The Daily Star Lebanon Breaking News, Lebanon News, Middle East News & World News

President-elect Donald Trump’s second term will likely keep the Middle East as a high priority, given his previous record in the region. In his first four years, Trump made history by choosing Saudi Arabia as his first overseas visit, aimed for a comprehensive peace deal between Israel and Palestine, fostered Israel’s integration with neighboring states, and heightened pressure on Iran. …

France has condemned the brief detention of two of its consulate staff after Israeli police allegedly entered a French-owned holy site in Jerusalem without authorization, sparking a diplomatic dispute that has worsened already tense relations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had planned to visit the Eleona church compound, a French-owned site in Jerusalem, on Thursday when the incident occurred. Armed …

The Biden administration has lifted restrictions on sending American military contractors to Ukraine to support the maintenance and repair of US-supplied weapons systems, including F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems, a source familiar with the plan told CNN. Under the new policy, approved earlier this month, the Pentagon can now contract American firms to operate within Ukraine for …

On Friday, Yoav Gallant officially stepped down as Israel’s defense minister, replaced by former foreign minister Israel Katz in a formal ceremony, following his dismissal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the week. Gallant’s removal has sparked widespread protests across Israel, as many citizens viewed him as a moderate voice in Netanyahu’s right-wing government. His dismissal is seen by …

Lebanese state media reported that on Friday, the Israeli army detonated explosives placed within homes in three border villages affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. According to the National News Agency, since morning, Israeli forces have been conducting explosions within the villages of Yaroun, Aitaroun, and Maroun al-Ras in the Bint Jbeil region, targeting residential homes. This …

Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab stated on Friday that Israel is compelled to seek a diplomatic resolution with Lebanon, adding that current conditions favor such an approach. “We anticipate the U.S. mediator will visit the region next week,” Bou Saab said to Sky News Arabia, expressing optimism that a ceasefire could be achieved within a few weeks. He further commented …

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated that he would support holding a parliamentary session to elect a new president, even if Shiite MPs choose not to participate. He argued that both the constitution and the National Pact permit such a session, questioning whether a rejection by any sect, such as the Maronites, should lead to a standstill in the country’s …

China initiated a new round of fiscal measures on Friday to ease debt pressures on local governments and support its struggling economy. Finance Minister Lan Foan hinted at further stimulus measures in the near future. The Chinese economy, the second-largest in the world, has faced significant challenges over the past year, including weak demand, deflationary trends, a property sector crisis, …