USA

Palantir, the AI Giant That Preaches US Dominance

Palantir, an American data analysis and artificial intelligence company, has emerged as Silicon Valley's latest tech darling -- one that makes no secret of its macho, America-first ethos now ascendant in Trump-era tech culture. The company's reach spans the global economy, with banks, hospitals, the US government, and the Israeli military among ...

UNIFIL Mandate Shift Could Ignite Region: Will the US Push Back on Israeli Demands?

One month separates Lebanon from a critical juncture, one of the most sensitive in its modern history. At the end of August, the United Nations Security Council will decide whether to renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year. The decision could either reaffirm the mission’s role or mark its ...

Joumblatt Hosts Key Meeting with Muftis

Former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Joumblatt hosted a high-level meeting at his Beirut residence on Monday, bringing together Grand Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, regional muftis from across Lebanon, Lebanese Democratic Party (LDP) leader Talal Arslan, members of the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc and ...

Expats in Lebanon: Celebrating Togetherness Amid Economic Strain

“Expats, I adore you! I was so happy to see you again and spend time together, especially after the summer of 2024, when war was raging between Israel and Hezbollah and we were overwhelmed by bad news and constant bombardment,” says Kareen, whom we met in downtown Beirut. Still, she adds a note of frustration. “It was really ...

Kremlin Does Not Rule Out Putin-Trump Meeting in China in September

The Kremlin on Monday said it was not ruling out a possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in September in China. Putin is due to visit China in early September for celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. "If it so happens that in the end the US president decides to ...

Europe Hopes for 'No Surprises' as US Weighs Force Withdrawals

After keeping Donald Trump happy with a pledge to up defense spending at NATO's summit, Europe is now bracing for a key decision from the US president on the future of American forces on the continent. Washington is currently conducting a review of its military deployments worldwide -- set to be unveiled in coming months -- and the expectation is ...

European Union Resigned to 15 Percent US Tariff

The United States and the European Union clinched a trade agreement on Sunday that will see EU exports taxed at 15 percent, in a bid to resolve a transatlantic tariff stand-off that threatened to explode into a full-blown trade war. US President Donald Trump emerged from a high-stakes meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der ...

'Crisis:' A Word for Everything?

Debt crisis, economic crisis, crisis of confidence in currencies: these expressions now dominate official discourse. Crises seem to multiply endlessly, from climate to democracy, from housing to public health. “Crisis” has become the keyword of our times. But what are we really saying? If everything is a crisis, does anything truly stand ...

Messi-Less Miami Held by Cincinnati in MLS

An Inter Miami team missing the suspended Lionel Messi missed the chance to gain ground on Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after being held to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer on Saturday. Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week's MLS ...

LAU Rizk Hospital Revolutionizes Preventive Medicine in Lebanon

The LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital has taken a major step forward in preventive medicine with the official launch, on Thursday, of its Executive Health Preventive Program. This visionary initiative, designed for executives and health-conscious individuals seeking to optimize their long-term well-being, embraces a proactive approach to ...

US Approves $4.67 BN Sale of Air Defense System to Egypt

The United States on Thursday announced the approval of a $4.67 billion sale of the NASAMS air defense system and related support to Egypt. NASAMS -- the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System -- has seen recent use on the battlefield after being provided to Ukraine by Kyiv's supporters as part of efforts to bolster the country's air ...

Syrian, Israeli Ministers Meet US Envoy in Paris: Senior Diplomat

The US special envoy for Syria said he held talks with Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris on Thursday on de-escalating sectarian violence in Syria. "I met this evening with the Syrians and Israelis in Paris. Our goal was dialogue and de-escalation, and we accomplished precisely that," said the envoy, Tom Barrack, on X. "All parties reiterated ...