(2020-08-07). Lebanon's corrupt, colonial system leads to explosion catastrophe. thegrayzone.com Beirut's explosion disaster is the product of a corrupt, sectarian political system maintained by foreign powers, Rania Masri argues. The…
(2020-08-07). Beirut blast: Here's how you can help the UN aid Lebanon's recovery. news.un.org After a devasting blast ripped through Beirut Port in Lebanon on Tuesday, wounding thousands and rendering hundreds of thousands homeless, the UN moved rapidly to step up its relief effort.
(2020-08-07). As Beirut rescuers search for survivors, UN warns of 'huge' needs. news.un.org Across Lebanon, "the needs are immediate, and they are huge" in the aftermath of the explosion that destroyed Beirut city port, UN agencies said on Friday.
(2020-08-07). War and Pandemic Journalism: The Truth Can Disappear Fast. strategic-culture.org The polio epidemic in Cork supposedly ended abruptly in mid-September 1956 when the local press stopped reporting on it, but that was at least two weeks before many children like me caught it. In a similar fashion, right now, wars in the Middle East and north Africa like the ongoing disasters in Libya and Syria that once got significant coverage now barely get a mention much of the time.
(2020-08-07). Top Turkish officials due in Lebanon after huge blast. yenisafak.com Turkey's top officials will visit Lebanon's capital on Saturday following a massive deadly explosion shaking Beirut this week, according to Turkish authorities.Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu are expected to meet Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Hassan Diab, the office of the vice president said on Friday.A fire at a warehouse at the Port of Beirut led to a huge blast on Tuesday causing massive material damage in several neighborhoods of the capital. At least 154 people were killed and around 5,000 others injured in tragic in…
(2020-08-07). Russia offers to supply Philippines with COVID-19 vaccine. yenisafak.com Russia is willing to supply a coronavirus vaccine to the Philippines, or team up with a local firm to mass produce it, its ambassador to Manila said on Friday, as infections in the Southeast Asian nation surge.Russia is expecting regulatory approval for its first potential COVID-19 vaccine this month, with doses to be administered to frontline health workers first.But the frenetic race globally to develop a COVID-19 vaccine is raising some concern that speed could compromise safety and that some countries could be putting national prestige before solid science."We are ready to supply vaccines to the Philippines,"
(2020-08-07). Beirut port blast: Death toll rises to 154, nearly 5,000 wounded. yenisafak.com The death toll from Tuesday's huge blast in Lebanon rose to 154, the country's health minister confirmed on Friday.Hamad Hasan told the state-run National News Agency that around 5,000 people were injured in the blast at the Port of Beirut, with 20% of them in need of medical treatment in hospitals.He also said that 120 of injured are currently in critical condition and many others require delicate surgeries.A fire at a warehouse at the Port of Beirut led to a huge blast on Tuesday causing massive material damage in several neighborhoods of the capital.The Lebanese government announced the formation of an investi…
(2020-08-07). Lebanon to probe Beirut blast for foreign interference. yenisafak.com The president of Lebanon on Friday said the causes of a massive explosion in the capital Beirut's port had yet to be determined, without ruling out the possibility of foreign interference.Michel Aoun said in a press conference in the presidential palace that he asked French President Emmanuel Macron to provide photos of the blast via satellite.He added that if such photos were not available with France, he would ask other countries, without naming them.Aoun said the investigation into the blast would include port officers and that no legal cover would be offered to any person found to be responsible.A fire at a w…
(2020-08-07). Turkey rushes to help Lebanon amid deadly explosion. yenisafak.com Turkey got mobilized both with state-run aid organizations and charity foundations to heal the wounds of the Lebanese capital Beirut, which was rocked with a catastrophic explosion on Tuesday.A massive blast took place in a warehouse containing explosives at the Port of Beirut, causing widespread damage in several surrounding suburbs of the capital, leaving at least 154 people dead and injured thousands.Following the incident, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call extended his condolences to his counterpart Michel Aoun and the Lebanese people, noting that Turkey stands by Lebanon and is ready to provide…
(2020-08-07). WHO appeals for $15 million aid for Lebanon after Beirut blast. yenisafak.com The blast, which killed more than 150 and injured more than 5,000, also destroyed 17 containers holding WHO medical supplies including personal protective equipment, the agency's regional office for the Middle East said in a statement late on Thursday.Five hospitals in the area affected by Tuesday's blast are either not functioning or partially functioning, and early reports indicate that many health centres and primary care facilities are also damaged or out of action, it said.Up to 300,000 people have been displaced from their homes and need food or shelter, which "also risks accelerating the spread of COVID-19…
(2020-08-06). Rouhani voices Iran's readiness for helping Lebanese people. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 06 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held a phone talks with the Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday, voicing Iran's readiness for any humanitarian cooperation and assistance with Lebanon.
