This is Beirut - European Union

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

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

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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)

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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)

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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 ...

EU Foreign Ministers Weigh Options on Gaza as Humanitarian Deal with Israel Takes Shape

This is Beirut, 15/07 08:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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EU foreign ministers on Tuesday will discuss a raft of options for action against Israel over the war in Gaza -- but likely will not agree on any. The bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has put forward 10 potential steps after Israel was found to have breached a cooperation deal between the two sides on human rights grounds. The measures ...

Israeli, Palestinian Foreign Ministers to Attend EU Meeting

This is Beirut, 14/07 11:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Israeli and Palestinian foreign ministers were due at a meeting in Brussels between the EU and its southern neighbors on Monday, but the Palestinian Authority denied the two would meet. It would be the first time since the Gaza war began in October 2023 that Israeli and Palestinian ministers attended a high-level meeting in the same room. The ...

EU Ministers Weigh Response to Latest Trump Tariff Threat

This is Beirut, 14/07 09:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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EU ministers on Monday will debate the bloc's approach to trade talks with the United States, as Brussels scrambles to head off 30-percent tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. The US leader Trump threw months of painstaking negotiations into disarray on Saturday by announcing he would hammer the bloc with sweeping 30-percent tariffs if ...

Bitcoin Rallies Past Record $120,000 as Asian Markets Rise

This is Beirut, 14/07 08:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Bitcoin surged past the $120,000 mark for the first time on Monday, setting a new record as optimism grows around potential regulatory breakthroughs for the cryptocurrency industry this week. The digital asset peaked at $122,571.19 before easing slightly, trading 2.4% higher at $121,952.61. Most Asian markets rose Monday as investors digested ...

EU Chief Delays Retaliation for US Tariffs in Search of Deal

This is Beirut, 13/07 15:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday Brussels will keep holding off on hitting back at US steel and aluminium tariffs, as it seeks a deal to ward off broader 30-percent levies. US President Donald Trump on Saturday threw months of painstaking negotiations into disarray by announcing he would hammer the 27-nation bloc with sweeping 30-percent ...