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

Mai Whelan, contestant number 287, emerged victorious in the season finale of “The Challenge” on Wednesday, securing a grand prize of $4.56 million. The 55-year-old from Virginia triumphed over runner-up Phill Cain, a Hawaiian scuba instructor, in a tense game of “rock paper scissors.” Netflix also announced the renewal of “The Challenge” for a second season, following its debut in …

The opening match of the three-game T20I series between India and South Africa was called off due to poor weather conditions, disappointing the packed crowd at Kingsmead in Durban. This cancellation means that the Indian cricket team, with only six T20Is scheduled before next year’s World Cup, now has one less opportunity to fine-tune their team combination. The teams, featuring …

LeBron James delivered a stunning performance, scoring 30 points in less than three quarters, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a commanding 133-89 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. This victory propelled the Lakers into the championship game of the NBA In-Season Tournament. The Lakers are set to clash with the Indiana Pacers in the final on Saturday …

Intense conflict continued throughout the night and into Sunday in Khan Younis, a town in southern Gaza, as Israel intensified its military operations despite global calls for a ceasefire. The escalation follows the United States’ recent blockage of international efforts to stop the fighting and its provision of additional military supplies to Israel. The offensive has sparked global outrage due …

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi recently reaffirmed his support for the inhabitants of Lebanon’s south, a region recently affected by clashes. During a visit there, al-Rahi emphasized his commitment to their various needs, primarily voicing a shared sentiment against war. He conveyed to the residents that they collectively reject a war that would destroy their homes, harm their children, and cause …

Israeli aircraft conducted intense bombings on Sunday around the southern Lebanese border areas, specifically targeting the outskirts of Yaroun and Maroun al-Ras. Additionally, artillery shelling hit the outskirts of at least eight other Lebanese border towns. In response, Hezbollah announced it had attacked the Jal al-Allam Israeli post near Naqoura using “appropriate weapons.” On the previous day, Hezbollah had claimed …

European Union lawmakers reached a significant agreement on Friday, finalizing one of the world’s first major comprehensive laws governing artificial intelligence. Known as the AI Act, this groundbreaking legislation establishes a regulatory framework designed to foster AI development while mitigating its associated risks. It specifically prohibits AI practices deemed to be a clear threat to people’s safety, livelihoods, and rights. …

The Huthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, have issued a threat to target ships heading to Israeli ports. This threat is conditional upon allowing the passage of food and medicine into the blockaded Gaza Strip. This escalation comes amid rising tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding areas, following several maritime attacks attributed to the Houthi rebels since the …