US Senator Accuses Hamas and Hezbollah of Rearming

This is Beirut 2025-12-21 16:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lindsey Graham Hamas Hezbollah Lebanon Israel United States

US Senator Lindsey Graham accused Hamas and Hezbollah of rearming during a visit to Israel on Sunday and charged that the Palestinian Islamist group was also consolidating power in Gaza. After two years of war between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian territory, a fragile ceasefire has held since October, despite both sides trading accusations ...

Louvre Closes Gallery Due to Structural Weakness

This is Beirut 2025-11-17 19:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

France The Louvre

The Louvre Museum said Monday that it was closing one of its galleries as a precaution after an audit revealed structural weaknesses in some of the beams in the building. The Campana Gallery, which houses nine rooms dedicated to ancient Greek ceramics, will be closed while investigations are conducted into "certain beams supporting the floors of ...

Washington's New Ambassador, Michel Issa, Lands in Lebanon... Who is He?

This is Beirut 2025-11-14 20:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Donald Trump Banks United States Michel Issa Ambassador

The new United States ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, landed in Beirut on Friday to begin a particularly delicate mission. His arrival comes at a time when Washington is seeking to redefine the scope of its engagement in a country caught in a deep institutional crisis, latent tensions in the south, and growing international pressure over ...

Saudi Prince, Eyeing Defence Pledge, to Meet Trump After Long US Absence

This is Beirut 2025-11-15 12:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA Bahrain Gulf Hamas Israel Saudi Arabia

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will press for security guarantees while US President Donald Trump will urge him to normalise ties with Israel when the de facto Saudi ruler breaks a seven-year absence from Washington this week. Saudi Arabia is unlikely to agree to normalisation at this stage, with Prince Mohammed's priority set for firmer US ...

US Museums Reopen as Tourists Celebrate Washington’s Cultural Revival

This is Beirut 2025-11-15 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Museum Culture Art US Washington

Nick Adams couldn't help but smile as he showed his son the planes hanging in Washington's Air and Space Museum, which reopened Friday after a month closed due to the US government shutdown. "We had been planning this trip for a little while and were nervous with everything shut down, but were excited to see everything open up again," said the ...

'Michael' Sparks Jackson Fever Ahead of Release

Bélinda Ibrahim 2025-11-15 19:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Michael Jackson Michael Biopic Movie Culture Music

At dawn on November 7, the numbers made headlines. Less than 24 hours after its release, the trailer for the biopic Michael had already racked up 116 million views worldwide. The figure is more than a digital milestone. It underscores Michael Jackson’s enduring presence in popular memory, fifteen years after his death, and places the King of Pop ...

Defense and Israel at the Heart of MBS’s Washington Visit

This is Beirut 2025-11-16 14:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel Washington Donald Trump Bahrain Saudi Arabia USA

The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), is expected in Washington on Tuesday November 18 for a meeting with United States President Donald Trump. The visit is seen as crucial for the US administration and is meant to revive and broaden the Abraham Accords while strengthening strategic and economic ties between Washington and ...

Lady Dior: The Legendary Bag Inspired by Lady Di

Bélinda Ibrahim 2025-11-16 19:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lady Dior Bag Lady Diana Fashion Iconic Culture

In September 1995, the destiny of an accessory was forever transformed during an official visit by Princess Diana to Paris. Invited to the Cézanne exhibition at the Grand Palais, the princess received a Dior bag from Bernadette Chirac, then France’s first lady. This understated object, still unnamed, was soon destined for legend, born from the ...

Iran Design Week Sparks Controversy After Viral Videos Surface

This is Beirut 2025-11-17 13:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Tehran Iran Women Censorship Culture Art

A cultural event in Iran dedicated to design has stirred controversy after viral videos—denounced as “vulgar”—showed women without headscarves, leading to a partial shutdown, a local media outlet reported Sunday. Tehran Design Week, held across roughly sixty venues, promotes itself as a must-see gathering for brands, artists, and design ...

France Makes 'Historic' Accord to Sell Ukraine 100 Warplanes

This is Beirut 2025-11-17 16:12 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Volodymyr Zelensky Ukraine Emmanuel Macron European Union

France's President Emmanuel Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday signed an accord for Kyiv to acquire up to 100 fighter jets and other hardware, including drones, in a boost for Ukraine as it fights Russia's invasion. Delivery of the Rafale fighter jets, the crown jewel of French combat aviation, is only ...

