Headlines

Israel could wean itself off US defence aid, but not yet

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call to gradually end Israel's reliance on US military aid could boost strategic flexibility, analysts said, though a full break from Washington's support remains unlikely anytime soon. The United States currently provides Israel with $3.8

Vienna abuzz for Eurovision final

Thousands of glammed-up fans were excitedly queueing Saturday ahead of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, where a fiery Finnish duo and an acclaimed Australian star are the favourites to win the glittering crown. This year marks the 70th edition of the world's biggest live

Eurovision final kicks off with Viennese grandeur

The final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday with a burst of Mozart, as 25 countries took to the stage in Vienna to do battle for the glittering crown. Thousands of glammed-up fans filled the Wiener Stadthalle arena in the Austrian capital to watch the

Boycott over Israel takes some glitz off Eurovision final

A fiery Finnish violinist-singer duo and an acclaimed Australian star are the favourites to win Saturday's grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest, as protesters demonstrated in host city Vienna against Israel's participation. This year marks the 70th edition of the world's

Israel says Hamas armed wing chief killed in Gaza strike

Israel said Saturday it had killed Hamas armed wing chief Ezzedine Al-Haddad in an airstrike in Gaza the previous day, describing him as a key architect of the October 7 attacks. Since Hamas's October 7, 2023 cross-border assault, the Israeli military and intelligence services