This is Beirut

Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty of Sexual Assault

This is Beirut, 12/06 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

US Harvey Weinstein Court Sexual Assault Cinema Culture

Disgraced Hollywood titan Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of one sexual assault at his retrial Wednesday and not guilty of another, with jurors still considering a rape charge after hearing graphic testimony from his alleged victims. Weinstein was retried for offenses against two women, Jessica Mann whom he is alleged to have raped, and Miriam ...

LA Protests Turn Spotlight on California's Ambitious Governor

This is Beirut, 10/06 15:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Los Angeles Donald Trump Gavin Newsom US California violence migrants

Immigration protests in Los Angeles are proving a stern test of Gavin Newsom's leadership of California, but the unrest also hands the ambitious governor a unique opportunity, say analysts, as he weighs a presidential run in 2028. Rarely a shrinking violet, the 57-year-old chief executive of the country's largest and richest state has eagerly ...

Mullahs Inc.: Inside Iran’s Shadow Banking Network

Mario Chartouni, 10/06 11:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

United Arab Emirates US economy sanctions nuclear program Iran Hong Kong

With nuclear talks stalled, Washington has opened a new front in its standoff with Tehran: financial warfare. On Friday, the United States imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals and entities tied to a sprawling money-laundering network that covertly funnels funds to the Iranian regime. This clandestine financial system — a covert, ...

US Messages to Lebanon: Is the Government Listening?

Philippe Abi-Akl, 10/06 08:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanese Army Donald Trump Lebanon UN Resolution 1701 US

Sources familiar with the matter report that President Donald Trump is undertaking a sweeping reassessment of his administration’s inner circle ahead of the self-imposed June deadline for negotiations with Iran. The shake-up comes amid rising internal friction—particularly between Vice President JD Vance and Trump’s son, Donald Trump ...

Tenenti: No Discussions Have Taken Place Regarding UNIFIL’s Funding

This is Beirut, 09/06 16:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

UN Security Council Lebanese Army UNIFIL Israel US

UNIFIL spokesperson in Lebanon Andrea Tenenti said on Monday that no discussions have taken place regarding a reduction in international funding for UNIFIL’s mission in Lebanon, two months before the annual renewal of its mandate. “We are committed to ensuring security and stability in southern Lebanon, and we aim to hand over all our duties ...

Hitchcock’s Heroine Honored: Kim Novak Receives Lifetime Award in Venice

This is Beirut, 09/06 15:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Film Kim Novak Award Venice Festival US Culture

Hollywood actress Kim Novak, 92, best known for portraying the double life of Alfred Hitchcock's heroine in Vertigo, has been awarded Venice's lifetime achievement award, the film festival said on Monday. Despite a short-lived career, Novak became "a living legend, earning her rightful place in history, with the respect and esteem of the film ...

Khamenei Says US Nuclear Proposal Against National Interest

This is Beirut, 04/06 12:33 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Iran US Nuclear Diplomacy

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Wednesday a US proposal for a nuclear agreement was against the national interest, amid sharp differences over whether Tehran can continue to enrich uranium. The longtime foes have held five rounds of talks since April to thrash out a new accord to replace the deal with major powers that US ...

On the Brink of Nuclear Capability, Iran Challenges Red Lines

Mario Chartouni, 04/06 09:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Europe Israel Iran Nuclear IAEA US

Under growing international scrutiny, Iran is enriching uranium at levels unseen since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal. While Washington publicly hardens its rhetoric, more flexible proposals are reportedly being floated behind closed doors. Amid firm statements, covert negotiations and ongoing inspections, Iran’s nuclear program has ...

NATO Wrestles Over How to Handle Ukraine at Trump Summit

This is Beirut, 04/06 09:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

NATO Ukraine Russia US

How to have Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky at NATO's Hague summit and avoid a bust-up with US President Donald Trump? What to say on Kyiv's desire to join their alliance? With NATO appearing on track to seal a deal on ramping up defense spending, another thorny issue now threatens to overshadow the gathering in three weeks: what to do about ...

Austrian Daily Under Fire After Clint Eastwood Slams 'Phony' Interview

This is Beirut, 03/06 17:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Austria Clint Eastwood Film Media US Culture

An Austrian newspaper came under fire Tuesday after Hollywood star Clint Eastwood said an alleged interview with him published by the paper to mark his 95th birthday was "entirely phony". The row was sparked by a purported interview with the Oscar-winning actor and director carried by the German-language Kurier newspaper Friday. In the ...

Integration of 3,500 Uyghur Jihadists into Syrian Army Raises Questions

Natasha Metni Torbey, 03/06 14:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Syria US Uyghurs China Jihadists Syrian army

A major strategic shift is underway in Ahmad al-Chareh’s Syria. In a controversial move, the United States has approved the integration of approximately 3,500 former foreign jihadist fighters – mostly Uyghurs – into the 84th Division of the Syrian Army. While the decision is reportedly conditional on full transparency during the integration ...

Immersive Matrix Experience Aims To Bring Audiences Back

This is Beirut, 01/06 13:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Cinema Culture US Matrix Movie Art

Quasi-hypnotic lighting, surround sound, a dome-shaped screen: a new immersive experience in the United States is trying to lure audiences out of their living rooms and back into movie theaters, which have been struggling against the rise of streaming platforms. Cosm Theater in Los Angeles is one of the driving forces behind this trend and is ...

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