Iran Says Agreed New Cooperation Framework with UN Nuclear Watchdog

This is Beirut 09/09 22:53 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Iran IAEA Rafael Grossi Iran Nuclear Program

Iran agreed to a new cooperation framework with the UN nuclear watchdog on Tuesday, after it suspended cooperation following the war with Israel in June. The agreement was signed in Cairo by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi, who hailed it as "an important step in the right ...

PortraitLecornu: Macron's Discreet 'Loyal Soldier'

This is Beirut 09/09 22:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

France Sebastien Lecornu

Sebastien Lecornu, named Tuesday as France's new prime minister, has served as defense minister for over three years during much of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is seen as a deeply loyal, if discreet, ally of President Emmanuel Macron. Still just 39, Lecornu has been one of the few faces of continuity in the French cabinet at a time of ...

Macron Names Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu New Prime Minister

This is Beirut 09/09 22:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

France Emmanuel Macron Sebastien Lecornu Francois Bayrou

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday named defence minister and his close ally Sebastien Lecornu as the new prime minister to resolve a deepening political crisis as protests loom in the next days. In choosing Lecornu, 39, to replace Francois Bayrou as the seventh premier of his mandate, Macron has plumped for one of his closest allies ...

Trump Backs Hamas Targeting, Not Israel's Qatar Strike

This is Beirut 09/09 21:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United States Donald Trump Israel Hamas Qatar

The White House distanced itself Tuesday from Israel's strikes against Hamas in Doha, reiterating President Donald Trump's support for ally Qatar, while declining to confirm if Israel had pre-notified Washington of its attack. While eliminating Hamas was a "worthy goal," a strike in the Qatari capital Doha "does not advance Israel's or America's ...

Israel Forum Says It Is Concerned for Gaza Hostages after Doha Strikes

This is Beirut 09/09 20:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Israeli Hostages Hostages and Missing Families Forum Hamas

The main Israeli group campaigning for the release of hostages held in Gaza expressed "deep concern" following an Israeli attack on Tuesday on Hamas's leadership in Qatar, which has been mediating ceasefire talks. "The families of the hostages are following the developments in Doha with deep concern and heavy anxiety. A grave fear now hangs over ...

Germany to Back Ukraine with 'Deep-Strike' Drones

This is Beirut 09/09 20:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Germany Ukraine Russia Defense

Germany will launch a new "deep-strike initiative" to provide Ukraine with "several thousand long-range drones" to help it repel Russia's invasion, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Tuesday. At a meeting of Ukraine's allies in London, Pistorius said Germany was "expanding Ukraine's capabilities to weaken Russia's war machinery in the ...

Global Leaders Condemn Israeli Strikes on Hamas in Qatar

This is Beirut 09/09 18:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gaza Hamas Israel

Israel’s airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday have sparked widespread regional and international condemnation. The strikes, which hit buildings hosting the Palestinian militant group, prompted strong reactions from governments and organizations worldwide. Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned the attack as a ...

Ahmed al-Sharaa to Visit Moscow in October

This is Beirut 09/09 17:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Damascus Israel Russia Ahmad al-Sharaa Moscow

Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is to visit Moscow next month, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced in Damascus Tuesday, hailing a new page in ties after the overthrow of longtime ally Bashar al-Assad. "We place great importance on the coming visit to Moscow of the Syrian president in October to participate in the Russian-Arab ...

Spain Bars Two Far-Right Israeli Ministers Further Aggravating Bilateral Relations

This is Beirut 09/09 15:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Spain Gaza Ben Gvir Smotrich Relations

Spain and Israel's relations plunged to new depths on Tuesday as Madrid barred two far-right Israeli government ministers, a day after announcing measures aimed at stopping what it called "the genocide in Gaza". Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich would be sanctioned and "not be able to enter ...

High-Level Russian Officials Arrive in Damascus

This is Beirut 09/09 14:45 - Reading : less than a minute

Damascus Syria Russia Alexander Novak

A Russian government delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, arrived on Tuesday at Damascus International Airport. According to official Syrian news agency SANA, Novak is beginning a visit during which he will meet with several high-ranking Syrian officials. The discussions will mainly focus on economic, security and defense ...

Ethiopia Inaugurates Africa's Biggest Dam

This is Beirut 09/09 12:51 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Ethiopia Nil Egypt Dam

Ethiopia inaugurated the continent's largest hydroelectric project on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed calling it a "great achievement for all black people" despite years of diplomatic rancour over the dam with downstream neighbour Egypt. For Ethiopia, the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD), straddling a tributary of the River ...

VideosEthiopia Inaugurates Its Mega Dam

This is Beirut 09/09 12:50 - Reading : less than a minute

Ethiopia has inaugurated the Grand Renaissance Dam, aiming to generate 5,000 MW of electricity. Built on a major tributary of the Nile River, the dam proved controversial for downstream countries Egypt and Sudan, causing serious tensions over the sharing of water resources.