Australian PM Terms China Laser Incident 'Intimidation'

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the opening of Raytheon Australia's Center for Joint Integration in Adelaide, Australia, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo)
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the opening of Raytheon Australia's Center for Joint Integration in Adelaide, Australia, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo)
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Australian PM Terms China Laser Incident 'Intimidation'

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the opening of Raytheon Australia's Center for Joint Integration in Adelaide, Australia, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo)
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the opening of Raytheon Australia's Center for Joint Integration in Adelaide, Australia, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo)

Australia's prime minister accused China of an "act of intimidation" on Sunday after Canberra said a Chinese naval vessel shone a laser at one of the country's defense aircraft.

The ship was one of two Chinese navy vessels sailing through waters off Australia's northern coast on Thursday when it illuminated a surveillance aircraft in an incident that had "the potential to endanger lives," the defense department said.

"I can see it no other way than an act of intimidation," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, terming the act "unwarranted and unprovoked".

Australia's Defense Minister Peter Dutton echoed his concerns, saying it was "a very aggressive act", reported AFP.

"I think the Chinese government is hoping that nobody talks about these aggressive bullying acts," Dutton told Sky News on Sunday.

According to the defense ministry, the ships were sailing east through the Arafura Sea, just north of Australia.

The Chinese government has not responded to the allegations from Australia.

China last faced accusations of targeting Australian aircraft using military-grade lasers in 2019, when Australian Defense Force helicopters were illuminated over the South China Sea.



Protest Against Gaza War Prevents Israeli Visitors from Touring Greek Island

Two empty chairs stand on a beach as people cool off during a heat wave, near Athens, Greece, 22 July 2025. (EPA)
Two empty chairs stand on a beach as people cool off during a heat wave, near Athens, Greece, 22 July 2025. (EPA)
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Protest Against Gaza War Prevents Israeli Visitors from Touring Greek Island

Two empty chairs stand on a beach as people cool off during a heat wave, near Athens, Greece, 22 July 2025. (EPA)
Two empty chairs stand on a beach as people cool off during a heat wave, near Athens, Greece, 22 July 2025. (EPA)

A cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists left the Greek island of Syros Tuesday without its passengers disembarking, after more than 150 protesters demonstrated at the island’s port, unfurling Palestinian flags and calling for an end to the war in Gaza.

Carrying banners that read: “Stop the Genocide” and “No a/c in hell” — a reference to the conditions Palestinians face in the Gaza Strip — the protesters chanted slogans on the dock near where the cruise ship, the Crown Iris, was docked on Tuesday, local media said. There were no reports of any violence.

The ship is operated by an Israeli company, Mano Cruise, which said about 1,700 passengers were on board and it is sailing to Cyprus.

Greece’s coast guard said the ship set sail at around 3 p.m., earlier than originally scheduled, but did not immediately have any further details.

“The management of Mano Cruise has decided in light of the situation in the city of Syros to now sail to another tourist destination,” the company said in a press release. “All passengers and crew members are resting and spending time on the ship on their way to the new destination.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar contacted his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, over the incident, the Greek foreign ministry confirmed. It did not release any details of their discussion.