Foreign
Lebanese Lawmakers Set to Elect New President After Prolonged Deadlock.
On Thursday, Lebanese lawmakers are poised to elect a new president, marking a significant development after more than two years of political stalemate. This election is crucial for Lebanon, which has been grappling with a severe financial crisis exacerbated by ongoing instability.
Army chief Joseph Aoun emerges as the leading candidate, with analysts suggesting that he could play a pivotal role in enforcing a truce in southern Lebanon, particularly following the recent conflicts that have impacted the region. Lebanon has remained without a president since Michel Aoun’s term expired in October 2022, and previous attempts to fill the vacancy have faltered due to a deadlock between pro- and anti-Hezbollah factions within the parliament.
The landscape has shifted considerably since last autumn, when a significant escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah resulted in substantial losses for the militant group, including the death of its long-standing leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Additionally, Hezbollah’s support base in Syria has weakened following the recent upheaval that saw President Bashar al-Assad ousted by rebels.
With a fragile ceasefire in place since late November, lawmakers will convene for the thirteenth time to attempt to elect a new head of state, commencing at 11:00 am local time (0900 GMT). In a nation still recovering from the scars of its 1975-1990 civil war, the fragmented political elite typically reaches a consensus on a candidate before any successful parliamentary vote occurs.
International pressure has intensified ahead of this critical session, with notable figures such as French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and US envoy Amos Hochstein advocating for a successful election. A Saudi envoy’s recent visit to Lebanon further underscores the regional interest in stabilizing the political landscape, with indications that both the United States and Saudi Arabia support Joseph Aoun’s candidacy.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed optimism about the upcoming vote, stating, “For the first time since the presidency became vacant, I am pleased that God willing tomorrow we will have a president.” As Lebanon stands at a crossroads, the outcome of this election could pave the way for much-needed reforms and recovery in a country desperately in need of stability.
The United States and Iran are poised to resume talks concerning the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the scheduled meeting, scheduled for Saturday, during a White House cabinet meeting on Thursday.
Secretary Rubio, speaking alongside President Trump, reaffirmed the United States’ firm stance against Iranian nuclear weapons development. He stated, “We’ve been very clear what Iran is never going to have is a nuclear weapon. That’s what led to this meeting.”
The direct talks will be facilitated by Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, representing the US, and a high-ranking Iranian official. The meeting is slated to take place in Oman.
This development arrives amidst ongoing tensions and disagreements regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has expressed his country’s willingness to engage in discussions aimed at reaching a definitive agreement. The outcome of these talks remains to be seen.
The United States government has confirmed the imminent launch of its highly anticipated “Gold Card” program, slated to commence next week. As revealed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during a White House cabinet meeting, this new initiative, championed by the Trump administration, aims to stimulate job creation and reduce the national deficit.
Priced at $5 million, the Gold Card offers affluent investors an expedited route to U.S. citizenship. This program effectively replaces the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa scheme, established in 1990. While the EB-5 required investments of at least $1 million (or $800,000 in targeted areas) coupled with the creation of ten jobs, the Gold Card simplifies the process for investors with significantly greater capital.
The announcement coincides with statements regarding heightened international interest in trade negotiations with the U.S., suggesting a climate where countries are actively seeking to engage with the nation under revised terms. The impact of the Gold Card program on immigration patterns and the U.S. economy remains to be seen, but its arrival marks a significant shift in the landscape of investment-based immigration.
New York City emergency services responded to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River on Thursday near Pier 40. Tragically, one individual has been confirmed dead.
Two individuals were successfully rescued from the water, though their current medical condition remains unknown.
According to CBS News, five people were aboard the aircraft, including three children and two adults.
A coordinated rescue effort involving both marine and land units is underway. Further details will be released as the situation develops.
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