Christiane Tager 11/09 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
European Union Gulf Saudi Arabia agriculture farmers
In a country where even bread is becoming a luxury, one might think the potato – king of family meals and star of mezze – is guaranteed a smooth ride. Yet behind every plate of crispy “batata” lies the story of farmers digging the soil… and digging deeper into debt. The Roots of the Problem According to the Ministry of Agriculture, ...
This is Beirut 10/09 16:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Internal Security Forces Ibrahim Kanaan lebanon
The Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, approved on Wednesday a legislative amendment authorizing the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) to issue new banknotes, including a denomination of LBP 5 million. The move, seen as emblematic of the national currency’s collapse, was justified as a technical step to facilitate daily ...
Christiane Tager 10/09 12:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Coffee Price Arabica Brazil Espresso
Thought your morning espresso was safe? Think again. In 2025, Arabica prices soared nearly 80%, according to Bellwether Coffee, and the rise shows no signs of slowing. The impact is felt by producers, cafés, and consumers alike. In Lebanon, where every price hike stings twice as much, savoring your coffee has become a luxury, with bitterness ...
Liliane Mokbel 09/09 19:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Repeated announcements in recent weeks about the upcoming award of contracts for Kleiate Airport, also known as René Moawad Airport, have captured widespread public attention. The media buzz, fueled by references to potential funding from Arab countries, draws its power from the symbolic significance of the project, beyond its practical or ...
This is Beirut 09/09 09:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Gold climbed to a fresh all-time high in Asian trading on Tuesday, reaching $3,654 an ounce around 02:30 GMT. The yellow metal is reaffirming its role as a safe-haven asset, buoyed by expectations of U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts, inflation concerns, and political uncertainty in France and Japan. “Gold provides the clearest expression of ...
Christiane Tager 07/09 09:44 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Europe United Nations Lebanon Drugs Cocaine
Cocaine prices are falling, but the risks are rising. In Lebanon, as elsewhere, a gram has never been cheaper. It may seem like a “good deal,” but behind the low price lies a harsh reality: regulated use, a growing number of addicts and mounting health risks. Cocaine, or “coke” to regular users, is circulating more freely than ever. ...
Liliane Mokbel 06/09 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Airbnb, the California-born success story, has dramatically reshaped the landscape of tourist accommodation worldwide, and Lebanon is no exception. The platform has seen remarkable growth across the country. The steadily increasing number of nightly listings reflects the scale of the phenomenon and is fueling growing concern within the hotel ...
Liliane Mokbel 06/09 11:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The 2026 draft budget spans 1,051 pages and 50 articles, yet still avoids any real tax reform. Distributed to ministers within the constitutional deadline, it relies almost entirely on indirect taxation, the most unfair burden for low- and middle-income households. In essence, it offers nothing new, repeating the same approach as the 2025 budget ...
This is Beirut 03/09 18:15 - Reading : less than a minute
The Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, met on Thursday with Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber to review a draft law proposing a “fair settlement” for end-of-service benefits at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). The session brought together several MPs, along with representatives from the Ministry of Labor, the ...
This is Beirut 03/09 18:00 - Reading : less than a minute
FAO Lebanon United Nations Nawaf Salam Agriculture
During a short visit to Beirut, a high-level delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) met with Lebanese leaders and international partners to strengthen cooperation and support projects aimed at transforming the country’s agricultural sector. Talks with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Minister of ...
Liliane Mokbel 03/09 15:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
EDL Central Bank of Lebanon Banks Lebanon economy
Electricité du Liban (EDL) collection agents occasionally remember to bill subscribers. Neighborhood generator operators, on the other hand, never forget the last day of the month. They collect payments even before reading meters, already knowing exactly how much they will extract. The idea of EDL self-financing its fuel purchases remains ...
This is Beirut 03/09 12:45 - Reading : less than a minute
Beirut International Airport lebanon Passenger Growth
Beirut’s International Airport (BIA) recorded a sharp rise in activity in August, with passenger numbers rising by nearly 39 percent compared to the same month last year. Close to one million travelers (929,815) passed through the airport during the month, pushing the cumulative passenger count for the first eight months of 2025 to 4.8 million, ...