Search : 500 result(s)

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 ...

Syria: Three Wounded in Israeli Incursion

Three people were wounded on Tuesday by Israeli gunfire during an incursion in southern Syria, state television reported, while the Israeli army described the incident as a “clash” with “suspects.” According to state television, “three people were wounded by fire from the Israeli occupation forces” in the Quneitra region, on the Golan ...

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 ...

Australia Lists Iran’s IRGC as State Sponsor of Terrorism

Australia on Thursday officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism, following the release of an intelligence assessment linking the group to attacks targeting Jewish communities throughout the country. The assessment by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) ...

Lebanon–Cyprus Agreement: Strategic Breakthrough or Maritime Concession?

As the debate over border demarcation in Lebanon reopened widely following the maritime agreement with Israel and ongoing efforts to define both land and sea borders with Syria, Lebanon has reached a final agreement with Cyprus on the maritime boundary. The move comes after the government approved the draft agreement and referred it to the ...

U.S. to Label Maduro-Led Cartel as Foreign Terrorist Organization

The United States plans to classify a cartel that it says Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro runs as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday, as tensions soar between the two countries. "Cartel de los Soles by and with other designated FTOs including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel are responsible ...

German Hollywood Veteran Udo Kier Dead at 81

German actor Udo Kier, whose offbeat charisma made him a cult figure in both arthouse and Hollywood cinema, has died at 81 in California, US magazine Variety reported. With a career spanning more than half a century, Kier appeared in hundreds of films, often stealing scenes with his unmistakable presence. Kier first rose to fame in the 1970s ...

UK warns Putin as Russian Military Ship Enters its Waters

The UK government warned the Kremlin on Wednesday after saying a Russian military ship had entered British waters and directed lasers at UK pilots. Defense Secretary John Healey told reporters in London that the ship had "entered" UK waters for the second time this year, following an earlier incursion back in January. "The Yantar is on the edge ...

ISG: El-Hajj and Keuchkarian, Lebanese Heroes in Riyadh

Born in the mid-2000s to bring together the National Olympic Committees of the Islamic world, the event has grown over the editions. This sixth stop in Riyadh confirms the step up in scale: a well-oiled organization, a dense program, increased visibility for water and combat sports. For the Lebanese delegation, the challenge was twofold: to ...

Kanaan Warns of “Constitutional Violation” in Unaudited State Accounts

Following a Finance and Budget Committee meeting on Wednesday, its chairman, MP Ibrahim Kanaan, issued sharp warnings over the state’s continued failure to produce audited financial accounts, describing this as a “clear constitutional violation” of Article 87. Kanaan stressed that Lebanese citizens are required to submit their accounts for ...

Fadi Khalaf: Lebanon Is on the Path to Economic Restructuring

The Secretary General of the Association of Banks in Lebanon, Fadi Khalaf, stated that the country is beginning to return to the path of economic recovery, considering the return of the Union of Arab Banks to Lebanon as a promising sign of hope. However, he warned that the Lebanese State’s failure to comply with the conditions set by Arab ...