This is Beirut

Syrian, Israeli Ministers Meet US Envoy in Paris: Senior Diplomat

This is Beirut, 25/07 08:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

The US special envoy for Syria said he held talks with Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris on Thursday on de-escalating sectarian violence in Syria. "I met this evening with the Syrians and Israelis in Paris. Our goal was dialogue and de-escalation, and we accomplished precisely that," said the envoy, Tom Barrack, on X. "All parties reiterated ...

U.S. Joins Israel in Withdrawing Negotiators from Gaza Talks

This is Beirut, 24/07 21:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Palestine Hamas USA Washington

The United States joined Israel on Thursday in pulling its negotiators from Gaza ceasefire talks, with special envoy Steve Witkoff blaming Hamas for failing to reach a deal and saying Washington would "consider alternative options". France meanwhile announced it would formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in ...

World's Top Court Paves Way for Climate Reparations

This is Beirut, 23/07 23:05 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

International Court of Justice United Nations USA climate

The world's highest court Wednesday declared that states are obliged under international law to tackle climate change and warned that failing to do so could open the door to reparations. In a historic statement, the International Court of Justice said climate change was an "urgent and existential threat" and countries had a legal duty to prevent ...

Trump Admin Unveils AI Strategy to Maintain US Dominance

This is Beirut, 23/07 19:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA White House AI

The Trump administration on Wednesday unveiled an aggressive, low-regulation strategy boosting big tech's race to stay ahead of China on artificial intelligence and cement the United States' dominance in the fast-expanding field. The 25-page "America's AI Action Plan" outlines three aims: accelerating innovation, building infrastructure, and ...

Iran Says Confronted US Destroyer in Gulf of Oman

This is Beirut, 23/07 17:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Israel Tehran United States Destroyer

Iranian forces confronted a US destroyer in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday, warning it to stay out of waters claimed by Tehran, state television reported. The latest reported confrontation between the two rivals comes a month after the United States struck the Islamic republic on June 22, hitting key Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day war with ...

Barrack Urges Cabinet Action on Weapons Control

This is Beirut, 23/07 11:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump Bechara Rai USA Tom Barrack lebanon Nabih Berry

US Middle East envoy Tom Barrack called for continued dialogue and responsibility from Lebanon's leaders following a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai on Wednesday. Barrack on Wednesday reaffirmed Washington’s call for the exclusive control of arms by the Lebanese state, emphasizing that this principle is rooted in law and must be ...

US Envoy to Discuss Finalizing Gaza Aid 'Corridor': State Dept

This is Beirut, 22/07 22:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Palestine USA Donald Trump Israel Middle East Steve Witkoff

The United States said Tuesday that it was sending an envoy to the Middle East for talks that aim to finalize a "corridor" for aid to war-ravaged Gaza, where authorities said people are dying of starvation. Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's globe-trotting negotiator, is traveling to the region for new talks, State Department spokeswoman ...

Top Palestinian Official Meets US Ambassador to Israel in Ramallah

This is Beirut, 22/07 21:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Donald Trump PLO Hussein al-Sheikh USA

Hussein al-Sheikh, vice president of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), on Tuesday said he met the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, in the occupied West Bank. Sheikh, a close aide to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and seen as a potential successor, said the meeting took place in his office. The meeting was Huckabee's first ...

Adolfo 'Fito' Macias: Ecuador’s Most Feared Drug Lord

Lyne Sammouri, 22/07 19:05 - Reading : less than a minute

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He ruled from behind bars, escaped without a trace, and turned Ecuador into a cocaine corridor. Now, “Fito” faces justice in the US. From taxi driver to narco kingpin, what’s the story behind Ecuador’s most feared criminal?

Coca-Cola Plans US Cane Sugar Alternative After Trump Push

This is Beirut, 22/07 17:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA Coca Cola Cane sugar

Coca-Cola on Tuesday said it would release a version of Coke in the United States made with US-grown real cane sugar, a move requested by President Donald Trump. "We're going to be bringing a Coke sweetened with US cane sugar into the market this fall, and I think that will be an enduring option for consumers," said CEO James Quincey on a call ...

US Announces Leaving UN Cultural Body UNESCO

This is Beirut, 22/07 16:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United Nations United States USA UNESCO

The United States on Tuesday announced it has left UNESCO, saying the UN cultural and education agency, best known for establishing world heritage sites, is biased against Israel and promotes "divisive" causes. "Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States," the State Department ...

A Month After Ceasefire with Israel, Iranians Fear Another War

This is Beirut, 22/07 09:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Ceasefire USA Tehran United States

The ceasefire that ended Iran's 12-day war with Israel has held for nearly a month without incident, but many Iranians remain uneasy, struggling with uncertainty as fears of another confrontation linger. "I don't think this ceasefire will last," said Peyman, a 57-year-old resident of Shiraz in Iran's south, one of numerous cities hit last month ...

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