World

Russia Proposes new Ukraine Talks, Kyiv Demands Terms Upfront

This is Beirut 29/05 09:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Kyiv Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Donald Trump USA

Russia said Wednesday it wanted new talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next Monday to present its plan for a peace settlement, but Kyiv said it needed to see the proposal in advance for the meeting to yield results. Diplomatic efforts to end the three-year conflict have accelerated in recent months, but Moscow has repeatedly rejected calls for an ...

Israel Says Killed Hamas's Presumed Leader in Gaza

This is Beirut 29/05 09:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Palestine

Israel said Wednesday its military killed Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas's presumed Gaza leader and the brother of Yahya, slain mastermind of the October 2023 attacks that sparked the Gaza war. On the war's 600th day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Israel's Gaza offensive, saying it had killed tens of thousands of militants including Mohammed ...

Op-edPeace Deal or Pandora’s Box: A June of Reckoning

Salam El Zaatari 29/05 09:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Iran United States Donald Trump

As the Trump administration accelerates its efforts to clinch a nuclear deal with Iran, the threat of Israeli airstrikes looms larger than ever. According to multiple diplomatic sources cited by The New York Times, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively considering unilateral military action against Iran’s nuclear sites—regardless of ...

US Trade Court Blocks Tariffs in Major Setback for Trump

This is Beirut 29/05 09:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA Tariffs Trade Court

A US federal court on Wednesday blocked most of Donald Trump's sweeping import tariffs from going into effect, ruling that the president had overstepped his authority with the across-the-board global levies. The opinion marks a significant setback to the Republican leader as he bids to redraw the US trading relationship with the world by forcing ...

Musk To Exit US Government Role After Rare Break With Trump

This is Beirut 29/05 05:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United States Politics Elon Musk Donald Trump

Billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday announced he was leaving his role in US government, intended to reduce federal spending, shortly after his first major break with President Donald Trump over his signature spending bill. "As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for ...

Russia Proposes New Ukraine Talks; Kyiv Demands Terms Upfront

This is Beirut 28/05 23:13 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Russia Ukraine

Russia said Wednesday it wanted new talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next Monday to present its plan for a peace settlement, but Kyiv said it needed to see the plan in advance for the meeting to yield results. Diplomatic efforts to end the three-year conflict have accelerated in recent months, but Moscow has repeatedly rejected calls for an ...

Iran Rejects Reports on Uranium Enrichment Halt, Calls Program 'Non-Negotiable'

This is Beirut 28/05 21:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Iran Uranium Enrichment United States

Iran firmly rejected reports suggesting it might halt uranium enrichment, calling such claims “completely false.” The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday dismissed a Reuters report alleging a suspension of enrichment activities, labeling it as baseless. Tehran also reaffirmed its stance on uranium enrichment, describing it as a “non-negotiable ...

Trump vs. Harvard: Measures That Are Redefining the American Academic Landscape

Mario Chartouni 28/05 20:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United States Donald Trump Harvard University

Since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January, Harvard University has found itself at the center of an unprecedented federal offensive that threatens its funding, its ability to host international students, and, more broadly, its academic autonomy. An Unprecedented Financial Offensive The Trump administration already froze more than ...

Witkoff Expresses Optimism About Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations

This is Beirut 28/05 20:17 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hamas Steve Witkoff United States Israel Gaza

US envoy Steve Witkoff said Wednesday he had "very good feelings" about a possible Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, adding that he expected to send out a new proposal imminently. "I have some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution, temporary cease fire, and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution ...

EU Sanctions Syrian Militia Groups over Deadly March Violence

This is Beirut 28/05 19:14 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

European Union

The European Union sanctioned on Wednesday three Syrian militia groups and two of their leaders for serious human-rights abuses over their alleged involvement in deadly ethnic violence in March. More than 1,700 people were killed in attacks mostly targeting the Alawite community, which is associated with the clan of ousted ruler Bashar ...

Iran says May Allow US Inspectors from Nuclear Watchdog if Deal Reached

This is Beirut 28/05 18:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Tehran

Iran on Wednesday said it may consider allowing US inspectors with the United Nations nuclear watchdog to inspect its facilities if a deal is reached with the United States. Iran has long been accused by Western powers of seeking to develop nuclear weapons -- a claim Tehran has consistently denied, insisting its nuclear program is solely for ...

Palestinians in Gaza 'Deserve More than Survival,' says UN envoy

This is Beirut 28/05 18:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gaza United Nations Israel

Palestinians living in Gaza "deserve more than survival," the United Nations envoy for the Middle East told the Security Council on Wednesday, as Israel's war there enters its 600th day. Israel stepped up its military offensive in Gaza, ignited by an attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023, earlier this month, while ...