Lebanon

Thérèse of Lisieux: Holiness Made Possible

The relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux are currently touring Lebanon. Despite certain excesses—such as the brevity of some “visits” and the hurried processions past her reliquary—this form of popular devotion remains deeply rooted in Church tradition. The veneration of relics—and belief in their power—dates back centuries. As ...

Cabinet Approves Minimum Wage Hike and Public-Private Partnership Reform

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam chaired a Cabinet session on Thursday at the Grand Serail, during which the Lebanese government approved several key decisions, including a notable increase to the minimum wage and a fast-track bill amending the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) law. Following the meeting, Minister of Information Paul Morcos announced ...

CNSS: 45 Billion Lebanese Pounds Allocated to Hospitals

The National Social Security Fund (CNSS) has approved a new financial advance of 45 billion Lebanese pounds for contracted hospitals. It aims to cover fixed-rate surgical procedures. The funds will be transferred to healthcare institutions and doctors in the coming days, as part of the CNSS’s policy of maintaining regular payments. CNSS ...

Unemployment: Lebanon Ranks 11th in MENA Region

According to the latest World Bank data, Lebanon ranks 11th among MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries in terms of unemployment, with an estimated rate of 11.5% in 2024. This figure reflects the ongoing impact of Lebanon’s compounded economic, political, and social crises since 2019. Topping the regional chart is Palestine, with a ...

The Lingering Specter of the Islamic State in Lebanon

The Lebanese Army announced on Tuesday the arrest of a man identified as R.F., also known as “Qassoura,” who is believed to be the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Lebanon. The operation, conducted by the Directorate of Intelligence, led to the confiscation of a large cache of weapons, ammunition, electronic devices, and materials used ...

Byblos en Blanc et Rosé: Where Wine Celebrates the Lebanese Summer

For its tenth edition, the “Byblos en Blanc et Rosé” festival returns once again to the mythical port of the ancient Phoenician city. Around fifty Lebanese wine producers showcase their finest bottles in a vibrant, summery atmosphere. With sunsets, sea breezes, music, and tastings, the event captures the very essence of a true Lebanese ...

Lebanon’s Shia Bloc and the Emigrant Vote Dilemma

Lebanese emigrants have found themselves entangled in a crisis not of their making—namely, the existential crisis of the Shia community amid unfolding developments across the Middle East. Calls to amend the provision governing emigrant voting—whether by assigning them to Electoral District 16 or allowing them to vote for MPs in their home ...

The Ministry of Finance Still Stuck in the Paper Age

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber has announced a $6 million allocation from the Lebanon Financing Facility (LFF) to modernize tax and land registry systems and support the ministry’s ongoing reform and digital transformation efforts. Established in December 2020 under the World Bank’s guidance following the Beirut port explosion, the LFF is a ...

Lebanon Requests One-Year Renewal for UNIFIL

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally requested a one-year extension of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)’s mandate, set to begin on August 31, 2025. In a statement issued Friday, the ministry said the request follows a decision approved by the Cabinet during its May 14 session. The ministry confirmed that a letter was ...

Elon Musk Expresses Interest in Investing in Lebanon’s Tech Sector

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has voiced interest in establishing a presence for his companies in Lebanon, according to a statement released on Thursday by the Lebanese Presidency. In a phone conversation with President Joseph Aoun, Musk reportedly expressed his willingness to engage in Lebanon’s telecommunications and internet sectors. The ...

Jumblatt Urges Disarmament Under State Authority

In a firm call for national sovereignty, former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Jumblatt urged that all weapons in Lebanon be placed solely under the control of the state, stressing that the region is entering a “new page” in its history. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Jumblatt called on all parties in ...