Some bankers said Thursday they do not object to the idea of confining cash withdrawals from ATMs to Lebanese currency only, disputing claims that such a proposal would cause a panic in the market. “There was an idea to promote the Lebanese pound notes and that the ATMs will only ... Read More »
Berri dispels doubts over elections date
As parliamentary elections inch closer, doubts over them taking place seem to wane, Speaker Nabih Berri indicated Wednesday. “The collective determination by the Lebanese affirms the need and duty for parliamentary elections to take place as scheduled and this has become a reality that can’t be doubted,” Berri was quoted ... Read More »
Aoun talks German president’s visit with the country’s ambassador
President Michel Aoun met German Ambassador to Beirut Martin Huth Thursday to discuss the German president’s anticipated official visit to Lebanon, set to take place next Monday. During their meeting, Huth briefed Aoun on preparations for President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s visit, stressing the importance Germany places on developing the relationship between ... Read More »
Hariri back after high-level talks in Davos
Prime Minister Saad Hariri returned to Beirut Thursday night after concluding his official meetings on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. According to a statement from his office, in his final day at the major international summit in the Swiss alpine town of Davos, Hariri discussed Lebanese-Iraqi relations Iraqi ... Read More »
Warning: Stifling sneezes can be health hazard in rare cases
Tempted to stifle a loud or untimely sneeze? Let it out instead, doctors in England warned Monday based on the very unusual case of a man who ruptured the back of his throat when he tried to suppress a sneeze. In a case study published in the journal BMJ Case ... Read More »
Einstein archives, letters to lovers set for Asian exhibits
Handwritten pages from Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, letters to his lovers and other parts of his archive stored in Jerusalem are to be exhibited for the first time in Taiwan, China and Japan. Some 75 artifacts will go on display in Taipei beginning Friday as part of the exhibit ... Read More »
Sidon gets $1M to treat waste
The Sidon Municipality received $1 million from the Beirut Municipality to assist the city in managing waste from the capital. Beirut Mayor Jamal Itani denied the municipality had “given” Sidon $1 million but said it was to cover the costs of Beirut’s waste. “As part of the plan by Cabinet ... Read More »
Army commander: Lebanon ready to face any Israeli aggression
Lebanese Army chief Gen. Joseph Aoun Monday thanked countries providing support to the military during last year’s “Fajr al-Joroud” operation against militant groups on the country’s northeastern border. Speaking to a delegation of heads of foreign military missions in Lebanon, Aoun said that the Army’s victory was a turning point ... Read More »
Dar al-Handasah pitches $200M airport upgrade
Proposals to expand the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut will cost at least $200 million, representatives of Middle East Airlines and an Arab contractor and consulting firm told the prime minister Tuesday. During the meeting with Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners) consultancy proposed a plan ... Read More »
Aoun reaffirms Lebanese security and political stability
President Michel Aoun Tuesday assured high-ranking diplomats in Beirut that Lebanon was maintaining security and political stability. In a speech to diplomats and other foreign envoys at an annual event held at the beginning of the New Year at Baabda Palace, Aoun reiterated that the parliamentary elections slated for this ... Read More »