World

Asian Stocks, Bitcoin Down as Trade Uncertainty Roils Markets

This is Beirut 07/03 08:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump New York United States US Congress USA

Asian stocks tumbled at the open Friday following a tough day on Wall Street as uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's trade policies roiled markets and traders awaited key US jobs data. Bitcoin plunged 5.7 percent after Trump signed an executive order to establish a "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve" without planning any public purchases of the ...

Trump Backs Off Canada and Mexico Tariffs

This is Beirut 07/03 05:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Mexico Canada

US President Donald Trump on Thursday delayed some tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico, leading Ottawa to halt an upcoming wave of countermeasures -- offering a reprieve to companies and consumers after blowback on financial markets. Stock markets tumbled after Trump's duties of up to 25 percent took effect Tuesday, as economists warned that ...

Steve Witkoff Announces US Talks on Ukraine Ceasefire in Saudi Arabia

This is Beirut 06/03 22:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Steve Witkoff Gaza Ukraine United States

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced Thursday that he will meet with a Ukrainian delegation next week in Saudi Arabia to discuss a ceasefire with Russia. "We are coordinating a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or possibly Jeddah," Witkoff told reporters. "The goal is to establish a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ...

VideosEuropean Ariane 6 Rocket Launches on Its First Commercial Flight

This is Beirut 06/03 21:54 - Reading : less than a minute

ariane rocket space astronomy Europe

The Ariane 6 rocket has successfully launched from French Guiana, marking its first commercial flight after several postponements. Carrying the CSO-3 military satellite, this mission strengthens Europe’s space sovereignty and enhances France’s Earth observation capabilities.

Latakia: Assad Loyalists Kill More Than 70 Security Forces in Most Violent Attack Since Ouster

This is Beirut 06/03 20:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Latakia Syria Bashar al-Assad

More than 70 people were killed and dozens more wounded in Syria in fighting between government security forces and militants loyal to deposed ruler Bashar al-Assad, a war monitor said Friday. "More than 70 killed and dozens wounded and captured in bloody clashes and ambushes on the Syrian coast between members of the Ministry of Defense and ...

Norway to More Than Double Aid to Ukraine

This is Beirut 06/03 20:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Norway Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

Norway will more than double its aid to Ukraine in 2025 to bring the annual total to $7.8 billion, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced Thursday, expressing concern that Russia was "heavily arming." "The Norwegian aid will help Ukraine oppose Russia and (reinforce) the peace plan on which the European countries are working," he said in a ...

France to Host European Army Chiefs on Tuesday to Discuss Ukraine Support

This is Beirut 06/03 19:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

France Ukraine Europe Emmanuel Macron

France will host talks on Tuesday, with military chiefs of staff whose nations are ready to offer Ukraine military support after any peace deal ending the war with Russia, a source close to President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday. With European countries scrambling to boost support for Ukraine as US President Donald Trump pursues direct ...

Natural Resources as Instruments of War

Soumia Benmerzoug 06/03 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Yemen Iran Houthis

For decades, Yemen’s economy has been a key driver of the conflicts that have ravaged the country. Plagued by widespread poverty, heavily dependent on natural resources and hindered by inefficient governance, Yemen’s economy has been exploited by various factions, deepening internal divisions and attracting external ...

UN Report Finds Women's Rights Weakened in Quarter of Countries

This is Beirut 06/03 17:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Nations Women rights

Women's rights regressed last year in a quarter of countries around the world, according to a report published by UN Women on Thursday, due to factors ranging from climate change to democratic backsliding. "The weakening of democratic institutions has gone hand in hand with backlash on gender equality," the report said, adding that "anti-rights ...

UK Eases Sanctions on Syria, Lifts Restrictions on 24 Entities

This is Beirut 06/03 17:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Syria United Kingdom Central bank Sanctions

The UK government lifted sanctions imposed during the rule of the former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad against 24 entities, including Syria's Central Bank, a statement said. The UK government said last month it planned to ease sanctions after the new Syrian government sought to persuade Western capitals that the rebels that toppled Assad after 14 ...

Russia Dismisses Ceasefire Proposals, Insists on Final Settlement in Ukraine

This is Beirut 06/03 17:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Ukraine Russia Ceasefire

Russia said Thursday it would not accept a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, rejecting proposals of a one-month halt in fighting or a stop in aerial and naval attacks - ideas floated by Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron. Talk of a possible truce is at fever pitch with US President Donald Trump pushing for a rapid end ...

France Backs Arab Plan for Gaza Reconstruction, Rejects Hamas Governance

This is Beirut 06/03 16:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Gaza Hamas France Palestinian Authority

France welcomed an Arab plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority, adding Islamist militant group Hamas should be "entirely" excluded from running the territory. The proposal from Arab leaders "constitutes a serious and credible basis to respond to reconstruction, governance, and security needs ...