After around one month of consultations, Prime Minister Hassan Diab concluded the government’s line-up and visited Baabda Palace where he met with President Michel Aoun before the two men signed the formation decree. The new government is composed of 19 members in addition to the premier: 1. Prime Minister: Hassan ... Read More »
Boris Johnson warns Trump both their countries will suffer if US starts trade war over tech tax
Boris Johnson has warned Donald Trump that both their countries will suffer if the US starts a trade war in the increasingly bitter dispute over the UK’s “tech tax”. The prime minister hit back after Washington threatened retaliation – probably a tax on UK car exports to the US – ... Read More »
Cabinet deadlock persists, fears mount of drift to chaos
Despite a surge in violent clashes between protesters and security forces in Beirut over the weekend that threatened to plunge the country into turmoil and chaos, the formation of a new government remained stalled Sunday over the representation of some parties. The weekend’s clashes, in which riot police fired tear ... Read More »
Taliban offer ceasefire in bid to restart talks with US
The Taliban will implement a 10-day ceasefire with US troops, a reduction in violence with Afghan forces and discussions with Afghan government officials if it reaches a deal with US negotiators in talks in Doha, two sources have said. If an agreement is sealed, it could revive hopes for a long-term solution ... Read More »
Prince Harry: We had ‘no other option’ than to stand down as royals
The Duke of Sussex has expressed his sadness over his decision to step down from royal duties in his first public remarks on the move, saying he had taken a “leap of faith”. Giving a speech at a private dinner in London for his charity Sentebale, Prince Harry said: “Our ... Read More »
Guatemala’s new president cuts ties with Venezuela, as promised
Guatemala’s new President Alejandro Giammattei cut diplomatic ties with the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday and ordered the closure of its embassy in Caracas. “We have instructed the foreign minister that the only person left in the embassy in Venezuela should return, and that we definitively end ... Read More »
New government lineup close after hold-up
In an unexpected turn of events Wednesday, Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab appeared close to finalizing a lineup for his government, political sources said. “There are still two or three names that need to be sorted and God willing the lineup will be finished,” a Baabda Palace source told The Daily ... Read More »
Trump impeachment: House sends articles to Senate, setting stage for trial
The House of Representatives transmitted articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate on Wednesday, setting in motion a trial that could unearth damaging new evidence of misconduct by Trump as the 2020 presidential contest heats up. The House approved a resolution to transmit two articles of impeachment ... Read More »
Russian PM resigns in shock move as Putin announces dramatic constitutional shakeup
Russia’s prime minister Dmitry Medvedev unexpectedly submitted both his and his government’s resignation on Wednesday, with reports suggesting disagreements with President Vladimir Putin precipitated the move. Mr Putin announced Mikhail Mishustin as his replacement a few hours later. An obscure technocrat, Mr Mishustin, 53, earned plaudits for his role revamping the country’s tax service, but is unlikely to be seen as a rival or ... Read More »
Lebanon regains vote at United Nations after making payment
Lebanon has regained its full voting rights at the United Nations after paying part of what it owes the world body, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday. Under U.N. rules, a country can lose its General Assembly vote if is in arrears by any amount that equals or exceeds ... Read More »