An investigation into the deadly Beirut blast which killed more than 200 people has resumed in Lebanon after more than a year of delays.
The investigation reopened on Monday
The blast occurred at Beirut Port after a large stockpile of ammonium nitrate caught fire, killing 220 people, injuring thousands and destroying many parts of the capital on August 4 2020. It's seen as a symptom of decades worth of mismanagement and corruption that has plagued Lebanon, which is currently entrenched in one of the worst economic collapses in modern times.
Families of the victims of the blast clashed with police outside of the Palais de Justice this month, as they protested the judicial blockage that has meant no senior official has been held accountable.
Judge Tarek Bitar ordered the release of five detained suspects, including the head of customs, while charging eight others. According to reports, they include two high-ranking security officials - the head of General Security, Abbas Ibrahim, and the head of State Security, Tony Saliba.
The five released are not allowed to leave the country, while another 12 who were detained in connection with the investigation remain in custody.
The investigation had been blocked since late 2021 amid legal challenges from politicians Mr Bitar wanted to question over the explosion. They argued he did not have the judicial authority to do so.
He has also sought to question senior politicians, including Hassan Diab — prime minister at the time of the blast — plus MPs from the Shiite Amal Movement, which is headed by the influential parliamentary speaker Nabi Berrih.
Amal's Shiite ally, the Iran-backed armed group and political party Hezbollah, has often called for Mr Bitar to step down and accused him of being political motivated.
On Monday, Mr Bitar said the investigation was being reopened following legal studies conducted over the past month to break the deadlock.
In September, authorities sought to add a second judge to the investigation, arguing that it was a past the impasse. But critics, including family members of the victims, decried it as yet another bid by top officials to evade justice.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
OIL PLEDGE
At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.
SPAIN SQUAD
Goalkeepers Simon (Athletic Bilbao), De Gea (Manchester United), Sanchez (Brighton)
Defenders Gaya (Valencia), Alba (Barcelona), P Torres (Villarreal), Laporte (Manchester City), Garcia (Manchester City), D Llorente (Leeds), Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Midfielders Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Thiago (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ruiz (Napoli), M Llorente (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Olmo (RB Leipzig), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Morata (Juventus), Moreno (Villarreal), F Torres (Manchester City), Traore (Wolves), Sarabia (PSG)
