Ethiopia's Tola Wins Olympic Men's Marathon, Kipchoge Drops Out

2024-08-11 13:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Ethiopian Tamirat Tola delivered a masterclass in solo front running to win the Olympic men's marathon in Paris on Saturday as Eliud Kipchoge's bid for a third gold went up in smoke. Tola clocked an Olympic record of 2hr 06min 26sec for victory, finishing 21 seconds ahead of Belgium's Bashir Abdi, whose silver marked an upgrade from his bronze ...

Iran Executes Two Men Over Links to Israeli Intelligence

This is Beirut 20/04 09:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Tehran United States

Iran executed two men on Monday who had been convicted of links to Israeli intelligence services, the judiciary announced, marking the latest in a series of executions since the start of the war with Israel and the United States. “The death sentences of Mohammad Masoom-shahi and Hamed Validi were carried out at dawn,” the judiciary’s news ...

Hundreds Return South After Ceasefire Despite Lebanese-Israeli Warnings

This is Beirut 17/04 10:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Ceasefire

Early reactions to the ceasefire in Lebanon were chaotic, with celebrations in the capital and a large number returning to the south over the Litani river, despite Israeli and Lebanese warnings to the contrary. After fragile ceasefire took effect at midnight April 16-17, celebratory small arms and RPG fire was reported throughout the southern ...

Lebanese Voices Optimistic About Direct Talks With Israel

Claudia Groeling 17/04 11:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Israel

Following the direct negotiations that took place on April 14, the first high-level, U.S.-mediated talks between Lebanese and Israeli representatives since 1993, This Is Beirut spoke to residents on the ground to understand their views on the discussions and what they hope comes next. Many expressed support for direct negotiations, saying they ...

Amal Leader Condemns Gunfire in Beirut

This is Beirut 17/04 13:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Amal Nawaf Salam Lebanon Hezbollah Saudi Arabia

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, leader of Lebanon’s Amal party, voiced support on Friday for national unity, condemning incidents of celebratory gunfire in Beirut last night as the Shia political community navigates its first day of the ceasefire since March 2. Berri said that indiscriminate gunfire in the capital was ...

Syrian President Considers Negotiations With Israel Over Golan Heights

This is Beirut 17/04 14:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Benjamin Netanyahu

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Friday he is considering “long-term negotiations” with Israel over the Golan Heights, provided the two countries reach a security agreement guaranteeing Israel’s withdrawal from recently occupied Syrian territories. “Israel is violating the 1974 disengagement agreement, and today we are working to ...

Leaders Signal Next Phase for Lebanon

This is Beirut 17/04 21:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Hezbollah Israel

A tentative shift began to take shape today as Presidents Donald Trump, Joseph Aoun, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed their visions for what comes next in Lebanon following the announcement of a ceasefire and the launch of direct talks. While the pause in fighting has created space for diplomacy, each leader made clear that the ...

From War To Business Suits: What Peace with Israel Could Mean for Lebanon's Economy

Ralph Atrach 17/04 23:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Nawaf Salam Gulf Hezbollah

As Lebanese and Israeli officials met face to face in Washington for the first time in decades, the war with Hezbollah dominated headlines, but the prospect of future economic ties between Jerusalem and Beirut came into view. Following the meeting, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter brought up the potential windfalls of peace. “The ...

Iran Says Its Enriched Uranium 'Not Going to be Transferred'

This is Beirut 18/04 03:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Tehran United States Washington

Iran's foreign ministry on Friday said the country's stockpile of enriched uranium would not be transferred "anywhere", denying an earlier claim by US President Donald Trump that the Islamic republic had agreed to hand it over. "Iran's enriched uranium is not going to be transferred anywhere," Iranian foreign ...

Qassem Affirms Hezbollah’s Rejection of Ceasefire Deal

This is Beirut 19/04 00:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Hezbollah Ceasefire Donald Trump Lebanon Israel

Secretary-General of Hezbollah, accused Washington on Saturday of dictating the terms of the recently announced ceasefire agreement to the Lebanese government, sharply criticizing what he described as official Lebanese acquiescence to U.S. pressure. His remarks come as the terrorist organization continues to reject direct negotiations between ...

