BDL, Lebanon’s Anchor of Trust on the Path to Recovery

Liliane Mokbel 15:40 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Central Bank of Lebanon Banks Banque du Liban Lebanon economy BDL

In a country where figures are often subject to interpretation and fiscal data remains scarce or unreliable, Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) seeks to reaffirm its role as a reference point for institutional investors and international markets. It also aims to provide citizens with clear benchmarks to better understand the rationale and direction ...

Emirates to Accept Bitcoin and Ethereum for Airline Tickets in 2026

This is Beirut 15:00 - Reading : less than a minute

Cryptocurrency Bitcoin Dubai Ethereum Emirates

Emirates announced it will begin accepting Bitcoin and Ethereum for ticket payments starting in 2026, following a strategic partnership with Crypto.com, Reuters reported. The move represents a significant step toward integrating cryptocurrencies into everyday transactions, moving them beyond purely speculative assets. Traditionally, airline ...

Global Oil Supply Hit Record High in August: IEA

This is Beirut 11/09 12:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Oil IEA Barrel OPEC+

Global oil supply hit a record high in August as OPEC+ and other countries ramped up production, with a looming surplus keeping prices in check, the International Energy Agency said Thursday. Eight key members of OPEC+ group, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, have been gradually increasing production since April after restricting output in ...

Lebanese Potatoes: Tubers, Challenges and Export Hopes

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, ...

Parliamentary Committee Approves New Banknote Amid Currency Collapse

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 ...

SpotlightBitter Brew: The Soaring Cost of Your Morning Espresso

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 ...

SpotlightKleiate Airport: Where Hope Takes Flight

Liliane Mokbel 09/09 19:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Beirut International Airport

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 ...

Gold Hits Another High

This is Beirut 09/09 09:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Gold Tokyo Japan Nikkei

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 ...

Cocaine Market: Low Prices, High Health Risks

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. ...

Figure of the weekAirbnb in Lebanon: The Platform Disrupting Traditional Hospitality

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 ...

Budget 2026: 1,051 Pages, Zero Tax Reform, Spending on the Rise

Liliane Mokbel 06/09 11:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Central Bank of Lebanon

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 ...

Finance Committee Seeks Compromise on NSSF End-of-Service Benefits

This is Beirut 03/09 18:15 - Reading : less than a minute

Ibrahim Kanaan NSSF Finance

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 ...