USA

Gaza: Hamas Releases New Video of Israeli Hostage

Hamas has released a propaganda video featuring Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old hostage,the first such video in several months. The three-and-a-half-minute video is undated, but Alexander states he has been in captivity for over 420 days, suggesting the footage was filmed this week if accurate. Alexander, a US citizen and soldier, was stationed ...

LACC: Lebanon Is at a Crossroad

In the context of following up on recent events in Lebanon, particularly regarding the approval of a 60-day truce between Israel and Lebanon, the Lebanese-American Coordinating Committee (LACC) sent a position paper to the US administration. The text is as follows: “Lebanon stands at a pivotal moment following the recent ceasefire between ...

Japanese Yen Rises Ahead of Potential Interest Rate Cut

The yen rallied Friday after forecast-busting inflation data out of Tokyo boosted talk of another Japanese interest rate cut next month, while equity markets were mixed as traders weigh the economic outlook during a second Trump administration. With Wall Street closed for the Thanksgiving break, there were few catalysts to drive business heading ...

Social Media Giants Slam Australia Banning Under-16s

Social media giants on Friday hit out at a landmark Australian law banning them from signing up under-16s, describing it as a rush job littered with "many unanswered questions". The UN children's charity UNICEF Australia warned the law was no "silver bullet" against online harm and could push kids into "covert and unregulated" spaces online. The ...

Le Drian Welcomes Election Date and Hopes for Tangible Outcomes

The announcement came as Le Drian was meeting with the Quintet ambassadors (United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar) at the Pine Residence, shortly before heading to Parliament. Berri invited Le Drian to observe part of the legislative session, during which Army Commander-in-Chief General Joseph Aoun’s term was extended. Aoun is ...

Mawlawi: Our Main Challenges Are Displaced Persons and Reconstruction

The caretaker Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi, announced that "the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, General Joseph Aoun, has briefed the ministers on the broad outlines of the Lebanese Armed Forces' deployment plan in South Lebanon. The plan, which will be executed in three phases, aims to ensure both the return of Lebanese citizens and the ...

Ceasefire or Reload: The Uncertain Path Ahead

I'm relieved that the bombing and the killing have ceased, offering a much-needed moment of respite for all Lebanese. Displaced families, despite their hardships, have found humor even in adversity, joking about missing Avichay Adraee's daily tweets. This reflects the resilience of the Lebanese spirit. However, as the adrenaline from war subsides, ...

Hochstein Emphasizes the Importance of Strengthening the Army and Revitalizing the Economy

Amid challenges, Lebanon stands on the brink of a transformative opportunity. Recent developments, including a newly established ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, signal hope for a more stable and prosperous future. US envoy Amos Hochstein's optimistic outlook sheds light on a unified effort aimed at securing peace and revitalizing Lebanon's ...

Local Responses on the Announcement of the Ceasefire

Hours after US President Joe Biden announced a proposal to end the “devastating” conflict, which has killed thousands of people over the course of nearly 14 months of cross-border fighting, the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect. Many local positions were issued after the truce, which started at 4 AM on ...

Editorial-Comprehensive and Strengthened Ceasefire Under Resolution 1701

A keen observer, closely following the Middle Eastern conflict, once noted during the Lebanese war that Arab regimes were always “a truce behind.” In other words, at every critical turn in the regional crisis, they often accepted conditions or succumbed to situations they had rejected just a few years earlier. This unfortunate reality applies ...

New EU Commission Gets Green Light to Launch Defense, Economy Push

European lawmakers on Wednesday gave Ursula von der Leyen's new executive team the green light to start work, as the EU chief warned there was "no time to waste" to boost the bloc's defenses and competitiveness. From supporting Kyiv against Russia's invasion to war in the Middle East, China's economic rivalry and the imminent return of Donald ...