International

Tens of thousands of fighters ready to battle Israel says Hezbollah

Published

2 years ago

November 7, 2024

Hezbollah says tens of thousands of fighters ready to battle Israel

BEIRUT: Hezbollah said Wednesday that tens of thousands of its militants were ready to fight Israel, adding that the US election result would have no bearing on the war in Lebanon.

The Iran-backed group’s leader also warned that nowhere in Israel would be “off-limits” to attacks, as the Israeli military said about 120 projectiles had been fired across the border on Wednesday.

The Israeli military struck Hezbollah’s main bastion of south Beirut after issuing an evacuation warning.

Israel and Hezbollah have been at war since late September, when the Israeli military widened the focus of its war in Gaza to securing its northern border with Lebanon.

Hezbollah began launching low-intensity cross-border attacks on Israel last year, in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas following its October 7, 2023 attack.

Efforts to end the war in Gaza that was sparked by the Hamas attack have yet to bear fruit, and the war in Lebanon has killed nearly 2,000 people, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures.

“We have tens of thousands of trained resistance combatants” ready to fight, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a televised speech marking 40 days since his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah was killed in a strike.

The address was aired after Donald Trump’s victory in the US election was announced, but had been recorded earlier.

He said the result in the race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris would have no impact on any possible ceasefire deal for Lebanon.

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“We don’t base our expectations for a halt of the aggression on political developments,” he said.

“Whether Harris wins or Trump wins, it means nothing to us.

“What will stop this… war is the battlefield” he said, citing fighting in south Lebanon and Hezbollah attacks on Israel.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hezbollah said it targeted a military base near Israel’s main airport close to commercial hub Tel Aviv, an attack that Israel’s Airports Authority said did not disrupt operations.

Earlier Wednesday, Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported Israeli air strikes on the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon and the southern city of Nabatiyeh.

An AFP correspondent in the eastern city of Baalbek reported intense strikes in and around the city.

The speech was Qassem’s second since he was named Hezbollah secretary-general last week.

Israel is “betting on prolonging the war so it becomes a war of attrition… We are ready,” he said.

He also called for Lebanese sovereignty to be safeguarded in any truce talks.

Qassem demanded explanations from the Lebanese army after Israeli naval commandos seized a man from north Lebanon on Saturday who they said was a senior Hezbollah operative.

He said the operation was “a great offense to Lebanon” and a “violation” of its sovereignty.

On Tuesday, a Lebanese judicial official told AFP that Israeli commandos used a speedboat equipped with advanced devices capable of jamming UN peacekeepers’ radars for the operation, according to a preliminary probe.

The UN Maritime Task Force has helped the Lebanese military to monitor territorial waters and prevent the entry of arms or related material by sea since 2006, according to the mission’s website.

In Gaza, where the 13-month war has had a devastating impact, people were desperate for a solution and voiced hope Trump might be able to offer one.

Hamas’s October 7 attack resulted in 1,206 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed 43,391 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry the United Nations considers reliable.

“We were displaced, killed… there’s nothing left for us, we want peace,” said Mamdouh Al-Jadba, who was displaced to Gaza City from Jabalia.

“I hope Trump finds a solution, we need someone strong like Trump to end the war and save us, enough, God, this is enough,” the 60-year-old told AFP.

Umm Ahmed Harb, from the Al-Shaaf area east of Gaza City, was also counting on Trump to “stand by our side” and end the territory’s suffering.

“God willing the war will end, not for our sake but for the sake of our young children who are innocent,” she told AFP.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his part feted Trump’s return as “history’s greatest comeback.”

“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!” Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office.

The United States is Israel’s top ally and military backer, and the election came at a critical time for the Middle East.

While maintaining the steady flow of aid to Israel, US President Joe Biden’s administration had for months piled pressure on Netanyahu to agree to a truce.

Analysts say Netanyahu had been hoping for a Trump return, given their longstanding personal friendship as well as the former president’s hawkishness on Israel’s arch-foe Iran.

