Iran Fires 'Warning Shots' as U.S. Navy Says Its Ships Entered Gulf Via Hormuz

This is Beirut 04/05 17:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Gulf Donald Trump Middle East Tehran United Arab Emirates USIranWar

Iran's navy fired 'warning shots' at U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, state media said, after the American military sent cruisers into the Gulf as part of a plan to help trapped commercial vessels leave. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had announced a plan to guide ships from neutral countries out of the Gulf, saying it was a ...

Seoul Reports 'Explosion and Fire' on S. Korean Ship in Hormuz Strait

This is Beirut 04/05 17:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hormuz Iran SouthKorea USA Trump USIranWar

Seoul said on Monday that an "explosion and fire" had struck a South Korean ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial Middle Eastern waterway effectively blocked following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The foreign ministry said that, at around 8:40 pm in Seoul (11:40 GMT), "an explosion and fire occurred on a vessel operated by a South Korean ...

Iran Strikes UAE in First Breach of Ceasefire

This is Beirut 04/05 20:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

UAE Iran Gulf USA USIranWar Ceasefire

The United Arab Emirates confirmed on Monday that its air defense systems intercepted missiles and drones launched from Iran, marking the first direct attack on the country since the ceasefire took effect on April 8, according to official Emirati statements. The UAE Ministry of Defense announced that four cruise missiles were detected heading ...

U.S. Downs Iran Missiles and Drones, Destroys Six of Tehran's Boats

This is Beirut 04/05 22:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The United States shot down multiple Iranian missiles and drones fired at U.S. Navy and commercial vessels and destroyed six of Tehran's small boats, a top U.S. admiral said on Monday. The hostilities occurred as American forces sought to facilitate the transit of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in an effort dubbed "Project ...

U.S.-Iran Ceasefire on Brink as UAE Reports Attacks

This is Beirut 05/05 04:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

United Arab Emirates Ceasefire United States Iran

A ceasefire between Iran and the United States was teetering Monday as the two countries traded fire over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the United Arab Emirates reported attacks for the first time since the truce was declared nearly a month ago. A day after President Donald Trump announced an operation to escort trapped vessels through the ...

South Korea to Review Joining U.S. Hormuz Operation

This is Beirut 05/05 09:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Trump Seoul USA Iran Hormuz USIranWar

South Korea said Tuesday it will "review its position" on joining U.S. operations in the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump urged Seoul to take part following an apparent Iranian attack on one of its ships. An explosion and fire were reported on a South Korean cargo vessel on Monday in the key waterway, which has been effectively ...

Trump Says Pausing Hormuz Operation in Push for Iran Deal

This is Beirut 06/05 09:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump US Secretary of State Gulf Israel Middle East

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was halting the US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day, in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war. Trump's so-called "Project Freedom" to help vessels leave the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint to the Gulf where Iran has seized control ...

Hezbollah Radwan Commander Killed Amid Widening Israeli Military Operations

This is Beirut 07/05 15:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Israel

The Israeli military said on Thursday that it has significantly expanded operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire began on April 16, claiming it has killed more than 220 operatives and commanders during ongoing strikes and ground activity in the area. According to the Israeli army, the campaign targets individuals and ...

Lebanon Says at Least Two Killed in Israel Strikes on South

This is Beirut 09/05 14:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Israel

Lebanon said at least one person was killed in Israeli strikes on the country's south on Saturday despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah, after Israel's army issued an evacuation warning to several villages. Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah have traded fire daily, mostly in southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement in effect since ...

Saudi Arabia’s Shadow Over Lebanon's Path to Peace

Ralph Atrach 25/05 08:55 - Reading : 8 minute(s)

Lebanon Saudi Arabia Nawaf Salam Lebanese Army Banque du Liban

As Lebanon prepares for new rounds of security and political talks with Israel in Washington in the coming two weeks, Saudi Arabia’s position on peace with Jerusalem looms over decision makers in Beirut. In a May 10 interview with Al-Arabiya, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that Lebanon is open to peace with Israel within the framework ...