(2020-08-06). EU to mobilize over ‚Ǩ33 million to support Lebanon. yenisafak.com The European Union is mobilizing over ‚Ǩ33 million for Lebanon after Tuesday's deadly explosion at Beirut's port, the head of the EU Commission told Lebanon's premier over the phone on Thursday.According to a readout of the phone call issued by the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen told Hassan Diab the bloc will provide further support depending on the ongoing humanitarian needs assessment.The EU's long-term support to help with the city's reconstruction also discussed during the phone call.The 27-member bloc Wednesday announced that it activated its "Civil Protection Mechanism" and send…
(2020-08-06). Iran sends aid to Lebanon over explosion at Beirut port. yenisafak.com The devastating tragedy in Beirut on Tuesday has drawn tremendous outpouring of shock and grief around the world with many countries, including Iran, coming forward with offers of help.Iran, one of Lebanon's key allies in the region, dispatched the second shipment of humanitarian aid to Beirut on Thursday, following the first shipment late on Wednesday.The consignment of humanitarian aid includes mainly food and medical supplies, said Mohammad Baqer Mohammadi, the deputy head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS).Iran has also set up a field hospital in Beirut and sent a 37-member medical team comprising gen…
(2020-08-06). Apocalyptic Scenes from the Site of the Deadly Beirut Blast. mintpressnews.com 
A massive explosion rocked Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the city's port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. More than 100 people are feared dead and thousands injured, with bodies buried in the rubble, officials said. | It was not clear what caused the blast, which struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germany's geosciences center GFZ, and was heard and felt as far away as Cyprus more than 200 kilometers (180 miles) across the Mediterranean. Lebanon's interior minister said it appeared that a large cache of ammonium nitrate i…
(2020-08-06). Macron says 'Lebanon is not alone' as he visits devastated Beirut, gets quickly blasted for hypocrisy. rt.com 
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted in solidarity with people of Lebanon following the massive explosion in its capital. It did not go over well and just reminded critics of the troubled history the two countries share. | On Thursday Macron became the first international leader to visit Beirut, which was literally
(2020-08-06). Beirut port fire: A crime against Lebanese workers. wsws.org The blast is a damning indictment of Lebanon's political elite, which allowed vast quantities of highly explosive ammonium nitrate to be stored in a wharfside warehouse for years without proper safety controls.
(2020-08-06). Beirut Blast: Authorities Confirm 137 Dead, Over 5,000 Injured. telesurenglish.net Lebanon's Health Minister Hamad Hasan confirmed that the explosion in downtown Beirut on Tuesday has caused 137 deaths and over 5,000 injuries so far. | RELATED: | His government, which is coordinating with Arab and European countries to ensure medical aid, continues to search for survivors among the rubble. | On Tuesday, in a warehouse in the port of Beirut, 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate generated an explosion…
(2020-08-06). There Is No Political Solution to the Syrian Conflict. globalresearch.ca US Secretary of State, John Kerry, of the Obama administration, created a mantra for the media: "There is no military solution to Syria." He said it so many times, he seemed to convince everyone. However, after 9 years of …
(2020-08-06). Trump Administration Approves the "Stealing" of Syria's Oil. globalresearch.ca Months after US president Donald Trump…
(2020-08-06). Lebanese people united against devastating blast. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 07 (MNA) — Amal Abou Zeid, Advisor to the President of the Lebanese Republic, said in an exclusive interview with MNA that the Zionist regime is extremely frightful of Lebanon's possible reaction to Beirut devastating blast.
(2020-08-06). Tehran's Milad Tower lit up with projection of Lebanon's flag. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 06 (MNA) — Lebanon's flag was projected on the Milad Tower in Tehran on Wednesday night in solidarity with the Lebanese people over the tragic incident of Beirut explosion.
(2020-08-06). VIDEO: Azadi Tower lights up in solidarity with Lebanon. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 06 (MNA) — Tehran's Azadi Tower was lit up with projection mapping on Wednesday night in solidarity with Lebanese people over the deadly Beirut blast.
(2020-08-06). Daesh 'Exploited' COVID-19 Restrictions, Ramped Up Attacks in Iraq – IG Report. sputniknews.com Daesh forces stepped up attacks in Iraq during the holy month of Ramadan while also managing to exploit COVID-19 restrictions that have impacted Iraqi security forces, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and US-led coalition forces, according to a new report issued from the US Department of Defense Inspector General's Office.