Tens of thousands of fighters ready to battle Israel says Hezbollah

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International

Panama Earthquake: 27 Injured as Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Tremor Damages Hundreds of Buildings

Published

12 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Panama Earthquake: 27 Injured as Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Tremor Damages Hundreds of Buildings

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake has struck Panama, injuring at least 27 people, damaging hundreds of buildings and infrastructure, and forcing evacuations in several parts of the Central American country.

The earthquake, which struck on Friday, October 9, 2026, was centred near Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera Province, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The agency initially estimated the magnitude at 8.0 before revising it to 7.7.

Panama’s National Civil Protection System reported that at least 27 people sustained minor injuries. Authorities had not reported any deaths or missing persons in the latest updates available on Saturday.

The disaster damaged more than 400 buildings and other structures, including residential properties, schools, healthcare facilities, churches, government buildings, hotels, bridges and roads, according to reports citing Panamanian authorities.

The provinces of Coclé, Herrera and Los Santos were among the hardest-hit areas, with emergency teams assessing the damage and working to reach communities affected by damaged roads, bridges and landslides.

In Penonomé, parts of buildings reportedly collapsed, including a tower of the San Juan Bautista Cathedral and sections of the provincial government building. A hotel was also reported to have collapsed, while falling debris damaged vehicles.

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Authorities reported damage to 142 homes and 188 schools, alongside other public and private infrastructure. The full extent of the damage was still being assessed, meaning the figures could change as more inspections were completed.

The coastal town of Tonosí, in Los Santos Province, was among the communities experiencing access difficulties. Health Minister Fernando Boyd said officials were exploring ways to reach affected areas by air where damaged roads made land access difficult.

The earthquake was also strongly felt in Panama City, approximately 200 kilometres from the epicentre. Residents and office workers rushed out of high-rise buildings as the tremor shook the capital, while hospitals and other facilities carried out precautionary evacuations.

Operations at Tocumen International Airport were temporarily disrupted, with some flights reportedly diverted as a precaution. Airport operations later resumed, while the Panama Canal continued operating without reported disruption to shipping.

A tsunami warning was issued for parts of the eastern Pacific following the earthquake but was subsequently lifted. Authorities continued monitoring the situation for aftershocks, with Panama’s geosciences institute reporting more than 80 tremors, including one exceeding magnitude 6.0.

President José Raúl Mulino travelled to Penonomé to coordinate the government’s response and urged residents to remain calm while emergency teams assessed the affected areas.

The country’s Education Ministry also announced the suspension of classes nationwide as a precautionary measure.

The United States offered assistance, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Washington was monitoring the situation and mobilising resources and personnel at the request of the Panamanian government. Leaders in Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala also expressed solidarity and offered support.

Despite the extensive damage and widespread evacuations, no fatalities had been confirmed in the latest official updates available on Saturday. Emergency workers continued inspecting buildings, assessing infrastructure and determining the needs of affected communities.

Authorities were expected to provide further updates as damage assessments progressed and more information became available about the earthquake’s impact.

Panama Earthquake: 27 Injured as Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Tremor Damages Hundreds of Buildings

International

Anti-Apartheid Lawyer Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize After Gaza Genocide Findings

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

South African jurist and human rights advocate Navi Pillay

Anti-Apartheid Lawyer Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize After Gaza Genocide Findings

South African jurist and human rights advocate Navi Pillay, who fought apartheid and led a United Nations inquiry that concluded Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award on Friday, October 9, recognising Pillay’s decades-long work to strengthen international justice and ensure accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Pillay, 85, is a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and a former judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC). She also served as a judge and president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which prosecuted those responsible for crimes committed during the 1994 genocide.

The Nobel Committee praised her courage, integrity and contribution to developing a stronger international legal order at a time when institutions responsible for upholding international law face increasing political pressure.

Born into a family of Indian Tamil descent in Durban, South Africa, during the apartheid era, Pillay built her legal career challenging racial discrimination and defending political activists. Her early work included defending anti-apartheid figures, including Nelson Mandela and others who opposed the system of racial segregation.

She later became one of South Africa’s pioneering female jurists, serving on the country’s High Court after apartheid ended.

