This is Beirut - United States

US Govt Shutdown Begins after Congress Fails to Reach Deal

This is Beirut, 01/10 10:21 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

The US government began shutting down Wednesday after lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to break a budget impasse during acrimonious talks that hinged on Democratic demands for health care funding. Republicans and Democrats immediately blamed each other for the deadlock that will impact hundreds of thousands of government workers and ...

Lebanon's Half Measures Lead to Growing US Skepticism

Amal Chmouny, 01/10 09:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Washington United States Israel Hezbollah

As Lebanese leaders continue to implement half measures that fail to address pressing issues decisively, voices in Washington are increasingly questioning the US's support for Beirut. The context is troubling. From across the Atlantic, it is clear that Lebanese officials have yet to confront their fear of a "weak and defeated" Hezbollah, while the ...

Trump Says Not Winning Nobel Would Be an 'Insult' to The US

This is Beirut, 30/09 22:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Nobel Peace Prize

President Donald Trump said Tuesday it would be an "insult" to the United States if he does not receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his self-proclaimed role in solving multiple wars. Trump, who has long sought the prize, which will be unveiled on October 10, made the latest push for his case a day after he announced a peace plan to end ...

Tony Blair: Former UK Premier Central to Trump's Gaza Plan

This is Beirut, 30/09 19:24 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Tony Blair United Kingdom Donald Trump Gaza United States

Tony Blair, Britain's former Prime minister whose legacy was heavily tarnished by the 2003 war in Iraq, has long been a contentious figure in the Middle East and beyond. His potentially leading role in Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza will likely do little to change that. Blair, 72, who is set to sit on the board of a proposed international ...

Trump Gives Hamas Ultimatum on Gaza Deal

This is Beirut, 30/09 19:15 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Gaza Hamas Israel

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday gave Hamas an ultimatum of "three or four days" to respond to his plan to end the war in Gaza, as the militant group reviewed the proposal backed by Israel. The plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, a disarmament of Hamas, and the gradual Israeli withdrawal ...

US Sending Anti-Drone System to Denmark for EU Summit

This is Beirut, 30/09 18:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United States Denmark EU Summit Drones

The United States is sending anti-drone defenses to Denmark as it hosts an EU summit this week, Copenhagen's defense ministry said Tuesday, after drones over the Nordic country closed several airports. Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden have also all sent anti-drone technology ahead of the summit to Denmark, ...

Trump Tells Generals US Faces 'War from Within'

This is Beirut, 30/09 17:58 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United States Department of Defense Peter Hegseth US Military

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States faces a "war from within" from crime and immigration in a darkly authoritarian speech to a rare meeting of the top US military officers. Addressing generals and admirals summoned from around the world by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Republican Trump warned that the military would be ...

Game Over for Hamas

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, 30/09 15:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Hamas Palestine

President Trump does not lend his name to a plan lightly. His 21-point program to end the Gaza War has garnered unprecedented support from Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan. For Hamas, the options are stark: Accept the plan or face collective ruin. But why did it take nearly two years to ...

Venezuela's Maduro Ready to Declare State of Emergency Over US 'Aggression'

This is Beirut, 30/09 09:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Nations United States Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Monday he is ready to declare a state of emergency over the threat of US "aggression," following a spate of deadly US strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats. "Today the consultation process began...to declare a state of emergency in accordance with the constitution and protect our people, our peace, ...

Donald Trump Attends Unusual Gathering of Hundreds of US Generals and Admirals Near Washington

This is Beirut, 30/09 06:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

United States Donald Trump Army

Donald Trump will attend a meeting on Tuesday bringing together hundreds of American generals and admirals from around the world, unusually summoned to a military base near Washington. No official has explained the purpose of this meeting, which comes amid a political tightening of control over the U.S. military, marked by troop deployments in ...

Trump’s Gaza Plan Wins Netanyahu Backing, but Hinges on Hamas

This is Beirut, 29/09 23:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Gaza

US President Donald Trump secured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's backing for a wide-ranging Gaza peace plan Monday, as the two leaders warned that Israel would "finish the job" against Hamas if the Palestinian militant group rejects the deal. Hamas had yet to give its judgment on the proposal that Trump unveiled at the White ...

Trump Meets Congressional Leaders Ahead of Potential Federal Shutdown

This is Beirut, 29/09 18:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Congress shutdown

Donald Trump is meeting Monday at the White House with top Republican and Democratic congressional leaders as negotiations remain deadlocked ahead of a potential federal government shutdown Tuesday night. If no budget, even temporary, is passed by midnight Tuesday, the U.S. will face a shutdown, halting most federal services. Hundreds of ...

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