Lebanon has appointed General Rudolph Haykal as the new commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), a crucial move as the country grapples with mounting security concerns.
Haykal takes command at a pivotal moment, with rising tensions along the southern border with Israel and ongoing challenges posed by armed groups and weapons smuggling from Syria.
One of Haykal’s top priorities will be strengthening the army’s capabilities. The LAF has announced plans to recruit 4,500 soldiers this year, a step aimed at reinforcing security in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah remains active. The military’s presence in the area is crucial for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarmament of non-state actors and the prevention of hostilities with Israel.
The new army chief is also expected to enhance cooperation with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), tasked with monitoring the ceasefire along the Blue Line. His leadership will be tested as the army works to assert control in a region where Hezbollah’s influence remains strong.
Another key challenge for Haykal will be addressing weapons smuggling from Syria, an issue that has long concerned both Lebanese authorities and neighboring Israel. The Israeli military has accused Hezbollah of using covert smuggling networks, backed by Iran, to transfer advanced weaponry into Lebanon.
Lebanon’s new central bank governor, Karim Souaid, has outlined plans to bolster financial oversight and restore economic stability, including restructuring public debt and addressing long-standing obligations to depositors.
The Israeli military said on Friday it had killed Hassan Farhat, a commander of Palestinian militant group Hamas, in the Sidon region of southern Lebanon.
The U.S. has pressured Lebanon to act against Hezbollah, urging the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to enforce a ceasefire. The LAF, caught between U.S. demands and Hezbollah’s influence, risks losing vital U.S. support if it fails to act.
Negotiations between Italy and Elon Musk's Starlink have stalled over geopolitical tensions, as the government seeks secure communications for officials. Opposition politicians have raised concerns over working with a company linked to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has issued a stern warning about the possibility of renewed military operations in the south, following Israeli airstrikes in retaliation for a cross-border rocket launch.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
Students in Serbia have rallied outside a police station as Belgrade University’s rector is questioned over support for anti-government protests.
OpenAI has unveiled a new option called Flex processing, an API service designed to provide more affordable AI model usage in exchange for slower response times and occasional resource unavailability.
The Russian rouble surged past 81 to the U.S. dollar on Thursday, marking a 40% increase since the beginning of 2025.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
The British steel industry is grappling with its most significant crisis in decades, as the government has been forced to intervene in an emergency bid to save the country's last operational blast furnaces at British Steel.
Police in Pakistan have detained nearly 180 people following a series of incidents involving KFC restaurants in several major cities.
The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asian countries will come together on May 5 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marking a major milestone in relations between the two sides.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman has confirmed that the second round of talks between representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America will be held in Rome this Saturday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to hold talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Moscow.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
Students in Serbia have rallied outside a police station as Belgrade University’s rector is questioned over support for anti-government protests.
OpenAI has unveiled a new option called Flex processing, an API service designed to provide more affordable AI model usage in exchange for slower response times and occasional resource unavailability.
The Russian rouble surged past 81 to the U.S. dollar on Thursday, marking a 40% increase since the beginning of 2025.
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