Christiane Tager, 31/05 21:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Europe United States USA tobacco Lebanon
For decades, cigarettes were a real nicotine cash cow for governments. A thriving industry, lucrative taxes, countless jobs and mass consumption that, despite health warnings, was an integral part of the global economic and social landscape. But that was before public health got seriously involved. On May 31st, we take a collective breath: it’s ...
This is Beirut, 31/05 19:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Hamas Gaza Israel Steve Witkoff United States
Hamas announced on Saturday that it had submitted its reply to a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal, but Washington's main negotiator almost immediately criticised the response as "totally unacceptable". Hamas did not say it had accepted the proposal from US envoy Steve Witkoff, but a Hamas source told AFP the group's response ...
This is Beirut, 31/05 19:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
United States Tarrifs Donald Trump European Union
US President Donald Trump's announcement that he would double steel and aluminum import tariffs to 50 percent from next week drew ire from the European Union Saturday in the latest salvo in his trade wars aimed at protecting domestic industries. The EU warned it was "prepared" to retaliate against the latest tariffs, adding the sudden move ...
This is Beirut, 31/05 18:59 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Friedrich Merz Germany United States Donald Trump
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz will next Thursday meet with US President Donald Trump for talks at the White House with the Ukraine and Mideast conflicts as well as rocky trade relations on the agenda. The talks will focus on relations between the two countries, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said Saturday, as well as ...
This is Beirut, 31/05 16:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
China United States Pete Hegseth Taiwan
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Saturday warned that China was "credibly preparing" to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia -- remarks that earned a sharp rebuke from Beijing. The Pentagon chief was speaking at an annual security forum in Singapore, as the administration of US President Donald Trump spars ...
Kaline Antoun, 30/05 18:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
United States Iran Israel Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Nuclear
President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay any potential military action against Iran, in order to give the United States administration more time to negotiate a new nuclear agreement with Tehran. Iran’s nuclear program lies at the center of an escalating diplomatic ...
This is Beirut, 30/05 18:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Donald Trump United States China Tariffs
US President Donald Trump signaled renewed trade tensions with China on Friday, arguing that Beijing had "violated" a deal to de-escalate tariffs, at a time when both sides appeared deadlocked in negotiations. Trump's post on his Truth Social platform came hours after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that trade talks with ...
This is Beirut, 30/05 09:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
United States Trade Tariff Court
US President Donald Trump celebrated a temporary reprieve for his aggressive tariff strategy on Thursday, with an appeals court preserving his sweeping import duties on China and other trading partners -- for now. The short-term relief will allow the appeals process to proceed after the US Court of International Trade barred most of the tariffs ...
Salam El Zaatari, 29/05 09:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Iran United States Donald Trump
As the Trump administration accelerates its efforts to clinch a nuclear deal with Iran, the threat of Israeli airstrikes looms larger than ever. According to multiple diplomatic sources cited by The New York Times, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively considering unilateral military action against Iran’s nuclear sites—regardless of ...
Marc Saikali, 29/05 08:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Lebanon Hezbollah United States Syria Morgan Ortagus
Six months after the ceasefire took effect, residents of southern Lebanon are still left wondering who will rebuild their homes. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s secretary-general clings to the old ideological lifeline—“People, Army, Resistance”—like a castaway clutching his last buoy. Once a rallying cry, the slogan now rings hollow—a mantra ...
This is Beirut, 29/05 05:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
United States Politics Elon Musk Donald Trump
Billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday announced he was leaving his role in US government, intended to reduce federal spending, shortly after his first major break with President Donald Trump over his signature spending bill. "As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for ...
This is Beirut, 28/05 21:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Iran Uranium Enrichment United States
Iran firmly rejected reports suggesting it might halt uranium enrichment, calling such claims “completely false.” The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday dismissed a Reuters report alleging a suspension of enrichment activities, labeling it as baseless. Tehran also reaffirmed its stance on uranium enrichment, describing it as a “non-negotiable ...