Saudi Crown Prince Departs for the United States

This is Beirut 2025-11-17 19:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Saudi Arabia United States Mohammed bin Salman Donald Trump

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman departed for the United States on Monday, the state news agency said, where the kingdom's de facto leader is likely to press for security guarantees and advanced weaponry. The visit marks the de facto leader's first visit to Washington since the 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi by ...

YouTube Star MrBeast Brings 'Beast Land' to Riyadh Season Festival

This is Beirut 2025-11-14 17:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

YouTuber Superstar MrBeast Entertainment Saudi Culture

MrBeast, the world's most followed YouTuber with over 450 million subscribers, opened a temporary amusement park in Riyadh on Thursday, the latest celebrity drawn to Saudi Arabia as it aspires to become a major entertainment hub. Eager for a chance to meet the social media star, families and teenagers gathered at "Beast Land," a venue featuring ...

Saudi Arabia-Lebanon: A Major Trade Thaw Begins

Liliane Mokbel 2025-11-17 20:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Saudi Arabia Bahrain Gulf Kuwait Trade

Signs of warning relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia are becoming increasingly evident. Many see it as long overdue for Lebanon to reclaim its place within its natural sphere: the Arab world. On Monday, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister, visited Beirut with a technical delegation. The visit aimed to explore ...

Trump Says US Will Sell F-35 Stealth Jets to Saudi Arabia

This is Beirut 2025-11-17 23:29 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Mohammed bin Salman Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump said Monday the United States would sell F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia, a day before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits the White House for talks. "We will be doing that. We will be selling F-35s," Trump told reporters when asked if Washington would agree to sell Riyadh the jets at Tuesday's ...

Football – Asia 2027: Brunei Ahead, Lebanon One Step Away From Qualification

Makram Haddad 2025-11-18 08:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Brunei Football Asian Qualifiers

On Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. (Beirut time), at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Lebanon visits Brunei for Matchday 5 of Group B in the third qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup. Sitting atop the group with 10 points, the Lebanese are targeting a fourth victory that would put qualification within reach — a draw against Yemen on March 31, ...

Red Carpet and Big Deals: Trump Welcomes MBS to Washington

This is Beirut 2025-11-18 09:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Gulf Israel Middle East Palestine MBS

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will receive a lavish welcome from US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, signing defense and nuclear deals during his first visit to the United States since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump is expected to roll out the red carpet for the prince with a fly-by, cannon fire, and a gala dinner ...

Sale of F-35s to Riyadh: A New Test for U.S. Alliances in the Middle East

Mario Chartouni 2025-11-18 14:45 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Middle East Donald Trump Israel Saudi Arabia Mohammed ben Salman US

On the eve of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, Donald Trump announced Monday his intention to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. “We are going to sell F-35s,” the president declared from the White House, praising ties with Riyadh and describing the kingdom as “a great ally.” The announcement ...

Papal Visit Funding: Where Does Lebanon Stand?

Natasha Metni Torbey 2025-11-18 16:10 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon The Vatican Papal visit Pope Leo XIV Bkerke Roger Zaccar

With less than two weeks to go before Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon at the end of the month, preparations have entered their final stage. Roger Zaccar, head of the visit’s financial committee, told This is Beirut that nearly 80% of the required funds have already been secured, with the remaining 20% are still needed to complete the ...

Washington Cancels General Rodolphe Haykal's Visit

This is Beirut 2025-11-18 17:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Washington Hezbollah Israel United States US Congress

Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal’s planned visit to the United States on Tuesday was cancelled at the last minute, after Washington notified Beirut that the program would not be maintained. The cancellation of the visit was reportedly due to the Lebanese army's statement regarding the Israeli army's shooting of two UNIFIL soldiers, in ...

Trump and MBS Seal Major Economic and Military Partnerships

This is Beirut 2025-11-18 18:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Gulf Israel Middle East Palestine

Donald Trump received Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on Tuesday with full protocol honors, marking his first visit to Washington since 2018. The U.S. president and the de facto leader of the Saudi kingdom made multiple announcements during a joint press conference, covering massive investments, the sale of advanced weaponry, and ...

