This is Beirut 22/04 16:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon's Minister of Energy and Water, Joe Saddi, announced on Tuesday a major reform of the country's groundwater drilling licensing system, as part of an effort to improve water resource management. The reform is being developed in collaboration with experts from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and ...
This is Beirut 22/04 12:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Economy Lebanon Banks Parliament
As Lebanon grapples with a deep financial crisis and seeks to overhaul its banking system, a proposed amendment to the country’s banking secrecy law has sparked major controversy. Though introduced under the banner of transparency and reform, the changes raise serious concerns about individual privacy, data protection, investor confidence, and ...
This is Beirut 22/04 10:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Donald Trump Banks New York Republicans USA
Bullion hit another record Tuesday while the dollar steadied and equities mostly fell as Donald Trump's latest salvo against Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell added fuel to fears about the central bank's independence. With the US tariff blitz still causing ructions on global trading floors, investors are now dealing with the added worry that the ...
This is Beirut 21/04 16:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
USA Banks Donald Trump International Monetary Fund United States
Wall Street stocks opened lower Monday amid lingering uncertainty over President Trump's trade policy as markets looked ahead to major earnings later in the week. China on Monday hit out at other countries negotiating trade deals with the United States at Beijing's expense, vowing countermeasures against those who "appease" ...
This is Beirut 21/04 10:54 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Donald Trump New York United States USA Washington
Gold prices hit a fresh record on Monday while the dollar weakened further and stocks were mixed amid worries about Donald Trump's tariff blitz and his bubbling row with the Federal Reserve. With several markets still closed for the Easter holiday, business was limited ahead of a week that will see the release of key data that should give an ...
This Is Beirut 21/04 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Following the adoption of the draft law for reforming and reorganizing the banking sector in Lebanon, the government will begin preparing a law to address the financial gap, intended to restore financial system stability. However, the implementation of the banking reform and reorganization bill is suspended until the law on the financial gap is ...
This is Beirut 20/04 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Donald Trump United States USA
As the Trump administration attempts to choke off exports of strategically important computer chips to China, experts say the effort might well backfire, fueling innovation at Chinese firms that could help them seize the world semiconductor market. "What's actually happening is that the US government right now is handing China a big win as it ...
Liliane Mokbel 19/04 14:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Donald Trump European Union Lebanon Dollar Donald Trump
The US dollar is weakening against major global currencies amid heightened geopolitical tensions and a tariff escalation spearheaded by President Donald Trump. This open trade war is undermining the dollar’s status in global markets. Can the American currency still maintain its dominant role in international trade? The question is especially ...
This Is Beirut 19/04 12:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The experiences of many countries with international financial institutions—chief among them the International Monetary Fund (IMF)—show that such partnerships often lead to counterproductive results. Instead of rescuing economies from crisis, the so-called reform programs have deepened structural and financial problems. In many cases, these ...
Liliane Mokbel 19/04 12:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
According to the Order of Engineers of Beirut and North Lebanon, only 417 building permits were issued in January 2025 – a sharp 48.33% drop compared to January 2024. Construction activity has seen a steep decline over the past year. This downturn has affected all governorates: Beirut: Only 2 permits issued, a 93.75% drop ...
This is Beirut 18/04 11:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
An official Lebanese delegation is heading to Washington, DC to participate in the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, carrying with it new promises and commitments aimed at pleasing these two international institutions. It seeks to convince them that Lebanon has indeed embarked on the path of reform and seeks to go even further by fulfilling all ...
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 ...