World

HighlightRepublicans and Democrats Go to 'War' Over US Election Map

This is Beirut 06/08 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Washington Elections Gerrymandering Texas

Donald Trump is pulling hard on the levers of power to strengthen Republicans through redistricting in Texas and other states -- the latest offensive in escalating moves by both sides to shape the battlefield of US democracy for the midterm elections. The president's efforts have lit a fuse in multiple states, triggering a high-stakes tussle over ...

Gaza Civil Defence Says 20 Killed by Overturned Aid Truck

This is Beirut 06/08 09:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Palestine Conflict Aid Gaza

Gaza's civil defence agency said Wednesday that 20 people were killed when an aid truck overturned on a crowd of aid seekers in the central Gaza Strip. "Twenty people were killed and dozens injured around midnight last night in a truck carrying aid overturned... while hundreds of civilians were waiting for aid," the agency's spokesperson Mahmud ...

India's Security Chief in Moscow After US Tariff Threats

This is Beirut 06/08 09:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Ukraine Russia US India Tariff Oil

India's national security adviser was in Moscow on Wednesday, media in New Delhi reported, after Washington threatened to hike US tariffs because of India's purchases of Russian oil. India is a major buyer of Russian oil, a key source of revenue for Moscow's military offensive on Ukraine. US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was considering ...

HighlightChikungunya in China: What You Need to Know

This is Beirut 06/08 09:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

China Chikungunya Virus Mosquito

Cases of chikungunya fever are rising in southern China, prompting local authorities to take measures to curb its spread. Here is what you need to know about the disease: What is chikungunya? Chikungunya is caused by a virus that can be passed to humans by infected mosquitoes, with most cases occurring in Africa, Asia and the ...

Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israel: Judiciary

This is Beirut 06/08 09:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Iran Execution Spy

Iranian authorities on Wednesday executed a man convicted of spying for Israel by passing on information about a nuclear scientist killed during the 12-day war with Israel in June, the judiciary said. "Roozbeh Vadi... was executed following judicial proceedings and confirmation of his sentence by the Supreme Court," the judiciary's Mizan Online ...

Putin Meets US Envoy Witkoff Ahead of Sanctions Deadline

This is Beirut 06/08 07:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Steve Witkoff Russia United States

Russian President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, two days ahead of a deadline imposed by US President Donald Trump on Moscow to halt its Ukraine offensive or face fresh sanctions. Trump, who had boasted he could end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office, has given Russia until Friday to ...

Hiroshima Marks 80 Years as Us-Russia Nuclear Tensions Rise

This is Beirut 06/08 05:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Japan Hiroshima Nuclear

Japan marked 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Wednesday with a ceremony reminding the world of the horrors unleashed, as sabre-rattling between the United States and Russia keeps the nuclear "Doomsday Clock" close to midnight. A silent prayer was held at 8:15 am (2315 GMT), the moment when US aircraft Enola Gay dropped ...

Netanyahu Says Israel Must Complete Defeat of Hamas to Free Hostages

This is Beirut 05/08 23:21 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Gaza

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel must "complete" the defeat of Hamas in Gaza to secure the release of the remaining hostages, days ahead of a cabinet meeting to discuss an updated war plan. Israeli media have said the premier is considering ordering the total occupation of Gaza, even as international pressure ...

Iran Names Moderate Larijani to Head Top Security Body

This is Beirut 05/08 19:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Ali Larijani Iran

Iran has appointed veteran politician Ali Larijani, considered a moderate on foreign policy, to lead the Islamic republic's top security body, state media said Tuesday. "Ali Larijani was appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in a decree by President Masoud Pezeshkian," official news agency IRNA reported. Larijani, 68, who ...

Op-edAmerica's Middle East Dilemma and Opportunity

David Hale 05/08 19:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Syria Gaza United States Donald Trump

Whatever you think about events since October 2023, a fundamental shift in the balance of power has occurred in the Middle East. The dilemma for Washington and its regional partners is what to do now to bring lasting security for all those who in the past were compelled to live in the shadow of threats and violence by Iran and its Arab proxies. ...

US House Panel Subpoenas Clintons in Epstein Probe

This is Beirut 05/08 18:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Jeffrey Epstein Bill Clinton Hillary Clinton

The US House Oversight Committee on Tuesday subpoenaed former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton for testimony on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to letters posted on its website. The Clintons were among multiple former government officials, including two of President Donald Trump's attorneys general from ...

SpotlightGiotto, Padua, Jerusalem: The First Kiss in Art History

Bélinda Ibrahim 05/08 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Giotto Jerusalem Padua Kiss Art History

Within the sacred dimness of the Scrovegni Chapel, this scene immediately draws the eye with its unexpected tenderness. Two faces nearly touch, two foreheads gently meet and two lips reach for each other. This is neither Romeo and Juliet nor Tristan and Isolde, but Joachim and Anne, the biblical couple and parents of Mary, the future mother of ...