This is Beirut

Protesters Rally on International Women’s Day, Fearing Far Right

This is Beirut, 08/03 22:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Protesters took to the streets across the world Saturday to mark International Women's Day, demanding equal pay, political representation and an end to gender-based violence while voicing fears of rising repression. In eastern Ukraine, scores of demonstrators held a minute's silence to honour women killed defending the country from Russia's ...

Global Stocks Mixed As Trump Shifts on Tariffs Weighs on Sentiment

This is Beirut, 08/03 09:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Europe New York USA

Global stocks were mixed Friday as President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff tinkering weighed down sentiment even as Wall Street stocks shot higher following reassuring comments from the head of the Federal Reserve. After a down day in Europe, US stocks looked poised for another rocky round following mixed employment data. Briefing.com ...

Trump's Tariff Rollback Brings Limited Respite As New Levies Loom

This is Beirut, 08/03 09:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA Washington White House

US President Donald Trump imposed vast tariffs this week on key partners Canada and Mexico, roiling cross-border ties before offering temporary relief to manufacturers—but with more levies kicking in next week, the respite may be fleeting. US companies faced a series of duties starting Monday, with Trump doubling an additional levy on ...

Now a believer, Trump hosts White House crypto summit

This is Beirut, 07/03 18:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump White House USA Republicans cryptocurrency

Donald Trump on Friday hosts top cryptocurrency players at the White House, a political boost for an industry that has struggled to gain legitimacy -- and where the Republican president faces conflict of interest concerns. US crypto investors were major supporters of Trump's presidential campaign, contributing millions of dollars toward his ...

World Bank says Lebanon needs $11 bn for post-war reconstruction

This is Beirut, 07/03 15:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banks Hezbollah Israel USA

The World Bank on Friday estimated Lebanon's recovery and reconstruction costs at $11 billion following the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which ended with a ceasefire last November. "Reconstruction and recovery needs following the conflict that affected Lebanon are estimated at US$11 billion," the World Bank said in a report assessing damage ...

Riyadh Welcomes US-Ukraine Meeting in Jeddah Next Week

This is Beirut, 07/03 13:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Ukraine USA Middle East Saudi Arabia Jeddah

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday the planned meeting between the United States and Ukraine, to be held in Jeddah next week, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry underlined the Kingdom's “unrelenting efforts to achieve lasting peace and put an end to the Ukrainian crisis, which have been pursued over the ...

China's Counterattack: Punitive Tariffs in Retaliation to Trump

Christiane Tager, 07/03 11:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

China USA Trade

Shortly after taking office, US President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff increase on Chinese goods, raising the total duties on imports from China to 20%. Trump criticized China for not doing enough “to curb the flow of fentanyl, a potent opioid, into the US,” as stated by the White House on X. In retaliation, the Chinese government ...

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 ...

'Hamilton' Axes Run at Prominent US Cultural Center After Trump Takeover

This is Beirut, 06/03 15:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

USA culture Kennedy Center Show Donald Trump

The smash hit musical "Hamilton" has cancelled a planned run at the Kennedy Center because President Donald Trump has destroyed the political neutrality of the US capital's premier cultural venue since taking over as its chairman, the play's producer said on Wednesday. The cancellation was a sharply worded rebuke to Trump's takeover, part of his ...

A US Bill That Aims to Dismantle Hezbollah?

Salam El Zaatari, 06/03 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah USA

The US Congress has taken things to a whole new level. Dubbed the “Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Extremism Act” (PAGER Act), this legislation, spearheaded by Republican Congressman Greg Steube, is not just about sanctioning Hezbollah—it’s about forcing Lebanon into a political and military reckoning. The bill lays out an ...

Brent Oil Falls to Lowest Price Since 2021 as US Crude Stocks Surge

This is Beirut, 05/03 19:05 - Reading : less than a minute

USA

The price of the major international oil contract, Brent crude, fell to its lowest level since 2021 following data showing that US crude stocks surged. Around 1610 GMT the price of Brent crude was down 3.36 percent to $68.65, shortly after the release of data showing a higher-than-expected increase of 3.6 million barrels in US crude stocks last ...

Macron to Address France Over Global 'Uncertainty'

This is Beirut, 05/03 14:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Emmanuel Macron Volodymyr Zelensky Donald Trump USA European Union

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would address the nation on Wednesday regarding the current global uncertainty following the radical shift in U.S. policy on Ukraine under Donald Trump. "My dear compatriots — I will address you tonight at 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) at this moment of great uncertainty when the world is facing its greatest ...

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