World

Rubio to make debut in Panama as Trump threatens to take canal

This is Beirut 01/02 09:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump US Secretary of State USA United Nations United States

Marco Rubio heads Saturday to Panama on his debut trip abroad as US Secretary of State as he looks for how to follow up on President Donald Trump's extraordinary threat to seize the Panama Canal. Rubio's travel comes the same day that Trump's promised tariffs on the three largest US trading partners -- Canada, Mexico and China -- are set to come ...

Philadelphia plane crash marks a second US aviation disaster

This is Beirut 01/02 09:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump New York Republicans United States

A medical jet with six Mexican nationals onboard crashed into a busy Philadelphia neighborhood Friday, authorities said, marking another US aviation disaster after a passenger plane and a military helicopter collided midair in Washington earlier this week. Video footage appeared to show the twin-engine plane descending at a sharp angle towards a ...

Israel to Release 183 Prisoners on Saturday, Doubling Previous Figure

This is Beirut 31/01 22:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Gaza Hamas Hostages

Israel is set to release 183 prisoners on Saturday in the fourth hostage-prisoner exchange under the Gaza ceasefire deal, a Palestinian advocacy group said, more than doubling the previous reported figure. "The updated number of prisoners to be released tomorrow is 183," said Palestinian Prisoners' Club spokeswoman Amani Sarahneh on Friday, after ...

Explaining the Diplomatic Roller-Coaster in Damascus

Élie-Joe Kamel 31/01 22:10 - Reading : 7 minute(s)

European Union Gulf Israel Syria Turkey Kurds

The diplomatic roller-coaster in Syria’s capital since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime suggests that a strategic shift is underway. This is all the more significant as the Prince of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, made an official visit to Damascus on Thursday, where he was received by the interim Syrian president, Ahmad ...

Five Suspects Released in Killing of Salwan Momika, Investigation Continues

This is Beirut 31/01 21:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Salwan Momika Sweden Koran

Five suspects in the killing of Salwan Momika, who in 2023 repeatedly burned copies of the Koran, have all been freed, a prosecutor handling the case in Sweden said Friday. "The suspicions have been undermined, and I see no reason to keep these people under arrest" over the killing, prosecutor Rasmus Oman said in a statement, adding that the ...

Panama Canal at the Heart of Trump’s Expansionist Project

Ali A. Hamadé 31/01 20:35 - Reading : 7 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Panama Canal Trade

The re-election of Donald Trump marks the dawn of a new expansionist era, fueled by bold promises made during his campaign. From the proposal to annex Greenland to the dream of integrating Canada as the 51st US state, and the ambition to regain control of the Panama Canal—an engineering marvel and a crucial artery of global trade—Trump ...

Bashar al-Assad's Cousin Atif Najib Arrested in Latakia

This is Beirut 31/01 18:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Bashar al-Assad Syria Atif Najib

Syria's new authorities on Friday announced the arrest of a cousin of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, accused of orchestrating a crackdown in Daraa, where the 2011 uprising began. Atif Najib, the former head of political security in Daraa in southern Syria, was arrested in Latakia, on the country's west coast, the official SANA news agency ...

PortraitWho is Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Envoy to the Middle East

Sana Richa Choucair 31/01 17:46 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Middle East Steve Witkoff Gaza

Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday to discuss the implementation of the hostage release agreement and ceasefire. Trump appointed the 67-year-old New Yorker to this role last November. Choosing a trusted businessman, specifically a major real estate investor ...

Syria Sanctions: EU's 'Carrot and Stick' Policy

Liliane Mokbel 31/01 17:05 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

European Union Syria Sanctions US

The 27-member European Union agreed on Monday on a "roadmap" to gradually ease sanctions on key sectors of the Syrian economy that were imposed under the former regime of Bashar al-Assad. However, the EU has ruled out any unconditional lifting of these measures. The process will be gradual and subject to strict conditions. In other words, the bloc ...

Gaza: Rafah Crossing to Reopen on Saturday

This is Beirut 31/01 16:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gaza Rafah Hamas Israel

Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt is to reopen Saturday following a fourth exchange of hostages and prisoners under a truce agreement, a Hamas official and a source with knowledge of discussions told AFP. The Rafah crossing was a vital entry point for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza before the Israeli military seized the Palestinian side of ...

Hamas Names Three Israeli Hostages to be Freed Saturday

This is Beirut 31/01 12:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Hamas Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Palestine

Hamas's armed wing released the names of three Israeli captives to be freed on Saturday in the fourth hostage-prisoner swap of the Gaza ceasefire. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed it had received the names of the captives to be freed on Saturday. It has yet to officially release their names. "All ...

Hamas Confirms Death of its Military Chief Mohammed Deif

This is Beirut 31/01 11:41 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Palestine USA

Hamas confirmed on Thursday the death of its military chief Mohammed Deif, accused by Israel of being one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attack and whose killing it announced last year. "The Al-Qassam Brigades announce to our great people the martyrdom of a group of distinguished fighters and heroic commanders," Abu Obeida, spokesman for ...