(2020-08-06). French president urges to prioritize aid to Lebanon. yenisafak.com French President Emmanuel Macron stressed on Thursday to prioritize aids for blast-hit Lebanon without any condition.Following his arrival in Beirut, Lebanon's capital, Macron met with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun and the two leaders visited the site of massive explosion at the Port of Beirut.Macron said: "Lebanon is not alone … and we are fully aware that Lebanon's crisis is massive."He also vowed to secure and coordinate international aid to Lebanon, including medical supplies and medicine.The massive blast that rocked the Port of Beirut on Tuesday has left so far at least 135 dead and around 5,000 in…
(2020-08-06). Capacity to confront blast impact 'limited': Lebanon. yenisafak.com Lebanon's financial capacity to deal with the impact of the port warehouse explosion is "very limited," the country's economy minister said Thursday. | Raoul Nehme told a TV channel that damages of the devastating explosion, which killed at least 137 people and injured about 5,000 others in the capital Beirut on Tuesday, are estimated to be in billions of dollars. | "The capacity of the state is very limited, and so is that of the central bank and the banks," he said. "Grain silos [structures for storing bulk materials] have been completely destroyed, and we need time to evaluate the damages." | The Port of Beiru…
(2020-08-05). "Despair and Destruction": Doctor in Beirut Describes Harrowing Scenes After Massive Port Explosion. democracynow.org 
As Beirut reels from a massive explosion that killed at least 100 people and injured thousands, we get an on-the-ground update from pediatrician and writer Dr. Seema Jilani, who treated her own daughter for injuries after the blast. "It was extremely packed because we're just coming out of a four-day lockdown," says Jilani. "Everybody was out." Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab called the explosion a "national catastrophe."
(2020-08-05). Headlines for August 5, 2020. democracynow.org Massive Explosion Tears Through Beirut, Leaving Hundreds Missing and Thousands Injured, Lebanon's PM Says 2,700 Tons of Ammonium Nitrate Sparked "National Catastrophe" in Beirut, Mississippi Becomes Biggest U.S. Coronavirus Hot Spot as Governor Mandates Masks, Georgia Prisoners Live-Stream Video from Prison Uprising Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, Chicago Schools Cancel September Classes as Union Threatens Strike over Coronavirus Safety, U.N. Warns Coronavirus School Closures Have Impacted Over 1 Billion Students, Brazil COVID-19 Deaths Approach 100,000 as Infections Surge in India, Black Lives Matter & Ferguson Activ…
(2020-08-05). Journalist Rami Khouri: Beirut Explosion Follows Years of Lebanese Gov't Incompetence & Corruption. democracynow.org 
The explosion in the Port of Beirut, which killed at least 100 people and injured about 4,000 others, is the latest blow to Lebanon, which already faces an economic, political and public health crisis amid the coronavirus pandemic. The blast is believed to have been triggered by 2,700 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate inexplicably left unattended in a warehouse for six years. Journalist Rami Khouri says it's further proof of "the cumulative incompetence, corruption, lassitude, amateurism and uncaring attitude by successive Lebanese governments" that have failed the country. "It's the ruling political elit…
(2020-08-05). Iran to send 2000 humanitarian packs to Beirut. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 05 (MNA) — "2,000 packages weighing 9 tons of food, as well as medicine and medical supplies, will be sent to Lebanon by IRCS", Iranian Red Crescent Society spokesman announced.
(2020-08-05). Iran's shipment of humanitarian aid to Lebanon. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 05 (MNA) — Iranian Red Crescent Society sent 95 tons of food and medicine to Beirut from Mehrabad Airport on Wednesday evening.
(2020-08-05). Beirut Blast a Deadly Blow to Lebanon's Already Shattered Economy. mintpressnews.com 
With Lebanon already suffering from a food crisis, currency collapse, and economic sanctions, the devastating explosion at Beirut's biggest port may be a death knell for the country's economy.
(2020-08-05). Explosion Rocks Beirut; Trump Defies SCOTUS, GOP Stimulus Failure. sputniknews.com Lebanon's capital of Beirut is reeling from an explosion on Tuesday that killed more than 135 people, injured thousands more and left the economy crippled. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump continues to push against a Supreme Court ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, making life harder on immigrants.
