Gold at Record Highs as Markets Reel: Is It Time to Panic or Buy Smart?

Christiane Tager 23/04 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United States Markets Investment Gold

After Easter opened a turbulent week for financial markets. The world’s main stock exchanges recorded significant losses, despite a few timid attempts to bounce back. This instability is unfolding in an atmosphere weighed down by geopolitical tensions and persistent fears of a global‑growth slowdown. Meanwhile, gold moved sharply in the ...

Aramco and BYD unveil car technology alliance

This is Beirut 22/04 19:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Saudi Arabia Aramco Vehicles

Saudi Aramco and the Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD announced Monday an agreement to work together on what they called new-energy vehicle technologies. The Saudi oil giant is already a partner with Renault of France and the Chinese automaker Geely in a joint venture to produce thermal engines. Its subsidiary, Saudi Aramco Technologies ...

Lebanon to Overhaul Groundwater Drilling Licensing System

This is Beirut 22/04 16:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

AUB United Nations

Lebanon's Minister of Energy and Water, Joe Saddi, announced on Tuesday a major reform of the country's groundwater drilling licensing system, as part of an effort to improve water resource management. The reform is being developed in collaboration with experts from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and ...

SpotlightLebanon’s Banking Secrecy Reform: A Threat to Privacy, Legal Security, and Economic Trust

This is Beirut 22/04 12:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Economy Lebanon Banks Parliament

As Lebanon grapples with a deep financial crisis and seeks to overhaul its banking system, a proposed amendment to the country’s banking secrecy law has sparked major controversy. Though introduced under the banner of transparency and reform, the changes raise serious concerns about individual privacy, data protection, investor confidence, and ...

Gold Hits Record above $3,500, Stocks Slip as Trump Fuels Fed Fears

This is Beirut 22/04 10:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Banks New York Republicans USA

Bullion hit another record Tuesday while the dollar steadied and equities mostly fell as Donald Trump's latest salvo against Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell added fuel to fears about the central bank's independence. With the US tariff blitz still causing ructions on global trading floors, investors are now dealing with the added worry that the ...

US stocks fall amid lingering tariff uncertainty

This is Beirut 21/04 16:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Banks Donald Trump International Monetary Fund United States

Wall Street stocks opened lower Monday amid lingering uncertainty over President Trump's trade policy as markets looked ahead to major earnings later in the week. China on Monday hit out at other countries negotiating trade deals with the United States at Beijing's expense, vowing countermeasures against those who "appease" ...

Gold Hits Record, Dollar Drops as Tariff Fears Dampen Sentiment

This is Beirut 21/04 10:54 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Donald Trump New York United States USA Washington

Gold prices hit a fresh record on Monday while the dollar weakened further and stocks were mixed amid worries about Donald Trump's tariff blitz and his bubbling row with the Federal Reserve. With several markets still closed for the Easter holiday, business was limited ahead of a week that will see the release of key data that should give an ...

Spotlight'No-Reform' Banking Bill: Where Is the Responsibility of the Defaulting State?

This Is Beirut 21/04 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Economy Banks Law

Following the adoption of the draft law for reforming and reorganizing the banking sector in Lebanon, the government will begin preparing a law to address the financial gap, intended to restore financial system stability. However, the implementation of the banking reform and reorganization bill is suspended until the law on the financial gap is ...

SpotlightAnalysts Warn US Could Be Handing Chip Market to China

This is Beirut 20/04 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States USA

As the Trump administration attempts to choke off exports of strategically important computer chips to China, experts say the effort might well backfire, fueling innovation at Chinese firms that could help them seize the world semiconductor market. "What's actually happening is that the US government right now is handing China a big win as it ...

The Dollar Slides, Lebanon Worries

Liliane Mokbel 19/04 14:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump European Union Lebanon Dollar Donald Trump

The US dollar is weakening against major global currencies amid heightened geopolitical tensions and a tariff escalation spearheaded by President Donald Trump. This open trade war is undermining the dollar’s status in global markets. Can the American currency still maintain its dominant role in international trade? The question is especially ...

Spotlight'Deadly' Loans Behind 'False Hope': Beware the IMF Trap

This Is Beirut 19/04 12:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

IMF Finance Economy Banks

The experiences of many countries with international financial institutions—chief among them the International Monetary Fund (IMF)—show that such partnerships often lead to counterproductive results. Instead of rescuing economies from crisis, the so-called reform programs have deepened structural and financial problems. In many cases, these ...

Figure of the weekBig Projects, Few Permits: Lebanon’s Construction Slows, but Grows in Scale

Liliane Mokbel 19/04 12:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

According to the Order of Engineers of Beirut and North Lebanon, only 417 building permits were issued in January 2025 – a sharp 48.33% drop compared to January 2024. Construction activity has seen a steep decline over the past year. This downturn has affected all governorates: Beirut: Only 2 permits issued, a 93.75% drop ...