White House Says Firings 'Imminent' as Plan to Reopen Government Collapses

This is Beirut 01/10 22:11 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Government Shutdown

Efforts to swiftly end the US government shutdown collapsed Wednesday as Democrats in Congress rejected proposals to resolve an acrimonious funding standoff with President Donald Trump, and the White House threatened public sector jobs. With the government out of money after Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, ...

AnalysisGeneration Z: Anger Spreads Across Continents

Moncef Ait-Kaci 01/10 21:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

In Morocco, the protest movement has reached an unprecedented scale over the past four days. From Rabat to Casablanca, from Oujda to Tiznit, and also in Agadir, thousands of young people have mobilized around the Gen Z 212 collective, which had been largely unknown until now. Clashes have multiplied, including confrontations with security forces, ...

US Sanctions Iranian 'Weapons Networks' after UN Reimposes Restrictions

This is Beirut 01/10 20:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Iran United States

The United States has sanctioned an alleged Iranian weapons procurement network supporting the country's ballistic missile program following the UN decision to reimpose sanctions on Tehran, the Treasury Department announced Wednesday. Washington said it was targeting 21 companies and 17 individuals who "pose a significant threat to US service ...

French Navy Boards Russia ‘Shadow Fleet’ Ship, Arrests Two

This is Beirut 01/10 20:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

France Russia tanker drones

France has detained two senior crew members of a tanker linked to Russia, which data showed was off the Danish coast last month during mysterious drone flights, prosecutors said on Wednesday. The Boracay, a Benin-flagged vessel blacklisted by the European Union for being part of Russia's sanction-busting "shadow fleet" of ageing oil ...

Germany Arrests 3 Suspected Hamas Members Planning Attacks

This is Beirut 01/10 19:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Germany Hamas

Three suspected members of Palestinian militant group Hamas were arrested in Berlin Wednesday for allegedly planning attacks on Jewish and Israeli sites, German prosecutors said, with weapons and ammunition also seized. The suspects were "foreign operatives" of Hamas, who have "have been involved in procuring firearms and ammunition for the ...

US and Allies Reducing Forces in Iraq

This is Beirut 01/10 19:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Iraq United States US Army Pentagon

US and allied forces are reducing their presence in Iraq, the Pentagon said Wednesday, winding down a more than decade-long mission there against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group as planned. Washington and Baghdad agreed last year that the international coalition against IS, established in 2014 to help local forces retake territory seized by ...

Ethiopia Church Scaffold Collapse Kills 36

This is Beirut 01/10 16:42 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Ethiopia

Makeshift scaffolding set up at a church in Ethiopia collapsed Wednesday, killing at least 36 people and injuring more than 200, state media said. The incident occurred at around 7:45 am in the town of Arerti, roughly 70 kilometers (40 miles) east of the capital, Addis Ababa, when a group was visiting for an annual Virgin Mary festival. District ...

Israel Issues 'Last' Warning for Gaza City Residents to Flee

This is Beirut 01/10 16:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hamas Gaza

Israel's defense minister issued a final warning for Gaza City residents to flee south on Wednesday, as Hamas weighed US President Donald Trump's plan to end nearly two years of war in the Palestinian territory. Witnesses reported heavy bombardment in Gaza's largest urban center, as Israel Katz warned the military was tightening its encirclement ...

SpotlightMiracle Gel for Fractures: Medical Revolution or Media Hype?

Bélinda Ibrahim 01/10 16:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Fractures Gel Bones Science China

In recent weeks, international media and social networks have been buzzing about a “miracle gel” developed by Chinese researchers. Known as Bone 02, this biomaterial reportedly repairs fractures in as little as three minutes without traditional surgery or metal implants. The concept sounds like science fiction: apply the gel to a broken bone, ...

Iran Approves Bill Toughening Penalty for Spying for US

This is Beirut 01/10 14:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam USA Iran

Iranian authorities on Wednesday approved a bill toughening penalties for those convicted of spying on behalf of Israel and the United States, months after the 12-day war between the foes. The bill was presented to parliament on June 23, as Iran and Israel were engaged in a war that saw unprecedented Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic, which ...

Denmark PM Urges 'Very Strong Answer' to Russia's 'Hybrid War'

This is Beirut 01/10 14:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

European Union Ukraine Denmark

Denmark said Wednesday that Europe needs to step up its response to a "hybrid war" being waged by Russia, after mysterious drone flights and a spate of airspace violations rattled European Union members. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned the continent is facing the "most difficult and dangerous situation" since the ...

Hamas Seeks to Amend Disarmament Clause in Gaza Plan, Source Says

This is Beirut 01/10 13:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hamas Palestine Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu USA

Heavy Israeli bombardment rocked Gaza City on Wednesday, witnesses said, as Hamas weighed US President Donald Trump's plan to end nearly two years of devastating war in the Palestinian territory. A Palestinian source close to Hamas told AFP on Wednesday that "no final decision" had been made and that "the movement will likely need two to three ...