This is Beirut

Pope Francis: "Providence Will Never Forsake Lebanon"

Fady Noun, 21/04 16:30 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Pope Francis Hezbollah Israel US Secretary of State USA

Pope Francis has always kept Lebanon close to his heart. According to those close to him and many of his visitors, the Holy Father has remained closely informed about developments in the country. While he has not visited Lebanon—due to both health concerns and the political vacuum created by the absence of a president and a fully functioning ...

Yemen's Houthis Say US Strikes on Sanaa Kill at Least 12

This is Beirut, 21/04 13:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Gulf Hamas Houthi

Yemen's Houthis said early Monday that US air strikes on Sanaa killed at least 12 people and wounded 30, with a military spokesperson later claiming attacks on US aircraft carriers and Israel. The Houthi-run Saba news agency cited the ministry as saying the dead and injured had come from overnight strikes "by the American enemy" on a market and a ...

Who Am I to Judge? Pope Francis in Key Quotes

This is Beirut, 21/04 11:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Pope Francis Donald Trump USA Europe White House

Key quotes from Pope Francis's papacy: Humility "Pray for me" - pronounced at the end of every speech, because, he once explained, "I am a sinner too." His first tweet and first post on Instagram were versions of the mantra. The poor "How I would like a poor church for the poor" - setting the tone for his pontificate, three days after his ...

How Global Policies of Convenience Have Quietly Undermined Our Freedoms

Philip Honein , 21/04 11:20 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

United States USA

Over the past two decades, the world has undergone a quiet but profound transformation, not through war or revolution, but through regulatory control. What began as a post 9/11 response to global terrorism has evolved into a far-reaching system of surveillance, compliance and behavioral control. It has been packaged as safety, transparency and ...

Gold Hits Record, Dollar Drops as Tariff Fears Dampen Sentiment

This is Beirut, 21/04 10:54 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Donald Trump New York United States USA Washington

Gold prices hit a fresh record on Monday while the dollar weakened further and stocks were mixed amid worries about Donald Trump's tariff blitz and his bubbling row with the Federal Reserve. With several markets still closed for the Easter holiday, business was limited ahead of a week that will see the release of key data that should give an ...

Trump in His Own Words: 100 Days of Quotes

This is Beirut, 21/04 09:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA

Donald Trump's first 100 days back in the US presidency have showcased his unique ability to shock -- and sometimes entertain -- with outrageous remarks that pull no punches. From stroking his own ego to berating American allies, here are some of Trump's most memorable quotes since he returned to the White House: "I was saved by God to make ...

Iran and the Unresolved Dilemmas

Charles Chartouni, 21/04 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA United States Iran

Political observers are taken aback while trying to make sense of the Iranian regime's shifting postures. The first striking features are the ostensible cleavages among the Iranian concentric circles of power: moderates are deliberately engaging in the negotiations, while extremists are still jockeying. The second feature relates to the substance ...

Vance in India for Tough Talks on Trade

This is Beirut, 21/04 08:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

USA Washington JD Vance India Narendra Modi

US Vice President JD Vance began a four-day visit to India on Monday as New Delhi looks to seal an early trade deal and stave off punishing US tariffs. Vance's visit comes two months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House. A red carpet welcome with an honour guard and troupes of ...

Iranian Press Trumpet Strength in Ongoing US Talks

This is Beirut, 20/04 15:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Hezbollah Israel Middle East

Iranian media portray Tehran as holding a strong position after Saturday's nuclear talks with the United States, ahead of further discussions in Oman in the coming days. "Iran's military might has forced America to negotiate," headlines the Kayhan newspaper, whose editorial line has long opposed any compromise or negotiations with the United ...

American and European Rivalry Serves China and Its Axis

Pierre Nahas, 20/04 11:30 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

USA China United States Europe

It is in no way simplistic to say that the 20th century has been the American century. Our modern world was and is still being shaped by innovations made in America. The nuclear bomb, the Apollo mission to the moon and the internet. Indeed, America can draw from a long list, but one overlooked American achievement is Europe. It would not be an ...

Analysts Warn US Could Be Handing Chip Market to China

This is Beirut, 20/04 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States USA

As the Trump administration attempts to choke off exports of strategically important computer chips to China, experts say the effort might well backfire, fueling innovation at Chinese firms that could help them seize the world semiconductor market. "What's actually happening is that the US government right now is handing China a big win as it ...

Netanyahu Vows to Bring Hostages Home Without Yielding to Hamas' Demands

This is Beirut, 19/04 23:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas Israel Palestine USA

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Saturday to bring home the remaining hostages in Gaza without yielding to Hamas' demands, insisting the military campaign in the Palestinian territory had reached a "critical stage". "I believe we can bring our hostages home without surrendering to Hamas's dictates," Netanyahu said, in his first ...

USA