World

Tripoli Returns to Calm as Airport Reopens After Deadly Clashes

This is Beirut 16/05 17:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Flights resumed Friday at Tripoli's airport as businesses and markets reopened after days of deadly fighting between armed groups in the Libyan capital. "Last night, for the first time since Monday, residents of the capital were able to sleep without hearing explosions or gunfire," an interior ministry official told AFP, speaking on condition of ...

$Istanbul Talks End Quickly as Russia Makes \$

Istanbul Talks End Quickly as Russia Makes "Unacceptable" Demands

This is Beirut 16/05 17:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Istanbul Ukraine Russia

Russians and Ukrainians sat face-to-face for under two hours Friday in Istanbul for the first direct talks in over three years aimed at ending their war, with expectations low for breakthroughs. Kyiv is seeking an "unconditional ceasefire" in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, which has also destroyed large swathes of Ukraine and ...

SpotlightCannes: A Festival Rooted in Defiance of Fascism

Bélinda Ibrahim 16/05 17:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Cannes Film Festival Cinema Fascism Freedom France Cannes 2025

It was the late 1930s. The Venice Mostra, founded in 1932, was the world’s first international film festival. But by 1938, as global tensions mounted, it had turned into an ideological showcase for fascism. Under joint pressure from Hitler and Mussolini, the jury was compelled to award the festival’s top prize, the Mussolini Cup, to two ...

Zelensky Urges Strong International Response if Istanbul Talks with Russia Fail

This is Beirut 16/05 16:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Volodymyr Zelensky Istanbul Russia Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday called for a “strong response” from the international community if the planned talks with Russia in Istanbul fail. “If it turns out that the Russian delegation is only there for appearances and cannot deliver any results today, then everyone must respond,” he said from Tirana. “There ...

Ankara Calls for Ceasefire 'As Soon As Possible' in Ukraine at Talks with Russia

This is Beirut 16/05 15:40 - Reading : less than a minute

Ukraine Russia Turkey

Ankara called on Friday for a ceasefire “as soon as possible” in Ukraine at the opening of Turkish-mediated talks in Istanbul between Kyiv and Moscow—the first such talks since the spring of 2022. “It is of crucial importance that a ceasefire be implemented as soon as possible,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, stressing that ...

VideosDonald Trump Concludes Gulf Tour in the Emirates

This is Beirut 16/05 12:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Donald Trump Gulf Palestine Ukraine Investments Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, the last stop on his Gulf tour, Donald Trump praised his strong relations with the region's leaders, hailing the Emirati president as a “strong leader.” He is now hoping for a swift agreement on Ukraine and is calling for action on the famine in Gaza.

Trump Says Wants to Meet Putin 'as Soon as we Can Set it Up'

This is Beirut 16/05 11:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Donald Trump Ukraine Russia

"As soon as we can set it up I would actually leave here and go," Trump said in response to a question about meeting the Russian leader. Trump has repeatedly said he was willing to travel to Turkey to join the first direct Russian-Ukrainian peace talks in more than three years, insisting "nothing's going to happen" before he meets the Russian ...

ExplainerUkraine Peace Talks: What are Kyiv and Moscow's Positions?

This is Beirut 16/05 11:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Ukraine Russia Istanbul Peace Talks

Delegations from Kyiv and Moscow are in Istanbul on Friday, set to hold their first direct talks on the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine for more than three years. Expectations are low for the talks -- initially proposed by Vladimir Putin -- after the Russian leader declined Volodymyr Zelensky's call for a presidential summit in Turkey ...

ExplainerUkraine-Russia Peace Talks in Turkey: What we Know

This is Beirut 16/05 10:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Turkey Ukraine Russia Recep Tayyip Erdogan Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukraine and Russia plan on Friday in Istanbul to hold their first direct peace talks in more than three years. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky had travelled to Turkey but said he would not attend the talks, after his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin declined his calls for face-to-face negotiations. Tens of thousands have been killed ...

SpotlightWhat's on the Agenda at Landmark UK-EU Summit?

This is Beirut 16/05 09:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

European Union United Kingdom

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting EU chiefs at a summit on Monday, the first of its kind since Brexit, as he tries to deepen relations with the bloc. Here are the main issues at stake, with sensitive details still being thrashed out in hardball negotiations that are set to go down to the wire. Defense pact Both parties are hopeful of ...

Iran, European Powers to Hold Nuclear Talks in Turkey as Trump Says Deal Is ‘Getting Close’

This is Beirut 16/05 09:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Turkey Donald Trump Europe Iran

Iran is set to meet with Britain, France, and Germany in Turkey on Friday, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that a nuclear deal with Tehran is “getting close.” The upcoming Istanbul talks come after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of “irreversible” consequences if European ...

Trump Caps Gulf Tour in Abu Dhabi with Dizzying Investment Pledges

This is Beirut 16/05 09:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Gulf United Arab Emirates

US President Donald Trump on Friday capped his Gulf tour in Abu Dhabi after signing another raft of multi-billion-dollar deals, while also securing a $1.4 trillion investment pledge from the UAE. The eye-watering amounts of money in investments were accompanied also by the lifting of decades-long sanctions on Syria and renewed optimism over an ...