This is Beirut - european union

Trump Puts EU Trade Deal Odds at 50/50 Ahead of Von der Leyen Meeting

This is Beirut, 22:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States European Union

Donald Trump said Friday there was a 50 percent chance of a trade deal with the European Union as the bloc's chief, Ursula von der Leyen, announced a weekend meeting with the US president. In an attempt to slash his country's trade deficits, Trump has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariff hikes if they do not hammer out a pact ...

Iran Reaffirms ‘Unshakable’ Right to Enrich Uranium Ahead of Key Talks with Europe

This is Beirut, 24/07 20:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump European Union Israel Tehran

Iran on Thursday reaffirmed its right to enrich uranium, saying it was "unshakable", on the eve of key talks with European powers threatening to reimpose nuclear sanctions. Friday's meeting, set to take place in Istanbul, will be the first since Israel's mid-June attack targeting key nuclear and military sites in the Islamic republic sparked a ...

EU Prepares 93 Billion Euros in Tariffs as US Trade Talks Hang in Balance

This is Beirut, 24/07 12:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

European Union Tariffs United States

EU states on Thursday approved a 93-billion-euro ($109-billion) package of counter-tariffs on US goods that would kick in from August 7 if talks with the United States fail, European diplomats said. US President Donald Trump blind sided the European Union this month when he threatened a 30-percent levy on EU goods unless the two sides reach a ...

Xi Urges Trust as EU Demands "Real Solutions" in Beijing Talks

This is Beirut, 24/07 09:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

China European Union Russia Ukraine

Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and the EU must deepen trust in a turbulent world, but the bloc's chiefs called for "real solutions" to move past an inflection point as they met in Beijing on Thursday. China's leadership has sought to draw the European Union closer as it positions itself as a more reliable partner than the United States ...

Zelensky Defends Anti-Corruption Overhaul Amid Protests, EU Condemns "Serious Step Back"

This is Beirut, 23/07 14:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Volodymyr Zelensky Ukraine European Union

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday defended legislative changes removing the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies, sparking the first major protests in Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion. "We all share a common enemy: the Russian occupiers," Zelensky said after meeting with top law enforcement and ...

France's Top Diplomat Calls for Foreign Press Access to Gaza

This is Beirut, 22/07 18:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Palestine United Nations European Union Hamas Israel Journalism

France's foreign minister urged Israel on Tuesday to allow international journalists into the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza to "bear witness" to the situation after 21 months of war. The United Nations and human rights groups say Gaza and its population of more than two million people face famine-like conditions, with near-daily deaths ...

French Foreign Minister in Kyiv For Official Visit

Ici Beyrouth, 21/07 12:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Volodymyr Zelensky European Union Ukraine France\

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday arrived in Kyiv for a two-day visit aimed at supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion, AFP journalists reported. Barrot is expected to meet counterpart Andriy Sybiga, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and newly-nominated Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. "In the wake of ...

China Confirms EU Leaders to Visit Thursday for Summit

This is Beirut, 21/07 09:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

European Union China Summit

China confirmed that top leaders from the European Union will visit on Thursday for a summit, as the two major trading partners seek to smooth over a series of trade disputes. "As agreed between China and the EU, President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will visit China on July ...

EU Agrees 18th Round of Russia Sanctions Over Ukraine War

This is Beirut, 18/07 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

European Union Sanctions Russia

EU countries on Friday signed off on a new package of sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, including lowering a price cap on Moscow's oil exports. The 18th round of economic punishment against Russia since its 2022 invasion was approved after Slovakia dropped a weeks-long block following talks with Brussels over separate plans to phase ...

Europe Threatens to Reinstate Sanctions if Iran Stalls on Nuclear Talks, Says France

This is Beirut, 18/07 09:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

European Union Iran Nuclear

Top European diplomats told their Iranian counterpart on Thursday they were determined to reactivate UN sanctions if Tehran does not make progress on a nuclear deal, France's foreign ministry said. The diplomats, from Britain, France, Germany and the European Union, told Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of "their determination to use the ...

UK to Lower Voting Age to 16 in General Elections

This is Beirut, 17/07 14:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

European Union United Kingdom Keir Starmer

The British government said Thursday it plans to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in general elections, a landmark change giving the UK one of the lowest voting ages worldwide. It follows a pledge from the ruling Labour Party to make the shift ahead of winning power last year, and is among several planned changes to the democratic system, which ...

Agriculture at a Crossroads: Rich Lands, Closed Borders

Christiane Tager, 15/07 21:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Europe European Union Gulf Saudi Arabia Turkey

Lebanon’s land still gives, but the market no longer answers. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani issued a stark warning: Lebanese agriculture is at a breaking point. With distribution in crisis, export routes to the Gulf shut down and a stifling economic climate, the sector is being pushed to the edge. “Maritime ...

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