This is Beirut 08/03 09:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Donald Trump USA Washington White House
US President Donald Trump imposed vast tariffs this week on key partners Canada and Mexico, roiling cross-border ties before offering temporary relief to manufacturers—but with more levies kicking in next week, the respite may be fleeting. US companies faced a series of duties starting Monday, with Trump doubling an additional levy on ...
This is Beirut 07/03 19:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
PMI Purchasing Managers’ Index BlomInvest February 2025 Blom Business Bank
The PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) published by BlomInvest for February 2025 revealed that business activity among Lebanese private sector companies recorded new growth. Commenting on the results, Mira Said, Chief Research Analyst at Blom Business Bank, noted that the PMI slightly declined from 50.6 points in January 2025 — its highest ...
Liliane Mokbel 07/03 19:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon 2025 Budget Yassin Jaber
The massive surtax on alcoholic beverages proposed in the 2025 budget has sparked outrage among hotel and restaurant owners, who fear it will negatively impact consumption and, consequently, their businesses and the overall tourism sector. The tax rates have been multiplied by 225 and up to 750 times, which is utterly staggering. This tax hike is ...
This is Beirut 07/03 19:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
economy trade digital transformation Lebanon
The Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Bsat, announced in a statement the launch of a new electronic service that allows market and exhibition organizers in Lebanon to submit their license applications online. This initiative is part of the ministry's digital transformation project, aimed at simplifying procedures and enhancing ...
This is Beirut 07/03 18:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Yassine Jaber Economy Budget 2025 finance eurobonds european union sandra de waele
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber affirmed on Friday that the 2026 budget plan would include measures aimed at ensuring financial regularity while paving the way for increased spending in social sectors. He emphasized that this budget would highlight the government’s development strategies and priority reform objectives. Among the measures planned ...
This is Beirut 07/03 18:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Donald Trump White House USA Republicans cryptocurrency
Donald Trump on Friday hosts top cryptocurrency players at the White House, a political boost for an industry that has struggled to gain legitimacy -- and where the Republican president faces conflict of interest concerns. US crypto investors were major supporters of Trump's presidential campaign, contributing millions of dollars toward his ...
This is Beirut 07/03 15:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
The World Bank on Friday estimated Lebanon's recovery and reconstruction costs at $11 billion following the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which ended with a ceasefire last November. "Reconstruction and recovery needs following the conflict that affected Lebanon are estimated at US$11 billion," the World Bank said in a report assessing damage ...
This is Beirut 07/03 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport Automated Gates Project Security Lebanon
The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rassamni, inaugurated the automatic gates project at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Friday morning, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and with the support of the German Federal Police. The project aims to enhance security and facilitate airport ...
This is Beirut 07/03 08:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Donald Trump New York United States US Congress USA
Asian stocks tumbled at the open Friday following a tough day on Wall Street as uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's trade policies roiled markets and traders awaited key US jobs data. Bitcoin plunged 5.7 percent after Trump signed an executive order to establish a "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve" without planning any public purchases of the ...
This is Beirut 06/03 19:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Donald Trump United States Mexico Canada Tarifs on imports
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he was pausing sweeping tariffs recently imposed on Mexican imports after talks with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, while tensions with Canada continued to simmer amid strong blowback on world markets. Trump said fresh tariffs targeting Mexico would not apply to trade falling under a pact between ...
This is Beirut 06/03 19:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Microsoft Artificial intelligence AI South Africa
Tech giant Microsoft will invest $298 million on artificial intelligence (AI) and data centre infrastructure in South Africa, the company's vice-chair said on Thursday. The multinational announced in January it would provide one million South Africans with AI and cyber security training opportunities by 2026. "We are investing more money to ...
Liliane Mokbel 06/03 19:39 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Salary civil servants Minimum salary public sector private sector
The issue of raising the minimum wage is back on the table, highlighting a stark wage gap between the private and public sectors. Despite a 95% devaluation of the Lebanese pound since October 2019, the minimum wage in the public sector remains set at 6,750,000 pounds, while it has reached 18,000,000 pounds in the private sector. This disparity ...