Lebanon’s $4.5 Billion Price Tag: The Hidden Cost of the Syrian War
Christiane Tager 23/05 23:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Since 2011, hosting Syrian refugees has posed a severe economic challenge for Lebanon. According to the latest World Bank report, the direct annual cost of accommodating these refugees is estimated at around $4.5 billion. However, this figure only accounts for direct expenses. When indirect costs are included, the total cost rises to roughly ...
New and Simple Ways to Use Bitcoin
Christiane Tager 21/05 20:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Let’s dive into the world of Bitcoin – a digital currency that is transforming global finance. Bitcoin (BTC) is much more than just a cryptocurrency: it is a decentralized currency, without a central bank or intermediaries, based on blockchain technology – a public and secure ledger. In other words, it’s money that never sleeps, doesn’t ...
Arak, Wine, and Resilience: Syria’s Toast to the World
Christiane Tager 20/05 16:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Syria, long recognized as the birthplace of distillation and fermentation, is a land where arak and wine embody the essence of the terroir, the resilience of its people, and the vibrancy of its local communities. The Alawite and Christian populations play a vital role in sustaining this heritage, actively shaping the production of both arak and ...
The ‘Sunn Pest:’ A Tiny Insect and a Major Threat to Lebanon’s Wheat
Christiane Tager 19/05 21:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
As Lebanon’s farmers grapple with worsening drought, labor shortages and rising tensions along the border, another crisis is taking root – literally. A familiar pest, the sunn pest, is back, and it’s putting the country’s wheat harvest at serious risk. The sunn pest (Eurygaster integriceps), commonly known as the wheat bug, may be small, ...
Beirut Travel Comes at a Cost: Sky-High Airfares Limit Access to Lebanon
Christiane Tager 16/05 11:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Airfare Ticket Travel Beirut Flight
Traveling to Lebanon is increasingly out of reach for many people. What was once a relatively accessible destination has turned into a high-end experience—something akin to boarding your flight straight from the Hermès boutique at the airport. This summer, airfare prices have reached near-absurd levels: a round-trip ticket from Paris to Beirut ...
Postal Sector: A Chronicle of a Tender That Won’t Close
Christiane Tager 14/05 16:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Rewind to July 2023: French logistics giant CMA CGM, through its subsidiary Merit-Colis Privé, was awarded the postal services tender launched by Lebanon’s Ministry of Telecommunications. It seemed like a turning point for the beleaguered sector: $12.8 million in promised investments, $6 million in guaranteed annual revenues for the state and a ...
The Vatican’s Finances: A (Nearly) Divine Mission for Leo XIV?
Christiane Tager 10/05 10:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Amid ongoing spiritual and social transformation, the Vatican is facing a more down-to-earth reality—its accounts are in the red. The Holy See’s financial management appears more akin to that of a debt-ridden state than a model of virtue. As head of the Catholic Church, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV inherits not only a spiritual mission but ...
Suitcases Full, Spending Big: Emiratis Rediscover Lebanon
Christiane Tager 07/05 22:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon Emirates Travel ban Tourism
After being away from Lebanon for years, the Emiratis are finally coming back. The lifting of the travel ban – announced on Sunday and taking effect today, Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – has been welcomed by tourism industry professionals, who see it as a potential boost for a struggling sector. Pierre Achkar, the President of the Federation of ...
A Complicated Fuel Deal
Christiane Tager 05/05 21:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
It appears that the fuel partnership with Iraq is under strain – or even under high tension. Since July 2021, Iraq has been Lebanon’s main fuel supplier thanks to a $700 million contract, renewed in 2023, bringing the total to $1.4 billion. In return, Lebanon had committed to delivering Lebanese goods and services, particularly in the medical ...
Trade War: China Navigates the Storm with a Steady Compass
Christiane Tager 02/05 22:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Tik Tok USA Washington China Trade
Since Washington decided to strike hard with 145% tariffs, trade relations between China and the US have shifted from a negotiation table to a boxing ring. The blow is heavy: in 2024, the US alone accounted for nearly $500 billion in Chinese imports, making it Beijing’s largest commercial partner. In real terms, nearly one in five Chinese ...
Sun on the Horizon, Rough Skies Ahead: Summer 2025 Takes Off
Christiane Tager 01/05 20:50 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
As Lebanon gears up for the 2025 summer tourist season, it looks forward to sunny days but remains wary of potential challenges. With the return of expatriates, regional tensions, Israeli ceasefire violations and an economy seeking stability, the Lebanese tourism sector finds itself navigating turbulent waters. Yet, as the saying goes, “After ...
Syria’s Path to Recovery: Can It Outpace Lebanon?
Christiane Tager 29/04 21:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanon Syria Saudi Arabia Qatar Beirut
As the Lebanese endure rolling blackouts, relentless crises and a daily reality that often borders on the absurd, a piece of unexpected news has prompted a collective raised eyebrow – or two: Syria might well be rebuilt before Lebanon. Yes, you read that correctly. On Sunday, April 27, in a move as symbolic as it was strategic, Saudi Arabia ...
Farewell to Wads of Cash: Lebanon Unveils Banknotes of LBP 500,000 and 1 Million
Christiane Tager 28/04 22:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon
After nearly six years of economic and financial turmoil, Lebanon has taken a long-anticipated step by issuing higher-denomination banknotes. Last Thursday, the Lebanese Parliament approved a draft law presented by MP Ziad Hawat, after nearly two years of legislative wrangling, granting the Banque du Liban (BDL) permission to issue notes of LBP ...