(2020-08-05). Israel Hits Beirut with Nuclear Missile, Trump and Lebanese Govt. Confirm (continually updating). thealtworld.com 
Trump confirms this was a bombing, not an accident and is immediately scourged by pro-Israel press…starting with the Daily Beast | #Breaking #Syria President Assad orders all borders and ports in the country open to #Lebanon, orders caravans of ambulances to head to #Beirut and ferry injured to hospitals in #Damascus, and launches an air bridge of medical and food supplies between the two cities | Israeli Delilah missile carrying 6 kiloton (6000 tons of TNT equivalent) nuclear missile (unretouched photo via VT Damascus) Ti…
(2020-08-05). Lebanon ARRESTS ALL port officials as images are thought to reveal the poorly stored ammonium nitrate which blew up Beirut. rt.com 
After a colossal port explosion rocked the capital city of Beirut, the Lebanese government has decided to put all officials who oversaw storage and security there since 2014 under house arrest, until investigations are complete. | The country's Information Minister Manal Abdelsamad said the military will oversee their confinement, until all those responsible among the suspects are found. The port officials will be put under arrest "as soon as possible," according to Abdelsamad, and the whole procedure is expected to be finished "within the next five days." It is unclear as yet how many people are going to be a…
(2020-08-05). Devastating Beirut Explosion: An Accident or Something More Sinister? globalresearch.ca On Tuesday, a massive explosion rocked Beirut, Lebanon's port area. | Scores were killed, thousands wounded, dozens of people missing, along with widespread destruction and damage. | According to Lebanese authorities, around 2,700 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate were stored in …
(2020-08-05). Breaking: Israel Bombed Beirut? globalresearch.ca Photo: Massive mushroom cloud from Hezbollah warehouse bombing and its aftermath | A note to our readers | Important report by Tikun Olan
(2020-08-05). Shadowy US Firm Run by Former Diplomat Cinches Syria Oil Deal with Kurds. mintpressnews.com A Delaware-based company formed by a former American diplomat, a CEO of a private mercenary company and an old hand in the oil business has inked a deal with U.S.-backed Kurdish rebels to develop crude in Syria.
(2020-08-05). Massive explosion in Beirut kills dozens and injures thousands. wsws.org A deadly explosion in the port district of Beirut, Lebanon Tuesday evening flattened buildings in the immediate vicinity and sent a shock wave across the city.
(2020-08-05). Lebanon: Port Officials In House Arrest with Inquiries Underway. telesurenglish.net Lebanon's government Wednesday issued a house arrest order for port officials after Beirut's massive blast on Tuesday. | RELATED: | In an emergency cabinet meeting, President Michel Aoun stated 2,750 tonnes of precariously stored ammonium nitrate caused the blast. At least 135 people died due to the explosion, and over 4,000 were injured. | "I think it is incompetence and bad management and there are a lot of responsibilities from…
(2020-08-05). Lebanon: Support for hospitals top UN priority in the wake of deadly blast. news.un.org The United Nations is working closely with the authorities in Lebanon to support ongoing response in the aftermath of the massive deadly explosion that rocked Beirut on Tuesday, destroying large swathes of the capital.
(2020-08-05). Syria criticizes US deal with SDF over its oil fields. peoplesdispatch.org Syrian oil fields in the north-eastern part of the country have been under the control of the Kurdish-led rebel group, Syrian Democratic Forces, since the defeat of ISIS in 2017…
(2020-08-05). New envoys of Oman, Germany submit credentials to Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 06 (MNA) — The new ambassadors of Oman and Germany submitted a copy of their credentials to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday.
(2020-08-05). Hezbollah launches blood donation campaign in Lebanon. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 05 (MNA) — Hezbollah Resistance Movement has launched a blood donation campaign in all Lebanese health centers in solidarity with the wounded in the explosion.
(2020-08-05). Lebanon rejects Trump's claim over deadly blast in Beirut. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 05 (MNA) — Lebanon rejects President Trump's claims that the Tuesday's massive blast in Beirut was caused by enemy action rather than an industrial incident.
(2020-08-05). Iran standing by Lebanon: Ghalibaf. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 05 (MNA) — Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that Tehran stands by the government and nation of the Lebanon for getting through this crisis.
(2020-08-05). Zarif says Iran ready to assist Lebanon after explosion. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 05 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed the country's full readiness to render any necessary help to Lebanon after a massive explosion rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
(2020-08-05). Iran ready to dispatch medical equipment to Beirut: Hatami. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 06 (MNA) — Iranian Minister of Defense Brigadier General Amir Hatami said that his ministry is ready to send medical staff and equipment to Lebanon's Beirut following the huge explosion occurred in Beirut Port yesterday.
(2020-08-05). Lebanon's stability significant for all regional countries. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 06 (MNA) — Iranian First Vice President Es'hagh Jahangiri said that Lebanon's stability and security are significant for all regional countries.
(2020-08-05). Militants Shell Localities in Syria's Idlib, Aleppo Provinces, Russian Military Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group has attacked settlements in Syria's provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, Rear Admiral Alexander Shcherbitsky, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for Syrian reconciliation, said at a briefing.
(2020-08-05). Doctor in Beirut Describes Harrowing Scenes After Massive Port Explosion. truthout.org As Beirut reels from a massive explosion that killed at least 100 people and injured thousands, we get an on-the-ground update from pediatrician and writer Dr. Seema Jilani, who treated her own daughter for injuries after the blast. "It was extremely packed because we're just coming out of a four-day lockdown," says Jilani. "Everybody was out." Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab called the explosion a "national catastrophe." | TRANSCRIPT: | This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its…