The European Union announced on Thursday an aid package for Lebanon of 1 billion euros — about $1.06 billion — much of which will go to strengthening border control to halt the flow of asylum seekers and migrants from the small, crisis-wracked country across the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus and Italy.

The 12-person jury is set to hear opening statements in former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial. Learn more about what is in the $95 billion foreign aid package passed by the House. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, April 22, 2024. Jury to hear opening statements in Trump’s first criminal trial…

Iran’s historic attack on Israel didn’t damage much of anything actually in Israel, but it did cost the Jewish state around $1.3 billion. That’s according to the latest expert analysis of the ordeal. The Israel Defense Force said 99% of the 300 or so threats fired from Iran at Israel were intercepted. Iran used an…

The situation in the Middle East is becoming more complex, and President Biden faces a delicate situation as he seeks to prevent a broader conflict in the region. Following Iran’s unprecedented airstrikes on Israel, prompted by Israel’s alleged destruction of Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Biden asserts that he’s against participating in Israeli retaliatory strikes on…

World Central Kitchen is suspending its aid operations in Gaza after several volunteers are killed. And, Florida’s Supreme Court makes a decision on the state’s abortion ban while giving voters a say in November. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, April 2, 2024. World Central Kitchen pauses operations in Gaza after…

At least seven people are reportedly dead and Iran’s Consulate building in Damascus, Syria, is destroyed. Iran claims it’s the result of an Israeli airstrike on Monday, April 1. A Lebanese security source told Reuters that among those killed are three senior Iranian commanders. Israel has not said whether or not its military was behind…

Two bodies are recovered in Baltimore’s bridge collapse as crews continue a difficult search for four remaining victims. And, drivers are about to pay 15 bucks one-way every day just to enter this U.S. city. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, March 28, 2024. Two victims recovered after bridge collapse in…

U.S. officials are preparing for a potential permanent halt in American funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Funding from the U.S. and several other Western nations was suspended in January, following allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern…

Israel is getting ready to take the fight to Hezbollah in Lebanon. At the same time, the United States Army Vessel General Frank S. Besson is on its way to the Mediterranean so its crew can set up a temporary pier near Gaza. Video of the Israel Defense Forces practicing logistics supply drills is now…

In 2023, Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, said the Middle East was on the verge of an unprecedented and transformative process. Now, in 2024, no other region presents more of a threat to the United States than the region CENTCOM monitors — which includes the Middle East, the Levant and…