by EPHREM KOSSAIFY — NEW YORK: Gebran Bassil may be the first Lebanese politician to be subjected to sanctions under the Magnitsky Act …

by reuters — Iran’s vice president said Saturday he hoped for a change in “destructive U.S. policies” after Democrat Joe Biden was …

By Eric Mack newsmax.com -- Democrat Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., have declared victory in a national acceptance speech amid a contested presidential election Saturday night in Wilmington, Delaware. "Folks, the people of this nation have spoken," Biden told his drive-in celebration. "They delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory. A victory for we the people. We won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of the nation: 74 million." "I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but unify, who doesn't see red states or blue states – only sees the United States. "I sought this office to restore the soul of America, to rebuild the backbone of this nation, the middle class, and to make America respected around the world again – to unite us here at home."

Biden saluted his running mate Harris, potentially the first woman and first woman of color to win on a presidential ticket. "I will have the honor to serve with the fantastic vice president you just heard from, Kamala Harris," Biden said. "She'll make history as the first woman, first woman, first black woman, first woman of south descent, first woman of immigrants. "Don't tell me it's not possible in the United States. It's long overdue. "Harris spoke first to introduce Biden in an emotional address to the nation. "You delivered a clear message: You chose hope, and unity, decency, science, and, yes, truth," she said. "You chose Joe Biden as the next president of the United States of America." Harris saluted the women and minority candidates before her than blazed a path to the White House. "I reflect on their struggle, their determination, and the strength of their vision to see what can be unburdened by what has been," she said. "And I stand on their shoulders. And what a testament it is to Joe's character that he had the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exists in our country and select a woman as his vice president."

By RAY HANANIA - arabnews.com -- CHICAGO: Lebanese political leader Gibran Bassil has been hit by US sanctions, with Secretary of State Michael Pompeo accusing him of being “notorious for corruption.” Bassil, who has held various ministerial roles and heads the Free Patriotic Movement, has had his US assets frozen and is barred from entering the country. Pompeo said Bassil was in violation of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 13818, which targets rights abuses and corruption under the 2015 Magnitsky Act. The Magnitsky Act gives the president the power to block US entry and impose property sanctions against any foreign person, or entity, who is responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights or is engaged in government corruption. “Bassil has served in multiple high-level posts in the Lebanese government, including as minister of foreign affairs and emigrants, minister of energy and water, and minister of telecommunications,” Pompeo said. “Throughout his government career, Bassil has become notorious for corruption and has been linked to the purchase of influence within Lebanese political circles. While minister of energy, Bassil was involved in approving several projects that would have steered Lebanese government funds to individuals close to him through a group of front companies.”