Trump’s Four-Wheel Boomerang: Clearing the Road for China
Christiane Tager 24/04 22:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Trump, determined to “bring the auto industry back home,” recently imposed a 25% tariff on steel, aluminum, and crucially, the entire automotive sector. His goal was straightforward: to reshore production and safeguard American industry. However, in trying to curb imports, Trump has inadvertently given China’s EV sector a significant push. ...
Gold: The Unsteady Safe Haven
Christiane Tager 24/04 15:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Christiane Tager Since the beginning of the year, gold has been on a rollercoaster ride, swinging between sharp rallies and sudden pullbacks. On April 22, gold soared more than 2% in a single day—only to face an unexpected correction less than 24 hours later. This dramatic back-and-forth raises a pressing question: what’s happening in ...
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 ...
Markets in Turmoil: Fear or Opportunity?
Christiane Tager 18/04 09:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Global markets had enjoyed a strong recovery in the aftermath of the 2020–2021 pandemic shock. From 2022 through early 2025, stock prices soared, cryptocurrencies gained traction and the overall outlook appeared increasingly stable—until April 7. That day, a wave of panic swept across investors, algorithmic trading systems triggered cascading ...
When the Giants of Chic Face Uncertainty
Christiane Tager 16/04 22:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
United States luxury Hermes china tariffs
The world of luxury may shine bright, but it’s not immune to economic storms. On Tuesday, the biggest names – Kering, Hermès and LVMH – saw their shares take a hit, with a stock market slump that was anything but glamorous. The biggest blow went to LVMH, whose first-quarter 2025 results showed a 2% drop in revenue. It’s the first slap in ...
Lebanon–Qatar–UAE: Time for Business and Strategic Handshakes
Christiane Tager 15/04 22:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Gulf Joseph Aoun United Arab Emirates Qatar economy
The visit, which began Tuesday in Doha, aims to solidify bilateral relations and formally acknowledge Qatar’s support during Lebanon’s recent presidential election. However, beyond symbolic gestures, high-level discussions will focus on economic recovery, energy cooperation, and Qatar’s potential role in stabilizing Lebanon’s ailing ...
Easter in Lebanon: On Hold
Christiane Tager 14/04 22:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanon is getting ready for a colorful Easter weekend, full of reunions and, hopefully, calm. Between the announced return of many expatriates and the timid arrival of a few tourists, the atmosphere promises to be lively in the streets and restaurants… but perhaps a little less so in the hotels. Travel agencies are sounding the alarm: flights ...
Euro Surge: When Tanks Boost the Currency
Christiane Tager 11/04 20:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Since the beginning of March, the euro has enjoyed a notable resurgence on the markets. After a somewhat sluggish start to the year, the single currency has regained strength, trading around 1.14 US dollars on Friday — a rise of over 5%. An explainable performance that intrigues some, reassures others, and worries a few. Who would have thought ...
Donald Trump Strikes Again
Christiane Tager 10/04 21:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Donald Trump Europe United States China Tarifs
After 15 hours of market instability, US President Donald Trump put the brakes on his tariff measures. But China remains firmly in the crosshairs of the US president, now facing increased tariffs. Why such a rapid backpedal? Here’s a breakdown of this "pause on tariffs that lasted barely the blink of an eye." On Wednesday morning, global ...
Customs Duties: When China Gets Hit with a Tax — and We Get a Shock at the Checkout!
Christiane Tager 10/04 11:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Lebanon China Donald Trump Tarifs
American president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he would suspend his “reciprocal” customs surtaxes for 90 days. However, this decision does not apply to China. With the new American customs duties taking effect — reaching an impressive 104% for certain Chinese products — many American companies that have long relied on China to ...
Diamonds: Precious Stones Under Siege
Christiane Tager 08/04 22:40 - Reading : less than a minute
Donald Trump USA India economy Tariffs
Over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds are polished in India, cementing the country’s status as the global epicenter of brilliance. Yet, the sparkle of this thriving industry is under threat. A 27% US tariff, introduced by Donald Trump, casts a long shadow over India’s diamond trade, while retaliatory measures from India add fuel to the ...
Black Monday: A Global Stock Market Rollercoaster
Christiane Tager 07/04 22:50 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
Donald Trump global markets stock exchange dollars
The rollout of new tariffs under Donald Trump's leadership has been enough to trigger what many are now calling an economic apocalypse. Global financial markets began tumbling as early as Friday, and it has only deepened this Monday. The Paris stock exchange has already wiped out all its gains for the year, opening down 6.46%, while London’s ...
Will China Overcome Trump’s Tariffs?
Christiane Tager 05/04 08:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
United States China Trade war Tariffs
The global stage is in full turmoil. Donald Trump, acting as the grand conductor, has introduced new tariffs that have shaken stock markets and spread panic across the world economy. But the curtain hasn’t dropped yet. China, a major player, is preparing its counterattack and will, as of April 10, impose a 34% tax on American products. The game ...
Trump's New Tariffs: A Storm Brewing in Troubled Waters
Christiane Tager 04/04 09:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Donald Trump European Union Banks Europe Turkey
President Donald Trump's recent decision to impose historic tariffs on 185 countries and territories, announced on Thursday, has reverberated across the global economy. The repercussions of these tariffs will be felt worldwide, with Arab countries being especially impacted. Among the hardest-hit nations are Syria, Iraq, Libya, Algeria and Tunisia, ...
Eid 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 ...
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 ...
Alice Walton: The New Queen of Billions
Christiane Tager 27/03 15:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Alice Walton Walmart Bettencourt Arts
With an estimated net worth of $107.5 billion as of March — up from $95.8 billion in September 2024 — Alice Walton has overtaken France’s Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, daughter of the legendary L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt. At 74, Alice Walton is not a media darling—at least not in the way that her billionaire peers like Elon ...