Trump Moves to Limit US Stays of Students, Journalists

This is Beirut 2025-08-28 11:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Education Media

President Donald Trump's administration moved Thursday to impose stricter limits on how long foreign students and journalists can stay in the United States, the latest bid to tighten legal immigration in the country. Under a proposed change, foreigners would not be allowed to stay for more than four years on student visas in the United ...

America’s Beirut Gamble: Barrack, Ortagus and Graham Push Lebanon Toward Peace

Salam El Zaatari 2025-08-28 11:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Ceasefire Damascus Gulf Hezbollah

When Tom Barrack, Morgan Ortagus and Senator Lindsey Graham touched down in Beirut, it was clear that the United States was no longer willing to watch Lebanon’s crisis unfold from the sidelines. Their visit was not ceremonial. It was an intervention, part carrot, part stick, designed to push Lebanon into one of the most consequential decisions ...

Hezbollah Escalates Rhetoric After Barrack’s Visit

This is Beirut 2025-08-27 20:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Hezbollah Joseph Aoun United States Nawaf Salam

Hezbollah raised its tone once again on Wednesday, a day after US envoys Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus’ visit to Beirut, during which international support for restoring Lebanese sovereignty over the entire national territory was reaffirmed. Hussein Khalil, political aide to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, renewed threats and leveled ...

Italy’s Sorrentino Embraces Doubt in Euthanasia Film at Venice

This is Beirut 2025-08-27 18:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Festival Film Venice Sorrentino Euthanasia Culture

Italian director Paolo Sorrentino hopes his latest film premiering Wednesday in Venice will bring attention to the controversial topic of euthanasia, while encouraging those in power to reject the need for certainty and embrace doubt. La Grazia, about an Italian president grappling with indecision over whether to sign a euthanasia bill into law, ...

Trump Urges Criminal Charges against George Soros and His Son

This is Beirut 2025-08-27 18:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump George Soros United States

US President Donald Trump called Wednesday for billionaire George Soros and his son to face criminal charges over unfounded claims that the family, a favorite target of the right, is behind "violent protests" around the country. Trump did not specify what had prompted his morning outburst, but it comes as his administration pursues ...

Leverkusen Sign Former Real Madrid Defender Vazquez

This is Beirut 2025-08-27 14:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Bayer Leverkusen Lucas Vazquez Real Madrid

Former Real Madrid right back Lucas Vazquez has joined Bayer Leverkusen until 2027, the German club announced on Tuesday. The five-time Champions League winner joins on a free transfer, having been a free agent since his Madrid contract expired in the summer. The 34-year-old completed a medical in Madrid and is in line to play in Leverkusen's ...

USJ Hosts Grand Dinner Celebrating 150 Years of Educational Commitment

This is Beirut 2025-08-27 10:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) marked its 150th anniversary on August 21 with a grand dinner titled "An Evening of Hope". The event took place on the Bakiche plateau and brought together more than 600 guests, including Lebanon’s First Lady Neemat Aoun, diplomats, government ministers, former officials, and long-standing friends of the ...

UNESCO Chief to Visit Beirut for Cultural and Urban Projects

This is Beirut 2025-09-01 14:05 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon Baalbeck Unesco Audrey Azoulay Beirut Tyre

UNESCO announced on Monday that Director-General Audrey Azoulay will visit Beirut on September 3 and 4 to review the organization’s work in Lebanon and unveil new initiatives for cultural and urban rehabilitation. Over the past five years, UNESCO has mobilized over $45 million, leading one of its largest urban recovery operations in the ...

Tunisian Brutalist Landmark Faces Wrecking Ball, Sparking Outcry

This is Beirut 2025-09-02 15:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Architecture Tunisia Libya Culture Heritage

Tunisia's brutalist landmarks the Hotel du Lac, a 1970s postcard icon said to have inspired a desert-roving vehicle in Star Wars, is being demolished, sparking calls from architects, historians and activists to save it. Built by Italian architect Raffaele Contigiani in central Tunis, the concrete-and-steel inverted pyramid opened in 1973 during a ...

Sinner, Swiatek Romp Through at US Open as Gauff Struggles

This is Beirut 2025-08-27 10:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

US Open Tennis Jannik Sinner Swiatek

World number one Jannik Sinner began his bid for back-to-back US Open titles with an emphatic victory on Tuesday as women's draw favorite Iga Swiatek swept into the second round. Italian star Sinner waltzed to a 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 win over Czech world number 89 Vit Kopriva, needing just 1hr 38min to advance to the next round. "It feels great to be ...

