Latest news with #AFPPhoto
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
‘Death to America, Death to Israel': Hundreds of thousands mourn top Iranian generals killed in Israeli strikes
Iran held a state funeral Saturday for some 60 scientists and commanders killed in its war with Israel, after its top diplomat condemned the latest White House tirade against supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. read more Images of Iranian military commanders and scientists killed during Israeli strikes are displayed at Enghelab (Revolution) Square as trucks carrying their coffins drive past during their funeral procession in the capital Tehran on June 28, 2025. AFP Photo Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in central Tehran on Saturday for the funeral of top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists killed during the recent 12-day war with Israel. Caskets bearing the remains of Revolutionary Guard chief Gen Hossein Salami, Gen Amir Ali Hajizadeh — who headed the Guard's ballistic missile programme — and others were paraded along Azadi Street, one of the capital's main avenues. Crowds chanted slogans including 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' as the funeral procession moved through the city. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Salami and Hajizadeh were both killed on June 13, the opening day of the war, when Israel launched targeted strikes it said were aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear programme. The offensive focused on senior military commanders, scientists, and nuclear facilities. State media claimed over one million people attended the procession. While independent confirmation of the turnout was not possible, the route — stretching 4.5 kilometres — was densely packed with mourners. There was no immediate sign of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the state broadcast of the funeral. Khamenei, who has not made a public appearance since before the outbreak of the war, has in past funerals held prayers for fallen commanders over their caskets before the open ceremonies, later aired on state television. Top officials are among the mourners Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was on hand, and state television reported that Gen Esmail Qaani, who heads the foreign wing of the Revolutionary Guard, the Quds Force, and Gen Ali Shamkhani were also among the mourners. Shamkhani, an adviser to Khamenei who was wounded in the first round of Israel's attack and hospitalised, was shown in a civilian suit leaning on a cane in an image distributed on state television's Telegram channel. Iran's Revolutionary Guard was created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Since it was established, it has evolved from a paramilitary, domestic security force to a transnational force that has come to the aid of Tehran's allies in the Middle East, from Syria and Lebanon to Iraq. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It operates in parallel to the country's existing armed forces and controls Iran's arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Over 12 days before a ceasefire was declared on Tuesday, Israel claimed it killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while hitting eight nuclear-related facilities and more than 720 military infrastructure sites. More than 1,000 people were killed, including at least 417 civilians, according to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
DRS howlers and fiery pacers headline Day 2 of WI vs AUS Test in Barbados
AFP Photo NEW DELHI: West Indies' pace attack once again exposed the fragility of Australia's top order, reducing the visitors to 92 for four at stumps on Day 2 of the first Test at Kensington Oval on Thursday. After being bowled out for 190 — trailing by just 10 runs in reply to Australia's first innings total of 180 — the home side kept the pressure on, leaving the match finely poised. Australia now lead by 82 runs with six wickets remaining, setting the stage for a tense third day. It was another action-packed day in Barbados, with 10 wickets falling following the 14 that tumbled on the opening day. But beyond the wickets, much of the focus was on controversial third-umpire decisions that left the West Indies camp visibly frustrated. Travis Head, known for his aggressive counter-attacking style across formats, will resume on Day 3 alongside all-rounder Beau Webster . All four West Indian bowlers used in Australia's second innings struck once, keeping their side in the hunt. After going wicketless in the first innings, Alzarri Joseph made the breakthrough in the final session, trapping Usman Khawaja lbw. Shamar Joseph, who had set the tone on Day 1, endured a frustrating moment when Sam Konstas was dropped twice in the same over in the slips. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo But persistence paid off 20 minutes later when Konstas dragged a delivery back onto his stumps. Jayden Seales, who took five wickets in the first innings, struck again by dismissing Josh Inglis for the second time in the match — this time bowling him as the batter offered no shot. Australia's ongoing experiment with Cameron Green at number three continued to falter, as he edged medium-pacer Justin Greaves to first slip, departing cheaply once again. Earlier in the day, a 67-run partnership between West Indies skipper Roston Chase and wicketkeeper Shai Hope helped stabilize the innings after they slumped to 72 for five in the morning session. Debutant Brandon King, who contributed 26, was bowled shouldering arms to Josh Hazlewood. – Controversial Dismissals – Controversy resurfaced shortly after lunch when Roston Chase — playing his 50th Test and making a return to the format after more than two years — was adjudged leg-before to Pat Cummins. Television umpire Adrian Holdstock made the call, despite replays suggesting Chase had edged the ball onto his pads. Holdstock was again in the spotlight when Shai Hope, on 48, was ruled out caught down the leg side by a diving Alex Carey , giving Webster his second wicket. Hope had nearly reached the pavilion, convinced he was out, but multiple replays indicated the ball may have touched the ground as Carey completed the catch. Despite this, Holdstock upheld the decision. Alzarri Joseph chipped in with an unbeaten 23, but the West Indies innings wrapped up soon after. Mitchell Starc finished as Australia's most successful bowler with figures of 3 for 65. Commenting on the disputed dismissals, Starc said, "We can only ask the questions." "That's what we have the technology for. The questions have to be asked in that direction, not at the players." Reflecting on the state of the match, Starc noted that the pitch was keeping things competitive. "Throughout the two days it's shown that if you bowl in the right areas there are enough chances (created)," he said. "Even when the ball got older or was changed it still did some sideways stuff so the bowlers have been in the game throughout so far and that is likely to continue tomorrow." Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
22-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
‘Game isn't over': Iran vows retaliation as Pezeshkian says US 'must receive response to their aggression'
