This is Beirut - United Kingdom

Elton John and McCartney Warn Against AI Threat to Artists

This is Beirut, 27/01 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Kingdom Artificial Intelligence Music Art

Two of Britain's leading music icons, Elton John and Paul McCartney, urged the UK government on Sunday to protect creative artists from AI, as ministers consult on changing copyright laws. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government is considering overhauling the law to allow AI developers to use creators' content online to help develop their models, ...

Partial Closure of British Museum Following Cybersecurity Breach

This is Beirut, 27/01 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Kingdom Museum Culture Art

The British Museum, one of the world's most renowned cultural institutions, announced on Saturday the partial closure of several galleries after a cybersecurity breach caused by a former contractor. The incident led to the "shutdown" of its IT systems, impacting museum operations. "We are working tirelessly to ensure the museum returns to full ...

Trade Wars, Culture Wars, and Anti-Immigration: Trump's Big Promises

This is Beirut, 20/01 09:06 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Tik Tok Pope Francis Republicans United Kingdom

A sweeping deportation program, "drill, baby, drill," and peace for Ukraine: President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to move big and fast when he returns to the White House on Monday. Here is a look at his sensational but frequently vague promises for a second term -- much of them likely to be enacted through executive ...

London's FTSE 100 stocks index hits record high

This is Beirut, 17/01 12:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United Kingdom

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index reached an all-time high in early trading Friday, lifted by renewed optimism over the global economy. The index jumped 1.0 percent to 8,475.35 points, slightly surpassing a record achieved in May last year. Around 0900 GMT, it stood at 8,472.67 points. British stocks have been boosted in recent days by a drop ...

UK's Starmer to Ink '100 Year' Accord During Ukraine Visit

This is Beirut, 16/01 09:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Ukraine United Kingdom Volodymyr Zelensky Keir Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on Thursday on an unannounced visit to shore up support for Ukraine after nearly three years of war, officials said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been holding a flurry of meetings with his country's allies ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House next week. Starmer is ...

UK-Iraq London Talks to Mark 'New Era'

This is Beirut, 14/01 10:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

United Kingdom Iraq relations Starmer Sudani

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Tuesday for talks on trade, security and migration hailed by Baghdad as marking a "new era" for the countries' ties. The Iraqi prime minister's visit to London, during which he will also meet King Charles III, comes more than 20 years after Britain took ...

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Faces Final Day in Role

This is Beirut, 06/01 13:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United Kingdom Justin Welby Canterbury

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will officially step down on Monday as leader of the world's Anglicans, nearly two months after resigning over failures in the Church of England's handling of a serial abuse case. Welby, 69, will be replaced on a temporary basis by outgoing Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, currently the second most senior ...

World Celebrated New Year, UK Faced Weather Disruptions

This is Beirut, 01/01 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

United Kingdom Culture Art

Around the world, every country geared up to welcome the new year with its own distinct customs and celebrations. From the dazzling fireworks in Sydney to the lively parties in New York, cities prepared for a vibrant display of tradition and festivity. In places like Paris, where the Eiffel Tower lighted up the night sky, and in Cape Town, where ...

London Wall Illuminates Covid's Enduring Pain at Christmas

This is Beirut, 2024-12-24 09:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Covid-19 United Kingdom london

UK families of some 240,000 people who died from Covid-19 have hung festive lights on a London wall, a symbol of love, anger and pain ahead of another Christmas overshadowed by loss. As the fifth anniversary of the global pandemic approaches, emotions still run raw across the UK amid lingering accusations that the then government responded too ...

US Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen's Capital

This is Beirut, 2024-12-21 23:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Yemen United States United Kingdom US CENTCOM

The United States said it conducted strikes on Houthi targets in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on Saturday, including what it said was a missile storage center and a "command-and-control facility." During the operation, American forces also shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea, the US Central Command ...

Thousands Greet the Sun at Stonehenge Solstice Celebration

This is Beirut, 2024-12-21 18:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United Kingdom Stonehenge

Thousands flocked to Stonehenge on Saturday to greet sunrise at the ancient British monument on the northern hemisphere's shortest day of the year. Spectators cheered and applauded as the sun rose over the neolithic site in southwest England at the winter solstice, a pagan celebration that is believed to have been observed there for thousands ...

UK Sends Senior Officials to Meet 'Interim Syrian Authorities'

This is Beirut, 2024-12-16 21:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United Kingdom Syria Hayat Tahrir al-Sham David Lammy

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday that the UK has sent senior officials to meet with Syria's new leadership. It follows the fall earlier this month of the Assad regime to Islamist-led rebels, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has its roots in Al-Qaeda. HTS has renounced jihadism but remains proscribed as a terrorist ...