BEIRUT, Feb 8 — Lebanon formed a new government on Saturday, following unusually direct United States (US) intervention in the process and in a step intended to bring the country closer to accessing reconstruction funds, following a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah.

THE HAGUE, July 19 — The United Nations' (UN) highest court said that Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories are illegal and all states should cooperate to bring an end to the Israel-Palestinian conflict in an important advisory opinion issued today.