Ici Beyrouth

The UN Asks The ICJ For Its Opinion On Israel's Obligations Towards The Palestinians

This is Beirut, 20/12 00:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Hamas International Court of Justice Israel Palestine United Nations West Bank

On Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule on Israel's humanitarian obligations towards the Palestinians, at a time when the Israeli government is accused of obstructing access to aid in Gaza. The resolution, submitted by Norway, was adopted by a large ...

Counterfeit $50 Bills: An Issue Nearing Resolution

Liliane Mokbel, 18/12 20:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Central Bank of Lebanon

The issue of counterfeit $50 bills appears to be nearing a resolution. Over 80% of shops, supermarkets and gas stations now accept these bills for cash payments. The remaining 15% mainly consists of small neighborhood businesses, which have been particularly affected by the economic crisis and the fragility of a cash-reliant economy. “Most ...

Lagarde says ECB will continue to cut interest rates

This is Beirut, 16/12 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Donald Trump ECB Christine Lagarde

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said Monday eurozone policymakers would keep cutting interest rates and warned that higher US tariffs under President-elect Donald Trump could hit growth in the bloc. "Even though we are not there yet, we are close to achieving our target" of two-percent inflation, Lagarde said in a speech at the Bank ...

Egypt inaugurates $500 million solar power plant in Aswan

This is Beirut, 14/12 16:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Middle East

Egypt inaugurated a $500 million solar plant in the southern city of Aswan on Saturday as part of its push to boost renewable energy production after last summer's severe power outages. The Abydos Solar PV Plant, which was developed by Dubai-based energy company AMEA Power, has a capacity of 500 megawatts and was completed in just 18 months. The ...

Asian Markets Retreat as China Pledges Fail to Spark Excitement

This is Beirut, 13/12 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 ...

Abolish the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council Immediately!

Maurice Matta, 12/12 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Banks Beirut Port Damascus Hezbollah Middle East

Syrian presence in Lebanon dates back to 1976, a year after the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war. Syrian forces entered Lebanon as part of the Arab Deterrent Forces, and the Syrian government successfully cemented its presence. This was later consolidated by the Arab League mandate under the Taif Agreement, signed on October 22, 1989, which ...

Lebanon’s Commercial Sector: Adapting to Change and Looking Ahead

This is Beirut, 11/12 18:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banks Hezbollah Israel trade

The armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has severely impacted Lebanon's commercial sector, which continues to face significant challenges while preparing for the future. Despite the ongoing recovery process, the sector remains resilient. In this context, Nicolas Shammas, President of the Beirut Traders Association (BTA), organized a major ...

Syria Central Bank Assures Depositors Their Funds Are 'Safe'

This is Beirut, 09/12 16:45 - Reading : less than a minute

Banks Damascus

Syria's central bank said Monday depositors' funds in the country's lenders were "safe" after rebels took the capital, and following chaotic scenes near some official institutions. "We assure our fellow citizens dealing with all operating banks that their deposits and funds at these banks are safe and have not been and will not be exposed to any ...

World Bank Announces Record $100 Billion Support for World's Poorest Countries

This is Beirut, 06/12 10:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Turkey United Kingdom United States

The World Bank announced Thursday that it had raised close to $24 billion to provide loans and grants for some of the world's poorest nations, which it can leverage to generate a record $100 billion in total spending power. Donor countries committed $23.7 billion to replenish the bank's concessional lending arm, known as the International ...

Exit from Gray List: Banks' Compliance and Government Action

Maurice Matta, 30/11 09:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Banks Economy

On October 25, Lebanon was officially placed on the gray list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), subjecting the country to enhanced monitoring. The FATF report highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities in Lebanon’s efforts to strengthen measures against money laundering and terrorism financing. A key point in the report was FATF’s ...

The Reconstruction of War-Torn Areas in Lebanon: A Complex and Uncertain Equation

Natasha Metni Torbey, 29/11 17:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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The end of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel raises a critical question for the Lebanese: who will bear the financial responsibility for rebuilding the villages and cities devastated by the conflict? In a country already mired in an unprecedented economic and political crisis, options are both limited and complex. Several actors could ...

Israel Extends Banking Waiver with Palestinian Banks for One Year

This is Beirut, 29/11 15:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Israel Palestine

Israel extended for one year a waiver allowing Israeli banks to work with Palestinian ones just days before it was due to expire, threatening to paralyse Palestinians financial institutions. The extension was approved Thursday during a security cabinet meeting ahead of expiration of the waiver at the end of the month, a spokesman for far-right ...

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