This is Beirut

Leonardo, Callas, Beethoven… Could Europe’s Icons Appear on Euro Banknotes?

Bélinda Ibrahim, 17/10 19:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nearly a quarter of a century after their introduction, euro banknotes are set to be completely redesigned, both aesthetically and in terms of security. If the ECB stays on schedule, the new banknotes are expected to be unveiled from 2026, following an unprecedented public consultation and design process. Since 2002, euro banknotes have depicted ...

Between Moscow and Washington, India Charts Its Energy Course

Mario Chartouni, 16/10 16:20 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Washington Donald Trump European Union Europe G7

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to “cease purchasing Russian oil” within a “short timeframe,” while imposing 50% tariffs on Indian exports to the United States, with additional penalties for transactions involving Moscow. However, New Delhi stressed that its “top ...

EU Says Drone Defenses Not 'Optional' in Push to Face Russia

This is Beirut, 16/10 16:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

European Union Europe Ukraine Brussels Russia

The EU had no choice but to build up anti-drone defenses against Russia, the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Thursday, as Brussels unveiled a "roadmap" to prepare for potential conflict by 2030. The initiative is one of several flagship projects in the EU's "readiness roadmap" aimed at preparing the bloc for a possible attack from ...

Tested by Russia, NATO Looks to Strengthen its Defenses

This is Beirut, 15/10 09:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Volodymyr Zelensky Europe Kyiv Nato

NATO defense ministers will look Wednesday at shoring up the alliance's ability to counter Russian air incursions, as fears grow that Moscow is testing the West in a grey zone between war and peace. Focus will also be on bolstering support for Ukraine as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joins his 31 NATO counterparts with his boss, President ...

US Gas: Washington Secures Its Place in Europe’s Energy Market

Christiane Tager, 10/10 21:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Europe USA Washington Donald Trump European Union

For more than two years, Europe has sought to reduce its reliance on Russian gas, an effort accelerated by the war in Ukraine and rising geopolitical tensions. According to RFI, European firms, long hesitant to commit to long-term deals, are now turning to US liquefied natural gas (LNG) to secure reliable supplies. This shift represents a ...

International Sanctions: Mechanisms, Loopholes and Limits

Élie-Joe Kamel, 10/10 17:45 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

United Nations Donald Trump Europe European Union G7

Despite a major military setback suffered by the Iran-aligned axis in its war against Israel and the sanctions imposed on it, Hezbollah reportedly continues to receive $60 million per month in transfers from Iran. That is according to US envoy Thomas Barrack, who made the claim on September 22 in an interview with Sky News. In this context, a ...

AI and Employment: A Process of Creative Destruction

Paul Guillot, 07/10 11:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Europe International Monetary Fund New York United States USA

AI is hailed for boosting efficiency, speed, and productivity. But behind the hype, a global concern looms: could it put millions of jobs at risk? From Salesforce headquarters to Amazon warehouses, from New York offices to emerging markets, one question dominates: is AI a ticking social time bomb? A Subtle but Global Threat The IMF estimates ...

Renewable Energy Growth Slows Due to Policy Changes: IEA

This is Beirut, 07/10 09:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Europe United States IEA COP28 Renewable Energy

Growth in renewable energy, a key part of efforts to limit dangerous climate change, is slowing down due to policy changes in the United States and China and will fall short of a key goal, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday. Only two years ago the global community set the goal of tripling renewable energy output by 2030 to limit the ...

OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT App Integration Feature

This is Beirut, 07/10 09:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Europe OpenAI ChatGPT Canva

OpenAI on Monday unveiled a new feature for ChatGPT, the leading generative AI model with 800 million weekly users, enabling it to interact with everyday apps like Spotify and Booking.com. Chief Executive Sam Altman announced the new tool to a crowd of enthusiastic developers gathered in San Francisco for the company's annual "Developer ...

Macron and Merz Sound Alarm Over European Democracy

This is Beirut, 03/10 17:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Emmanuel Macron Europe Germany Friedrich Merz

The leaders of France and Germany warned of the dangers to democracy within their countries and from hostile foreign powers as they marked 35 years of German unification on Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron was invited to take part in a ceremony marking the anniversary in the southwestern German city of Saarbruecken, where he described the ...

Russia-Linked Tanker Stopped by France Resumes Voyage

This is Beirut, 03/10 13:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Emmanuel Macron Europe Ukraine Russia Shadow fleet

A tanker from Russia's "shadow fleet" detained by the French navy was heading towards the Suez Canal Friday with its captain back on board, according to data from maritime websites and a source close to the case. The Boracay, blacklisted by the European Union for being part of Russia's sanctions-busting "shadow fleet" of ageing oil tankers, has ...

Munich Airport Closure 'Wake-up Call' Over Drone Danger

This is Beirut, 03/10 13:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Europe United States Drones Munich Germany

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Friday that the temporary closure of Munich airport after drone sightings was a "wake-up call" about the threat from drones, which have caused a string of similar aviation disruptions across Europe. Airports in Denmark, Norway and Poland have recently suspended flights due to unidentified ...

europe