This is Beirut

'The Lord of the Rings:' Novel of the Century… Typed with Two Fingers

Bélinda Ibrahim, 16/08 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

The Lord of The Rings Tolkien USA Novel Story

We tend to picture The Lord of the Rings as a towering monument of modern fantasy, which it is, unquestionably. But what we often forget is that this masterpiece is not only the product of an Oxford professor’s fertile imagination and passion for ancient languages. It was forged through relentless, profoundly manual work, carried out in solitude ...

Lebanon Reinforces Its Sovereignty as Hezbollah and Iranian Influence Decline

Amal Chmouny, 16/08 12:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hezbollah Tehran United States USA Washington

In recent months, the geopolitical landscape in Lebanon has undergone a notable shift as Iran's influence, particularly through its support of Hezbollah, faces growing scrutiny and challenge. The once seemingly unassailable grip that Tehran had over Lebanese affairs is being tested, as internal tensions rise and the Lebanese government seeks to ...

Sinner Swamps Auger-Aliassime in Cincinnati Power Display

This is Beirut, 15/08 16:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

USA Tennis ATP Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner "felt great on the court" as he annihilated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-0, 6-2 on Thursday to reach the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open semi-finals with his 25th straight hardcourt match victory. The world number one powered through a rapid-fire opening set and overcame a wobble as he started the second set by dropping serve. The defending ...

China Says 'Opposes' European Sanctions Over Iran Nuclear Programme

This is Beirut, 15/08 14:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

USA china iran europe nuclear sanctions

China said on Friday it "opposes" invoking fresh sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program after Britain, France and Germany told the United Nations they would reimpose them if no diplomatic solution is found by the end of August. China "opposes invoking" sanctions and "believes that it does not help parties build trust ...

YouTube Turns to AI to Guess Users' Age and Protect Minors

This is Beirut, 15/08 10:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Internet Technology Children AI USA Culture

YouTube has started testing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to identify the age of its users in the United States, in an effort to better protect minors from content and online habits considered inappropriate for them. "This technology will allow us to infer a user’s age and use that signal independently of the date of birth listed on the ...

Putin, Trump to Discuss Settling Ukraine Conflict in Talks: Kremlin

This is Beirut, 14/08 13:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Donald Trump Ukraine USA Vladimir Putin Alaska Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump are to discuss ways to settle the Ukraine conflict during their landmark summit in Alaska on Friday, the Kremlin said. The meeting will be the first between sitting US and Russian presidents since 2021, and comes as Trump seeks to broker an end to Russia's nearly three-and-a-half ...

Trump Names Stallone, Strait, Gaynor Among 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees

This is Beirut, 14/08 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Arts Donald Trump Kennedy Center Nominees USA Culture

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday named Rocky star Sylvester Stallone and country music great George Strait among the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, as he pursues a controversial overhaul of the storied arts venue. Since returning to office in January, the Republican leader has declared war on what he calls "woke" viewpoints ...

Trump Orders Space Regulations Eased in Win For Musk

This is Beirut, 14/08 09:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA White House Space

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday easing regulations for the private space industry, including eliminating some environmental reviews, in a move likely to please his erstwhile advisor Elon Musk. The executive order, which said it aimed to "substantially" increase the number of space launches in the United States, was ...

Cincinnati Washout Leaves Zverev, Pegula Stranded Mid-Match

This is Beirut, 13/08 15:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA Tennis ATP Alcaraz Medvedev Cincinnati

Carlos Alcaraz beat the heat and humidity of a Midwest summer as the world number two advanced to the fourth round of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open on Tuesday. The Spaniard moved through hours before an evening rainstorm and lightning spoiled the nighttime scenario, leaving men's and women's third seeds stranded in third-round ...

When Luxury Faces Economic Headwinds

Christiane Tager, 13/08 09:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Europe USA

Tourism has long been the lifeblood of luxury, injecting vitality and a steady flow of affluent clients into prestigious fashion houses. Each summer, cities like Paris, Milan and Tokyo transform into prime destinations for wealthy international shoppers eager to find unique pieces and limited editions. In 2024, the system worked smoothly: a ...

Steely Sinner Advances Amid Cincinnati Power-Failure Chaos

This is Beirut, 12/08 10:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA Sinner Cincinnati Tennis

Jannik Sinner ignored power failure interruptions and a blaring alarm to defeat Gabriel Diallo 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) on Monday's day of distractions at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open. The top-seeded defending champion got down to business against a Canadian ranked 35th who was plagued by eight first-set double-faults and 49 unforced errors in the match ...

Two Dead, 10 Hospitalized in Pennsylvania Steel Plant Explosions

This is Beirut, 12/08 09:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United States USA Explosion Pennsylvania Steel

Two workers died and 10 were wounded Monday after blasts at a US Steel plant in the state of Pennsylvania, officials said. "Multiple explosions occurred today at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works," the state's Governor Josh Shapiro said in a post on X, naming a plant some 15 miles (25 kilometers) outside the city of Pittsburgh. "Injured employees ...

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