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

On Tuesday, Lebanon restarted its program of “voluntary returns” for Syrian refugees, with numerous families expected to cross back into Syria via two border points in the eastern part of the country. This move comes 18 months after the program was previously halted. Reports indicate that 300 refugees are set to depart from Arsal in the Bekaa Valley, a Lebanese …

Qatar’s mediation efforts with Hamas have been adversely affected by Israel’s military activities in Rafah, resulting in what the mediator described as a significant setback in progress. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani expressed disappointment, stating that the situation has nearly reached a deadlock. “Unfortunately, things did not move in the right …

On Tuesday, an Israeli drone targeted Mays al-Jabal, a southern Lebanese town, followed by Hezbollah’s announcement of a casualty from the area. This incident came after a series of overnight Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese towns of al-Khiam and Kfarkela. These strikes were in retaliation to Hezbollah’s seven assaults on Israeli positions in northern Israel and the occupied Kfarshouba Hills …

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Tuesday to reinforce America’s commitment to Ukraine amidst its ongoing struggle against escalating Russian aggression. Blinken’s visit occurred shortly after Congress approved a significant foreign aid package for Ukraine, totaling $60 billion. This funding is primarily aimed at replenishing Ukraine’s depleted military resources, including artillery and air …

The United Nations reports that recent intensifications in Israeli military operations across Gaza have displaced nearly half a million Palestinians. In the central region of Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals. According to the United Nations’ refugee agency, approximately 360,000 people have been forced to flee from Rafah in southern Gaza within the …

The White House announced on Tuesday that the United States will raise tariffs on Chinese imports valued at $18 billion. These increased tariffs will affect key industries including electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, steel, and critical minerals. Specifically, tariffs on electric vehicles will increase fourfold to 100 percent this year, and those on semiconductors will escalate from 25 percent to 50 …

Emirates, the Dubai-based long-haul carrier, announced on Monday a record profit of $4.7 billion for the year 2023, marking a robust recovery from the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The airline reported revenues of $33 billion, an increase from $29.3 billion the previous year, with profits in that year totaling $2.9 billion. The airline transported 51.9 million passengers during …

The Delhi Capitals are set to face the Lucknow Super Giants in what promises to be a gripping encounter in the 64th match of the Indian Premier League at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Both teams, currently in the middle of the league table with 12 points each, are vying for a crucial spot in the playoffs, making this match particularly …