Starmer Says UK-US Trade Deal a 'Fantastic, Historic Day'

This is Beirut 08/05 19:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Kingdom USA Donald Trump Washington White House

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Thursday it was a “really fantastic, historic day," after he agreed a US-UK trade deal with President Donald Trump. The agreement lifts tariffs on UK steel and aluminum products and slashes levies on British car exports from 27.5 percent to 10 percent, Downing Street said. "This is a really fantastic, ...

Op-edBanking Sector: The BDL Takes Back the Helm

Marc Saikali 08/05 11:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Central Bank of Lebanon Banks Joseph Aoun lebanon Karim Souhaid

"The Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) has a major responsibility in restoring confidence in the banking system." Those were the words of the President of the Republic during his visit this Wednesday to the headquarters of the Central Bank. The days when another President Aoun launched heavy-handed attacks on the ...

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 ...

SpotlightKarim Souhaid: The Banking Reform Law Undermines the Independence of the Central Bank

This is Beirut 07/05 21:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

BDL Banque du Liban Lebanon Economy Parliament

Presenting a 33-page document containing substantial remarks on the banking reform bill submitted by the government, the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Karim Souhaid, attended a session of the Parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee held mid-week. The session was chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan and attended by 40 parliamentarians, along ...

Lebanon’s Public Debt Shows Signs of Stabilization

This is Beirut 07/05 20:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon’s public debt, long a symbol of its financial instability, is showing tentative signs of improvement. Recent data indicates a decline in the debt-to-GDP ratio, suggesting a modest stabilization following years of economic turmoil. At the peak of the crisis in 2021, Lebanon’s debt-to-GDP ratio soared to an unprecedented 357.7%, ...

Disney to Open First Middle East Theme Park in Abu Dhabi

This is Beirut 07/05 19:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

US Disney Abu Dhabi Entertainment Park

The Walt Disney Company announced plans Wednesday for a new theme park in the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the country's growing prominence as a global financial and entertainment hub. The waterfront resort will be located on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island and developed in partnership with local firm Miral. Disney stated that it aims to attract ...

EU eyes targeting 100 bn euros of US goods with tariffs

This is Beirut 07/05 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

European Union USA Donald Trump Commercial War Tarifs

The EU is preparing to hit US goods worth nearly 100 billion euros ($113 billion) with tariffs in retaliation for President Donald Trump's sweeping levies if talks fail, European diplomats told AFP Wednesday. Trump has slapped a series of higher tariffs on Europe since March and in his biggest move, he imposed a 20-percent tariff on a majority of ...

Lebanon Ranks 124th Globally in 2024 Environmental Performance Index

This is Beirut 07/05 17:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United Arab Emirates lebanon EPI Yale environment

Lebanon ranked 124th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), published by Yale and Columbia Universities in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. With a score of 40.1 out of 100, Lebanon also placed 10th among Arab nations, falling below both regional and global averages. The EPI assesses countries based on ...

Outdoor Advertising: How Political Propaganda Fuels the Advertising Market

Liliane Mokbel 07/05 16:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Beirut International Airport Joseph Aoun

In Lebanon, the current legal framework does not prohibit the display of portraits of political or religious figures, nor does it draw a clear line between commercial advertising and political propaganda. This legal ambiguity has created a gray area that, according to industry insiders, is actively exploited. “Political propaganda is not just ...

Towards Revitalizing Lebanese Agricultural Exports: Regional Markets Open Up Again

This is Beirut 07/05 16:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Gulf Saudi Arabia agriculture Lebanon

Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani announced a significant step forward in opening up regional markets to Lebanese agricultural products. In a statement to the MTV television channel, he revealed that a large portion of foreign markets are now accessible, and that from May 10, the Jordanian market will once again welcome Lebanese citrus fruits, ...

Labor Minister Announces Minimum Wage Hike for Private Sector Workers

This is Beirut 07/05 16:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

NSSF Labor Ministry Mohammad Haidar minimum salary private sector economy

Minister of Labor Mohammad Haidar announced on Wednesday an immediate increase in the minimum wage for private sector employees, raising it to LBP 28 million, approximately $320 at the prevailing unofficial exchange rate. The increase, which represents more than a 50% hike, is the first step in a broader wage correction plan as Lebanon continues ...

Lebanon and Iraq Deepen Energy Ties with Renewed Oil Agreement

This is Beirut 06/05 18:27 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Iraq Central Bank Baghdad Energy Oil agreement

Lebanon and Iraq have renewed a key energy deal through which Baghdad will supply Beirut with two million tons of crude oil, now under new payment terms that reflect shifting regional dynamics. In a notable departure from past arrangements, Lebanon has agreed to settle its dues in US dollars via direct transfers from the Banque du Liban, ending ...