Europe

France Welcomes Russian Soldiers Deserting in Ukraine

This is Beirut, 21/10 10:05 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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Six Russian soldiers who fled the fighting in Ukraine have found refuge in France and hope to receive asylum, in a landmark case of Russian deserters being welcomed in an EU country as a group. The deserters, all of whom had reached France via Kazakhstan, told AFP in a series of interviews they hoped their actions would encourage other Russian ...

Moldova's EU Membership Vote is Too Close to Call

This is Beirut, 21/10 09:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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A referendum on Moldova joining the EU was too close to call early Monday with almost all votes counted, as pro-EU President Maia Sandu blamed "criminal groups working together with foreign forces" -- a veiled reference to Russia -- for the outcome. The close vote is a setback for Sandu, who managed to top the first round of ...

Oil-Rich Iraqi Kurdistan Votes, Shadowed by Economic Struggles

This is Beirut, 20/10 17:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region voted on Sunday to elect a new parliament for the oil-rich region, where voters express concern over economic struggles and disenchantment with the political elite. Iraqi Kurdistan presents itself as a relative oasis of stability in the turbulent Middle East, attracting foreign investors due to its close ...

Moldova Votes on EU Future Amid Fears of Russian Meddling

This is Beirut, 20/10 17:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Moldovans voted on Sunday in a presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union, with fears of Russian meddling amid the war in neighbouring Ukraine. The elections are a test of the former Soviet republic's pro-European turn under incumbent President Maia Sandu, who is seeking a second term. Police made hundreds of arrests ...

Scholz, Erdogan Progress on Defence Talks but Clash on Middle East

This is Beirut, 19/10 19:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked Germany's Olaf Scholz for his help in advancing a defence contract following talks in Istanbul on Saturday, although the pair remained starkly at odds over the Middle East crisis. The German chancellor arrived on Friday night for his first visit since March 2022 with tensions in the Middle East high on the ...

Israeli-Iranian Conflict: The Strait of Hormuz as a Pressure Tactic

Liliane Mokbel, 17/10 10:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iran may have to resort to a strategic tool: control of the Strait of Hormuz. According to several analyses, this tactic could be as devastating as a nuclear weapon. However, unlike a nuclear weapon, whose use would bring catastrophic consequences for Iran itself, the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz serves as a form of "asymmetric ...

Contributing Countries React to Incidents Targeting UNIFIL

This is Beirut, 11/10 18:27 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Europe United Nations

Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin denounced  on Friday “the alleged attack by Israeli forces which left two UN peacekeepers wounded” and charged that Israel was becoming “increasingly hostile to UN troops.” In parallel, Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris, had expressed his “deep concern” at the reports but Martin went further ...

Russia Rules Out Azerbaijani Gas Transit to Europe via Ukraine as Key Deal Expires

This is Beirut, 09/10 22:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Moscow has been supplying gas to Europe through Ukrainian pipeline infrastructure under a 2019 deal that has generated income for both sides. However, Kyiv has stated that it will not renew the agreement when it expires at the end of 2024. When asked whether Azerbaijani gas could replace Russian gas once the deal ends, the Russian Deputy Prime ...

Angélique Kidjo: 40 Years of Music, African Roots and Activism

This Is Beirut, 06/10 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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All music “has its roots” in Africa, says Angélique Kidjo. “In this world, you have a place everywhere.” Driven by this family mantra, star singer Angélique Kidjo celebrates 40 years of a career during which she has transcended trends while celebrating African heritage, the "cradle" of all music.  Whether revisiting Ravel’s Bolero, ...

The Silk and the Governorate (1/2)

06/10 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Europe

In the early 17th century, Prince Fakhreddin II, intent on consolidating the autonomy of his territory, needed to establish a stable economy. His goal was to foster trade with Europe through export-oriented production. To this end, he revived a long-standing Lebanese agro-industry from the 7th century: sericulture. He planted mulberry trees, built ...

Pope Francis Begins Trip to 'The Heart of Europe'

This Is Beirut, 26/09 12:32 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Europe

Pope Francis is to pay a rare visit to Luxembourg before heading to Brussels, a trip to "the heart of Europe" that he will use to discuss the continent's role in the world. Recovering from a mild flu after a grueling Asia-Pacific trip, the 87-year-old pontiff took off from Rome aboard the papal plane and was due to land at Luxembourg Airport at ...

Meanwhile in Ukraine...

Marc Saikali, 05/09 08:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Europe Ukraine

This war is going to end badly. It stands as the worst bloodbath in Europe since World War II—a senseless, pointless conflict. Here, two similar peoples, Slavic and mostly Orthodox, are engaged in mutual destruction with chilling indifference. Both Ukraine and Russia were already facing demographic crises before the conflict began. Since ...

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