The president of the Federation for Tourism Industries Pierre al-Achkar issued a statement on Friday calling on the tourism sector to close on the occasion of the first anniversary of Beirut Port blast.

He announced the “solidarity of the entire tourism sector” with all those affected by the explosion “especially the families of the victims and martyrs.”

The Eurozone economy grew by a strong two percent in the second quarter, according to official data released on Friday, as reopened businesses lifted activity out of the worst of the pandemic doldrums.

The expansion in Europe was stronger than in the United States, where the economy grew by 1.6 percent compared to the previous quarter and China which saw a 1.3 percent expansion in the period.

A Tokyo court has upheld jail sentences for a US father-son duo who helped ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn flee Japan, as the pair waived their right to appeal.

The Consultative Group of the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) held its second meeting on Tuesday.

The 3RF Consultative Group consists of the Government of Lebanon, Lebanese civil society, the European Union, United Nations, the World Bank and international donors. Together they monitor progress and give strategic direction to the reforms and activities under the 3RF.

France's financial crimes unit says it haS charged prominent rightwinger Rachida Dati, a former cabinet minister and close ally of ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, over her dealings with disgraced former Renault chief Carlos Ghosn.

The global economy will expand by six percent this year, but disparities between nations are widening as advanced economies accelerate while developing countries fall behind, the IMF said Tuesday.

German business confidence fell in July for the first time since January, a key survey showed Monday, dampened by shortages in the supply of materials and fears of a further rise in Covid-19 infections. 

Financial markets kicked off the week with fresh volatility on Monday, as Asian stocks tumbled, bitcoin soared and the dollar retreated.

Abu Dhabi will slash the cost of establishing new businesses by "more than 90 percent" from Tuesday to increase the "competitiveness regionally and internationally" of the emirate, already a magnet for commerce.

In recent weeks authorities have ramped up efforts to woo new business to Abu Dhabi, one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. 

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Monday visited the disputed Kuril Islands and said authorities wanted to establish a free economic zone there, sparking a protest from Japan.