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Why Is Bitcoin Plunging?

What Has Caused the Latest Price Drop?  Prior to the recent slump, Bitcoin broke a series of record highs in the wake of Donald Trump's return to the White House. The US president came out strongly in favor of cryptocurrencies before his re-election, and has continued to do so. Bitcoin first surpassed $100,000 in May before reaching its latest ...

New Israeli Strikes on Deir Kifa and Chahour

The Israeli military struck sites in several south Lebanon towns on Wednesday after issuing evacuation warnings saying it would target Hezbollah. "The Israeli army is currently striking several Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon," the Israeli army said in a brief statement after issuing evacuation warnings for ...

A Lasting Message of Peace: Last Day of the Pope's Visit

The Pope concludes his stay, and This is Beirut brings you every key moment, live. Starting at 8:30 a.m., we will be at Jal El Dib, located at the Sisters of the Cross Hospital. At 10:30 a.m., follow the mass on the waterfront, a unique moment of reflection and unity. At 12:45 p.m., the farewell ceremony at Beirut Airport marks a solemn close to ...

Syrian Security Forces Foil Hezbollah Landmine Smuggling Operation

Syrian authorities said on Wednesday they had killed a man and arrested four others who were attempting to smuggle hundreds of landmines to Hezbollah. In a statement, the interior ministry said it launched a raid in Al-Jebbe, near the capital Damascus, during which "four people were arrested and a fifth neutralized after a clash." Khaled Abbas ...

Pope Leo Meets Families of Beirut Port Blast Victims

Pope Leo XIV visited the site of the August 4, 2020 Beirut port explosion on Tuesday morning, in what became one of the most symbolically charged moments of his third and final day in Lebanon. Still scarred by the blast, he was welcomed by families of the victims, who came to express both their grief and their unrelenting demand for truth and ...

The Future of AI… Is Rising in the Middle of the Desert

What if the future of artificial intelligence was being built right in the heart of the desert? In the United Arab Emirates, a colossal 26 km² AI campus is taking shape, a project designed to become one of the largest data-center parks in the world, capable of serving up to 4 billion people.

What the US Plan for Ukraine Entails

The United States reportedly sent Ukraine a new peace proposal with Russia on Wednesday, according to Axios, the Financial Times, and the New York Times. A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that the 28-point plan appears to incorporate several of Russia’s demands. While the proposal may be acceptable to Moscow, Ukrainian authorities view it as ...

At the Airport, a Wave of Emotion After the Arrival of Pope Leo XIV

This is Beirut spoke with children Celine Rai and Tony Beainy, who welcomed Pope Leo XIV upon his arrival at the Beirut airport, offering him bread, salt, and flowers. Rita Abi Hanna, the representative of the Guides du Liban to APECL Jeune (the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon), also shared her thoughts with This is Beirut.

Weather Depression Hits Lebanon Until Sunday

Lebanon and the eastern Mediterranean basin are currently affected by a weather depression centered north of Turkey, accompanied by cold air masses that are causing temperatures to drop below seasonal averages, along with occasionally heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds. Snowfall is also expected at altitudes starting from 2,200 ...

Ambassador Issa Commends Lebanon’s Progress Toward Peaceful Regional Engagement

The United States’ Ambassador to Lebanon, Michael Issa, issued a statement Thursday praising Lebanon and Israel for opening a channel of dialogue at a sensitive moment, signaling “a sincere willingness to pursue peaceful, responsible solutions grounded in good faith.” Ambassador Issa emphasized that durable progress can only be achieved ...

Iran Judiciary Calls for Tougher Stance on 'Social Anomalies'

Iranian judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei has called for stricter methods to tackle "social anomalies," local media reported, pointing in particular to more relaxed attitudes towards wearing the mandatory hijab. Under rules imposed after the 1979 Islamic revolution, all women in Iran must cover their hair in public with a hijab, or ...

No Fossil Fuels Plan in Latest Draft Deal from COP30 Presidency

COP30 host Brazil unveiled a draft agreement on Friday that does not include a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, a key demand by many countries at the climate summit. There is no mention of "fossil fuels" in the latest slimmed-down text proposal, released on the final day of the major UN climate conference in the rainforest city of ...

Iran: Tehran dams reach critical levels

The water level in Tehran’s dams and those in its surrounding areas is less than half of what it was last year due to a historic drought, according to state media, as Iranian authorities warn of the risk of shortages. Iran is facing its worst drought in six decades this year, and in Tehran, the capital, the low level of rainfall is “almost ...

Pro-Iran Camp Reunites to Form Majority in Iraq Parliament

Iraq's pro-Iran Coordination Framework alliance announced on Monday it had formed the majority bloc in the newly elected parliament and said that it will nominate the next prime minister. The announcement came after the electoral committee released the seat distribution from the November 11 general election, which showed that pro-Tehran parties ...