Car-Crash Season with Ferrari Weighing on Hamilton Ahead of Monza Homecoming

This is Beirut 2025-09-04 20:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Formula One Ferrari Lewis Hamilton F1

Lewis Hamilton is in the midst of a crisis of confidence and results that the Formula One icon has never known in his storied career as Ferrari's fans hope for a sharp turnaround at the Italian Grand Prix. Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton's arrival at Maranello made Ferrari's vociferous support dream of an end to an 18-year wait for a world title ...

Verstappen Puts Brakes on McLaren with Record-Breaking Italian GP Victory

This is Beirut 2025-09-07 19:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Formula One F1 Max Verstappen Ferrari Lando Norris

Max Verstappen slowed McLaren's Formula One dominance on Sunday with a phenomenal display of driving on his way to victory at the Italian Grand Prix, the fastest ever race in the sports history. Starting from pole, reigning world champion Verstappen completed a magical weekend at Monza which included the fastest lap ever in F1 in Saturday's ...

Pope Officially Declares Italian Teen Carlo Acutis a Saint

This is Beirut 2025-09-07 14:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Pope Leo XIV Carlo Acutis Vatican

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday officially proclaimed Italian teenager Carlo Acutis the Catholic Church's first millennial saint, to applause from thousands of faithful gathered at the Vatican. Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15, has been dubbed "God's Influencer" for his efforts to spread the Catholic faith online. Tens of thousands ...

Sabalenka Defeats Anisimova To Retain US Open Crown

This is Beirut 2025-09-07 09:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Aryna Sabalenka US Open

World number one Aryna Sabalenka overpowered Amanda Anisimova to defend her US Open crown on Saturday, defeating her American rival in straight sets to clinch the fourth Grand Slam title of her career. Sabalenka ruthlessly attacked Anisimova's shaky service game to complete a 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) victory on the Arthur Ashe Stadium which cements her ...

Jim Jarmusch Wins Venice Gold with 'Father Mother Sister Brother'

This is Beirut 2025-09-07 08:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Venice Film Festival Italy Cinema Culture Art Jim Jarmusch

At the end of a politically charged edition, the 82nd Venice Film Festival awarded its top prize on Saturday to Jim Jarmusch’s quiet, independent film about family, while giving a strong runner-up nod to The Voice of Hind Rajab by Kaouther Ben Hania. To the audience’s surprise, Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother took home the coveted ...

UK Police Arrest Hundreds in Latest Palestine Action Demo

This is Beirut 2025-09-07 04:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam United Kingdom Palestine Israël

More than 400 people were arrested in London on Saturday during a tense protest in support of the Palestine Action group, which has been banned under terror laws, police said. Several hundred people demonstrated in front of the UK parliament, with some holding placards that read: "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." The ...

Verstappen Pips McLaren Pair To Pole At Italian GP

This is Beirut 2025-09-06 19:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Formula One Max Verstappen Red Bull

Max Verstappen took pole position for the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday, the reigning Formula One champion giving himself a chance at Monza of slowing McLaren's domination. Dutchman Verstappen, who has won the last four world titles, will start in the front row alongside Lando Norris who was just ahead of his McLaren teammate and championship ...

Budget 2026: 1,051 Pages, Zero Tax Reform, Spending on the Rise

Liliane Mokbel 2025-09-06 11:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Central Bank of Lebanon

The 2026 draft budget spans 1,051 pages and 50 articles, yet still avoids any real tax reform. Distributed to ministers within the constitutional deadline, it relies almost entirely on indirect taxation, the most unfair burden for low- and middle-income households. In essence, it offers nothing new, repeating the same approach as the 2025 budget ...

Lebanon Must Dare to Choose Peace

Tylia El Helou 2025-09-06 09:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Hezbollah Donald Trump Peace

In Lebanon, the word “peace” has for too long been confiscated, reduced to an empty slogan or an untouchable taboo, synonymous with “treason.” Yet if our country is to survive, rebuild its economy, and restore hope to its citizens, it can no longer afford to remain trapped in a logic of perpetual war. Peace, including with Israel, must ...

