July 7, 2025
Sydney 29

‘Will not surrender’: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem tells supporters; dismisses Israeli threats

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem (File Photo) Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared on Sunday that the group will not surrender or lay down its arms in response to Israeli threats. Addressing thousands of supporters during the Ashura commemoration in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Qassem said, “This threat will not make us accept surrender.”Qassem, who succeeded the late […]

Izz al-Din al-Haddad is Hamas’ new de facto chief in Gaza

As the US presses for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group’s decision will largely hinge on its new de facto chief in the Gaza Strip. The commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, took over the military wing in Gaza after Israeli forces killed Mohammed Sinwar, according to a senior Middle Eastern intelligence official and […]

Musk takes on Trump again: Tesla chief attacks ‘big, beautiful bill’, says it will destroy jobs; calls it ‘utterly insane, destructive’

US President Donald Trump with Tesla CEO Elon Musk -File Image Former Doge chief and Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Saturday reinforced his criticism of US President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, warning that the legislation, pushed urgently by Republican senators, would destroy millions of jobs in America and cause harm to the country. Calling […]

‘Unacceptable’: Marco Rubio condemns Iran’s demand to arrest IAEA chief; calls for inspector safety

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denounced calls in Iran for the arrest and execution of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, describing them as “unacceptable” and calling for international condemnation.In a post on ‘X’, Rubio said, “We support the IAEA’s critical verification and monitoring efforts in Iran and commend the […]

‘US strikes caused significant physical damage but … ‘: Iran’s nuclear program wiped out? What nuclear watchdog chief said

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites would have caused “significant physical damage” but it would be “too much” to say that their nuke program has been “wiped out”.Centrifuges, which are spinning machines used to enrich uranium, require a high-degree of precision and are vulnerable to […]

NATO chief sees a ‘transformational’ summit ahead despite differences over defense spending

THE HAGUE: Nato secretary general Mark Rutte was upbeat that the military organisation will agree on massive spending hikes at a “transformational summit” on Wednesday, as member state leaders including US president Donald Trump assembled in the Netherlands. Leaders of the 32-nation alliance are expected to agree a new defense spending target of 5% of […]

President Lee picks South Korea’s first civilian defence chief in 64 years

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung nominated a five-term liberal lawmaker as defence minister Monday, breaking with a tradition of appointing retired military generals. The announcement came as several prominent former defence officials, including ex-Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun, face high-profile criminal trials over their roles in carrying out martial law last year under […]

Spy chief flip-flop? After Trump’s 2nd rebuke over Iran intel, Tulsi Gabbard shifts tone

File photo of Tulsi Gabbard and US President Donald Trump A rare and public fracture has emerged within the highest levels of the US national security establishment, as director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Saturday revised her stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, hours after being directly contradicted by President Donald Trump.In a striking turn, […]

Honoured to meet Pak army chief Asim Munir, says Trump after their discussion

US President Donald Trump Two “very smart” leaders of India and Pakistan decided to end last month’s conflict that could have turned into a nuclear war, US President Donald Trump said after holding a rare luncheon meeting with Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House. “Those are two nuclear powers, big […]