Money Laundering: BDL Introduces Next-Generation KYC

Liliane Mokbel 2025-11-14 18:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Central Bank of Lebanon Lebanon Hezbollah US Treasury economy money laundering

On November 14, 2025, BDL issued Decision No. 13769, Circular No. 3, introducing a new “Know Your Customer” (KYC) form for all cash, foreign exchange, and money transfer transactions of $1,000 or more, and their equivalent. The measure applies to all non-banking financial institutions under BDL’s supervision, including financial companies, ...

Jeita Grotto: The Hidden Truth the State Refuses to See

Natasha Metni Torbey 2025-11-14 16:05 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Instead of properly closing a case that should never have existed, the report published on November 13 about the Jeita Grotto incident only deepens the concern, revealing a far more troubling reality. Institutional and scientific oversight is disturbingly lax. Procedures are improvised, responsibilities evaporate, decisions are made without a ...

Nuclear Partnership and F-35 Sale Cement Saudi Arabia’s New Non-NATO Ally Status

This is Beirut 2025-11-19 09:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Saudi Arabia Israel Middle East Mohammed bin Salman Donald Trump

The United States and Saudi Arabia announced a series of significant agreements spanning civil nuclear cooperation, advanced weapons sales, and strategic defense coordination during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s high-profile visit to the White House. The meetings marked the Saudi leader’s first official White House visit in more than ...

Thieves Steal Ancient Treasures From Syria’s National Museum

This is Beirut 2025-11-11 14:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Museum Art Theft Ancient Artifacts Heritage Syria Culture

Thieves made off with several ancient gold ingots from Syria's national museum in Damascus, a security source and another close to the institution's management said Tuesday. The museum was spared during Syria's destructive civil war that ran from 2011 to late last year and houses priceless artifacts dating back to antiquity. The robbery took ...

Washington Partially Suspends Caesar Act Sanctions

This is Beirut 2025-11-10 20:50 - Reading : less than a minute

United States Syria Treasury Caesar Act

The US Department of the Treasury announced the suspension of sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Act, coinciding with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s visit to the White House, where he was received by US President Donald Trump. In a statement, the Treasury specified that the suspension does not include transactions involving Russia ...

Hannibal Kadhafi Released After Decade in Prison

This is Beirut 2025-11-10 22:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Hannibal Kadhafi Moussa Sadr

Lebanon released Hannibal Kadhafi, the son of deposed Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, on bail on Monday after nearly a decade in prison, his lawyer told AFP. "We left; he is free," Laurent Bayon said, hours after Kadhafi's bail of $900,000 was paid. The younger Kadhafi, 49, was accused of withholding information about the 1978 ...

Syria Joins Alliance Against Islamic State After White House Talks

This is Beirut 2025-11-11 08:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Ahmad al-Sharaa Syria United States Donald Trump

Syria is joining the global coalition against the Islamic State group, a US official said Monday, hours after President Donald Trump welcomed his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa for historic White House talks. Sharaa, whose rebel forces ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad late last year, was the first Syrian leader to visit the White House ...

US to Remove Warnings from Menopause Hormone Therapy

This is Beirut 2025-11-11 09:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

United States USA Menopause

The United States will remove strong safety warnings on many hormone therapies used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, saying the risks have been exaggerated, authorities announced Monday. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) replaces estrogen that the female body stops producing during menopause with the aim of alleviating symptoms including hot ...

AI Agents Open Door to New Hacking Threats

This is Beirut 2025-11-11 09:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

AI Cybersecurity Hacker Language

Cybersecurity experts are warning that artificial intelligence agents, widely considered the next frontier in the generative AI revolution, could wind up getting hijacked and doing the dirty work for hackers. AI agents are programs that use artificial intelligence chatbots to do the work humans do online, like buy a plane ticket or add events to ...

'Western Tech Dominance Fading' at Lisbon's Web Summit

This is Beirut 2025-11-11 09:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Europe USA Web Summit France Lisbon China

Global tech leaders will pack Lisbon's annual Web Summit from Tuesday to talk Artificial Intelligence, robots, and startups -- all under the shadow of tensions over cutting-edge tech and the natural resources needed to build it. Over four days, the "Davos for geeks" is set to welcome over 70,000 visitors including 2,500 startups and ...