Christiane Tager 2025-10-24 11:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
From Beirut to Tripoli and throughout the Beqaa Valley, a common refrain echoes: “Prices have skyrocketed, it’s becoming unbearable.” “We’re facing hardship after hardship,” laments Mona, a mother of three. According to the Central Administration of Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.6% in September and by 15% over ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-10-23 17:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon Banks Damascus Syria economy
The Central Bank of Syria has given domestic banks a six-month deadline to fully provision their claims on the Lebanese banking sector, estimated at $1.6 billion, according to a circular cited by Reuters. The directive does not specify the exact nature of these claims – whether deposits, placements or financial investments – making their ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-10-23 11:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Banks Europe Saudi Arabia Tehran Turkey
De-dollarization — whether an enduring trend or a fleeting declaration — reflects a growing determination among emerging powers to reduce global dependence on the US dollar, long the cornerstone of international trade and finance. The initiative seeks to rebalance a monetary system historically dominated by the greenback and move toward a more ...
Christiane Tager 2025-10-22 21:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon Pope Francis Pope Leo XIV
Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon, scheduled for November 30 to December 2, 2025, the Ministry of Telecommunications has confirmed to This is Beirut that the country will issue a special stamp commemorating the pontifical visit. According to Ministry sources, this official release has been entrusted to LibanPost, which will oversee its ...
This is Beirut 2025-10-22 09:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Donald Trump dollar Washington New York China Xi Jinping
Gold and silver tumbled for a second day Wednesday, bringing a rally in the precious metals to a juddering halt, while equities also sank after US President Donald Trump remarked that a meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping might not take place. Bullion has seen an eye-watering run-up since the turn of the year, helping it climb more than ...
This is Beirut 2025-10-21 22:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
ChatGPT-maker OpenAI on Tuesday announced an "Atlas" search browser, leveraging its artificial intelligence prowess in a direct challenge to Google Chrome. "This is an AI-powered web browser built around ChatGPT," OpenAI chief Sam Altman said in a streamed presentation. OpenAI has ramped up its challenge to Google, which has responded by rapidly ...
This is Beirut 2025-10-21 18:00 - Reading : less than a minute
Lebanon’s Consumer Price Index rose 0.6% in September 2025, compared with August 2025, according to official data. Year-on-year inflation reached 15.06%. At the governorate level, monthly increases varied significantly: Mount Lebanon, +0.90%; Beqaa, +0.69%; Nabatieh, +0.64%; Beirut, +0.27%; South Lebanon, +0.22%; and North Lebanon, ...
Christiane Tager 2025-10-20 20:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Middle East Pope Francis Pope Leo XIV
With the historic visit of Pope Leo XIV, scheduled from November 30 to December 2, 2025, drawing near, Lebanon is experiencing a surge in travel bookings. Airlines report a strong rise in demand, while the hotel sector is still waiting to see tangible gains. The announcement of Pope Leo XIV’s first trip to the region has generated widespread ...
Rayan Chami 2025-10-20 17:25 - Reading : less than a minute
Stocks Nasdaq Tech Debt Global Markets
In 2025, global markets are under intense pressure. Stocks are soaring to record highs, fueled by the AI boom, but one spark could send them tumbling. Here’s a breakdown.
This is Beirut 2025-10-20 09:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
USA AI ChatGPT Nvidia Broadcom
OpenAI is ordering hundreds of billions of dollars worth of chips in the artificial intelligence race, raising questions among investors about how the startup will finance these purchases. In less than a month, the San Francisco startup behind ChatGPT has committed to acquiring a staggering 26 gigawatts of sophisticated data processors from ...
Christiane Tager 2025-10-18 16:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The frenzy that gripped the cocoa market seems to be fading. In December 2024, the price per ton hit nearly $12,000, a historic high driven by fears of a worldwide shortage. However, since the summer of 2025, prices have dropped below $6,000, reaching their lowest point since February 2024, according to Bloomberg. This shift signals the end of a ...
Liliane Mokbel 2025-10-18 14:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Lebanon is overwhelmed with gas stations. The country has 3,500 gas stations spread over 10,452 km². This amounts to one station for every 1,428 people, a ratio unique in the region and in Europe. For comparison: In France, one station serves 6,235 people. In Germany, one station serves 5,975 people. When considering land area, ...