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

Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, urged for peace in the Middle East during a press conference in Beirut, highlighting the critical situation in the region, including Lebanon. Parolin called for the acceptance of peace proposals to halt the fighting, secure the release of hostages in Gaza, and ensure unhindered aid to Palestinians. Emphasizing that the region does not …

### Assange Returns to Australia After Plea Deal Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder, returned to Australia on Wednesday after a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors regarding the publication of U.S. military secrets. Assange pled guilty in a U.S. district court in Saipan to charges of obtaining and publishing classified information, ending a prolonged legal saga. He avoided entering the continental U.S. …

Israel and Gaza Heavy fighting resumed on Wednesday between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. Witnesses reported nighttime clashes, and the Israeli military confirmed an airstrike on a rocket launch site. Easing Bombardment Israel’s bombardment of Gaza seemed to lessen after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the “intense phase” of the conflict was …

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, met with Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday in Ain el-Tineh, emphasizing that resolving Lebanon’s presidential crisis starts there. He noted that while Christian parties bear responsibility, they are not the only ones in power, and others must also take responsibility. MTV reported Parolin’s meetings with three influential political figures, including a two-hour …

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Tuesday new economic sanctions targeting 50 individuals and entities in Hong Kong, the UAE, and the Marshall Islands. These sanctions address a “sprawling shadow banking network” facilitating Iran’s military operations. The targeted network is involved in the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemicals, providing financial support for Iran’s military activities, proxy groups like Yemen’s …

A new report commissioned by Brazil for its G20 presidency proposes a global tax on the super-rich. The plan, created by French economist Gabriel Zucman, suggests a 2% tax on individuals with over $1 billion in assets, potentially raising $200-$250 billion annually. Currently, billionaires pay around 0.3% of their wealth in taxes. This revenue could fund public services and climate …

Volkswagen has issued a recall for 271,330 Atlas SUVs due to defective passenger-side airbags. The recall affects Atlas models from 2021 to 2024 and Atlas Cross Sport models from 2020 to 2024. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported a wiring issue that could prevent the airbags from deploying. Volkswagen identified that seat heaters might interfere with weight …

Slovakia’s Ondrej Duda scored first, but Romania’s Razvan Marin equalized with a penalty before halftime. All four teams in the group ended with four points, but Romania topped the group with more goals than second-placed Belgium. Slovakia advanced in third place due to a better goal difference than Ukraine. Romania’s qualification for the knockout stages marks their first in 24 …