Lebanon
Italy suspends defence pact with Israel as Meloni rebukes Trump over pope remarks
Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of its defence co-operation agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced, in Rome's sharpest signal yet of disapproval over Israeli military operations.
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Lebanon and Israel hold first direct talks in four decades as war grinds on
Lebanon and Israel hold their first direct talks in over 40 years in Washington, with Beirut demanding a ceasefire and full withdrawal while Israel insists on negotiating as its ground campaign intensifies.
The Greater Israel theory is a complete farce
While rumours of the pursuit of a Greater Israel are simmering given the IDF's seizure of Lebanese and Syrian territory, Israel's military track record proves that this is nothing more than a conspiracy theory.
Kremlin flags Hormuz risk, cautious on Magyar victory in Hungarian elections
The Kremlin has warned that a potential US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would deliver a direct shock to global markets, even as Moscow positions itself as both an energy anchor and a diplomatic intermediary in a rapidly widening crisis.
COMMENT: The US naval blockade of Iran won't work
The US is moving to choke Iran’s oil lifeline. The market is starting to price something much bigger because the Trump administration naval blockade of Iran is not going to work.
Lebanon on the brink of energy crisis following Iran war spillover
Lebanon faces an energy crisis that extends beyond immediate fuel price volatility fueled by the Iran war, according to a study by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.
Disinformation over Erdogan threat to invade Israel reportedly goes viral
Video clip taken from real speech, but edited and misrepresented, says Dailymotion.
Trump orders naval blockage of Iran in a new shockwave for energy markets
Following the collapse of ceasefire talks this weekend US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade of shipping into and out of the Persian Gulf.
British drone flew over Lebanon shortly before Israeli strikes
A British military drone flew over eastern Lebanon on the same day Israeli air strikes on Lebanon killed more than 300 people in less than 10 minutes, according to flight-tracking data analysed by Middle East Eye.
US naval showdown with Iran in strait of Hormuz
As talks got underway in Islamabad between Iran and the US to find a ceasefire formula, a dramatic showdown was playing out in the Strait of Hormuz, as several US Navy vessels attempted to sneak through and exit the Persian Gulf,
As Lebanon, Israel negotiations begin Hezbollah hardens it line
At a decisive moment, as the Lebanese state takes a bold step toward negotiations as a gateway to ending the war and halting the collapse, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has the group will resist to the last breath.
Naphtha shortages leading to petrochemical plants force majeures and record prices
Petrochemical producers across Asia have begun shutting down operations after disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz reduced supplies of the critical naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) feedstocks.
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command says forces remain "on the trigger" and vows to keep control of the Strait of Hormuz, hours before US-Iran ceasefire talks are due to begin at Islamabad's Serena Hotel.
US-brokered talks push Lebanon onto a Hezbollah fault line between sovereignty and civil war
For the first time in years, the language surrounding Lebanon is no longer confined to ceasefires, border skirmishes, or UN resolutions. It is now the language of direct negotiation. Washington is preparing to host talks between Israel and Lebanon,
BEIRUTER: On Lebanon’s southeastern front, they stay
During a visit to Lebanon’s southeastern Christian border villages with a humanitarian convoy led by the Maronite Patriarch, residents described why they remain despite escalating Israeli operations.
BEIRUTER: In honour of Beirut's fallen victims
Amid the aftermath of Israel’s “Operation Eternal Darkness,” testimonies, official figures, and Amnesty International’s findings were gathered to highlight Lebanon’s civilian toll, urgent humanitarian crisis, and calls for accountability.
US-Iran ceasefire eases oil prices but Gulf economies showing strain – Oxford Economics
A fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran has led to a sharp fall in oil prices, but fresh data points to mounting economic damage across Gulf economies and rising uncertainty in Egypt.
Lebanon on the brink as government moves against Hezbollah
Lebanon on the brink as government moves against Hezbollah In one of the most consequential moments in Lebanon’s modern history, this could be the moment the country crossed a dangerous threshold.
Iranian hackers leak personal photos of former Israeli military chief
The Handala Hack Team has leaked photographs and videos from former IDF Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi's electronic devices, uploading the material to Telegram and other social media platforms.
Beirut’s repeated destruction: How illegal weapons have devastated Lebanon’s capital.
The modern history of Beirut is a chain of tragic ruptures that transformed the "Pearl of the East" from a radiant centre of commerce, culture. It is a city that pays the price of other people's wars.