USA

Christmas in South Lebanon: Villages Orphaned of Their Youth

In the villages of South Lebanon, Christmas flickers like a fragile flame. Despite the ever-present fear and palpable tension, church bells toll and evening gatherings are held. In Alma al-Shaab, Yaroun, Deir Mimas, Khiam, and Marjayoun, garlands and nativity scenes timidly pierce the deserted streets. Once alive with laughter and reunion, these ...

Syria Welcomes Lifting of US Sanctions

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday welcomed the permanent lifting by the United States of the so-called Caesar sanctions, paving the way for the return of investments to the war-ravaged nation. The US Congress on Wednesday permanently ended the sanctions imposed on Syria under Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December last year. The ...

Scathing Message by “Shiite Depositor” Targets Yassine Jaber

The page “Lebanon Pulse” published on its X account a message purportedly from a “Shiite depositor”, addressed to Finance Minister Yassine Jaber. In the message, the author accuses the minister of having, in the past, incited members of the Shiite community in front of the US ambassador and called for their bombardment and removal of ...

US Congress Ends Syria Sanctions

The US Congress on Wednesday permanently ended sanctions imposed on Syria under ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, paving the way for the return of investment to the war-ravaged nation. President Donald Trump had already twice suspended the implementation of sanctions in response to pleas from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, allies of the new government ...

Director Rob Reiner and Wife Found Dead at Los Angeles Residence

American director Rob Reiner and his wife were found dead at their Southern California mansion, US media reported on Sunday, as the Los Angeles mayor said she was "heartbroken" by their loss. Two people were found dead at the home of "When Harry Met Sally" and "Princess Bride" director Reiner, local broadcaster NBCLA and other media outlets ...

Trump: Nations Ready to Act on Hezbollah

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that “some countries want to intervene and deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon” during informal remarks at the White House. “You are not obliged to do it. You might have to do it later, but we have countries ready to step in and fully manage this issue,” he added.  According to U.S. sources cited by ...

French Indie Title 'Clair Obscur' Dominates Game Awards

French indie title "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" dominated the annual Game Awards in Los Angeles, winning a record of nine categories, including best video game of the year. "What a weird timeline for us," Guillaume Broche of video game studio Sandfall Interactive quipped, thanking his team as he accepted the top award. "And also I want to ...

US House Votes to Repeal Caesar Act Sanctions on Syria

The US House of Representatives has voted to repeal the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, a landmark sanctions regime imposed in 2019 on officials of former president Bashar al-Assad’s government for war crimes and human rights abuses. The repeal measure was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, ...

Israel’s Power Vacuum Dilemma

On December 2 Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israel Defense Forces soldiers wounded in recent fighting in southern Syria. Their injuries followed a November 26 IDF raid on the village of Beit Jinn in southern Syria, an operation that left several Syrians dead and wounded a number of Israeli soldiers. Netanyahu had a ...

US Ambassador: Israel Differentiates Between Lebanon Talks and Hezbollah Conflict

Israel makes a clear distinction between its negotiations with the Lebanese government and its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa said following a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday. The meeting was also attended by Edward Gabriel, chairman of the American Task Force for Lebanon ...

Israel, Qatar and US Hold Trilateral Meeting in New York

The United States, Israel, and Qatar held a trilateral meeting in New York Sunday, a senior White House official told AFP, months after Israeli jets conducted an airstrike in Doha, targeting Hamas leadership. The White House official confirmed that the meeting had taken place but did not provide any further details. Two sources told US news ...

“Hope:” The Last Lifeline

“Young people of Lebanon, grow strong like the cedars and let the world blossom with hope!” With these words, Pope Leon XIV concluded his address to the 15,000 Lebanese youths gathered around him on December 1 at the patriarchal siege in Bkerke. “Hope”, a word charged with meaning and symbolism, invites us to revisit both its spiritual ...