The Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has appointed 71-year-old Naim Qassem as its new chief, succeeding the late Hassan Nasrallah. A founding member of the organization, Qassem has been serving as its Deputy Secretary General since 1991. With several recent attacks and assassinations targeting its top leadership, Hezbollah faces a challenging period but remains committed to its principles and path of resistance under Qassem's leadership.
Hezbollah Appoints Naim Qassem as New Chief Amidst Leadership Challenges
Background
Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist militant group based in Lebanon. Founded in 1982, the group is closely aligned with Iran and has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States and Israel.
Hassan Nasrallah, the previous leader of Hezbollah, has been a central figure in the organization since 1992. Under his leadership, Hezbollah has played a significant role in Lebanese politics and has been involved in numerous military confrontations with Israel.
Naim Qassem's Appointment
On January 16, 2023, Hezbollah announced the appointment of Naim Qassem as its new chief. Qassem, 71, is a founding member of the organization and has served as its Deputy Secretary General since 1991.
Qassem's appointment comes at a challenging time for Hezbollah. The group has recently faced several attacks and assassinations targeting its top leadership, including the 2021 assassination of Qassem Soleimani, Iran's top general.
Qassem's Leadership
Qassem is considered a hardliner within Hezbollah and is known for his anti-Western and anti-Israeli rhetoric. He has also been a vocal supporter of Iran's nuclear program.
It is unclear how Qassem's leadership will affect Hezbollah's policies and strategy. However, analysts believe that he is likely to continue the organization's commitment to resistance against Israel and its support for Iran.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why was Naim Qassem appointed as Hezbollah's new chief? A: Qassem is a founding member of Hezbollah and has been serving as its Deputy Secretary General since 1991. He is considered a hardliner within the organization and is a vocal supporter of Iran.
2. What challenges will Qassem face as Hezbollah's new chief? A: Qassem faces several challenges, including recent attacks and assassinations targeting Hezbollah's top leadership, as well as the ongoing conflict with Israel.
3. How will Qassem's leadership affect Hezbollah's policies and strategy? A: It is unclear how Qassem's leadership will affect Hezbollah's policies and strategy. However, analysts believe that he is likely to continue the organization's commitment to resistance against Israel and its support for Iran.
4. Who was Hassan Nasrallah, the previous leader of Hezbollah? A: Hassan Nasrallah was the leader of Hezbollah from 1992 until his death in 2023. He was a central figure in the organization and oversaw Hezbollah's military and political activities.
5. What is Hezbollah's relationship with Iran? A: Hezbollah is closely aligned with Iran and receives significant financial, military, and logistical support from the Iranian government. Iran considers Hezbollah to be a key ally in its regional strategy.
The highly anticipated wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez has sparked controversy with its extravagant plans and now, an unappealing invitation. As the couple's opulent celebration is set to begin, the backlash has intensified, with many branding the invitation's design as cheap and amateurish, questioning how the world's richest man couldn't afford a better invitation. Critics are also quick to point out the damaging impacts of over tourism in Venice, where the festivities will take place.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav distributed bicycles and announced the distribution of scooties and laptops to students with high marks in their board exams. This initiative is part of the government's efforts to encourage and support the students in their education. The Chief Minister also clarified that there will be no tender process involved in distributing the scooties and students will receive them directly according to their choice. This program has been greatly appreciated by the public and is expected to benefit thousands of students in the state.
US President Donald Trump has announced a 35% tariff on Canadian imports, citing the need to protect American workers and businesses. The decision, which will take effect on August 1, has sparked concerns of a trade war between the two countries. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has responded by reaffirming his commitment to defending Canada's workers and businesses, while seeking to strengthen the country's ties with other economic partners such as the European Union and the United Kingdom.
With World Population Day fast approaching on July 11, India's population has become a key topic of discussion. As one of the world's most populous nations, India is home to diverse cultures and customs. However, the northern state of Uttar Pradesh stands out with a population of over 230 million, making it more populated than many countries. Its rapid growth is influenced by its size, economic opportunities, and rich history. The United Nations hopes to raise awareness about the need to address population issues on this important day.
A popular Indian comedian's newly opened restaurant in Canada was the target of a shooting by suspected terrorists on Wednesday night. The café, owned by comedian Kapil Sharma, was hit by multiple bullets and neighbouring buildings were also damaged. Police are investigating the incident and the possible motives behind the attack, which is being claimed by an alleged terrorist of the banned Khalistani outfit, Babbar Khalsa International. The shooting has raised concerns among local residents and the Indian diaspora in the area.
Namibia is set to become the first country to adopt India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system for real-time payments, with a launch scheduled later this year. The decision was announced following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The delegation-level talks also focused on strengthening bilateral ties in areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals, with both leaders expressing gratitude for each other's cooperation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand welcome at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, Brazil during his state visit to the country. The unique 114-horse welcome was followed by a traditional Brazilian Samba Reggae performance and Indian classical music. This marks the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brazil in 57 years, as PM Modi aims to strengthen ties and participate in multilateral engagements.
The annual BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro saw a united front put up by the participating countries against the US President's threat of imposing an additional 10 percent tariff on any country that aligns with what he deems as "the Anti-American policies of BRICS". The declaration adopted by BRICS reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called for adherence to international laws and condemnation of politicizing and militarizing humanitarian aid. China, one of the BRICS countries, responded to the US President's statement as a "tool of political coercion" and emphasized the importance of cooperation for global development over geo-political rivalry. The BRICS Joint Declaration also called for further negotiations for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages and detainees held in violation of international law.
President Donald Trump's threat to impose a 10% tariff on any country aligning with BRICS' "anti-American policies" sparked sharp responses from China, Russia, and South Africa. This comes after the BRICS declaration raised concerns about the rise in tariffs and its impact on global trade and supply chains. While there was no response from India, Trump's statement on Truth Social left the BRICS leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Brazil for a two-day summit, confused. China emphasized BRICS' focus on cooperation and rejecting confrontation, while Russia stressed the group's goal of cooperation based on shared interests and not targeting any countries. South Africa's foreign ministry spokesperson clarified that BRICS' aim is to push for "reformed multilateralism" and should not be viewed as a threat.
Kazakhstan's ministry of science and higher education announced several top universities from Russia, UK, Türkiye, South Korea, Germany, and Italy are set to open branch campuses in the central Asian country. These institutions will offer a range of programs such as international relations, business, engineering, computer science, hospitality, healthcare, and design. The country's aggressive internationalization strategy, supported by government incentives, aims to attract 100,000 international students by 2028. The minister for science and higher education, Sayasat Nurbek, considers these academic partnerships as strategic investments and has provided tax preferences to the international institutions.