World

First Iraqi Provincial Elections in a Decade

This Is Beirut 2023-12-18 18:58 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Al-Hashd al-Shaabi iraq Iraq Elections Iraq Provincial Council Iraq Provincial Council Elections Mohammed Shia al-Sudani

Iraqis participated on Monday in the first provincial council elections held in a decade, anticipated to bolster the influence of Shiite Muslim groups aligned with Iran. The vote comes at a time of widespread political apathy and disillusionment in the oil-rich country of 43 million that is still recovering from years of war and plagued by ...

UN Expert Demands Answers on Navalny's Disappearance

This Is Beirut 2023-12-18 14:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Alexeï Navalny justice politics rights Russia UN

A United Nations rights expert said on Monday that the 'enforced disappearance' of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was alarming, demanding that Moscow immediately release him. The Kremlin critic's lawyers have been prevented from meeting him since December 6, and he did not appear for a scheduled court hearing last Friday. “I am ...

In Iran, Sadegh Booghi Dances for Freedom

This Is Beirut 2023-12-18 11:24 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Dancing Instagram Iran justice

A stallholder in northern Iran, who became a viral Internet sensation by showcasing unexpectedly dexterous dance moves, has encountered issues with the Islamic Republic Authorities, who disapprove of public dancing. The man, reportedly around 70, garnered tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, featuring videos of him dancing at the market in ...

Kuwait's Sheikh Nawaf: A Short but Tumultuous Reign

This Is Beirut 2023-12-16 13:44 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Kuwait politics Sheikh Nawaf

The emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, passed away on Saturday, December 16, at 86 years old, after a short but tumultuous reign. Kuwait's crown prince, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was named the oil-rich country's new emir, state television reported. The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, passed away on ...

EU Opens Its Doors to Ukraine as Hungary Tempers

This Is Beirut 2023-12-15 18:28 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

European Union Hungary Kiev Ukraine Viktor Orban

European Union leaders voted to open accession negotiations with Ukraine on Thursday, December 15. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a prominent supporter of Moscow, has threatened to block the aid promised to Kiev. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed the European Union earmarking 50 billion euros ($54 billion) over four ...

Eleven Police Officers Killed in a Jihadist Attack in Iran

This Is Beirut 2023-12-15 11:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Afghanistan Iran Jaish al-Adl jihadisme Pakistan

At least 11 Iranian police officers were killed in an attack claimed by the Sunni Muslim jihadist Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) group, according to a brief statement shared on its Telegram channel. Jaish al-Adl was formed in 2012 and is blacklisted by Iran as a "terrorist" group. The attack on a police station occurred around midnight in the ...

Putin: Russia 'Moving Forward' Amid Sanctions and Ukraine Challenges

This Is Beirut 2023-12-14 16:59 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Kremlin Russia Russia ukraine war Ukraine Vladimir Putin

President Putin declared Russia's ability to 'move forward' despite Western sanctions and isolation from the Ukraine offensive, during a year-end news conference on Thursday, following his announcement last week of running for a fifth term in March. President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia can "move forward" despite Western economic ...

Bank Credit Agricole Halts Financing for Fossil Fuel Projects

This Is Beirut 2023-12-14 16:46 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Climate COP28 Credit agricole Dubai fossil fuels France greenhouse gas

The French bank Credit Agricole declared on Thursday its decision to halt financing new fossil fuel extraction projects, a day after delegates reached an agreement on the COP28 climate deal. Credit Agricole, one of France's biggest banks, announced Thursday it would no longer finance any new fossil fuel extraction projects, a day after delegates ...

Countries Commit at COP28 to a Fossil-Free Future

This Is Beirut 2023-12-13 10:21 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Climate COP28 fossil fuels UAE UN

Countries from around the world unanimously approved a historic decision on fossil fuels at COP28 in Dubai on Wednesday. This marks the first time in the history of UN climate conferences that such a decision has been made, calling for a “transition” towards abandoning fossil fuels. “Nearly 200 nations, meeting in Dubai on Wednesday, ...

Zelensky Appeals to the US for Military Aid

This Is Beirut 2023-12-12 23:13 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

military Military Funding Russia Russian army Ukraine Ukraine Army United States Vladimir Putin Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky initiated discussions in Congress and the White House on Tuesday, seeking increased military assistance from the United States. Meanwhile, Russia asserted progress on the battlefield and derisively downplayed the significance of Western support for Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky began talks in ...

EU Considers Using Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine

This Is Beirut 2023-12-12 23:07 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Belgium EU Euroclear Europe European Union Russia Russian Central Bank Ukraine

Brussels on Tuesday, suggested diverting profits generated from frozen Russian state assets as a move toward channeling funds amounting to billions of euros to Ukraine, according to EU officials. Brussels proposed hiving off profits earned from frozen Russian state assets Tuesday, a step towards sending funds worth billions of euros to Ukraine, ...

Gaza Deaths Surpass 18,200 as Fighting Rages

This Is Beirut 2023-12-11 23:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gaza Hamas Israel-Hamas war UN UN General Assembly United Nations

Intense urban warfare unfolded on Monday, in Gaza during what has become the deadliest conflict, witnessing over 18,200 Palestinian casualties and the loss of 104 Israeli soldiers. Heavy urban battles raged Monday in the bloodiest-ever war in Gaza, with more than 18,200 Palestinians and 104 Israeli soldiers reported dead amid a spiraling ...