Iran Design Week Sparks Controversy After Viral Videos Surface

A cultural event in Iran dedicated to design has stirred controversy after viral videos—denounced as “vulgar”—showed women without headscarves, leading to a partial shutdown, a local media outlet reported Sunday. Tehran Design Week, held across roughly sixty venues, promotes itself as a must-see gathering for brands, artists, and design ...

EU Court Confirms Amazon Subject to Bloc's Digital Rules

An EU court on Wednesday rejected an Amazon challenge against the bloc's digital content law, confirming that the tech giant must comply with its strict rules. Amazon was seeking to overturn its designation as a "very large online platform," which is subject to tougher rules than smaller players under the European Union's behemoth Digital ...

Iran Begins Cloud Seeding Operations as Severe Drought Bites

Iranian authorities have launched cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall as the country faces its worst drought in decades, state media reported. "Today, a cloud seeding flight was conducted in the Urmia Lake basin for the first time in the current water year," which begins in September, the official IRNA news agency said late ...

The F-35: Cutting-Edge Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighter

On November 17, 2025, just ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's visit to Washington, the United States announced the imminent sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a pivotal moment in their strategic alliance. But what is the F-35, and what makes it one of the most sought-after combat aircraft in the ...

PM Hands Over the Drafting of the Gap Law to Kulluna Irada

This Is Beirut has learned that the legal committee tasked by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam—in coordination with Finance Minister Yassine Jaber—with drafting the financial gap law is composed of a three-member team operating within the orbit of the Kulluna Irada organization. The committee includes attorney Ali Zbib, Judge Rana Al-Akkoum, ...

A Visit of Peace: Pope Leo XIV’s Journey Through a Wounded Lebanon

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon marked a powerful moment for a country longing for stability. Over three days, the Holy Father met with political leaders, religious communities, and thousands of faithful, delivering a message of hope, unity, and peace. Through prayers, calls for dialogue, and symbolic gestures, his presence rekindled the sense ...

Trump Says US Will Sell F-35 Stealth Jets to Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump said Monday the United States would sell F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia, a day before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits the White House for talks. "We will be doing that. We will be selling F-35s," Trump told reporters when asked if Washington would agree to sell Riyadh the jets at Tuesday's ...

Egyptian Initiative Stalls: Token Disarmament and Sharm El-Sheikh Talks

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty is once again visiting Beirut to push forward the Egyptian initiative aimed at resolving the crisis between Lebanon and Israel. He cautions that the failure of this or any alternative proposal could push Lebanon toward further escalation and a potential military confrontation with Israel. According to ...

'Parasocial' Crowned Cambridge Dictionary Word of 2025

Do you feel a deep bond with pop stars like Taylor Swift or Lily Allen -- even though you've never met them? If you do, then your behavior is "parasocial" and bang on trend, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, which on Tuesday unveiled the adjective as its word of the year for 2025. Lexicographers picked it in a year they said was marked by ...

"Iron Beam": Israel’s Laser Defense System Ready for Deployment

The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on Monday that the laser defense system “Iron Beam” will officially enter service on December 30. According to The Jerusalem Post, already tested in the field, the laser has demonstrated its ability to neutralize drones, and authorities now say it will also be able to intercept missiles, rockets, and ...

Israel Says Islamic Jihad's Delay of Hostage Body Handover a Ceasefire 'Violation'

Israel said on Tuesday that a delay by the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad in handing over a hostage body, which the group said it had located on Monday during search operations in central Gaza, constituted a "violation" of the fragile ceasefire. A source in Islamic Jihad, who requested anonymity, confirmed the body belonged to one of ...

Drug Lord Nouh Zeaiter Arrested by the Lebanese Army

The Lebanese Army announced on Thursday that it had arrested Nouh Zeaiter, “one of the most dangerous wanted individuals, during an ambush on the Knaisseh–Baalbek road.” The lawyer of Nouh Zeaiter stated, in an interview with Al-Hadath: “My client is wanted on charges of drug distribution and cultivation.” He added: “The information ...

Warner Music Enters Licensing Deal With AI Music Startup

Warner Music Group and AI startup Udio announced on Wednesday they have settled a US copyright lawsuit and struck a deal to cooperate on a licensed artificial intelligence music creation service. The landmark agreement resolves litigation between the major label and Udio, while establishing what the companies described as a "clear framework" for ...

UN Nuclear Watchdog Calls for Full Cooperation from Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday adopted a resolution that called on Iran to provide it with access and information regarding its nuclear program, as required under UN resolutions. The vote came a day after the head of IAEA renewed his call for Tehran to allow inspections at key nuclear sites attacked by Israel and the United ...

Raggi Open to Negotiations With Israel

Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said Thursday evening that he was open to negotiations with Israel while urging Lebanese expatriates to quickly register on the platform for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Speaking on MTV’s Sar el-Waet program, Mr. Raggi said that if he were given a mandate by the government, he would be ready to enter ...