EDL vs. Private Generators: Lebanon’s Daily Electricity Battle

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 ...

Beirut International Airport Sees Strong Passenger Growth in August 2025

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, ...

Gold Hits New Record High as Investors Flee Risk, Asia Stocks Slide

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 ...

Mobile Plans: When ‘Better Deals’ End Up Costing More

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 ...

Banque du Liban Bans Inflow of Funds Linked to Sanctioned Entities

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 ...

Gold Price Hits Record Above $3,500

This is Beirut 02/09 08:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Gold Price High Record

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 ...

EBML Announces Fee Relief and Installment Plans

This is Beirut 01/09 13:10 - Reading : less than a minute

EBML lebanon

The Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment (EBML) has called on all subscribers to settle their outstanding water fees for 2025 and previous years through authorized collectors, distribution office counters, POS machines, and money transfer centers. In a statement issued Monday, the establishment said online payments via its website are ...

Budget 2026: Quick Taxes or Deep Reform?

Liliane Mokbel 31/08 20:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon economy Budget 2026 Taxes Reforms

For 2026, the Finance Minister has promised a deficit-free budget, with revenues and expenditures in balance. An attractive prospect, but at what cost to Lebanese households? Tax hikes and new levies could quickly turn that balance into a burden for taxpayers. The draft budget has been submitted to the General Secretariat of the Council of ...

Figure of the weekLebanon Says ‘I Don’t’: Weddings Plunge to Historic Low in 2025

Liliane Mokbel 30/08 16:00 - Reading : less than a minute

The 2025 wedding season in Lebanon has seen an unprecedented decline, confirming the continued downturn of a sector already weakened in recent years. According to industry professionals, the number of weddings has dropped to just 35% of pre-2019 levels, compared to 50% in 2023 and 40% in 2024. A total decrease of 65% since the beginning of the ...

Summer 2025: Lebanon Reclaims Its Suitcases… and Its Traffic Jams

Christiane Tager 30/08 10:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

culture tourism Beirut international airport

Every summer in Lebanon carries a hint of uncertainty: a sunny getaway shadowed by geopolitical clouds. In 2025, the gamble partly paid off. While not quite reaching the golden era of 2018–2019, the season brought hope to a sector long on edge. Between July and August, Beirut welcomed more than 100 daily flights, with passenger numbers ranging ...

Schools and Universities: The Steep Price of Education

Christiane Tager 28/08 12:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

LAU AUB School Tuition Scholarship

Back-to-school season in Lebanon has never been more daunting. Several private schools have raised tuition fees by 50 % to more than 120 % for the 2025–2026 academic year, nearly reaching pre-2019 economic collapse levels. At the university level, dollarization has turned tuition into an almost insurmountable challenge. Annual fees at the ...

Counterfeit Gold: Arrests and a Practical Guide for Cautious Buyers

Liliane Mokbel 27/08 18:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Gold Counterfeirt gold

On August 20 in Jounieh, a sweep by the Internal Security Forces led to the arrest of several members of a network selling counterfeit gold. While the operation highlights the need for vigilance, political, security and economic uncertainty continues to push Lebanese citizens toward the precious metal. But how can one tell a fake ounce from a ...