Economy

SpotlightEid Celebrations: Joy Amid Conflict’s Shadow

Christiane Tager 02/04 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

UN Security Council Dahyeh Europe Israel United Nations

Despite the psychological impact of the airstrikes, Ramzi Salman, the President of the Lebanese Guesthouses Syndicate, told This is Beirut on Tuesday that the Eid al-Fitr weekend saw a significant influx of visitors. According to Salman, guesthouses experienced relatively strong bookings, highlighting the sector’s resilience amid the ongoing ...

OpenAI Secures $40 Billion to Fuel AI Breakthroughs and Open-Source Shift

This is Beirut 01/04 13:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

OpenAI Artificial Intelligence SoftBank ChatGPT Sam Altman

OpenAI on Monday said it raised $40 billion in a new funding round that valued the ChatGPT maker at $300 billion, the biggest capital-raising session ever for a startup. The infusion of cash comes in a partnership with Japanese investment giant SoftBank Group and "enables us to push the frontiers of AI research even further," the San ...

Trump Confident in Finding TikTok Buyer Before Deadline

This is Beirut 01/04 11:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Tik Tok New York

President Donald Trump again downplayed risks that TikTok is in danger of being banned in the United States, saying he remains confident of finding a buyer for the app's US business by a Friday deadline. The hugely popular video-sharing app, which has over 170 million American users, is under threat from a law that passed overwhelmingly last year ...

SpotlightMicrosoft Celebrates 50 Years on April 4: Between Successes, Setbacks, and Investments

This is Beirut 31/03 17:10 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Innovation AI Technologies Microsoft Bill Gates

Microsoft has been at the heart of computing for half a century, becoming a tech stalwart almost taken for granted as lifestyles embraced the internet. As the company, founded with a vision of putting computers in every home and office, celebrates its 50th anniversary on Friday, it is looking to boost its fortunes by being a leader in the ...

OECD Calls for Strong Ocean Governance to Ensure a Sustainable Future

This is Beirut 31/03 17:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

OECD Environment Oceans Economy

Oceans need stronger protections and governance to ensure the blue economy can grow fairly and sustainably in the face of climate change, territorial disputes and other threats, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said Monday. Covering two-thirds of Earth, oceans provide more than three billion people with enough to ...

Trump says US tariffs to hit 'all countries'

This is Beirut 31/03 09:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA United States

President Donald Trump said Sunday the tariffs he plans to impose in the coming days would include "all countries", not just those with the largest trade imbalances with the United States. Trump has promised a "Liberation Day" on April 2, when he is set to unveil reciprocal levies to address trade practices that his government deems ...

Figure of the weekLebanon's Solar Energy Market Faces Sharp Decline

Liliane Mokbel 29/03 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute

solar panels lebanon imports energy

The solar energy market in Lebanon experienced a dramatic decline. In 2024, imports of solar panels dropped by 41% compared to 2023 and by 82% compared to 2022, according to data from the Lebanese Customs Authority. A record high was reached in 2022, with 5 million panels imported, while only 2.24 million were imported in 2024, valued at a ...

Stock Markets Slide Over US inflation, Tariff Fears

This is Beirut 28/03 19:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Europe United Kingdom Washington

Stock markets took a tumble Friday as a closely watched US inflation reading heated up, adding to concerns over the fallout from an incoming wave of tariffs by President Donald Trump. Shares in automakers fell further as they brace for 25-percent US levies due to kick in early next week along with a raft of "reciprocal" tariffs tailored to ...

SpotlightBDL’s 62-Year Journey: From Philippe Takla to Karim Souhaid

Maurice Matta 27/03 20:35 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Central Bank Nawaf Salam Joseph Aoun Karim Souhaid

During a session held at Baabda Presidential Palace, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, the Cabinet appointed Karim Souhaid as Governor of the Lebanese Central Bank (BDL). The decision followed a ministerial vote, with Souhaid securing 17 votes out of 24 from the Lebanese government ministers. Despite strong opposition from Prime Minister Nawaf ...

Trump’s Customs Tariffs: Aperitivo in Peril!

Christiane Tager 27/03 20:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Europe Wine Whiskey Taxes

Donald Trump’s economic formula is now well known: an explosive cocktail of customs tariffs! A threat that makes European winemakers and liquor producers shudder – with up to 200% in taxes on wine and spirits. As they might say in Scotland, “That’s a bit more sour than a good whisky without ice!” US President Donald Trump, who never ...

Bill Proposes Increase in End-of-Service Indemnities: A Necessary Revision

This is Beirut 27/03 15:30 - Reading : less than a minute

lebanon indemnities employees

A bill proposing an increase in end-of-service indemnities for public and private employees has been introduced. Under this proposal, indemnities would be multiplied by 30. Applicable to amounts received or owed after October 17, 2019, until the minimum wage increase to 18 million Lebanese pounds takes effect, the bill excludes public sector ...

Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Opens Recruitment

This is Beirut 27/03 15:25 - Reading : less than a minute

Telecommunications Regulatory Lebanon government job openings

The Minister of Telecommunications, Charles Hajj, has officially submitted a description of the positions within the Board of Directors of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to the Minister of Administrative Development, Fadi Makki. In a statement issued by his press office, Hajj announced that job openings will be posted on the OMSAR ...