Pressure Builds in Serbia for Jokic to Deliver at Olympics

2024-07-22 11:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

After winning three MVP titles and one NBA championship, Nikola Jokic stands on the threshold of securing eternal glory in Serbia if he can bring home an Olympic gold medal to the basketball-mad country. Jokic's return to international competition comes a year after he skipped the Basketball World Cup in the Philippines, where Serbia finished ...

Harris's Contenders Fall in Line Following Biden's Drop

This Is Beirut 2024-07-22 14:26 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Endorsements poured in swiftly Sunday for Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee following Joe Biden's extraordinary announcement that he would step down from the race. Throwing support behind the current US vice president were a variety of party heavyweights as well as numerous governors and other officials previously ...

Iran Claims U.S. Seeking to ‘Start a New Round of War’ and Threatens ‘Forceful Response’ 

This is Beirut 20/05 17:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Iran USA Hormuz Israel Trump CENTCOM IRGC

Iran accused the United States on Wednesday of seeking to reignite the regional war, after President Donald Trump renewed threats of military action against Tehran while Washington continues tightening its naval blockade around Iranian shipping routes. The escalation came as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had forced 90 commercial ...

Lebanon Awards Contract to Reopen Qlayaat’s René Mouawad Airport

This is Beirut 19/05 20:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon

Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny announced the opening of bids for the public tender to operate and invest in René Mouawad Airport in a move aimed at reviving Lebanon’s second civilian airport after years of stagnation. The contract was awarded to Sky Lounge Services following a tender process conducted under the ...

Hezbollah’s War Role Challenged as Ministers Cite Legal, Constitutional Violations

This is Beirut 10/04 12:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Nations Lebanon Hezbollah International Criminal Court Lebanese Army

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, along with Ministers Joseph Saddy, Joe Issa El Khoury, and Kamal Shehadeh submitted a legal memorandum to the Council of Ministers of Lebanon, signed on Wednesday ahead of the Cabinet meeting, calling for immediate action to restore state authority and hold accountable those responsible for involving the ...

Al-Akhbar Journalist Killed in Airstrike in Southern Lebanon

This is Beirut 23/04 01:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon South Lebanon Amal Hezbollah Israel

A Lebanese journalist working for the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Akhbar News was killed in an Israeli airstrike and another was wounded on Wednesday while they were working near the border with Israel, according to their employer and rescuers. The civil defence agency's press office said rescuers were "able to recover the body of martyred journalist ...

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 ...

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.

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 ...

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 ...

Hezbollah MP Says Group Will Break Israel's 'Yellow Line' in South Lebanon

This is Beirut 20/04 19:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanon Israel Ceasefire United States

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said Monday that his group would work to break the "Yellow Line" that Israel established in southern Lebanon, adding that no one could disarm the Iran-backed group. Still, he also maintained that his group wanted to see the current ceasefire last, even as he slammed Lebanese efforts to engage Israel ...

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 ...

NATO 'Will Always Defend' Turkey: Chief Says

This is Beirut 22/04 12:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Turkey NATO Iran war

NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Wednesday the alliance would do "what's necessary to defend" its members, including Turkey, after intercepting four missiles fired from Iran and heading into Turkish airspace over the past weeks. A member of the U.S.-led defense alliance, Turkey, which borders Iran, has been largely spared the sort of retaliation ...

U.S. Reportedly Blocked $500m Cash Shipment to Iraq Over Pro-Iran Attacks

This is Beirut 22/04 12:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

USA US Treasury Banks Middle East Iran

The United States blocked a plane carrying nearly $500 million in banknotes from delivering the cash to Iraq, US media reported on Tuesday, piling pressure on Baghdad to fight Iran-backed militant groups. The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has suspended cash shipments to Iraq and frozen funding for security programs following ...

Iran Says Seized Two Ships Seeking to Cross Strait of Hormuz

This is Beirut 22/04 14:55 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA Lebanon Gulf Hezbollah

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday their naval forces had seized two container ships seeking to cross the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump announcing he was extending a ceasefire to allow more time for peace talks. UK-based maritime security monitors confirmed that three commercial vessels had reported ...

Iran Says Won't Reopen Hormuz as Long as U.S. Blockade Remains

This is Beirut 23/04 08:05 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Donald Trump Emmanuel Macron Lebanon Amal Gulf

Iran's vow not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz -- so long as a U.S. naval blockade remained in place -- was held into Thursday despite a ceasefire extension, as the Gulf nation announced the seizure of two ships trying to cross the strategic waterway. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said late Wednesday that it had also "directed 31 vessels ...

