Middle East

Israel says Recognition of Palestinian State Will Force 'Unilateral Actions' in Response

This is Beirut 2025-05-11 15:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Gideon Saar Palestinian Statehood

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Sunday that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state would force Israel to take "unilateral actions," following announcements by several countries that they plan to take such a step. "There have been talks about an initiative to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state... any ...

Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace in Public Appearance at St. Peter's Basilica

This is Beirut 2025-05-11 15:20 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Pope Leo XIV Vatican Gaza Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV called for an end to war in the world as he greeted crowds from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday, in his second official public appearance since becoming the leader of the Catholic Church. "Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!" proclaimed the first pontiff from the United States, addressing tens of ...

Ukraine Says Will Meet Russia for Talks if Moscow Agrees to Ceasefire

This is Beirut 2025-05-11 14:52 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Ukraine Russia Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said that Kyiv would meet with Moscow for talks in Istanbul on May 15 but said that Russia must first commit to a 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday. Zelensky -- using rare language since Moscow launched its invasion more than three years ago that has devastated Ukraine -- said he saw a ...

Erdogan Says Efforts to End Ukraine War at 'Turning Point'

This is Beirut 2025-05-11 14:42 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Recep Tayyip Erdogan Emmanuel Macron Turkey Ukraine

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday told Russian and French leaders that a "historic turning point" has been reached in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and that Ankara was ready to host talks between the two warring parties, his office said. NATO member Turkey has sought to maintain good relations with both of its ...

Cannes 2025: The 22 Films Competing for the Palme d'Or

This is Beirut 2025-05-11 13:45 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Covid-19 Ukraine United Kingdom United States USA

Here is a list of the titles vying for the Palme d'Or, which will be awarded by this year's jury president, Juliette Binoche, and her seven fellow judges, including Oscar-winner Halle Berry and Succession star Jeremy Strong. 'A Simple Accident' by Jafar Panahi (Iran) The repeatedly detained Iranian director, who has been banned from making ...

Israeli Army Says Body of Soldier Missing for 43 Years Found in 'Heart of Syria'

This is Beirut 2025-05-11 11:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Syria

The Israeli army said Sunday that the body of a soldier missing for 43 years had been found in the "heart of Syria" and repatriated in a special operation with the Mossad intelligence agency. "In a special operation led by the IDF (military) and Mossad, the body of Sgt. First Class Tzvika Feldman was found in the heart of Syria and ...

Putin Proposes Direct Russia-Ukraine Talks Next Week

This is Beirut 2025-05-11 06:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Russia Ukraine Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed holding direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, hours after Kyiv and European leaders called for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire to start Monday. The leaders of Ukraine, Britain, France, Germany and Poland had in Kyiv on Saturday threatened Moscow with fresh sanctions and military ...

Hamas Releases Video of Two Israeli Hostages Alive in Gaza

This is Beirut 2025-05-10 23:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hamas Gaza Hostages

Hamas's armed wing released a video on Saturday showing two Israeli hostages alive in the Gaza Strip, with one of the two men calling to end the 19-month-long war. The pair were identified by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group as Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Haim Ohana, who were kidnapped during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on ...

Trump Appoints Lebanese-American to Temporarily Lead Federal Prosecution in Washington

This is Beirut 2025-05-10 20:10 - Reading : less than a minute

United States Donald Trump Jeanine Ferris Pirro

US President Donald Trump has appointed Lebanese-American journalist and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as interim federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C. The surprise move comes as the Department of Justice launches a criminal investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the key figures who pursued legal action against Trump ...

US and China Meet in 'Important Step' Towards De-escalating Trade War

This is Beirut 2025-05-10 18:53 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United States China Trade Tariffs Donald Trump

Senior US and Chinese officials were meeting in Geneva Saturday in what Chinese state media described as an "important step" towards resolving the trade war sparked by President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were holding talks with Chinese Vice Premier ...

Trump's Bold Agenda: A Call for Total Dismantlement of Iran's Nuclear Program

Amal Chmouny 2025-05-10 17:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Donald Trump Iran nuclear nuclear talks

Discussions are ongoing in Washington about how to address the potential consequences of a nuclear-capable Iran. President Donald Trump has taken a firm stance, advocating for the complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear ambitions, asserting that this approach is vital for maintaining international security. In a recent "Meet the Press" interview, ...

StoryThe Daring Thefts of Munch’s 'The Scream'

Bélinda Ibrahim 2025-05-10 17:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Edvard Munch The Scream Art Culture Paintings

It is without a doubt one of the most recognizable paintings in the world: a pale face frozen in a silent scream, hands pressed against its cheeks, a burning red sky above a Norwegian fjord. Since its creation in 1893, The Scream by Edvard Munch has been the subject of endless interpretations, reproductions, and obsessions. A symbol of modern ...