Source: Reuters
Security & Justice
Panic Grips Lebanon Amid Evacuation Call Hoax: Who’s Behind the Fear Campaign?
Lebanon witnessed a wave of panic on Friday as residents across various regions received alarming phone calls from foreign numbers warning of imminent Israeli strikes and urging them to evacuate their homes. These warnings, which extended even to areas far from conflict zones, have raised questions about the credibility of the messages and concerns over potential Israeli access to Lebanon's telecommunications infrastructure.
Sunday, November 24, 2024
With Destruction at Lebanon Border, Israel Could Seek Buffer Zone
Israel appears to be trying to create a buffer zone in south Lebanon to remove the threat from Hezbollah but its effectiveness in preventing cross-border attacks remains to be seen, observers say.
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Opinion
Power Vacuum Enables Speaker Berri’s Unchecked Negotiation Role
Ceasefire negotiations between Hezbollah and Israel, spearheaded by Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, have ignited a storm of controversy among political circles, with critics accusing Berri of overstepping constitutional bounds.
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Lebanon's Economy—Not Battlefield—May Have the Final Word
Time and again during this most recent war in Lebanon, we hear the phrase, “The battlefield has the final word”. It has become the sole and wholly unsatisfactory refrain of Hezbollah and the so-called 'Axis of Resistance'.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Sports
Israel Face France in Paris Football Match Under Tight Security
Israel face France in a Nations League football match in Paris on Thursday surrounded by a huge security operation to prevent a repetition of the attacks on Israeli fans in Amsterdam last week.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
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
Thursday 24 October 2024 17:45:40
Oil Prices Broadly Stable with Uncertainty Around Middle East and US Election
Oil prices were broadly stable on Thursday as uncertainty around the conflict in the Middle East and reports of North Korean troops ready to help Russia in Ukraine kept traders on edge ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
Brent crude futures were up 46 cents, or 0.6%, at $75.42 a barrel by 1318 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 39 cents, or 0.6%, to $71.16.
Oil prices have gained about 3% this week after shedding more than 7% last week on a perceived calming of Middle East tensions and concerns of oversupply and weak demand.
"The opposing forces of economic anxiety, loose oil balance and potential war-related supply disruptions will ensure that no clear oil price direction emerges in the immediate future whilst the risk remains skewed to the downside in the medium term," said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM.
On Wednesday, the U.S. said for the first time that it had seen evidence North Korea has sent 3,000 troops to Russia for possible deployment in Ukraine, a move that could mark a significant escalation in Russia's war against its neighbour.
In the Middle East, an exchange of heavy fire between Israel and Hezbollah heightened supply concerns. Israeli strikes were also reported to have hit the Syrian capital Damascus early on Thursday.
Washington, meanwhile, continues to push for peace between Israel and Iran-backed groups Hezbollah and Hamas before the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, which could alter U.S. Middle East and oil policy.
"Trump is leading over (Kamala) Harris based on current data from betting markets and Trump has proposed making the U.S. a major oil supplier," said OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong, adding that such a move could depress prices.