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Lebanon Seeks to Distance State from Hezbollah After Cyprus Drone Incident

                                                         File photo: Youssef Ragg Lebanon has urged Cypriot authorities and the public not to conflate the Lebanese state with Hezbollah following a drone strike that originated from Lebanese territory and hit Cyprus six days earlier. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi emphasized that the attack was carried out independently by Hezbollah and does not reflect the policies, values, or intentions of the Lebanese government.  Raggi stressed that Lebanon rejects any attempt to use its territory for external agendas and reiterated that Hezbollah’s actions fall outside the state’s legal authority. He called on Cyprus to distinguish between the official Lebanese government and groups operating autonomously, noting that Lebanon has consistently affirmed its sovereignty ...
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Australia Strikes $408M Deal with Nauru to Deport Former Detainees Without Visas

                                   Australian government signs deal to deport former detainees to the tiny island country of Nauru.




The Australian government has signed a controversial agreement with Nauru to deport former immigration detainees who lack valid visas, in a move that has sparked fierce criticism from refugee and human rights advocates.

Under the memorandum of understanding, Australia will pay Nauru an upfront sum of 408 million Australian dollars (about $267 million USD) once the first group arrives, followed by annual payments of 70 million AUD for ongoing resettlement. The deal targets individuals released from detention after a 2023 High Court ruling ended the policy of indefinite detention for people who could not be deported to their home countries due to risks of persecution or harm.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the arrangement ensures “proper treatment and long-term residence” for those with no legal right to remain in Australia, describing it as essential to maintaining the integrity of the visa system.

Critics, however, warn the agreement could pave the way for mass deportations without due process. The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre called the deal “discriminatory, disgraceful and dangerous,” while legal advocates argued it dismantles key protections for vulnerable individuals.

The deal follows earlier arrangements allowing the deportation of a small number of violent offenders to Nauru, where they were granted long-term visas. Human rights groups have long opposed transfers to the island, citing a United Nations report that found “systematic violations” of the International Convention Against Torture.


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