World

AnalysisUnholy Alliance: The Dark Forces of Iran and Russia Undermining the Middle East

Amal Chmouny 2024-12-07 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

The relationship between Russia and Iran has always piqued interest, often characterized as a unique alliance shaped by the complex geopolitics of the Middle East. This partnership has been notably reinforced through their mutual support for the Assad regime in Syria, enabling both nations to strengthen their military and economic connections. ...

Syrian Rebels Take Control of Key City Daraa

This is Beirut 2024-12-07 05:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Syria Conflict Bachar el-Assad

Syrian government forces have lost control of Daraa city, a war monitor said, in another stunning blow for President Bashar al-Assad's rule after rebels wrested other key cities from his grip. Daraa was dubbed "the cradle of the revolution" early in Syria's civil war, after activists accused the government of detaining and ...

Syria: Government Forces Retreat on All Fronts

This is Beirut 2024-12-06 23:22 - Reading : 7 minute(s)

Damascus Hezbollah Syria HTS SOHR Russia

According to a security source in Damascus, rebels have taken control of three army and police posts in Sweida, and most of Deraa is no longer in the hands of the regime. Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on Friday. The ...

Statue of Former Syrian President Toppled in Hama Amid Cheering Crowd

This is Beirut 2024-12-06 18:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Assad Syria statue Hama

The image is particularly symbolic: A statue of former President Hafez al-Assad, the father of Syria's current ruler Bashar, was toppled in Hama after Islamist-led rebels overran the country's fourth-largest city, a video authenticated by AFP showed. A machine's long mechanical arm tipped the towering statue over to cheers and cries of "Allahu ...

Syria: Despite Assad's Appeal, Russian and Iranian Support Remains Shy

This is Beirut 2024-12-06 18:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Syria Iran war Russia Bashar al-Assad

As Islamist rebel forces from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) approach the city of Homs, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad desperately needs the help of his Russian and Iranian allies. However, Moscow and Tehran's military resources are already stretched thin due to the war in Ukraine and numerous conflicts in the Middle East. According to experts ...

France's Unprecedented Political and Institutional Crisis

Ali A. Hamadé 2024-12-06 18:20 - Reading : 8 minute(s)

Emmanuel Macron France Government crisis

Since Wednesday, France has been experiencing its most severe political and institutional crisis in over six decades. For the first time since 1962, a motion of censure passed in the National Assembly resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Michel Barnier. President Emmanuel Macron, who “acknowledged” the gravity of the ...

Romania's Top Court Scraps Presidential Election

This is Beirut 2024-12-06 17:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Romania president elections constitutional court Russia

Romania's constitutional court announced on Friday that it had annulled the presidential election following allegations of Russian interference, effectively cancelling the second-round run-off that had been due to take place this weekend. Romanian authorities had cried foul after far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped the first round of ...

EU and S.America Countries Conclude Mercosur Trade Deal

This is Beirut 2024-12-06 16:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

European Union Mercosur South Americain Von der Leyen

The EU and four South American countries have concluded a huge, but controversial trade deal that is opposed by France and many European farmers, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced on Friday. "This is a win-win agreement," von der Leyen said in Uruguay, where she was attending a summit of the Mercosur bloc involved ...

Gaza Civil Defense Says 29 Dead in Israeli Strikes Around Key Hospital

This is Beirut 2024-12-06 16:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel Palestine Gaza war

Gaza's civil defense agency said 29 people were killed on Friday by Israeli strikes around a major hospital in the northern city of Beit Lahia. Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of northern Gaza's last functioning health centers, was hit by several strikes in the morning, the agency and the hospital director said. "There was a series of air strikes on ...

Syria HTS Leader Says Goal is to Overthrow Assad

This is Beirut 2024-12-06 15:48 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Syria war HTS Turkey

Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on Friday. "When we talk about objectives, the goal of the revolution remains the overthrow of this regime. It is our right to use all available means to achieve that goal," Abu ...

Iran Launches Heaviest Space Payload Into Orbit

This is Beirut 2024-12-06 10:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Iran space

Iran successfully launched on Friday its heaviest space payload, which includes a satellite and a space tug, using a domestically developed satellite carrier, official media reported. Weighing 300 kilogrammes (660 pounds), the payload consisted of the Fakhr-1 telecommunications satellite and the Saman-1 space tug, according to state ...

Europe’s Vega-C Rocket Launches Satellite Into Orbit After Delays

This is Beirut 2024-12-06 09:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Europe European Union Ukraine

Europe's new Vega-C rocket launched Thursday from French Guiana and put a satellite into orbit in its first takeoff since a failed flight two years ago. After two days of delays, the rocket -- crucial to Europe's autonomy in reaching space -- took off without problems, carrying the Sentinel-1C satellite for the European Union's Copernicus Earth ...