Israel's Mossad chief says operations in Iran to continue

David Barnea, chief of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, said the organization will continue its activities in Iran, according to a video released by Mossad on Wednesday.

The video shows Barnea addressing operatives at the agency's operational headquarters on Tuesday, just hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran took effect.

"We will continue to keep a close eye on all of Iran's projects that we already know in the most in-depth way. We will be there as we have been there until now," he said.

Trump says U.S. to hold talks with Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump said here on Wednesday that the United States will hold talks with Iran next week.

"We're going to talk to them next week, with Iran. We may sign an agreement," Trump said during a press conference in The Hague following the NATO summit.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump said that a ceasefire between Iran and Israel is going "very good."

"I think it's (going) very good. Israel came back yesterday," Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in The Hague, referring to his Tuesday warning to Israel to halt airstrikes on Iran.

Hamas says committed to Gaza ceasefire talks with mediators

Hamas on Wednesday said it remains positively engaged with ongoing mediation efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

In a press statement, Hamas said it is committed to cooperating with mediators and responding constructively to any serious proposals that could lead to a comprehensive agreement to halt what it describes as "aggression and a war of extermination" against the Palestinian people.

Hamas stressed the need for a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, the launch of reconstruction, and the conclusion of a prisoner exchange deal.

NATO countries agree to hike defense spending to 5 pct of GDP

Member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have agreed to raise their defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) annually by 2035, according to a declaration issued on Wednesday following the high-level summit in The Hague.

The five-paragraph statement outlined that the new spending target will be split between two key categories: 3.5 percent for core defense and 1.5 percent for related areas, including critical infrastructure, networks, and defense industrial capabilities.

The plan will undergo a review in 2029, taking into account the strategic environment and revised capability targets, the document added.

S. Korea's court dismisses warrant to arrest ex-President

South Korea's court on Wednesday dismissed a warrant to arrest former President Yoon Suk-yeol, sought a day earlier by a special counsel investigating Yoon's short-lived martial law imposition, according to multiple media outlets.

The independent counsel team of Cho Eun-suk leading the investigation into Yoon's insurrection and other charges told reporters that the Seoul Central District Court rejected the warrant issuance as the Yoon side said he will appear for questioning if the special counsel demands it.

The special prosecutor notified Yoon and his lawyer to appear for questioning at 9:00 a.m. local time on Saturday.

Mozambique marks 50th anniversary of independence

Mozambique held a grand ceremony on Wednesday at Machava Stadium in Matola, Maputo Province, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the country's independence from Portuguese colonial rule.

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo lit the flame of national unity and delivered a keynote speech at the ceremony. He reviewed the progress Mozambique has made since gaining independence, highlighting remarkable achievements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and gender equality.

Chapo emphasized that the country's future governance efforts will focus on laying the foundation for economic independence.■