocide --- against Palestinians
in the Gaza Strip.
The group stated that educators are entitled to depend on the
conclusions of reputable international organizations, while
also emphasizing that certain governments continue to
dispute those evaluations and that associated
international legal actions, are still ongoing.
____________________________________________
Israeli violations obstruct Gaza ceasefire
implementation: Hamas spokesman
August 5th, 6:09pm
(PressTV)
The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has reaffirmed
its commitment to the Gaza ceasefire agreement and its
implementation roadmap, as Israel continues to violate
the deal and obstruct its implementation, prompting
the group to call on the United States to pressure
the regime to fulfill its obligations.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the movement, after
reaching an agreement with other Palestinian factions on
the roadmap, remains committed to the understandings
reached with the mediators and the “Board of Peace.”
He stressed that Hamas stands by all provisions of the
agreement and called for the roadmap ------- to be
implemented in full.
“We call upon the US administration and the Board of Peace
envoy for Gaza, Mladenov, to exert real pressure to compel
the occupation government to abide by the agreement,
so that we may witness... the launch of serious and
practical steps to implement what was stated
in the roadmap,” Qassem said.
His remarks came after senior Hamas member Bassem Naim said
the movement was awaiting an official response from Nikolay
Mladenov, on the roadmap for the second phase of the Gaza
ceasefire agreement.
Earlier this week, Mladenov urged the Israeli regime's leader
Benjamin Netanyahu to halt attacks on Gaza. Israel,
however, has continued its military aggression
despite the "ceasefire" announced in
October 2025.
The so-called Board of Peace has also linked an Israeli withdrawal
from Gaza to the complete disarmament of the territory, a position
effectively reversing the terms of the agreement already reached.
Under last year’s ceasefire deal... the “yellow line”, a north-south
axis cutting across the Gaza Strip, was designated as the initial
withdrawal boundary for Israeli occupying forces. Further
pullbacks were to take place ....alongside the gradual
decommissioning of resistance weapons.
Israeli forces, however, failed to carry out the planned withdrawals.
Instead, they continued their military aggression, crossed beyond
the "yellow line" and established permanent military positions
after Washington launched its so-called peace initiative in
October 2025.
The revised position by the Board of Peace.. comes just days after
US President Donald Trump announced what he described as an
“historic” agreement under which Hamas and other Palestinian
resistance factions would surrender their weapons.
Hamas has rejected that characterization, saying it will not agree
to disarm ---- unless Israel first fulfills its own obligations under
the agreement.
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'Crime against defenseless people':