USA

Diamonds: Precious Stones Under Siege

Over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds are polished in India, cementing the country’s status as the global epicenter of brilliance. Yet, the sparkle of this thriving industry is under threat. A 27% US tariff, introduced by Donald Trump, casts a long shadow over India’s diamond trade, while retaliatory measures from India add fuel to the ...

Netanyahu: 'military option inevitable' if US-Iran nuclear talks drag on

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that "the military option" would become "inevitable" if talks between Washington and Tehran on Iran's nuclear program drag on. "We agree that Iran will not have nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said in a video statement following a meeting with US President Donald Trump. "This can be done in an ...

EU Proposes 25% Tariffs on US Goods, But Not Bourbon

The EU plans tariffs of up to 25 percent on US goods in retaliation for levies on metals but will spare bourbon to shield European wine and spirits from reprisals, according to a document seen by AFP on Tuesday. The proposed tariffs –drawn up since President Donald Trump's duties on steel and aluminum took effect last month –aim to show EU ...

US Envoy Calls for Hezbollah’s Disarmament to Secure Lebanon’s Future

In an interview with Al Arabiya News anchor Hadley Gamble, US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus urged for the complete disarmament of Hezbollah. She compared the Iran-backed group to a “cancer” that Lebanon must excise if it hopes to recover. During a diplomatic visit to the United Arab Emirates, Ortagus emphasized that ...

Why is The NBA Eyeing Europe?

The NBA has said it is "exploring" the creation of a professional basketball league in Europe, but the plans remain vague and raise many questions. The first is why is the powerful US league taking this step? How does it intend to make money? And is the EuroLeague, the home of Europe's best clubs, doomed to a marriage of convenience? Why has the ...

Soyuz Spacecraft Launches for ISS with American, two Russians

A Soyuz spacecraft carrying an American and two Russians launched, on Tuesday, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to head to the International Space Station. The MS-27 craft, which was decorated to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, took off at 10:47 am (0547 GMT), according to televised images shown by the Russian ...

Yemen Rebels Say Targeted Israel Army Site, US Warships in Red Sea: Statement

Yemen's Huthis said they targeted a military site in Israel and attacked two US destroyers in the Red Sea Monday, shortly after Israel's army said it intercepted a drone launched from the east. The Iran-backed group "carried out a military operation targeting an Israeli military target in the occupied area of Yaffa (Tel Aviv) using a 'Yaffa' ...

US June Deadline for Iran’s Nuclear Deal and Hezbollah

Seventeen years ago, a summit between Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad called for Israel's withdrawal from the “Lebanese” Shebaa Farms, the Kfarchouba Hills and the northern part of Ghajar, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions. The two leaders also agreed to establish diplomatic relations for ...

Trump Threatens Further 50% Tariffs on China, Stacking on Earlier Rate

US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened huge additional tariffs on imports from China if Beijing did not withdraw its retaliation plans, adding that Washington would begin talks with other countries that want negotiations. The fresh action would stack on an already steep US rate taking effect Wednesday, the White House told AFP, bringing ...

US Embassy Statement: Ortagus Called for Disarmament of Hezbollah and Reforms During Visit to Lebanon

The US Embassy in Beirut issued a statement on Monday announcing that Morgan Ortagus, Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, expressed her enthusiasm for returning to Lebanon to meet with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker Nabih Berri and Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Rajji. The statement highlighted that ...

Trade War: World Markets Plunge Under the Weight of New Taxes

Global markets are reeling from Donald Trump's trade war and Chinese retaliation, causing serious concerns for the global economy. After two days of decline, the European stock markets plunged to an all-time low, with indices such as the DAX and CAC 40 sharply down. In Asia, markets suffered a “Black Monday,” with Hong Kong recording its worst ...

China vows to stay 'safe and promising land' for foreign investment

A top Chinese official has vowed to protect US firms and pledged his country will remain a "promising land" for foreign investment, Beijing said Monday, after it slapped 34 percent tariffs on US imports. China retaliated last week against levies at the same level announced by US President Donald Trump on what he called "liberation day". It also ...