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

Aryna Sabalenka has reached the semi-finals of the WTA Finals with a straight-set win, 6-3, 7-5, over Jasmine Paolini, while Zheng Qinwen eliminated Elena Rybakina’s chances of advancing in Riyadh on Monday. By securing two round-robin victories in Saudi Arabia, Sabalenka clinched a spot in the final four as the Purple Group winner. The top-seeded Belarusian is now just one …

Syrian state media reported that an Israeli strike targeted a town near the Lebanon border on Tuesday, less than a week after similar attacks in the same region. According to the SANA news agency, the strike hit the industrial area in al-Qusayr, located in Homs province. No information on casualties or damage has been released so far.

The Israeli army has reportedly pulled back several brigades from southern Lebanon due to advances in ceasefire negotiations, according to Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Tuesday. The withdrawal came after negotiators indicated that an agreement might be achievable within the next one to two weeks. The report noted that progress has been made, particularly in drafting a supporting document for …

In a surprising move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, amid Israel’s conflicts across multiple fronts. Tensions had grown between Netanyahu and Gallant over the strategy in Gaza. While Netanyahu called for sustained military action against Hamas, Gallant favored exploring diplomatic channels that could potentially secure the release of hostages held …

Following the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thousands of Israelis took to the streets, urging the government to prioritize the return of hostages held in Gaza. The protest erupted after Gallant was removed from office on Tuesday due to his public disagreements with Netanyahu regarding Israel’s strategy in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Gallant, …

Israel’s new Defense Minister, Israel Katz, pledged on Tuesday to secure victory over Israel’s adversaries and accomplish the objectives set in the conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah. Katz stated that the defense establishment would focus on bringing home all hostages, dismantling Hamas in Gaza, defeating Hezbollah in Lebanon, curbing Iranian aggression, and ensuring the safe return of northern and southern …

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Donald Trump on his declared U.S. presidential victory, calling it “history’s greatest comeback” and a fresh start for the U.S.-Israel relationship. Netanyahu praised Trump’s anticipated return to the White House as a chance for America and Israel to renew their strong alliance, expressing it as a “huge victory.” Other Israeli leaders extended similar messages. …

On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron extended his congratulations to “President Donald Trump,” expressing his readiness to collaborate with the leading U.S. candidate “with respect and ambition,” as they had successfully done for four years in the past. In a post on X, Macron noted that his relationship with Trump, currently leading in the U.S. presidential race, would consider both …