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 ...

Lebanese PM: Israeli Pullout Key to Peace Agreement

This is Beirut 23/04 15:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Israel Washington

Hours before a second meeting between Israeli and Lebanese Ambassadors is scheduled to take place in Washington, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that “the state's monopoly on weapons is in Lebanon's interest, regardless of Israeli demands.” Speaking to the Washington Post, the Prime Minister said Lebanon ...

Berri Navigates Lebanon’s Ceasefire Opening

Samar El-Kadi 23/04 21:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Ceasefire Amal Donald Trump Ain el-Tineh

A fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire has opened a narrow political window for Lebanon, with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s stance on the talks evolving amid diplomatic contacts with Saudi Arabia. The latest came in a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud hours before a second round of talks with Israel on ...

White House Hosts Second Round of Direct Lebanon-Israel Talks

This is Beirut 24/04 02:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel White House Donald Trump Hezbollah

On Thursday afternoon, Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened with Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter in the second round of talks in the first series of direct Lebanon-Israel dialogue since 1993. The talks were planned to take place at the State Department, but prior to the ...

U.S. Offers $10 Million Reward for Leader of Iraqi Armed Group

This is Beirut 24/04 09:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Hezbollah Israel Middle East Tehran

The US State Department is offering up to $10 million for information on the leader of the Tehran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), which Washington designates as a terrorist organization. US officials said in a social media post Thursday they were seeking information on KSS leader Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, also known ...

U.S. Weighs New Military Plan in Strait of Hormuz

This is Beirut 24/04 10:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gulf Tehran United States USA Washington

Senior U.S. military officials are developing new operational plans targeting Iran’s strategic capabilities in and around the Strait of Hormuz, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CNN. The proposed options focus on a more aggressive and geographically concentrated military approach, particularly emphasizing ...

Kuwait Says Drones Coming From Iraq Target Border Posts

This is Beirut 24/04 13:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Kuwait Gulf Israel Middle East United States

The Kuwaiti military said on Friday that two drones coming from the direction of neighboring Iraq struck border posts on its northern frontier with the country, causing damage but no casualties. "This morning, two of Kuwait's northern land border posts were targeted in a criminal act of aggression involving two explosive-laden drones ...

Six Decades Without the State: Southern Lebanon’s Long Shadow of Militias

Marwan El-Amine 24/04 16:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon South Lebanon Amal Hassan Nasrallah Hezbollah

For nearly 60 years, the Shia of southern Lebanon have known only the rule of militias. This reality dates to 1969, when the Lebanese state ceded part of its sovereignty to Palestinian armed groups, allowing them to launch attacks against Israel. Since then, the region has fallen under a succession of armed actors, culminating in the firm ...

Will Lebanon Repeal Its Law Criminalizing Contact With Israel?

Kaline Antoun 24/04 20:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Donald Trump Washington White House

As Lebanese and Israeli officials conclude their second round of U.S.-brokered talks in Washington, a contradiction is becoming harder for Beirut to ignore. The state is now negotiating with Israel, while its citizens can still face prosecution for far less. Following Thursday’s meeting between Lebanese and Israeli envoys at the White House, ...

Gulf States in Limbo as US-Iran Crisis Drags On

This is Beirut 24/04 21:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Gulf USA Bahrain Donald Trump International Monetary Fund

After weathering unprecedented attacks from Iran, the wealthy Gulf states are now stuck between war and peace as talks stall and the vital Strait of Hormuz remains all but closed—threatening economic recovery. Iran has hit Gulf energy exports with its Strait of Hormuz blockade, while its attacks have caused damage to energy infrastructure ...

New Strikes Reported in Lebanon After 6 Killed in South of Country

This is Beirut 26/04 07:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Israel

Lebanese state media reported a series of new Israeli strikes in the country's south on Saturday night, after attacks earlier in the day killed six people despite a recently extended ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah The new attacks followed orders from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the military to "forcefully ...

Russia Tells Iran Will Do 'Everything' to Restore Peace in Middle East

This is Beirut 27/04 17:10 - Reading : less than a minute

Middle East United States Vladimir Putin Washington

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia would do “everything” to help restore peace in the Middle East, during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Saint Petersburg. “For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, and the interests of all the peoples of the region, so that peace can ...