Lebanon’s parliament has elected the US-backed army chief to be the country’s new president, ending a years-long political stalemate and presidential vacuum. Army chief, Joseph Aoun was voted president after two rounds of voting. This came after a robust efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United States to rally support for Aoun, who is close to Washington and Riyadh. After he was declared president, Aoun effectively stepped from his military…

An attack on Chad’s presidential palace left 18 assailants dead and six in custody, with one soldier killed and three wounded, state media reported Thursday. The attack on Wednesday night occurred while Chadian President Mahamat Deby itno was inside the palace, but authorities said the situation was quickly brought under control. “The situation is completely under control. There is no fear,” Foreign Affairs Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said while surrounded by…

An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks was released Wednesday and is returning home, Italian officials said. Cecilia Sala was released following “intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said. The journalist, who contributes to the daily newspaper Il Foglio and hosts the “Stories” podcast for media outlet Chora Media, had been in Iran on assignment and with a journalist visa when she…

Taliban leaders in Afghanistan on Wednesday denied President-elect Donald Trump’s assertions that they have received billions of dollars in U.S. financial aid since regaining control of the country. Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy Taliban spokesperson, responded to Trump’s claims by asserting that the Kabul administration neither anticipates nor seeks any assistance from the United States. “In reality, the United States has not provided a single penny to the Islamic Emirate,” Fitrat…

Labour MPs have voted to block a Conservative-led amendment calling for a national inquiry into historic child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs, sparking outrage among victims’ advocates and political opponents. The amendment, aimed at pressuring the government to initiate a statutory inquiry, was defeated by a vote of 364 to 111 on Wednesday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the decision, arguing that victims seek immediate action rather than delays from…

Economists are sometimes accused of spending too much time studying recondite subjects and constructing elaborate theoretical modls of little interest to anyone outside the profession’s high clergy, but here’s an NBER paper on some real-life drama. FT Alphaville’s emphasis below: In this study, we investigate whether reproductive rights affect migration. We do so using a synthetic difference-in-differences design that leverages variation from the 2022 Dobbs decision, which allowed…

Housing costs, career focus and access to IVF has driven people to delay parenthood in the capital Mothers in London are more likely to have children later on in life than elsewhere in England and Wales, as more people delay parenthood to establish careers while navigating high housing costs, say analysts. Like many advanced and developed economies, Britain is experiencing a fast decline in birth rates as the average…

Two Nigerians residing in the United States, Olutayo Sunday Ogunlaja (39) and Abel Adeyi Daramola (37), could each face up to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of orchestrating a $560,000 romance scam. U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez and FBI Special Agent Raul Bujanda in a statement disclosed the duo’s conviction following a four-day trial and less than three hours of jury deliberation. According to…

Falling approval ratings, Canada’s housing crisis and the Conservatives racing ahead in the polls leads to PM’s resignation. Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday after nearly 10 years as Canada’s prime minister. Here are five charts that explain his downfall: Mr Trudeau’s political honeymoon lasted until March 2018, when he faced several controversies, including allegations – which he denied – that he groped a reporter in 2000. The following year, pictures emerged of him wearing…

Obese patients and smokers face delays for NHS surgeries under new reforms requiring them to be assessed as “fit to proceed.” Obese patients and smokers could see their surgeries delayed under reforms announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The new plan requires patients to be assessed as “fit to proceed” before receiving a surgery date. The measures aim to boost NHS productivity and tackle extensive waiting lists. Patients waiting…

A UK prison officer was charged with misconduct after allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with an inmate at HMP Wandsworth. The incident, caught on camera, highlights systemic issues in prisons. A 30-year-old prison officer has been charged with misconduct in public office following allegations of engaging in sexual acts with an inmate at HMP Wandsworth, south London. The incident, reportedly captured on a body-worn camera, has raised concerns about…

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau is likely to announce his resignation this week as he faces mounting dissent within his Liberal Party, The Globe and Mail reported Sunday. Citing three anonymous sources knowledgeable of internal party matters, The Globe said Trudeau’s announcement could come as early as Monday. The announcement would likely come before a national Liberal Party caucus on Wednesday, according to the Globe’s sources. It remained unclear if…