Syria Says Foiled Cross-Border Attack by Assad Remnants, Hezbollah

This is Beirut 19/04 17:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanon Damascus Israel Middle East

Syria's interior ministry said Sunday that security forces thwarted an alleged cross-border attack from the country's territory planned by remnants of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad and cells linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah. From March 2 until a 10-day ceasefire went into force on April 17, Hezbollah was battling Israel after drawing Lebanon into ...

Israel Says to Use 'Full Force' in Lebanon Despite Truce if Soldiers Face Threat

This is Beirut 19/04 18:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Banks Hezbollah

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that the military had been instructed to use "full force" in Lebanon—even during the ongoing ceasefire—should Israeli troops face any threat. Under the U.S.-brokered 10-day ceasefire, Israel agreed to halt “offensive” military operations against Lebanese targets ...

After Ceasefire, South Lebanon Residents Back Negotiations for Peace

Claudia Groeling 19/04 19:25 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon Ceasefire South Lebanon

Residents across Nabatieh in south Lebanon voiced deep exhaustion from repeated cycles of war, stressing the need for the Lebanese state and army to restore security and stability. As talks continue, many see direct negotiations as the only viable path to lasting peace.

Iran Military Vows to 'Soon Respond' After U.S. Destroyer Hits Cargo Ship

This is Beirut 20/04 06:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Donald Trump Gulf Israel Iran United States

Iran's military has vowed to respond after a U.S. destroyer on Sunday fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman that tried to evade a U.S. naval blockade. "We warn that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy and the U.S. military," said a spokesperson for the ...

Israel Draws “Yellow Line” in Southern Lebanon as Ceasefire Takes Hold

This is Beirut 20/04 09:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Ceasefire South Lebanon Hezbollah

On Monday, Avichay Adraee, the Arabic-language spokesperson of the Israeli army, issued a public warning on X to residents of southern Lebanon, outlining new movement restrictions along the so-called “yellow line” in areas where Israeli forces remain deployed. In what was described as an “urgent message,” Adraee stated ...

Iran Says 'No Decision' on Whether to Attend Next Round of U.S. Talks

This is Beirut 20/04 09:40 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Donald Trump Lebanon Hezbollah Israel Middle East

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday it has yet to reach a decision on whether to attend the next round of talks with the United States. "As of now, while I am at your service, we have no plans for the next round of negotiation, and no decision has been made in this regard," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press ...

Turkey Hosts Latest Diplomatic Push on Middle East War

This is Beirut 17/04 08:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Turkey Lebanon Israel United States Iran

Turkey hosts a high-stakes forum Friday bringing together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as Islamabad pushes diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East war. Pakistan's powerful army chief met senior negotiators in Tehran on Thursday as Washington and Iran considered a fresh round of talks to end the six-week ...

Lebanon Has Another Opportunity of a Lifetime

David Hale 20/04 10:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Lebanese Army Donald Trump Hezbollah Israel

As Lebanese, Israeli, and American teams prepare for their first-ever trilateral leaders summit, it is time to reflect on this opportunity and lessons from the past.   Most Lebanese have yearned for decades for a restoration of state sovereignty and peace. There are a host of reasons why they have been deprived of what most people around the ...

Israel Says Exposed Iranian “Covert Terror Network” Targeting Officials and Strategic Sites

This is Beirut 20/04 12:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Europe Israel Middle East Turkey

The Israeli government released a statement Monday announcing that its intelligence services have uncovered a secret Iranian-operated network responsible for planning attacks against Israeli officials and strategic infrastructure worldwide. According to a post on X by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel has for the first ...

President Aoun Assigns Simon Karam to Head Talks With Israel

This is Beirut 20/04 13:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Joseph Aoun Ceasefire Donald Trump

The Lebanese presidency announced that upcoming direct negotiations with Israel will be conducted through an official delegation headed by Ambassador Simon Karam, according to a statement attributed to President Joseph Aoun on X. In remarks addressed to a delegation from the “Sovereignty Front,” President Aoun stressed that Lebanon ...

