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

A mysterious object was released into Earth’s orbit by China’s top-secret spaceplane at an altitude of nearly 372 miles. The US Space Force is closely monitoring the situation, though the purpose of the object’s release on May 24 remains unclear. The object was first noticed by Harvard astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, who speculated it could be either a subsatellite deployment or …

Reigning champion Iga Swiatek marked her 23rd birthday by defeating Marie Bouzkova to advance to the French Open last 16 on Friday. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz also secured their spots in the tournament’s second week. Alcaraz triumphed over Sebastian Korda in straight sets, moving closer to a potential semi-final clash with Sinner, who defeated Russian Pavel Kotov 6-4, …

An Israeli drone targeted a motorcycle on a road in the town of Majdal Selm in the Marjeyoun district on Saturday, resulting in two casualties, as reported by the National News Agency. In a related incident, an Israeli tank shelled the border town of Kfarkila, while Israeli interceptor missiles detonated over Mays al-Jabal. In response to the attack in Majdal …

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a paramedic and a woman, as confirmed by Hezbollah and associated rescue teams. In response, Hezbollah claimed to have launched dozens of rockets at Israel. Since Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, which sparked the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah, a Hamas …

On Saturday, Iran condemned the European Union’s new sanctions targeting high-ranking officials and the Revolutionary Guards for allegedly supplying drones to Russia and its Middle East allies. The EU’s sanctions, announced on Friday, target several individuals, including Iran’s Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of the Revolutionary Guards. Other …

Congressional leaders have invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the Capitol, demonstrating support for Israel during its ongoing military operations in Gaza, despite increasing political divisions in the U.S. over the conflict. House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (Democrat), Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries extended the invitation. The …

In a major address, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that Israel has presented a new plan aimed at achieving permanent peace in Gaza, and urged Hamas to accept the proposal, declaring that it is “time for this war to end.” Biden’s plan, which he outlined from the White House, involves a three-phase process beginning with a six-week complete ceasefire, during …

Venezia and Cremonese are set to face off at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo on Sunday evening. Venezia, known as I Lagunari, are aiming for their fifth consecutive home victory, but Paolo Vanoli’s team will face a challenging match. Fortunately for the home side, there are no new injury concerns ahead of Cremonese’s visit. Cremonese, referred to as I Grigiorossi, couldn’t capitalize …