This is Beirut - Washington

Protection Racket? Asian Semiconductor Giants Fear Looming Tariffs

This is Beirut, 2025-05-14 12:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States USA Washington

Inside one of South Korea's oldest semiconductor research institutes, the cleanrooms and workshops are calm and immaculate, but outside the Seoul National University campus, a chip storm is brewing. Last month, Washington announced a national security probe into imports of semiconductor technology, which could put the industry in the crosshairs ...

Trump Says would be 'Stupid' to Reject Qatari Air Force One Gift

This is Beirut, 2025-05-13 09:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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US President Donald Trump on Monday angrily dismissed concerns over his plans to receive a jet from Qatar to be used as Air Force One, saying it would be "stupid" not to accept such a gift. The offer from Qatar's royal family to donate the $400 million 747-8 to be used as the US presidential plane raised major questions about ethics and security, ...

Trump Hails Air Force One 'Gift' after Qatari Luxury Jet Reports

This is Beirut, 2025-05-12 09:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Washington

Donald Trump on Sunday defended plans to receive a new Air Force One as a gift, after reports he will accept a luxury Boeing jet from Qatar despite strict rules on presents for US presidents. Calling the plane a "flying palace," ABC News, which first reported the story, said the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet gifted from the Qatari royal family would ...

US, China Agree to Establish 'Consultation Mechanism' on Trade

This is Beirut, 2025-05-11 23:00 - Reading : less than a minute

USA Washington China Trade Tariffs

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said Sunday that Beijing and Washington had agreed during weekend talks in Geneva to create a "consultation mechanism", as they strive to de-escalate trade tensions. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, He said that the closed-door discussions with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson ...

The Catholic World Welcomes Pope Leo XIV

This is Beirut, 2025-05-09 14:45 - Reading : less than a minute

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From Peru to Paris, from Manila to Washington, Catholics around the world are celebrating the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, welcomed with devotion, pride and hope.

Stocks Rise as US-UK Unveil Trade Deal

This is Beirut, 2025-05-08 19:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Stock markets mostly rose Thursday as US President Donald Trump unveiled a trade deal with Britain, boosting hopes for other countries' tariff negotiations. After the turbulence sparked by Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs on April 2, markets have settled in recent weeks on optimism that countries will reach agreements with Washington to avoid his ...

Starmer Says UK-US Trade Deal a 'Fantastic, Historic Day'

This is Beirut, 2025-05-08 19:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Kingdom USA Donald Trump Washington White House

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Thursday it was a “really fantastic, historic day," after he agreed a US-UK trade deal with President Donald Trump. The agreement lifts tariffs on UK steel and aluminum products and slashes levies on British car exports from 27.5 percent to 10 percent, Downing Street said. "This is a really fantastic, ...

Trade War: China Navigates the Storm with a Steady Compass

Christiane Tager, 2025-05-02 22:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Tik Tok USA Washington China Trade

Since Washington decided to strike hard with 145% tariffs, trade relations between China and the US have shifted from a negotiation table to a boxing ring. The blow is heavy: in 2024, the US alone accounted for nearly $500 billion in Chinese imports, making it Beijing’s largest commercial partner. In real terms, nearly one in five Chinese ...

Iran–USA Nuclear Talks Scheduled for Saturday Officially Postponed

This is Beirut, 2025-05-01 22:49 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Tehran United States Washington

Iran said Thursday that the next round of nuclear talks with the United States has been postponed, after mediator Oman cited "logistical reasons" for the delay. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said a meeting in Rome on Saturday between the United States and Iran had never been confirmed. "We expect another ...

New US Sanctions List to Reportedly Target Lebanese Politicians

This is Beirut, 2025-04-29 17:10 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon Free Patriotic Movement Gebran Bassil Hezbollah Washington Sanctions

According to a Lebanese politician quoting an American official, “There is a new list of sanctions set to be announced soon, targeting political figures accused of corruption, others accused of financing Hezbollah, and a third group involved in money laundering and drug trafficking to fund the party.” The official reveals that Hezbollah is in ...

Washington Draws the Line: Iran Must Comply

Philippe Abi-Akl, 2025-04-29 08:30 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Washington Donald Trump UN Security Council Iran

Washington and Tehran are moving on starkly opposing trajectories in the Middle East. Under President Donald Trump, the United States has prioritized dismantling any armed presence operating outside the framework of state legitimacy and eradicating terrorism from the region. This approach is part of a broader strategy to prepare the ground for a ...

America, Iran, and the Appearance That Deceives

David Hale , 2025-04-28 15:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA United States Iran Tehran Washington

Judging from the statements out of Tehran and Washington, the American-Iranian nuclear talks are going swimmingly. This studied appearance is only natural. Iran's leaders are highly motivated to draw the U.S. into protracted negotiations, during which they can appear perfectly reasonable while avoiding further consequences for their inglorious ...

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