Iran Warns Deal With U.S. Not Yet Close, Despite Some Progress

This is Beirut 25/05 13:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu US Secretary of State Bahrain

Iran warned Monday that, while some progress had been made, it was not yet close to striking a deal with the United States to end the Middle East war, after a weekend of mixed messages from Washington and Tehran. World oil prices tumbled on renewed optimism about an agreement, after top US diplomat Marco Rubio suggested a deal could be reached ...

Iran Executes Man Over Membership of Jihadist Group, Armed Rebellion

This is Beirut 26/04 13:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel United States US Supreme Court

Iran on Sunday executed a man convicted of membership in the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl and involvement in attacks on security forces in the southeast, the judiciary said. Amer Ramesh was arrested during a counterterrorism operation in the Pirsahrab area of Chabahar county in Sistan-Baluchestan province, the judiciary's Mizan Online ...

Paris Olympics Preparations Move Up a Gear

This Is Beirut 2024-07-21 15:53 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Preparations for the Paris Olympics went up a gear on Saturday as security teams scoured the banks of the Seine ahead of Friday's opening ceremony and top International Olympic Committee officials met in the French capital. Police with sniffer dogs were seen checking the six-kilometer (four-mile) route along the Seine for the ceremony in which up ...

French Legislative Elections: Where Do We Go Now?

Malo Pinatel 2024-07-10 19:15 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

The day after the second round of the French legislative elections, which defied expectations, the question of forming the next government remains on everyone's lips. Indeed, no bloc seems capable of reaching an absolute majority to govern effectively. While the left-wing alliance around the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) came out on top with 193 ...

Krejcikova in Wimbledon Spotlight at Last with Final Clash Against Paolini

2024-07-13 13:18 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Barbora Krejcikova is relishing her moment in the Wimbledon spotlight as she prepares for Saturday's final against Jasmine Paolini, just a year after complaining that she was not regarded as one of the sport's top stars. Krejcikova felt overshadowed by the likes of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina when she voiced her concerns ...

Alcaraz Dominates Djokovic to Retain Wimbledon Crown

This Is Beirut 2024-07-14 20:09 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Carlos Alcaraz overpowered seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets to retain his Wimbledon title on Sunday in a brutal statement that the new era of men's tennis has arrived. The Spanish third seed produced a performance combining awesome power with delicate touch to win 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4), collecting the fourth Grand Slam of his ...

Spain Wing Wizards Williams and Yamal Inspire Euro-2024 Triumph

This Is Beirut 2024-07-15 09:46 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Mikel Oyarzabal struck Spain's Euro 2024 final winner against England on Sunday, but La Roja's triumph was inspired from start to finish by explosive wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. The youngsters have been key on their side's run to the final in Berlin and combined to send Spain ahead against England, a moment that felt fitting given ...

When the Lebanese State Embraces Mendicancy

Maurice Matta 2024-07-15 17:35 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

On Thursday morning, caretaker Minister of Energy and Water Walid Fayad announced that he received a call from the Director General of SOMO, the Iraqi Oil Ministry's company, informing him that the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammad al-Sudani, had permitted to load a fuel ship in solidarity with Lebanon and its people, allowing for the unloading of ...

The Secret Service: From Anti-Fraud Enforcement to VIP Protection

Malo Pinatel 2024-07-15 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump

The image went viral worldwide: Trump, fist raised beneath the star-spangled banner, escorted by his security detail. Men in dark suits and sunglasses, representing an agency whose enigmatic name might mislead many about its true mission: The United States Secret Service (USSS). It is one of the oldest federal agencies in charge of law ...

Southgate Quits as England Manager

This Is Beirut 2024-07-16 19:13 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gareth Southgate said on Tuesday he was resigning as England manager, two days after they lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. “It's time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday's final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager,” Southgate said in a statement. Names immediately bandied around as 53-year-old Southgate's ...

