How US Peace Plan for Ukraine and Russia Might Look

This is Beirut 2025-04-23 19:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Ukraine USA Volodymyr Zelensky Donald Trump Russia Vladimir Putin

The United States has piled pressure on Ukraine and Russia to find a peace agreement, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance threatening to walk away if a deal is not made. So what does Washington want? Some official demands have already been made public, and media outlets have reported on several unannounced plans for a US-led ...

Hamas Releases Video Showing Israeli Hostage Marking His Birthday

This is Beirut 2025-04-23 18:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hamas Palestine Hostages Omri Miran

Hamas's armed wing released a video Wednesday showing an Israeli-Hungarian hostage walking through a tunnel in Gaza and lighting a candle to mark his birthday. In the nearly three-minute clip published by the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, the hostage—who identifies himself as Omri Miran—addresses the camera in Hebrew. His ...

Pope Francis' Body Arrives in St. Peter's Square

This is Beirut 2025-04-23 18:30 - Reading : less than a minute

Pope Francis St. Peter's Square Rome Vatican

The body of Pope Francis was transported from the residence of St. Martha to St. Peter's Square, escorted by a procession of cardinals, before being displayed in the basilica for a final tribute from the faithful, pending the funeral on April 26.

ChronicleSaint George's Day: A Celebration of a Thousand Frontiers

Ali A. Hamadé 2025-04-23 17:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

UK United Kingdom Great Britain

Traditionally celebrated on April 23, St. George’s Day holds a special place in the English calendar. In 2025, however, the Church of England decided to postpone its liturgical celebration to Monday, April 28. This postponement follows an ancient liturgical rule: when a saint’s feast day falls during the Easter Octave, it is moved so as not to ...

The World Leaders Set to Attend Pope Francis's Funeral

This is Beirut 2025-04-23 17:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Pope Francis Funerals Vatican

Many world leaders have announced they will travel to Rome for Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday, which is expected to draw a huge crowd in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Here is a list of the expected VIP guests. Americas ARGENTINA: President Javier Milei. The pope, who was born in Argentina in 1936, had a ...

SpotlightViolence in Kashmir: A New Test of Strength for the Indian Government?

Mario Chartouni 2025-04-23 17:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

India Kashmir

A rare and brutal attack struck the Indian region of Kashmir on Tuesday, when gunmen opened fire on a group of travelers near the popular tourist area of Pahalgam, killing at least 26 people. It marks one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in years, in a region gripped by a separatist insurgency since 1989. According to initial information ...

Tens of Thousands Bid Farewell to Pope Francis Lying in State

This is Beirut 2025-04-23 17:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Pope Francis St. Peter Basilica Vatican Funerals

Tens of thousands of mourners began saying their last goodbyes to Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, as the body of the late Argentine pontiff began three days of lying in state. By mid-afternoon, the wait to enter St Peter's Basilica was about three hours, as the long line of pilgrims and tourists wishing to pass by the pontiff's ...

InterviewsHuda al-Khamis-Kanoo: Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Heartbeat (2/2)

Bélinda Ibrahim 2025-04-23 16:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi Festival Huda al-Khamis Kanoo Culture Classical Music

At the heart of an ever-evolving emirate, the Abu Dhabi Festival has, year after year, established itself as a space for intercultural dialogue and ambitious artistic creation. Guided by the vision of its founder, Huda al-Khamis-Kanoo, it brings together continents, aesthetics, and generations in unprecedented ways. For its 22nd ...

Powerful 6.2-Magnitude Quake Hits off Istanbul Coast

This is Beirut 2025-04-23 16:29 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Turkey

More than 50 aftershocks rocked the Istanbul region after a powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Sea of Marmara just to the south of Turkey's biggest city on Wednesday, the interior minister said. "By 3:12 pm (1512 GMT), 51 aftershocks -- the largest of which was 5.9 magnitude -- had been recorded," Interior Minister Ali ...

Iran President to Visit Azerbaijan in Sign of Warming Ties

This is Beirut 2025-04-23 16:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Tehran Pezeshkian Iran Azerbaijan

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to pay a rare visit to Azerbaijan next week, state media reported Wednesday, in the latest sign of warming relations between the neighboring countries. Pezeshkian will be traveling to Baku on Monday "at the invitation" of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, state television reported. On ...

Jordan Bans Activities of Muslim Brotherhood, Closes Offices

This is Beirut 2025-04-23 15:45 - Reading : less than a minute

Jordan has banned all activities of the Muslim Brotherhood and closed its offices in the kingdom, the interior minister announced on Wednesday. "It has been decided to ban all activities of the so-called Muslim Brotherhood and to consider any activity (carried out by it) a violation of the provisions of the law," said Interior ...

Abbas Urges Hamas to Free Gaza Hostages as Israeli Strikes Kill 18

This is Beirut 2025-04-23 15:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hamas Palestine Banks Fatah

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday urged Hamas to free all hostages in Gaza, saying their captivity provided Israel with "excuses" to attack the territory, as rescuers recovered charred bodies from an Israeli strike. At least 18 people were killed across the Gaza Strip by Israeli strikes, while Germany, France and Britain urged ...