Op-edLebanon Should Take a Cue from al-Sharaa - and Talk to Israel

Hussain Abdul-Hussain 20/05 16:48 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Syria United States Donald Trump

A joke has it that Syria’s self-proclaimed president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, offered to build a Trump Tower in Damascus to make up for the two New York towers that Al-Qaeda, al-Sharaa former organization, destroyed on 9/11, killing 2,753 Americans. Times are changing.  Since October 7, Iran has been begging America for a nuclear deal that ...

PKK Urges Turkey to Ease Leader's Solitary Confinement for Any Peace Talks

This is Beirut 20/05 15:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

PKK iraq Turkey kurds

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has said Turkey should ease prison conditions for its founder Abdullah Öcalan, declaring him the group's "chief negotiator" for any future talks after a decision to disband. The Kurdish group, blacklisted by Ankara and its Western allies, announced on May 12 it had adopted a decision to disarm and disband ...

EU Formally Adopts 17th Round of Sanctions on Russia

This is Beirut 20/05 14:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

European Union Ukraine

The EU on Tuesday formally adopted a new round of sanctions on Russia targeting its "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, and threatened more punishment for Moscow for not agreeing a Ukraine truce. "The EU has approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet ships," European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas ...

Pope Leo XIV and the Call for Unity 1,700 Years After Nicaea

Ryan Chaba 20/05 14:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Pope Francis

The First Ecumenical Council in history was convened by Emperor Constantine on May 20, 325, with a clear purpose: to restore the unity of the Church in the face of doctrinal divisions. The goal was to define the faith, establish its core foundations and create a common framework for all of Christianity. This was encapsulated in the Nicene Creed, ...

VideosTripoli: Abu Salim Prison Retaken, Life Slowly Resumes

This is Beirut 20/05 12:55 - Reading : less than a minute

In Tripoli, the Abu Salim prison, a stronghold of a militia accused of serious crimes, has been retaken by the army.  

Zelensky Says Russia 'Trying to Buy Time' to 'Continue War'

This is Beirut 20/05 12:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Volodymyr Zelensky Ukraine Russia Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday accused Russia of not seriously engaging in peace talks and of wanting to continue its three-year invasion, despite a US push for a ceasefire. US President Donald Trump held calls with both Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the war on Monday, and Russian and Ukrainian officials met in ...

Iran's Khamenei Says Talks With US Unlikely to 'Lead to Any Autcome'

This is Beirut 20/05 12:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

USA Iran nuclear

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that nuclear talks with the United States were unlikely to yield any results, amid a diplomatic standoff over the Islamic republic's enrichment activities. "We don't think it will lead to any outcome. We don't know what will happen," said Khamenei during a speech, adding that denying ...

EU Urges 'Strong Action' from US Against Russia if no Ukraine Truce

This is Beirut 20/05 12:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

European Union Ukraine Russia

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday called for the United States to take "strong action" against Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. "America said that if Russia doesn't agree on an unconditional ceasefire, then there are going to be consequences. So we want to see those consequences, also from ...

VideosKabul in Danger: No Water Left in Five Years?

This is Beirut 20/05 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute

In Kabul, only 20% of the population is connected to the water network. The rest depend on tanker trucks or nearly dry wells.  

Army, Paramilitaries Clash Near Sudan Capital

This is Beirut 20/05 11:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Sudan Conflict Army

Clashes erupted on Tuesday between the Sudanese regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Omdurman, Khartoum's twin city, the army said, calling the fighting part of a "large-scale" offensive. Explosions rang out in the area, where the RSF had retreated after losing control of the Sudanese capital in March, an AFP ...

ExplainerExplained: The WHO’s New Global Pandemic Treaty

This is Beirut 20/05 11:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Covid-19 United Nations WHO Pandemic

After more than three years of fierce negotiations, an international agreement on the prevention and control of pandemics was adopted on Tuesday at the World Health Organization (WHO). Here are the main points of the agreement, which has 35 articles. Objective  The objective of the WHO Pandemic Agreement is "strengthening pandemic prevention, ...

Qatar Says Israel Attack on Gaza 'Undermining any Chance at Peace'

This is Beirut 20/05 10:55 - Reading : less than a minute

Israel Palestine Qatar

Qatar's prime minister Tuesday said Israel's military offensive in Gaza had undermined peace efforts after the release of US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander and amid expanded operations in the Palestinian territory. "When Israeli American soldier Aidan Alexander was released, we thought that moment would open a door to end this tragedy, but the ...