This is Beirut 09/09 09:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
Liliane Mokbel 06/09 11:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
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 ...
This is Beirut 03/09 18:15 - Reading : less than a minute
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 ...
This is Beirut 03/09 18:00 - Reading : less than a minute
FAO Lebanon United Nations Nawaf Salam Agriculture
During a short visit to Beirut, a high-level delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) met with Lebanese leaders and international partners to strengthen cooperation and support projects aimed at transforming the country’s agricultural sector. Talks with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Minister of ...
Liliane Mokbel 03/09 15:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
EDL Central Bank of Lebanon Banks Lebanon economy
Electricité du Liban (EDL) collection agents occasionally remember to bill subscribers. Neighborhood generator operators, on the other hand, never forget the last day of the month. They collect payments even before reading meters, already knowing exactly how much they will extract. The idea of EDL self-financing its fuel purchases remains ...
This is Beirut 03/09 12:45 - Reading : less than a minute
Beirut International Airport lebanon Passenger Growth
Beirut’s International Airport (BIA) recorded a sharp rise in activity in August, with passenger numbers rising by nearly 39 percent compared to the same month last year. Close to one million travelers (929,815) passed through the airport during the month, pushing the cumulative passenger count for the first eight months of 2025 to 4.8 million, ...
This is Beirut 03/09 08:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Donald Trump Banks Market Gold
Asia markets were down on Wednesday while gold extended its six-day rally after reaching a record high as investors sought safe havens following a selloff in equity and bond markets. Bullion for immediate delivery hit a fresh record as Asia markets opened, climbing 0.4 percent to hit $3,546.96 an ounce. Prices have risen five percent over the ...
Christiane Tager 02/09 15:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanon economy communication Internet Mobile phone Alfa Touch
For years, Lebanon has struggled with failing essential services and soaring costs. This also applies to the mobile phone sector. With “adjusted” plans and unreliable networks, subscribers oscillate between resignation and frustration, all while waiting for a clear signal, both figuratively and literally. Here’s an example of a revision and ...
This is Beirut 02/09 09:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Banque du Liban Washington OFAC Sanctions
On Tuesday, the Banque du Liban (BDL) issued Circular No. 170, banning the direct or indirect entry of funds linked to Lebanese organizations subject to international sanctions, especially those imposed by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The central bank cautioned that permitting such financial flows could endanger the ties ...
This is Beirut 02/09 08:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Gold prices hit a record high above $3,500 on Tuesday, as investors sought out safe havens in the face of global economic uncertainty. The precious metal reached $3,501.59 an ounce during early trading in Asia, soaring past its previous record of $3,500.10 in April. The run in gold prices comes as investors weigh up a weakened US dollar and the ...