Newsletter: Business & Tech Iran keeps Hormuz reopening on hold Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remained low, with only five commodity vessels transiting the waterway on Tuesday, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Large UAE delegation set to arrive in Lebanon in major investment push A large Emirati delegation of around 70 business leaders and government officials is heading to Beirut, in the latest sign of thaw between the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US lifts Syria's terror designation Pakistan and Iran report “significant progress” in talks on ending conflict; Lebanon’s Transport Minister Rasamni visits Damascus; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
In shift, Lebanon grants Iranian ambassador residency extension Mohammad Reza Sheibani’s visa was set to expire early Tuesday morning and he was first ordered to leave in March. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syria, Israel hold US-mediated talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran threatens ‘devastating’ response as US ramps up sanctions By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Palestinians should consider halt to diplomacy The Palestinians should heed the suggestion of a group of distinguished Americans and halt diplomacy with Israel until it complies with international law. Palestine
Lebanon's Shiite seminaries split between tradition, modernity Although most Shiite seminaries in Lebanon still follow a traditional curriculum, a number of schools have begun to revise and develop their educational approaches. Iraq
Lebanon’s new pulse In the shadow of the Syrian war, Lebanon may be discovering a new social contract. Lebanon
Lebanon on wrong economic track Lebanon is trying to fix structural economic problems by raising taxes, which will make matters worse. Lebanon
House bill demands tougher line against Hezbollah Bipartisan legislation introduced Monday in the House Foreign Affairs Committee pushes sanctions against financial institutions and satellite providers that aid Hezbollah. Lebanon
Next Lebanese president depends on Tehran, Riyadh Influential regional players, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, are so far unable to agree on a presidential candidate in Lebanon. Saudi Arabia
Palestinians are right to go UN route US aid to the Palestinians represents an ongoing effort to deny them access to the United Nations and thus statehood. Palestine
Hezbollah sanctions bill targets central banks The House Foreign Affairs Committee is set to unveil a new sanctions bill targeting the Iran-backed militia Lebanon
Syria key to Lebanon presidency The politics of who will be Lebanon’s next president cannot be separated from the war in Syria. Lebanon
The tragedy of Ehud Olmert The chance for a peace agreement with the Palestinians disappeared with the former Israeli prime minister, who has been sentenced to prison for bribery. Palestine
Online company offers discreet condoms to Lebanon Yalla Condoms is selling contraceptives and other products over the Internet, saving its customers embarrassing trips to the drugstore in progressive Lebanon, where sexual taboos still linger. Lebanon
Tourism is Lebanon’s biggest missed opportunity A new report highlights the wasted potential of the tourism sector in Lebanon. Lebanon
