Lebanon Must Answer the Pope’s Call for Peace

Hussain Abdul-Hussain 2025-12-03 16:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Israel Peace

From the heart of Lebanon—a biblical land living under Hezbollah’s shadow—Pope Leo XIV issued a clarion call for genuine peace, not merely a ceasefire, between longstanding adversaries. Although he refrained from naming Israel directly, the implication was unmistakable: the pontiff was urging Lebanon to pursue normalization with its southern ...

Lebanon’s F&B Boom Masks Illicit-Economy Risks

Salam El Zaatari 2025-11-22 15:30 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Lebanon Economy Cash Hezbollah

Lebanon finds itself in a paradox. While its broader economy is collapsing, the food-and-beverage (F&B) sector is showing surprising vitality. It may look like a feel-good tale of resilience, but in fact it reveals one of the greatest structural threats to Lebanon’s recovery: a cash-based economy that undermines transparency, fuels illicit ...

J. Aoun Announces a Five-Point Plan to Reassert State Authority and Open the Path to Peace

This is Beirut 2025-11-21 21:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Joseph Aoun Lebanese Army Lebanon Hezbollah Palestine

On the occasion of the 82nd anniversary of Lebanon’s Independence, President Joseph Aoun delivered a speech Friday evening from South Lebanon, focusing on sovereignty, the state’s exclusive control over arms, and the need to turn the page on “mini-states.” The head of state unveiled a five-point plan aimed at fully restoring state ...

Israel, Qatar and US Hold Trilateral Meeting in New York

This is Beirut 2025-12-08 09:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel New York USA Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu

The United States, Israel, and Qatar held a trilateral meeting in New York Sunday, a senior White House official told AFP, months after Israeli jets conducted an airstrike in Doha, targeting Hamas leadership. The White House official confirmed that the meeting had taken place but did not provide any further details. Two sources told US news ...

Stock Markets Rally with Tech in Focus

This is Beirut 2025-02-26 15:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Banks Europe New York United States

Asian and European stock markets rallied Wednesday, helped by renewed positivity over the tech sector, analysts said. Hong Kong closed up more than three percent, with investors snapping up stocks following a poor start to the week sparked by fresh concerns over US President Donald Trump's tariff plans. In Europe, Paris and Frankfurt led the ...

Nvidia Loses $500 bn in Value as Chinese AI Firm Jolts Tech Shares

This is Beirut 2025-01-27 20:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Europe United States AI Nvidia

US chip-maker Nvidia led a rout in tech stocks Monday after the emergence of a low-cost Chinese generative AI model that could threaten US dominance in the fast-growing industry. The chatbot developed by DeepSeek, a startup based in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, has apparently shown the ability to match the capacity of US AI pace-setters ...

US Stocks, Nvidia Shares Steady After Chinese AI Shock

This is Beirut 2025-01-28 19:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Banks New York

US stocks and shares in chip-making giant Nvidia on Tuesday clawed back some of their losses following a sell-off triggered by the sudden success of Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek. US tech shares tanked Monday, with Nvidia tumbling 17 percent, after China's DeepSeek unveiled its R1 chatbot, which can apparently match the capacity ...

To What Extent Can a Leader Make Independent Decisions?

David Sahyoun 2025-01-29 18:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Psychoanalysis Leaders Liberty Culture

Far from being purely rational actors, leaders—like all human beings—are constantly influenced by unconscious forces that shape their choices, distort their perceptions, and foster illusions of control. The freedom each person believes they possess is, in truth, far more constrained than it appears. Every individual constructs their own ...

Global Stocks Wobble, Gold Shines as Tariff Uncertainty Looms

This is Beirut 2025-02-11 19:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump New York USA White House

United States stock markets wobbled, and gold reached fresh highs on Tuesday as traders kept a nervous eye on US President Donald Trump’s next tariff decisions, worried about inflation and interest rates. European markets rose, with both Frankfurt and London again setting records, while Asian equity markets struggled for direction. Trump has ...

US stocks fall as inflation unexpectedly heats up

This is Beirut 2025-02-12 17:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Europe New York

US stock markets tumbled on Wednesday as an inflation reading came in hotter than expected, fanning fears that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. Following days of attention on US President Donald Trump's tariff moves, traders were focusing on the January consumer inflation data, which is set to play a role in the ...

