Israel Bars Jerusalem's Top Muslim Cleric from Al-Aqsa

This is Beirut 06/08 18:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Al-Aqsa Mosque Jerusalem Grand Mufti of Jerusalem

Israeli authorities have banned Jerusalem's top Muslim cleric from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for six months over a recent sermon, his attorney told AFP on Wednesday. Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem, will be prevented from entering the holy site in the Israeli-annexed Old City until January 2026, according to lawyer ...

Syria Inks Infrastructure, Real Estate Deals Worth $14 Billion

This is Beirut 06/08 18:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Syria Syrian Investment Authority

Syria held a signing ceremony on Wednesday for agreements worth more than $14 billion, including investments in Damascus airport and other transport and real estate projects, state media reported. Since the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, Syria's new authorities have worked to attract investment for the ...

Apple to Invest Additional $100 Billion in US

This is Beirut 06/08 18:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United States Donald Trump Apple Technology

Apple will invest an additional $100 billion in the United States, taking its total pledge to $600 billion over the next four years, a senior White House official said Wednesday. The announcement, which was first reported by US media, will be officially made later Wednesday at 4:30 pm (2030 GMT) at a White House event with President Donald ...

Nobel Laureate Mohammadi Warns of 'Temptation' of Nuclear Arms

This is Beirut 06/08 16:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Narges Mohammadi Iran Iran Nuclear Program

Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi warned Wednesday, on the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, that the "temptation" for countries to pursue nuclear arms was growing. Addressing a conference celebrating fellow Nobel laureate Nihon Hidankyo's campaigning against nuclear weapons, Mohammadi lamented ...

Putin Holds 'Constructive' Talks with US Envoy Witkoff ahead of Sanctions Deadline

This is Beirut 06/08 16:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Russia United States Vladimir Putin Steve Witkoff

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

VideosFires Are Devastating the Aude Region in Southern France

This is Beirut 06/08 16:15 - Reading : less than a minute

The largest fire of the summer is ravaging the Aude Region, in southern France. Over 12,000 hectares have burned, with 15 municipalities affected in the Corbieres massif.    

SpotlightBrazil: Why Lightning (Almost) Always Spares Christ the Redeemer

Bélinda Ibrahim 06/08 15:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Brazil Christ the Redeemer Lightning Science Rio de Janeiro

Standing 38 meters tall, arms outstretched atop Mount Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer watches over Rio de Janeiro. But this stone guardian, national symbol of Brazil, is also a prime target for lightning strikes. At nearly 710 meters above sea level and perched in isolation, the statue is struck an average of four to six times per year. During ...

ExplainerThe Art of Redistricting: How Gerrymandering Influences US Elections

Mario Chartouni 06/08 14:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

USA US Presidential Elections Donald Trump Republicans Democrats

Five additional seats in Texas, two in Ohio and one in Missouri – across the United States, Donald Trump is encouraging his allies to embrace gerrymandering, a political tactic designed to tilt congressional representation in favor of Republicans. “I won Texas,” he declared in a CNBC interview, insisting that Republicans “deserve five ...

Trump Suggests Vance 'Most Likely' Republican Pick for 2028

This is Beirut 06/08 13:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA Politics Trump Election Vote

US President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday Vice President JD Vance is "most likely" to secure the Republican Party nomination for president in 2028. Trump has avoided naming a preferred successor and said in February that, while Vance was "very capable," it was too soon to make such calls. Asked on Tuesday whether Vance ...

Natural Disasters Caused $135 BN in Economic Losses in First Half of 2025

This is Beirut 06/08 13:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

switzerland insurance climate Economy

Natural disasters caused $135 billion in economic losses globally in the first half of 2025, fuelled by the Los Angeles wildfires, Swiss Re said Wednesday. Swiss Re, which serves as an insurer of insurance companies, said first half losses were up from the $123 billion in the first half of 2024. The Zurich-based reinsurance giant estimated that ...

VideosHiroshima, 80 Years Later: A Minute of Silence for Peace

Élie-Joe Kamel 06/08 13:30 - Reading : less than a minute

Japan Hiroshima

A minute of silence was observed in Hiroshima at the exact time the atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city 80 years ago, during a ceremony that brought together representatives from over a hundred countries.

Rodolphe Haykal in London: Military Cooperation and Regional Security

This is Beirut 06/08 12:55 - Reading : less than a minute

Gulf Lebanese Army United Kingdom

The Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Rodolphe Haykal, took part for the first time in the annual meeting of the Dragon Group in the United Kingdom, at the invitation of his British counterpart, Admiral Tony Radakin. The Dragon Group is a strategic forum that brings together the chiefs of staff of the armed forces from several Gulf ...