Israeli PM Delays Prisoners' Release After 'Shocking Scenes' at Hostage Handover

This is Beirut 30/01 14:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hamas Benjamin Netanyahu Palestine

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a delay to Thursday's release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages freed earlier in the latest exchange of the Gaza ceasefire, his office said. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Defense Minister Israel Katz, has instructed the delay of the release of the ...

Syria's New Interim President Welcomes Qatar Emir to Damascus

This is Beirut 30/01 12:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Qatar Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa

Syria's newly appointed interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed Qatar's emir on Thursday, the first foreign head of state to visit Damascus, the Qatari court said. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani "arrived on an official visit to Damascus" where he was "welcomed by the president of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed al-Sharaa,” a court statement ...

Iran says Ready for Nuclear Talks if West is 'Serious'

This is Beirut 30/01 10:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United States Iran nuclear

Iran is ready to discuss its nuclear programme if Western countries show they are "serious", the foreign ministry spokesman was quoted as saying in an interview published on Thursday. "We have said several times that we are ready for discussions, but only if the other side is serious about this," Esmaeil Baqaei told the government daily ...

'Not interested': Analysts Sceptical About US, Russia Nuclear Talks

This is Beirut 30/01 09:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United States Russia Nuclear Negotiations China

The United States and Russia have pledged their readiness to resume nuclear disarmament talks after years of confrontation, but analysts are sceptical that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin can or even want to reach a breakthrough new agreement. Days after returning to the White House for a second term, Trump said he would like to see ...

Trump's FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel Faces Senate Grilling

This is Beirut 30/01 09:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump New York UN Security Council

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's pick to head the FBI, faces a potentially fiery Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday amid staunch Democratic opposition to his nomination to head the top US law enforcement agency. Patel, 44, has drawn fire for his promotion of conspiracy theories, his defense of pro-Trump rioters who attacked the Capitol ...

AnalysisWhat Does Rwanda want in Eastern DR Congo?

This is Beirut 30/01 09:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Goma Rwanda Congo

The M23, a Rwanda-backed armed group, has seized most of Goma, a key city of a million people in the mineral-rich eastern DR Congo. Analysts say their motives combine security and economic interests with the deadly momentum of war. Why did Rwanda and M23 take Goma?  Rwanda's President Paul Kagame says its priority in eastern Democratic Republic ...

ChronicleThe Messiah Wars: How Israel and Iran's Visions Shape Middle Eastern Politics

Salam El Zaatari 30/01 09:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Israel Iran USA Middle East

In the high-stakes chess game of Middle Eastern politics, a hidden force drives both Israel and Iran toward an eerily similar endgame, an unshakable belief that history is hurtling toward a divinely orchestrated climax. On one side, Israel’s religious circles whisper about the long-awaited Messiah, a figure destined to restore their ancient ...

Third Exchange Of Hostages For Prisoners As Part Of The Truce In Gaza

This is Beirut 30/01 05:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Palestine Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Banks Hamas

Israel and Hamas are due to carry out their third exchange of hostages for prisoners on Thursday, with the release of eight hostages, three Israelis and five Thais, held in the Gaza Strip, as part of the fragile ceasefire intended to put an end to 15 months of war. A fourth exchange is scheduled for Saturday, with the release of three hostages, ...

Syria: New Authorities Announce the Dissolution of All Armed Groups

This is Beirut 29/01 22:48 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

USA Syria

The new authorities in Syria announced on Wednesday evening the dissolution of "all armed groups" that had led the offensive against Bashar al-Assad, as well as the dissolution of the army of the former regime, which was overthrown on December 8. "All armed groups, political and civil bodies claiming to represent the revolution are ...

Ahmad al-Sharaa Appointed Transitional President in Syria

This is Beirut 29/01 21:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Syria

The de facto leader of Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who assumed power on December 8 following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, has been appointed "president" for the transitional period, the new authorities announced on Wednesday evening. In announcing the dissolution of the former Parliament and the suspension of the 2012 Constitution, the new ...

Israel: 11 Gaza Hostages to Be Released This Week

This is Beirut 29/01 20:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Palestine Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas

Israel said on Wednesday that 11 more hostages held in Gaza, including five Thais, would be freed over two days this week as part of a fragile Gaza ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it had received a list from Hamas of eight hostages to be freed on Thursday, including the Thais, and another three, all men, to be released ...

Plane Crash in South Sudan: At Least 20 Dead, One Survivor

This is Beirut 29/01 18:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

A plane has crashed in the north of South Sudan killing at least 20 people, leaving only one confirmed survivor, Unity State's minister for information said Wednesday. The aircraft came down near the oil fields in Unity State at around 10:30 am local time (0830 GMT) shortly after taking off for the capital Juba. "The plane crashed 500 metres ...