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Syria open to meeting Hezbollah 'if interests require it', says Syrian FM

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is in Lebanon and met President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, according to Al Jazeera. The former rebel fighters who now govern Syria fought against Hezbollah for years, as it was deployed there to support former President Bashar al-Assad. It would be the first time the two sides have met. Al-Shaibani said Syria is open to meeting Hezbollah representatives “if interests require ⁠it”, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. His visit comes as Damascus insists it does not want to intervene militarily in Lebanon despite pressure from the United States to do so. President Trump has repeatedly said Syria could “take care of Hezbollah” while criticising Israel’s failure to destroy the Lebanese armed group. Lebanese president says Syrian counterpart pledges 'new chapter' in bilateral ties Lebanese President Joseph Aoun sai...
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Former Australian soldier speaks out against allegations of Afghan war crimes

Australia's most decorated soldier, charged with war crimes related to Afghanistan deployments more ​than a decade ago, on Sunday publicly denied the allegations ‌against him and said he was proud of his service. Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, freed this week on bail, is charged with five counts of war crimes over ​the alleged murder of five unarmed Afghan civilians between 2009 ​and 2012. Each charge carries a maximum jail term ⁠of life. The former Special Air Service (SAS) corporal has consistently denied ​the accusations of wrongdoing, many first reported by Nine Entertainment newspapers ​in a series of articles starting in 2018. Speaking to the media on Queensland's Gold Coast, Roberts-Smith said he always acted within the rules of engagement ​in Afghanistan. Read: Australia refinery fire worsens fuel supply crunch amid US-Israel war on Iran "I categorically deny all of these allegations, and while ​I would have preferred these charges not be brought, I will be taking ‌this ⁠opportunity to finally clear my name," he said. "I'm proud of my service in Afghanistan," he added. After more than a week in custody, Roberts-Smith was granted bail after a judge said his matter would likely take ​years to get ​to court. Prosecutors ⁠had opposed bail on fears Roberts-Smith might try to contact witnesses. Police have said they will allege ​Roberts-Smith's victims were not taking part in hostilities ​at the ⁠time of their deaths and were detained, unarmed, and under the control of Australian forces when killed. In 2023, Roberts-Smith lost a defamation ⁠suit ​over the media accusations and was found ​on the balance of probabilities to have been involved in the murder of four ​Afghan civilians.

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At least 32 miners dead after bridge fails at cobalt site in southeast DR Congo

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Arab countries, Pakistan likely to observe Eid on same day

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