Stock markets skid after Trump threatens auto tariffs

This is Beirut 2025-02-19 17:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Banks Europe New York Stocks

  Global stock markets mostly fell Wednesday after US President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats, stoking wider trade war fears. Trump warned the previous day that he would impose tariffs "in the neighbourhood of 25 percent" on auto imports and a similar amount or higher on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. "Understandably this has ...

European Defense Stocks Soar as Govts Up Military Spend

This is Beirut 2025-03-03 17:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

European Union Donald Trump Europe New York Ukraine

Share prices of European defense companies soared Monday as London and the European Union look to ramp up military spending in the face of uncertainty over the United States' commitment to Ukraine and NATO. BAE Systems surged 14 percent, helping London's benchmark FTSE 100 index to a record high, the latest in a series over ...

Stocks diverge as investors weigh earnings, Trump policies

This is Beirut 2025-01-24 19:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Paris Donald Trump dollar New York

Global stocks diverged on Friday as investors weighed corporate earnings, economic data and President Donald Trump's policies. Meanwhile the US dollar lost more than one percent against the euro and pound following the US president's comments about not wanting to impose tariffs on China and calling for lower interest rates. The S&P 500 edged ...

Stocks Rally on Hopes of Chinese Stimulus and Tariff Relief

This is Beirut 2025-03-05 13:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Paris Donald Trump dollar budget Canada

Markets rallied on Wednesday as investors welcomed China's economic targets and a U.S. official signaled that President Donald Trump could dial down tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Global stocks had tumbled on Tuesday after China, Mexico, and Canada retaliated against U.S. tariffs, and fears grew that Europe could be Trump's next target. There was ...

Asian Stocks, Bitcoin Down as Trade Uncertainty Roils Markets

This is Beirut 2025-03-07 08:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump New York United States US Congress USA

Asian stocks tumbled at the open Friday following a tough day on Wall Street as uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's trade policies roiled markets and traders awaited key US jobs data. Bitcoin plunged 5.7 percent after Trump signed an executive order to establish a "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve" without planning any public purchases of the ...

Global Stocks Mixed As Trump Shifts on Tariffs Weighs on Sentiment

This is Beirut 2025-03-08 09:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Europe New York USA

Global stocks were mixed Friday as President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff tinkering weighed down sentiment even as Wall Street stocks shot higher following reassuring comments from the head of the Federal Reserve. After a down day in Europe, US stocks looked poised for another rocky round following mixed employment data. Briefing.com ...

Stock Markets Slump on US, China Economic Fears

This is Beirut 2025-03-10 16:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump European Union Stock markets China

Stock markets slipped on Monday as investors fretted over the impact of President Donald Trump's trade policy on the economic growth of the United States and China, the world's biggest economies. Wall Street's three main indexes opened in the red, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq falling two percent, after Trump himself declined to rule out the risk of ...

Stocks advance on US inflation slowing, Ukraine ceasefire plan

This is Beirut 2025-03-12 19:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Ukraine USA Donald Trump European Union Banks

Stock markets mostly rose on Wednesday on both sides of the Atlantic as investors shrugged off the latest US tariff moves to focus on cooling US inflation and a Ukraine ceasefire plan. Global markets have endured severe swings this month as US President Donald Trump looks to ramp up pressure on global partners by imposing or threatening ...

Stocks Up as Fears Ease Over Next Trump Tariffs

This is Beirut 2025-03-25 16:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Europe New York USA Washington

Wall Street clung to strong gains and European stocks rose on Tuesday over easing concerns about the next round of tariffs from US President Donald Trump. The Dow, the broad-based S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq were all up around 0.1 percent in early deals, following a rally fuelled by technology stocks the previous day. Sentiment was buoyed ...

Asian stocks drop as tariff fears return, new AI program emerges

This is Beirut 2025-01-27 13:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Paris Donald Trump dollar dollars immigration

Asian markets mostly fell Monday on fresh trade fears after Donald Trump's threat to impose huge tariffs on Colombia in retaliation for its refusal to accept deportation flights from the United States. Traders were also assessing the impact of a new, cheaper Chinese generative AI programme amid claims it can outperform big-name rivals and worries ...

