USA

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 ...

Saudi AI Firm Humain Inks Nvidia Deal as US Allows Chip Sales

Saudi Arabia's state-backed artificial intelligence firm Humain has announced a new partnership with Nvidia, as US officials cleared the way for the sale of advanced microchips to the Gulf kingdom. The announcement came as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Washington this week, where the heir to the Saudi throne secured a deal to purchase ...

US Politician Accused of Stealing $5 mn in Disaster Funds

US prosecutors on Wednesday said a Florida politician has been indicted on allegations she stole $5 million in federal disaster funds and used the money to finance her 2021 campaign. Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat elected from south Florida, is accused of teaming up with her brother and others to keep a $5 million ...

The Takaichi Shock: Taiwan Reshapes the Power Balance

The Statement That Sparked the Storm It began with a brief remark. On November 7, speaking to Japanese lawmakers, Sanae Takaichi warned that military action against Taiwan could threaten “Japan’s survival” and urged consideration of the “worst-case scenario.” Her comments quickly crossed the Taiwan Strait. Beijing responded almost ...

Trump and MBS Seal Massive Deals

The Saudi crown prince, welcomed to a lavish ceremony at the White House, revealed that the initial six hundred billion dollars in mega-deals would expand to nearly one trillion dollars, aiming to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and reinforce strategic ties with the United States. Donald Trump, emphasizing his business deal skills, hailed the ...

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 ...

Israel Says US Plan for Gaza to Deliver 'Peace and Prosperity' After UN Vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Tuesday hailed a US-drafted plan for Gaza after it was endorsed by the UN Security Council, saying it would lead to "peace and prosperity." The Palestinian foreign ministry also welcomed the 13-0 vote at the United Nations in New York and called for the resolution to be swiftly implemented on ...

US Flights to Return to Normal After Restrictions Lifted

US flights will return to normal schedules on Monday after reductions imposed during a government shutdown were lifted, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The FAA said Sunday evening that restrictions would be lifted and "normal operations can resume" across the country from 6:00 am Washington time (1100 GMT) on Monday. Thousands of ...

Defense and Israel at the Heart of MBS’s Washington Visit

The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), is expected in Washington on Tuesday November 18 for a meeting with United States President Donald Trump. The visit is seen as crucial for the US administration and is meant to revive and broaden the Abraham Accords while strengthening strategic and economic ties between Washington and ...

Saudi Prince, Eyeing Defence Pledge, to Meet Trump After Long US Absence

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will press for security guarantees while US President Donald Trump will urge him to normalise ties with Israel when the de facto Saudi ruler breaks a seven-year absence from Washington this week. Saudi Arabia is unlikely to agree to normalisation at this stage, with Prince Mohammed's priority set for firmer US ...

The Epigraphs of Our Lady of Ilige

Following Saint John Maron of Kfar-Hay (685–770) and Saint George of Yanouh (770–1120), Patriarch Peter I established his seat at Our Lady of Ilige in 1121. Ilige lies in a valley of the Mayfouq region, high above Byblos, annually cloaked in a thick mantle of snow. The monastery of Our Lady was built upon the remains of a Phoenician temple, ...