Source: Agence France Presse
Security & Justice
Israeli Strikes Kill at Least Two Medics in South Lebanon
Israeli strikes on villages in south Lebanon killed at least two medics early on Saturday, the Lebanese health ministry said, as Beirut’s southern suburbs were bombarded for a fifth consecutive day.
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Assurances Keep Beirut Airport Running Despite Conflict
Beirut Airport remains operational despite the ongoing conflict, with authorities implementing stringent safety measures to maintain civilian operations. While the facility has been spared direct attacks since the onset of hostilities in September, its hallways and terminals are largely deserted, reflecting the subdued atmosphere in a country grappling with uncertainty.
Friday, November 15, 2024
Opinion
The Challenges for Lebanon if It Gets into Bed with BRICS
Lebanon’s profound economic crisis has ignited a debate over the best route to recovery, with some voices advocating for a pivot away from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in favor of the BRICS bloc as an alternative source of support. Given Lebanon’s complex political structures, deep-rooted alliances, and economic challenges that resonate with those faced by BRICS countries, closer alignment with this emerging bloc appears increasingly plausible. Yet, a shift toward BRICS, while potentially appealing, necessitates a nuanced examination of both its prospective benefits and the challenges Lebanon would face in embarking on this path.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
The Trump Transition Could Give Us Clues on His Plans for Ukraine and the Middle East
By electing Donald Trump president for the second time and handing his Republican Party a majority in the Senate, US voters have given a ringing endorsement to his vision to “Make America Great Again”. This is a movement that, among other things, combines transactionalism with a continued commitment to project Washington’s primacy on the global stage.
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Sports
Alcaraz Beats Rublev to Open ATP Finals Account
Carlos Alcaraz opened his account at the ATP Finals on Wednesday with an entertaining 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) win over Andrey Rublev which boosted his hopes of reaching the semifinals.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Ecuador's Angulo, 22, Dies a Month After Car Crash
Ecuador international Marco Angulo has died at the age of 22 just over a month after being seriously injured in a car crash, his club has announced.
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Thursday 31 October 2024 12:43:23
Hamas Official Says Group Rejects Short-term Gaza Truce
A senior Hamas official said Thursday that the group rejects any proposal for a temporary halt to more than a year of fighting in Gaza and insists on a lasting ceasefire.
"The idea of a temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on. Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one," Taher al-Nunu, a senior leader of the movement, told AFP.
Mediators seeking to broker a Gaza ceasefire are expected to propose a truce of "less than a month" to Hamas, a source with knowledge of the talks told AFP on Wednesday.
Meetings between Mossad head David Barnea, CIA Director Bill Burns and Qatar's prime minister in Doha, which concluded on Monday, discussed proposing a "short-term" truce of "less than a month", the source said on condition of anonymity because of the talks' sensitivity.
The proposal involves exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinians in Israeli prisons and increasing aid to Gaza, the source added.
"US officials believe that if a short-term deal can be reached, it could lead to a more permanent agreement," the source said.
Nunu said the group had not received any proposal so far, adding if it gets such a plan, it would respond.
However, he reiterated the demands the group has been insisting on for months -- "a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal (of Israeli forces) from Gaza, the return of displaced people, sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza and a serious prisoner exchange deal".