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that the United States must 'receive a response' to attacks on nuclear sites in the Islamic republic during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron. read more This handout satellite picture provided by Maxar Technologies and taken on June 22, 2025, shows damage after US strikes on the Isfahan nuclear enrichment facility in central Iran.- AFP Photo Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday that the United States must 'receive a response' for its strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, signalling Tehran's intent to retaliate. 'The Americans must receive a response to their aggression,' Pezeshkian told the French leader, according to the official IRNA news agency. His comments came as a top advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that the 'game isn't over' and hinted that US military bases in the region could 'will be considered legitimate targets.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,' said Ali Akbar Velayati in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency. 'The United States 'no longer' has a place in the Middle East after it conducted strikes against nuclear facilities in the Islamic republic,' he said. 'America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences, because the Islamic Republic does not tolerate any insult or aggression against itself,' he added. Iran also said that it was ready to defend itself by 'all necessary means' after unprecedented US strikes on its nuclear facilities. 'Iran is resolutely determined to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security and people by all necessary means,' foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X, condemning what he described as an 'unconscionable act of aggression – perpetrated by a nuclear-armed state… against a non-nuclear weapon country'. Meanwhile, The Trump administration on Sunday signaled a willingness to renew talks with Iran and avoid a prolonged war in the aftermath of a surprise attack on three of the country's nuclear sites as U.S. officials assessed Tehran's nuclear ambitions and the threat of retaliation against American interests. The coordinated messaging by his vice president, Pentagon chief, top military adviser and secretary of state suggested a confidence that any fallout would be manageable and that Iran's lack of military capabilities would ultimately force it back to the bargaining table. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a news conference that America 'does not seek war' with Iran while Vice President JD Vance said the strikes have given Tehran the possibility of returning to negotiate with Washington. 'This mission was not and has not been about regime change,' Hegseth said. With inputs from agencies
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
21-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
Zelenskyy urges Western allies to allocate 0.25% of GDP for Ukraine's defence
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called on Ukraine's Western partners to allocate 0.25% of their GDP to helping Kyiv rampup weapons production and said the country plans to sign agreements this summer to start exporting weapon production technologies. read more This handout photograph taken and released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on June 21, 2025, shows firefighters extinguishing a fire following a Russian night strike in the Kremenchuk district of the Poltava region. AFP Photo Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Western allies to dedicate 0.25% of their GDP to supporting Ukraine's weapons production as the country looks to scale up its defence capabilities amid the ongoing war with Russia. In comments released by his office on Saturday, Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine plans to begin exporting weapon production technologies this summer. Talks are underway with several countries including Denmark, Norway, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania on launching joint weapons manufacturing agreements. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
19-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Russia urges Israel to stop strikes on Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility
Israel bombed nuclear targets in Iran on Thursday and Iranian missiles hit an Israeli hospital overnight, as the week-old air war escalated with no sign yet of an off-ramp. read more This picture shows the heavily damaged building of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) after it was hit a few days earlier in an Israeli strike, in Tehran, on June 19, 2025. AFP Photo Russia has called on Israel to immediately halt its airstrikes on Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility, citing the presence of Russian specialists at the site, according to a report. The move came after Israel had reportedly struck nuclear sites in Bushehr, Isfahan and Natanz and was continuing to target additional facilities. However, the official later retracted the mention of Bushehr, stating that it had been 'a mistake' to include the facility in the list of confirmed targets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Moscow also issued its warning after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in a phone call condemned Israeli attacks on Iran and urged a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Israel launched an unprecedented wave of strikes at Iran last week, to which Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks. The IDF spokesperson confirmed that strikes had taken place on nuclear-related facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Arak but declined to confirm or deny any action against Bushehr, which houses Iran's only operational nuclear reactor. Following the strike which damaged the Soroka hospital in Israel's southern city of Beersheba, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tehran's 'tyrants' would pay the 'full price'. His Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had been instructed to intensify strikes on strategic-related targets in Tehran in order to eliminate the threat to Israel and destabilise the 'Ayatollah regime'. Netanyahu has said that Israel's military attacks could result in the toppling of Iran's leaders, and Israel would do whatever is necessary to remove the 'existential threat' posed by Tehran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has kept the world guessing about whether Israel's superpower ally would join it in airstrikes. Israel said on Thursday it had struck Iran's Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites. A military spokesperson initially said it had also hit Bushehr, site of Iran's only functioning nuclear power plant, but a spokesperson later said this was a mistake to have said this. Earlier, Israel said it had hit another nuclear site near Arak overnight, where Iran was building a heavy-water reactor. Trump has veered from proposing a swift diplomatic end to the war to suggesting the United States might join it. On Wednesday he said nobody knows what he will do. A day earlier he mused on social media about killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, then demanded Iran's unconditional surrender. A week of Israeli air and missile strikes against its major rival has wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command, damaged its nuclear capabilities and killed hundreds of people, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed at least two dozen civilians in Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
