united states

Deadly Wildfires in Los Angeles: Ten Dead and Thousands Evacuated

Massive wildfires that engulfed whole neighborhoods and displaced thousands in Los Angeles have killed at least 10 people, authorities said, as California's National Guard soldiers readied to hit the streets to help quell disorder. News of the growing toll, announced late Thursday by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, came as swaths of the ...

Qatar in Talks to Fund Syria Public Wage Hikes

Qatar is weighing a plan to provide Syria's new rulers with funds to increase public sector salaries, a diplomatic source said Thursday, as the interim government in Damascus seeks to rebuild state institutions. "Discussions are taking place, but an agreement is yet to be concluded," the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity because ...

Hady Habib Makes History as the First Lebanese Competitor at the Australian Open

Hady Habib has become the first Lebanese tennis player to qualify for the Grand Slam tournament after winning the final round at the Australian Open qualifiers on Thursday. For Habib, this achievement transcends personal success—it is a tribute to his homeland. “It means the world to me. Representing Lebanon—a country and people I love so ...

Blinken Hopes for “Lasting Peace” in Lebanon as Israeli Troops Withdraw

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed optimism on Wednesday for a “lasting peace” as Israeli troops begin withdrawing from southern Lebanon. Speaking at a news conference in Paris, Blinken confirmed that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, in place for nearly a month, continues to hold. “The ceasefire is ...

Blinken says Gaza ceasefire deal remains 'very close'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that a Gaza ceasefire remained close, but reiterated that it may not happen before President Joe Biden hands over to Donald Trump. "In the Middle East, we're very close to a ceasefire and hostage deal," Blinken told reporters in Paris. "I hope that we can get it over the line ...

US Company Firefly Aerospace to Launch for Moon Next Week

US company Firefly Aerospace said Tuesday it is aiming to launch a lander to the Moon next week under an experimental NASA program that partners with the commercial sector to reduce costs. If successful, it would mark only the second time an American robot has touched down on the lunar surface since the end of the Apollo era. "Buckle up! Our ...

Wildfire Sparks Panicked Evacuations in Los Angeles Suburb

A ferocious wildfire in a Los Angeles suburb devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations Tuesday, as hurricane-force winds tore through the region. Frightened residents abandoned their cars on one of the only roads in and out of the upscale Pacific Palisades area, fleeing on foot from the almost 3,000-acre (1,200-hectare) blaze engulfing ...

US Sanctions Top Hungary Minister Over 'Corruption'

The United States announced sanctions against the head of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's cabinet on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in corruption. Antal Rogan, a minister who oversees the country's intelligence services and government communication, has "orchestrated schemes designed to control several strategic sectors ...

Syria Awaits Two Energy Ships from Turkey and Qatar

Syria's electricity chief said Tuesday that two power ships were being sent from Turkey and Qatar to increase supply after the United States eased sanctions following Bashar al-Assad's fall. More than 13 years of civil war hammered Syria's infrastructure, including power stations and energy pipelines, leading to power outages that can drag on for ...

North Korea's Kim Says New Hypersonic Missile will Deter 'Rivals'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said a new hypersonic missile system tested this week would help deter the country's Pacific rivals, state media reported Tuesday, as Washington's top diplomat visited the region. The test came two weeks before the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump, who previously tried to woo North Korea, and ...

Blinken Says US-Japan Ties Rock Solid Despite Rift Over Steel Deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted during a visit to Tokyo on Tuesday that ties with Japan were stronger than ever, days after President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's takeover of US Steel. Business groups say the decision could have a chilling effect on Japan's standing as the biggest foreign investor in the United States, just as ...

The Presidential Election Hangs in the Balance

Whether a president is elected in the upcoming January 9 session or the election is postponed, the incoming head of state must inevitably be fit for the new phase Lebanon is entering. There is no more room for maneuver, and the rapid developments in the region compel the authorities to change their approach, uphold the rule of law for everyone, ...