Asian Markets Retreat as China Pledges Fail to Spark Excitement

This is Beirut 2024-12-13 09:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banks Donald Trump New York

Asian markets fell Friday as China's latest vows to boost the beleaguered economy failed to stir much excitement, while traders looked ahead to a key Federal Reserve policy meeting next week. A tepid week was on course for a damp finish, with Wall Street offering a negative lead after fresh data pointing to a pick-up in inflation. Hong Kong and ...

Val Kilmer, Charismatic Star of 'Top Gun' and 'Batman,' Passed Away

Marie-Christine Tayah 2025-04-02 14:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Cinema Val Kilmer Culture Art Actor

American actor Val Kilmer has died at the age of 65 from complications of pneumonia, as confirmed by his daughter Mercedes Kilmer to The New York Times. The actor, whose career saw soaring highs and difficult lows, had been battling the long-term effects of throat cancer since 2014, which left him without his voice but never without his artistic ...

Living on the Edge: The Psychological Paradox of The Lebanese Psyche

David Sahyoun 2024-07-06 18:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Despite a troubled daily life, the Lebanese dance, celebrate, and sunbathe. How can we explain this paradox? What psychological mechanisms are at play behind this apparent carefreeness? Does this dissociation actually mask a very real suffering? Let’s try to dissect this behavior through psychoanalysis. Regularly, national and especially ...

Revival of a 2,300-Year Cultural Heritage Site: Old Macedonian Palace

2024-01-08 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

The ancient Palace of Aigai, the site of Alexander the Great's coronation as the King of Macedonia, has been unveiled to the public this Sunday, January 7, following a 16-year renovation project. This ambitious endeavor, costing 20 million euros, was dedicated to restoring the palace's former magnificence. During a ceremony held on Friday, January ...

Oil Rises on Renewed Middle East Fears, Equities Advance

This Is Beirut 2024-01-29 12:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Oil prices rose on Monday due to fresh Middle East fears, as President Joe Biden pledged to retaliate after blaming Iran-backed rebels for a deadly attack on US troops, while equities were boosted by China's latest move to support its troubled markets. The drone strike on a base in Jordan, which came days after the Houthis struck a vessel in the ...

Ensuring Equal Access for Women in University Leadership Roles

2024-02-04 20:02 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Women’s Empowerment for LEADership and Equity in Higher Education Institutions (WE4LEAD) is a project co-funded by the European Union that aims to promote equal access for women to the highest leadership positions in higher education institutions around the Mediterranean region.  Bringing together nine universities from the Mediterranean ...

Advancing Health Sciences: The AUF 'Prix Dolla Karam Sarkis'

This Is Beirut 2024-05-09 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) in the Middle East has inaugurated the Prix Dolla Karam Sarkis, an annual award established to commemorate the legacy of Professor Dolla Karam Sarkis by celebrating excellence in scientific research in Lebanon. This prize aims to honor her and recognize her active collaboration and substantial ...

Stéphanie Sayed: “Daring Authenticity Through Streetwear Fashion”

Juliana Breidy 2024-05-25 14:24 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

In the dynamic world of streetwear fashion, a rising star stands out for her audacity and originality: Sayed. This streetwear brand, created and founded by Stéphanie Sayed, a passionate Franco-Lebanese designer whose identity is intertwined with the intense blue of her creations, defies conventions by offering unisex pieces inspired by both the ...

Stock Markets Edge Higher, Oil Climbs

This Is Beirut 2024-06-17 22:01 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Stock markets edged higher on both sides of the Atlantic on Monday despite fading hopes for United States interest rate cuts and worries about political upheaval in Europe, while oil prices rose. Eurozone stocks finished higher while London's blue-chip FTSE 100 dipped into the red. "European markets have risen off the lows of last week but ...

Oakenfest and REEF Biodiversity: Lebanon at the Hour of Commitment

Béatrice Moreau 2024-07-13 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

This summer, Lebanon will be the stage for two major events that will blur the lines between art, engagement, and ecology: the eighth edition of the Oakenfest Festival and the sixth REEF Encounters. These two events invite us to rethink our relationship with creation, the environment, and living together. From July 19 to 21, head to the oak grove ...