Two-time prime minister Saad Hariri was preparing to bid farewell to politics. His name is now in the frame to stop Lebanon from completely collapsing.

Lebanon faces the dual challenge of reforming its government and rebuilding after a deadly explosion destroyed large parts of its capital city.

Hong Kong has faced mounting international pressure following Beijing's implementation of a national security law which has been viewed as an attack on the “one country, two systems” framework under which the city has been governed since its return to China in 1997.

The Beirut explosion is the latest disaster to strike the country. Young people are outraged and fighting for a new future. This is their story.

Protesters showed up in large numbers ahead of a planned anti-government demonstration following the explosion in Beirut that killed more than 150.

"Entrepreneur Merhi Abou Merhi, the owner of the Orient Queen cruise ship, has filed a lawsuit against all those responsible for this catastrophic blast," the National News Agency said.

Before this week's devastating explosion, Lebanon's economy was predicted to shrink by 12 per cent this year and its currency had lost 80 per cent of its value since October.

The pro-democracy candidates had hoped to obtain a majority in the upcoming elections.

Beijing's new law was introduced on July 1. It criminalises subversion, secession and collusion with foreign forces.

Her friends and acquaintances reported her missing earlier this week, and she has since been freed.

it comes just a week after Beijing imposed a tough new law on the city that gives police sweeping powers to conduct searches without warrants and order internet service providers and platforms to remove messages.