Hezbollah Vows to Remain Armed Until Israel Withdraws from Southern Lebanon

Al Jazeera,

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared on Sunday that the group will not disarm or yield to Israeli pressure until Israel halts its aggression and fully withdraws from southern Lebanon. Addressing a massive crowd during Ashura in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah’s weapons are a response to ongoing Israeli occupation, airstrikes, and assassinations, including the 2024 killing of former leader Hassan Nasrallah. He framed Hezbollah’s resistance as rooted in justice, referencing the symbolic relevance of Ashura to resisting tyranny.

The speech came amid renewed Israeli air raids, including strikes in Baalbek and southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, over 250 people have been killed and 600 wounded since the November 2024 ceasefire brokered by the U.S. Israel maintains control over five strategic border points. Qassem said Hezbollah would not negotiate disarmament unless Israel ends its occupation, stops its attacks, releases prisoners, and begins reconstruction. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack is expected in Beirut as pressure mounts on Lebanon to force Hezbollah’s disarmament. President Joseph Aoun has reiterated that disarming the group is a deeply sensitive issue.

Marco Rubio Heads to Malaysia for First ASEAN Trip as Secretary of State

Channel News Asia,

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make his first official visit to Asia this week, beginning with a trip to Malaysia for meetings with ASEAN leaders. Rubio, who also serves as the U.S. national security advisor, aims to reinforce Washington’s commitment to a “free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific” as the Biden-Trump administration shifts focus back to Asia after prolonged military engagements in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The visit, scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Kuala Lumpur, coincides with heightened regional tensions over China’s maritime expansion in the South China Sea. Rubio’s diplomatic mission will run parallel to visits by his Russian and Chinese counterparts, Sergei Lavrov and Wang Yi. The trip also comes ahead of a crucial tariff deadline set by President Trump. If trade partners fail to reach new deals, increased tariffs may take effect on August 1, reviving concerns about global trade stability.

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize Amid Bilateral Talks

Reuters,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated former U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The announcement came during a meeting between the two leaders at the White House on July 7. Netanyahu personally handed Trump the nomination letter and told reporters that both countries are working together to secure a better future for Palestinians through regional partnerships.

The meeting marks another instance of high-profile support for Trump’s foreign policy initiatives, particularly in the Middle East. Netanyahu praised Trump’s contributions to reshaping diplomatic dynamics in the region. The nomination, while symbolic, underscores ongoing political alignment between Trump and Netanyahu, particularly ahead of upcoming regional peace discussions and U.S. domestic elections.

Trump Threatens 10% Tariff on BRICS Nations Over ‘Un-American’ Policies

Al Jazeera,

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on BRICS member nations, accusing them of adopting anti-American trade and foreign policies. His remarks followed a BRICS summit in Brazil where the bloc—now expanded to include nations such as Iran, Indonesia, and the UAE—criticized unilateral tariffs and condemned recent military strikes on Iran by Israel and the U.S.

Trump’s warning, posted online, declared no exceptions would be made for countries aligning with what he called “anti-American policies.” The BRICS declaration indirectly addressed U.S. protectionist trade measures and emphasized the need for multilateralism and global cooperation. Brazilian President Lula da Silva responded sharply, stating that the world does not need an “emperor” who governs via threats. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also cautioned against U.S. efforts to stifle emerging global powers, urging a more inclusive and respectful approach to international relations.

North Korea Opens Trade Fair to Western Tourists, Bars Journalists and Influencers

Hankook Ilbo / The Korea Times,

North Korea will allow a limited group of Western tourists to attend the Pyongyang International Trade Fair from October 24 to November 1, marking a rare exception to its post-COVID border closures. The announcement came from Young Pioneer Tours, a China-based agency specializing in North Korean travel. The package includes visits to key landmarks such as Kim Il Sung Square and the USS Pueblo, and potentially an excursion to Mount Myohyang—the first by Westerners since early 2020.

However, North Korea has explicitly banned journalists, influencers, and content creators from the tour, citing organizer restrictions. The decision appears tied to concerns over media exposure following an earlier short-lived tourism reopening in the Rason Economic Zone, which was abruptly canceled after some influencers shared unsanctioned content. The current move signals Pyongyang’s interest in cautiously restarting economic diplomacy while tightly controlling its image to the outside world.