united states

ATFL Celebrates 2024 Annual Awards Gala Dinner

The American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese descent, celebrated its annual awards dinner on May 5, 2024 in Washington DC, where it honored individuals of Lebanese descent who have strengthened the ties between Lebanon and the United States. The dinner featured interventions by dignitaries and ...

Biden and Trump Agree on Election Debate Dates

Joe Biden and Donald Trump agreed on Wednesday to hold a first presidential debate in June after the Democratic incumbent challenged his rival to "make my day" and the scandal-plagued Republican quickly responded that he was ready to "rumble." CNN announced that it will hold the first debate on June 27 in Atlanta, Georgia. Biden proposed a second ...

Michael Cohen Undergoes Cross-Examination in Trump Trial

Donald Trump's arch-foe and former personal attorney Michael Cohen underwent grueling cross-examination Tuesday, as senior Republicans increasingly politicized the trial by attending court to support the former president. Trump, who is running to retake the White House, was joined by his most high-profile entourage to date, including House of ...

US Expresses Security Guarantees to Ukraine

The United States will back Ukraine until its security is "guaranteed," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on a trip to Kyiv on Tuesday, hours after Russian forces claimed further advances in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Blinken's visit comes just weeks after the US Congress finally approved a $61-billion financial aid package for ...

Stormy Daniels Called to Stand in Trump Trial

Stormy Daniels, the porn star at the heart of Donald Trump's hush money case, testified in a packed Manhattan courtroom Tuesday about a 2006 sexual encounter that precipitated the criminal trial of the former United States president. Trump is charged with falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment ...

US Sanctions Suppliers in Russia, China over Ukraine War

United States officials on Wednesday announced fresh sanctions aimed at crippling Russia's military and industrial capabilities, punishing companies in China and elsewhere that help Moscow acquire weapons for its war in Ukraine. In a sweeping package announced by the US Treasury Department, Washington targeted nearly 300 entities in Russia, ...

Pentagon Chief Calls for Additional Patriot Systems for Ukraine

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday that he has been encouraging countries with Patriot missile systems to donate them to Ukraine, which appealed for more of the air defense batteries. "There are countries that have Patriots, and so what we're doing is continuing to engage those countries," Austin told a House Armed Services ...

Iran Says to Free Crew of Seized Portugal-Flagged Ship

Iran said Saturday it would release the crew members of a Portuguese-flagged ship that its forces seized this month in the Gulf. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps took over the MSC Aries with 25 crew members on board near the Strait of Hormuz on April 13. Tehran later said the ship belonged to its arch-foe Israel and was being investigated ...

Blinken Calls for US and China to Manage Differences

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a visit to Shanghai ahead of crucial talks with Chinese officials, emphasized the need for "direct and sustained" dialogue between the two countries. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a visit to Shanghai ahead of crucial talks with Chinese officials, emphasized the need for "direct and sustained" ...

Prosecutors Accuse Trump of 'Willful' Violations of Gag Order

Former President Donald Trump was accused by prosecutors on Tuesday of violating a gag order issued by a judge in order to prevent him from intimidating witnesses in his past trial. Prosecutors accused Donald Trump on Tuesday of brazenly violating a gag order imposed by the judge presiding over his "hush money" trial to prevent him from ...

Trump Accused of 'Criminal Conspiracy and Cover-up'

During the opening arguments on Monday in the historic first criminal trial of a former US president, prosecutors leveled accusations against Donald Trump, alleging involvement in "criminal conspiracy and a cover-up." Prosecutors accused Donald Trump of engaging in "criminal conspiracy and a cover-up" as opening arguments began on Monday in the ...

Deadly Blast at Hashed Al-Shaabi Military Base in Iraq

One person was killed and eight wounded in an overnight explosion at an Iraqi military base housing Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of pro-Iranian armed groups, officials said Saturday. The explosion hit the Kalsu military base in Babylon province south of Baghdad, where Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, or Hashed al-Shaabi, is stationed. It ...