James Blunt's Triumphant Return at Nimes Festival Concert

2024-07-17 17:26 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

British singer-songwriter James Blunt returns to the stage on July 16, performing at the Nimes Festival in southern France, debuting his latest album Who We Used To Be. British singer and songwriter James Blunt recently performed at the Nimes Festival, held at the Nimes Arena in southern France. This highly anticipated concert marked Blunt’s ...

China Pledges Tax Reforms to Ease Local Government Debt

This Is Beirut 2024-07-19 10:23 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Chinese officials pledged on Friday to help ease debt pressure on local governments through reforms to the tax system, after a key political gathering in the capital focused on jumpstarting the faltering economy. All eyes were on how this week's Third Plenum of the Communist Party in Beijing, attended by President Xi Jinping, might tackle the ...

Bruce Springsteen: From Working Class to Billionaire

Béatrice Moreau 2024-07-20 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Bruce Springsteen joins the club of billionaire musicians. The “Boss” has built his fortune on decades of success, combining album sales, tours, and the sale of musical rights. Bruce Springsteen, an icon of American rock, has just reached a new milestone in his already legendary career. According to estimates by Forbes magazine, the ...

A Royal Collection of Olympic Flames Exhibition in Monaco

2024-07-21 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Monaco’s “The Olympic Flame Through Time” exhibition showcases 40 Olympic torches from Prince Albert II’s collection, spanning Berlin 1936 to Paris 2024. The spirit of the Olympics through this unique display takes place at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco from July 18 to August 18, 2024. In the shimmering heart of Monaco, the spirit of the ...

Nadal Defeated in First Tour Final in Two Years

This Is Beirut 2024-07-21 22:47 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Rafael Nadal lost his first final in two years on Sunday, as the Spaniard went down 6-3, 6-2 to Portugal's Nuno Borges at the clay-court Bastad Open. The Spanish tennis great had shown signs of a return to form in Scandinavia as he made an impressive run to the final, just one week before tennis at the Olympic Games gets underway on the clay in ...

Argentina Sees off Canada to Reach Copa America Final

This Is Beirut 2024-07-10 13:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lionel Messi was on target as world champions Argentina turned on the style to beat Canada 2-0 on Tuesday and reach the Copa America final, where they will look for a third straight major title. The defending Copa champions will face the winners of Wednesday's semi-final between Uruguay and Colombia in what will be a highly anticipated final in ...

Khalaf: Return of Bank Credit Is Essential for Economic Recovery

This Is Beirut 2024-07-22 17:59 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

ABL

Secretary General of the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) Fadi Khalaf said, in the preamble of the association's monthly report titled “The return of loans will contribute to the recovery of deposits,” that restoring the banking sector's normal role, particularly in the field of credit, is essential to getting the Lebanese economy moving ...

About 2,500 Arrests in Bangladesh Following Protests

This Is Beirut 2024-07-23 12:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

The number of arrests in days of violence in Bangladesh passed the 2,500 mark in an AFP tally on Tuesday, after protests over employment quotas sparked widespread unrest. At least 174 people have died, including several police officers, according to a separate AFP count of victims reported by police and hospitals. What began as demonstrations ...

Commodities: Your Alternative to the Stock Market

Mario Chartouni 2024-07-23 16:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Financial jargon is filled with terms borrowed from English that can seem complex at first glance. One such term is “commodities,” which refers to raw materials (RMs) traded as financial instruments on the stock market. Alternatively, if you have ample storage space, it can also mean physical goods. The aim here is to closely examine this type ...

Fitch: Lebanon's Rating Maintained at 'RD'

This Is Beirut 2024-07-24 13:18 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

The credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has maintained Lebanon's rating at “restricted default” (RD) on its long-term foreign currency public debt, as a result of the default on the Eurobonds due March 9, 2020. On Tuesday, the American International Financial Rating Agency maintained Lebanon's rating at RD, indicating Lebanon’s ongoing ...