Alcaraz Ousts Djokovic to Reach US Open Final

This is Beirut 2025-09-06 08:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA New York Tennis Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz overpowered Novak Djokovic in straight sets to book his place in the US Open final on Friday and set up a potential blockbuster showdown with defending champion Jannik Sinner. Spanish second seed Alcaraz produced a ruthlessly efficient display to end Djokovic's latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, winning 6-4, 7-6 ...

Sudan's RSF Commits 'Myriad Crimes Against Humanity': UN Probe

This is Beirut 2025-09-05 16:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

United Nations Sudan Conflict

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan has committed numerous crimes against humanity in Sudan's civil war, in particular in its siege of El-Fasher in western Darfur, UN investigators said Friday. The United Nations' fact-finding mission for Sudan also found evidence of war crimes by both sides in the conflict between the regular ...

Sabalenka Returns To US Open Final As Anisimova Sinks Osaka

This is Beirut 2025-09-05 15:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Amanda Anisimova Aryna Sabalenka US Open

Reigning champion and world number one Aryna Sabalenka will play Amanda Anisimova in the US Open final after the American ended the run of Japanese star Naomi Osaka on Thursday. Sabalenka overcame Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a re-run of last year's final and is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend the title in New York since ...

Council of Ministers: A Moment of Truth on Disarmament

Natasha Metni Torbey 2025-09-05 13:45 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Amal Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Disarmament Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers will meet today to examine the Lebanese Army’s plan for militia disarmament. Despite the uncertainty, three points are clear before the session: the meeting will take place, ministers from the Shia duo will attend, and the army’s plan will be formally submitted to the government. However, serious doubts remain that ...

August 4: Five Years and One Month of Mobilization Without Justice

This is Beirut 2025-09-04 20:20 - Reading : less than a minute

The families of the victims of the August 4 Beirut port explosion held their monthly sit-in this Thursday in front of the Statue of the Emigrant to demand justice. 

Mobile Plans: When ‘Better Deals’ End Up Costing More

Christiane Tager 2025-09-02 15:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon economy communication Internet Mobile phone Alfa Touch

For years, Lebanon has struggled with failing essential services and soaring costs. This also applies to the mobile phone sector. With “adjusted” plans and unreliable networks, subscribers oscillate between resignation and frustration, all while waiting for a clear signal, both figuratively and literally. Here’s an example of a revision and ...

Days After Quake, Afghan Survivors Still Await Aid

This is Beirut 2025-09-04 14:01 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United Nations Afghanistan Pakistan earthquake Survivors

Rescue teams struggled Wednesday to reach survivors days after a powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan left more than 1,400 people dead, as access to remote areas remained obstructed. A magnitude-6.0 shallow earthquake hit the mountainous region bordering Pakistan late Sunday, collapsing mud-brick homes on families as they slept. Fearful of ...

Sinner Powers into US Open Semis, Anisimova Gains Swiatek Revenge

This is Beirut 2025-09-04 11:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

New York USA Tennis ATP Jannik Sinner

Reigning champion Jannik Sinner marched into the US Open quarter-finals Wednesday as Amanda Anisimova avenged her Wimbledon thrashing by Iga Swiatek to set up a last-four clash with Naomi Osaka. World number one Sinner swept aside 10th seed Musetti 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the first all-Italian men's quarter-final in Grand Slam history. "It was a great ...

‘Downton Abbey’ Stars Tread Red Carpet for Finale

This is Beirut 2025-09-04 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Film TV Saga Downton Abbey Britain Culture

The stars of Downton Abbey walked the red carpet in London Wednesday for one last time as the hugely successful English country house saga finally comes to an end. Many of the original cast, including Hugh Bonneville, a pregnant Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan, turned out for the world premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale in ...

Rally of Lebanon 2025: Speed, Passion, and Thrills

Makram Haddad 2025-09-04 09:15 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Lebanon Joseph Aoun Middle East Saudi Arabia Rally

The countdown is on. From September 4 to 7, 2025, the 47th Rally of Lebanon will roar into action under the patronage of the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, and organized by the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL).   This edition, the fifth round and penultimate stage of the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), ...

Judge Overturns Trump Funding Cuts to Harvard

This is Beirut 2025-09-04 04:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

United States Harvard Justice Donald Trump

A US judge ordered the Trump administration on Wednesday to overturn deep funding cuts to Harvard University that froze more than $2 billion over allegations of antisemitism and bias at the Ivy League institution. The administration insisted its move was legally justified over Harvard's alleged failure to protect Jewish and Israeli students ...