U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire in Lebanon Shows Early Strains

This is Beirut 20/04 13:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Lebanon Ceasefire Iran Negotiations

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah remains formally in place, but continued military activity, warnings to civilians, and exchanges of fire are raising questions about its durability just days into its implementation. The ceasefire, which came into effect on April 16 under U.S. mediation, allows Israel to take necessary measures in ...

A State Decides: Lebanon's Bet on Direct Talks with Israel

Amal Chmouny 20/04 13:55 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Donald Trump Lebanese Army Hezbollah

For the first time in decades, the U.S. has brokered direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, beginning with a 10-day cessation of hostilities and a commitment to negotiate in good faith. Washington says lasting calm will require the Lebanese state to reassert sovereignty over non-state arms. President Donald Trump said the initiative had created ...

U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Issues Security Warning Over Iran-Linked Threats

This is Beirut 20/04 15:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Washington

The U.S. Embassy Baghdad issued a security alert on Monday warning of continued threats against American citizens and interests in Iraq, citing ongoing plans by Iran-aligned armed groups to carry out attacks. The U.S. embassy said that “terrorist militias allied with Iran” are continuing to plan attacks targeting U.S. nationals and ...

Will Lebanon Finally Break Its Cycle of Inaction?

Marwan El Amine 21/04 09:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Nawaf Salam Donald Trump Lebanese Army Benjamin Netanyahu

As Lebanon and Israel prepare to deepen diplomatic contact amid a 10-day truce, attention is shifting to what comes next, including the fate of Hezbollah’s weapons and whether the ceasefire marks a temporary pause or a strategic shift. During the war, both President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam navigated a perilous political ...

Lebanese President Says Aiming to End Hostilities With Israel Talks

This is Beirut 21/04 10:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Nawaf Salam Donald Trump UN Security Council USA

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday that planned talks with Israel aim to end hostilities and the occupation in southern Lebanon, even as Hezbollah and its supporters rejected the negotiations. Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has sharply criticised the Lebanese government's negotiations with Israel, which are set to enter a second ...

Israel Says Applying Diplomatic, Military Pressure to Disarm Hezbollah

This is Beirut 21/04 11:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Lebanon Middle East USA

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that his country's campaign in Lebanon relied on both military and diplomatic pressure to disarm Iran-allied Hezbollah. "The overarching goal of the campaign in Lebanon is to disarm Hezbollah and remove the threat to the northern communities (of Israel), through a combination of military and ...

IDF Delivers Aid to Christian Border Towns in South Lebanon

Ralph Atrach 21/04 13:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon USA Hezbollah Israel Lebanese Forces

Humitarian supplies were deposited by the Israeli Army near several Christian southern Lebanese border towns on Saturday, including Rmeish, Ain Ebel, and Debel, in a cross-border arrangement organized to avoid direct contact with Lebanese citizens, local officials told This Is Beirut. Ayoub Khreish, mayor of Ain Ebel, a border town currently on ...

UN Maritime Agency Urges Help for Seafarers Stranded in Hormuz

This is Beirut 21/04 13:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Iran UN USIranWar Negotiations IMO

The head of the UN maritime agency appealed on Tuesday for help for thousands of seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz as the Middle East war paralyzes the vital shipping route. Around 20,000 seafarers and 2,000 ships have been stranded in the waterway since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 that triggered the war, according to the ...

When Aoun Meets Netanyahu

Hussain Abdul-Hussain 21/04 14:15 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Lebanese Army Palestine Lebanon Banks

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in the coming weeks, according to President Trump, who said he would invite both leaders. However, Aoun appears poised to follow a political path that will be rejected by Israel. Lebanon has vilified Israel for so long that a Lebanese ...

Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire While Maintaining Blockade

This is Beirut 21/04 23:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump Ceasefire Tehran United States

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would hold off on new strikes against Iran at the request of Pakistani officials, effectively extending the ceasefire as diplomatic efforts continue. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the United States agreed to delay further attacks on Iran following a request from Pakistan’s ...