World

Trump Says Negotiators Headed to Russia 'Right Now'

This is Beirut 12/03 21:36 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United States Ukraine Donald Trump Vladimir Putin Russia

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that envoys were headed to Moscow and expressed optimism for a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine war but officials said the United States wants Russia to agree an unconditional halt to the conflict. The Kremlin said it was awaiting details of a proposal agreed by Ukrainian and US officials this week, and gave ...

Putin Orders Army to 'Fully Liberate' Kursk Region After Rapid Gains

This is Beirut 12/03 21:25 - Reading : less than a minute

Vladimir Putin Russia Ukraine Kursk

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered his army to "fully liberate" Russia's Kursk region after days of pushing back Ukrainian troops that have held territory there since August. "I am counting on the fact that all the combat tasks facing our units will be fulfilled, and the territory of the Kursk region will soon be completely liberated ...

ICJ Hearing Next Month on Israel Aid Obligations to Palestinians

This is Beirut 12/03 19:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

International Court of Justice UN General Assembly Gaza Humanitarian Aid

The International Court of Justice will hold hearings next month on Israel's humanitarian obligations towards Palestinians, amid claims the Israeli government is blocking aid access to Gaza. The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution in December requesting that the world body's top court give an advisory opinion on the matter. The ...

Iran's Khamenei Says US Threats of Military Action 'Unwise'

This is Beirut 12/03 19:32 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Iran Abbas Araghchi Donald Trump United States Ali Khamenei

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Wednesday that US threats were "unwise" after President Donald Trump sent him a letter urging negotiations and warning of possible military action if Tehran refused. "The US is threatening militarism. In my opinion, this threat is unwise," Khamenei said in a meeting with ...

Egypt Asks to Host Some 2034 World Cup Matches

This is Beirut 12/03 17:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

World Cup World Cup 2034 Egypt FIFA

Egypt has requested the right to host a set of group-stage matches for the 2034 World Cup which will be held in Saudi Arabia, the African country's football federation president said on Wednesday. "Saudi Arabia will stand up and organize a historic edition of the World Cup, and we wish our Saudi brothers every success," Hany Abo ...

US Trading Partners Hit Back on Steel, Aluminum Tariffs

This is Beirut 12/03 17:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United States European Union Tariffs

Major US trading partners announced countermeasures Wednesday to President Donald Trump's blanket steel and aluminum tariffs, hours after the levies took effect in a salvo that fueled trade tensions globally. The steep 25-percent levies came into place after midnight with no exemptions despite countries' efforts to avert them, in an escalation of ...

Rubio Says Not Going to Discuss How to 'Take Over Canada' at G7

This is Beirut 12/03 15:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

G7 Donald Trump US Secretary of State USA Saudi Arabia Ukraine

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would not raise Canada's sovereignty when he visits Quebec later on Wednesday, for Group of Seven talks, despite taunts by President Donald Trump. "We're going to be focused in the G7 and all of those things," he said, mentioning the war in Ukraine. "That's what the meeting is ...

US Hardens Rules for Visiting Canadians

This is Beirut 12/03 14:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States USA Canada

The United States will require Canadians visiting for more than 30 days to register with authorities, the federal register showed Wednesday, toughening rules as trade tensions soar between the North American neighbors. The new requirement, effective from April 11, would harden enforcement of an existing law from which US media said Canadian ...

Dissident Former Diplomat Shot Dead in Southern Syria: Monitor

This is Beirut 12/03 12:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Damascus Syria

A former Syrian diplomat who defected from his service under the administration of toppled president Bashar al-Assad was shot dead alongside his brother in the country's south, a war monitor said on Wednesday. Armed men on Tuesday night entered the home of former diplomat, Noureddine al-Labbad, in the town of Al-Sanamayn, some 50 kilometres (30 ...

West Says Next Step 'Up to Putin' on Ukraine Ceasefire Proposal

This is Beirut 12/03 12:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Ukraine Ceasefire Volodymyr Zelensky Putin Russia Donald Trump

Kyiv's Western allies upped the pressure on Russia on Wednesday to respond to a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire plan, after Ukraine backed the proposal aimed at ending the three-year war. In its first comments on the proposition, the Kremlin said it was waiting for details from Washington. US President Donald Trump's administration lifted a freeze ...

EU Calls for 'Justice' After Syria Violence

This is Beirut 12/03 11:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

European Union United Nations Syria war

The EU has welcomed Syria's establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate a recent wave of deadly violence, calling for perpetrators to be "brought to justice". "We strongly condemn the attacks by pro-Assad militias against security forces," the EU said in a statement released late Tuesday. "We also condemn in the strongest terms the ...

Iran Awaits Trump Letter Amid Nuclear Deal Tensions

This is Beirut 12/03 11:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Iran Nuclear Programme

Iran's top diplomat said Wednesday an Arab country will soon deliver a letter from US President Donald Trump, who has called for striking a nuclear deal with the Islamic republic. "The letter has not reached us yet but an envoy from an Arab country is set to deliver it soon in Tehran," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters after a ...