World

Iran Confirms Next Round of US Talks to Be in Italy not Oman

This is Beirut 16/04 17:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Iran IAEA Iran Nuclear Program Rafael Grossi

The next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States will be held on Saturday in Italy and not Oman, Iranian state media reported. "The second round of Iran-US nuclear talks will be held next Saturday in Rome... and the Omani foreign ministry will be hosting the talks," Iran's state TV said. European officials had earlier said the ...

Istanbul’s Jewel Hagia Sophia Undergoes Major Restoration

This is Beirut 16/04 16:15 - Reading : less than a minute

Istanbul Hagia Sophia Restoration

The former basilica Hagia Sophia, converted into a mosque in 2020, is undergoing a comprehensive renovation, including its main dome and mosaics, to better withstand future earthquakes expected in Istanbul.

Trump Says Harvard a 'Joke' Undeserving of US Federal Funding

This is Beirut 16/04 15:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Harvard Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump doubled down Wednesday on a funding standoff with top university Harvard that has become a focal point of his war against elite educational institutions. Harvard has stood out for defying Trump's attempts to force it to submit to wide-ranging government oversight, in contrast to several other universities that have ...

Trump to Meet Japan Envoy for Tariff Negotiations

This is Beirut 16/04 14:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

US Treasury Japan Tariffs Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump said he will join negotiations on Wednesday with Japan's envoy for tariffs, after both countries expressed confidence in striking a mutually beneficial outcome. Trump issued a 90-day pause last week on his 24-percent tariffs on Japan, the biggest investor into the United States and its close strategic and economic ...

Iran FM Says Uranium Enrichment 'Non-Negotiable' After Trump Envoy Urged Halt

This is Beirut 16/04 13:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Iran Nuclear Negotiations USA

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Iran's enrichment of uranium as part of its nuclear programme was "non-negotiable" after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff called for a halt. "Iran's enrichment is a real, accepted matter. We are ready to build confidence in response to possible concerns, but the issue of enrichment is ...

US-Ukraine Minerals Deal Talks Progressing 'Quite Fast': Senior Official

This is Beirut 16/04 12:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Kyiv Washington Minerals Volodymyr Zelensky

Long-running and fraught talks between Kyiv and Washington on a deal that would give the United States preferential access to Ukrainian natural resources are progressing quickly, a senior official told AFP Wednesday. Ukraine and the United States had planned to sign a deal on extracting Ukraine's strategically important minerals, until a ...

Gaza Rescuers Say Children Among 11 Killed in Israeli Air Strikes

This is Beirut 16/04 11:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gaza Israel

Gaza's civil defense agency reported that Israeli air strikes in the early hours of Wednesday killed at least 11 people, including women and children. Israel resumed its aerial and ground offensive across Gaza from March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire that had largely halted hostilities in the territory. A pre-dawn air strike in Gaza City ...

China Says 'not Afraid to Fight' Trade War With US

This is Beirut 16/04 11:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United States China Trade war Tarifs

China warned Wednesday it was "not afraid" to fight a trade war with the United States and reiterated calls for dialogue, after US President Donald Trump said it was up to Beijing to come to the negotiating table. "If the US really wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop exerting extreme pressure, stop ...

Biden Slams Trump 'Destruction' in First Post-Presidency Speech

This is Beirut 16/04 10:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump White House Joe Biden USA

Joe Biden, in his first major speech since leaving the White House, railed Tuesday against his successor Donald Trump's frenetic government overhaul, claiming the "hatchet" effort put Americans' retirement benefits at risk. "Fewer than 100 days, this administration has done so much damage, and so much destruction -- it's kind of breathtaking it ...

SpotlightIraqi Markets a Haven for Pedlars Escaping Iran's Economic Woes

This is Beirut 16/04 09:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Iraq Iran

Every Friday, Alawi crosses the border from Iran into Iraq to sell his produce in the markets of Basra, which serve as a haven for Iranians grappling with economic sanctions. He is just one of many Iranian pedlars who endure the arduous journey into southern Iraq through the Chalamja border crossing. They bring essential goods such as chicken, ...

Canada Party Leaders Hold High-Stakes Debate two Weeks From Vote

This is Beirut 16/04 09:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Canada Mark Carney Pierre Poilievre Donald Trump

Canada's main party leaders face off Wednesday in a debate that could prove pivotal ahead of this month's election, with Prime Minister Mark Carney's French language skills set to be tested. Carney's main rival on the stage in Montreal will be Pierre Poilievre, whose Conservative Party is trailing the Carney-led Liberals in most opinion polls ...

Europe Seeks to Break its US Tech Addiction

This is Beirut 16/04 09:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA Europe Donald Trump European Union Banks

With President Donald Trump more unpredictable than ever and transatlantic ties reaching new lows, calls are growing louder for Europe to declare independence from US tech. From Microsoft to Meta, Apple to Uber, cloud computing to AI, much of the day-to-day technology used by Europeans is American. The risks that brings were hotly debated before ...