Pillay’s international career included serving as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda from 1999 to 2003, where she contributed to landmark developments in international criminal law, particularly the recognition of rape and sexual violence as potential crimes against humanity and acts of genocide.

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She subsequently served as a judge at the ICC and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.

More recently, Pillay chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which published findings in 2025 concluding that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The Israeli government strongly rejected the report and its conclusions.

Pillay has continued to defend the importance of accountability under international law. She has also stressed the need to address violations committed by all parties to conflicts, including crimes attributed to Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Reacting to the Nobel announcement, Pillay reiterated her position on Gaza, saying the situation amounted to genocide. Her comments came amid continuing international debate over the conflict and the legal responsibilities of the parties involved.

The Nobel Committee’s decision recognises Pillay’s broader career and does not itself constitute a judicial ruling on whether genocide has occurred in Gaza. The committee cited her contribution to international law and the prosecution of serious international crimes as central reasons for the award.

Pillay is also serving as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice in the genocide case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar over the treatment of the Rohingya.

Her award makes her the fifth South African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, following Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and former president FW de Klerk.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the announcement, describing the honour as recognition of Pillay’s courage, integrity and lifelong commitment to justice and human dignity.

The 2026 award comes as international legal institutions face mounting scrutiny and political pressure over their efforts to investigate alleged war crimes and hold individuals and governments accountable.

By recognising Pillay, the Nobel Committee has placed renewed emphasis on the role of international law, independent courts and human rights protections in efforts to prevent violence and build lasting peace.

Anti-Apartheid Lawyer Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize After Gaza Genocide Findings

International

UK Navy Sailor Charged Over Alleged Plot to Leak Intelligence to Russia

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

UK Navy Sailor Charged Over Alleged Plot to Leak Intelligence to Russia

A 24-year-old British Royal Navy sailor has been charged with national security offences over an alleged plot to obtain sensitive military intelligence and pass protected information to Russia, raising fresh concerns about the security of classified defence information.

The suspect, Teddy Young, appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Thursday, October 8, where the allegations against him were outlined.

According to British authorities, Young faces two charges under the National Security Act 2023 relating to the alleged retention of protected information and preparations to disclose sensitive material for the benefit of a foreign power.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) alleged that Young accessed and retained sensitive United Kingdom defence and intelligence information while serving as a Royal Navy warfare intelligence rating with high-level security clearance and access to intelligence systems.

Prosecutors said the alleged offences occurred between November 2024 and May 2025, during his first deployment, which began on November 4, 2024.

The allegations include obtaining, copying, recording or retaining protected information with the intention of benefiting a foreign power, as well as engaging in conduct in preparation for disclosing the material.

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Although the charges identify an unnamed foreign power, British media reports have identified Russia as the country Young allegedly sought to assist.

Investigators reportedly suspect that Young used the dark web to explore ways of contacting Russian authorities. He is also alleged to have drafted a message in Russian intended to establish contact with a potential recipient of the sensitive information.

Reports further alleged that he copied information to a private email account, in breach of Navy rules.

Young joined the Royal Navy in April 2024 and was serving in a warfare intelligence role when the alleged offences took place.

He was first arrested on May 21, 2025, and subsequently released on bail while investigations continued. His security clearance was suspended, and he was removed from his duties.

Counterterrorism police arrested him again at his home in Bedfordshire on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, before charging him with the offences.

During Thursday’s brief court hearing, Young was not asked to enter a plea because the seriousness of the charges meant the case could not be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.

District Judge Annabel Pilling ordered that he remain in custody pending his next appearance at the Central Criminal Court, commonly known as the Old Bailey, on October 16.

The Royal Navy confirmed that a serving member had been charged following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

The Navy declined to comment further, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.

British authorities also stressed that the investigation was separate from a recent security incident involving suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford, a military airbase in Gloucestershire.

The case comes amid continuing concerns among Western governments about espionage, the protection of sensitive military information and attempts by foreign powers to obtain intelligence relating to national security.

However, the allegations against Young remain unproven, and any determination of his criminal responsibility will be made through the judicial process.