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20/08/2026

The long-awaited ferry between Jounieh and Larnaca was officially inaugurated in June, but the Cyprus route never actually began operating as planned.

The launch was postponed because final authorization from Cypriot authorities remained pending, with additional requirements linked to passenger screening, border procedures and Cyprus’ alignment with the European Schengen system.

Cedar Waves says it has completed the licensing and operational requirements on its side and is waiting for the remaining coordination with Cyprus to be finalized.

Meanwhile, the same vessel has already begun operating routes from Jounieh to Latakia and onward to Mersin.

For now, however, bookings for Larnaca remain suspended and no new launch date has been announced.

19/08/2026

Lebanon is moving toward bringing influencers and other online content creators under clearer legal rules as the country modernizes its decades-old media legislation.

Parliament recently adopted a new Media Law covering digital publishing alongside traditional media, with broader efforts underway to define responsibilities for people who reach large audiences through social platforms.

The push comes as influencers increasingly operate like media businesses, earning money from advertising, sponsorships and branded content while reaching audiences that can rival traditional outlets.

The challenge for Lebanon will be creating rules on transparency, accountability and commercial content without turning regulation into another tool for restricting online speech.

17/08/2026

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15/08/2026

Lebanon has launched a new round of upgrades at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, targeting some of the problems passengers encounter most often.

Current works include renovating restrooms, modernizing check-in counters, improving the arrivals hall and tourism services, and introducing a new fast-track system to make passenger movement through the airport smoother.

The broader modernization effort also includes expanding passenger capacity and upgrading airport infrastructure as Lebanon prepares for future growth in air traffic.

Alongside the reopening of René Mouawad Airport in the north, the projects form part of a wider push to modernize Lebanon’s aviation sector and reduce pressure on Beirut’s main airport.

14/08/2026

Former Banque du Liban governor Riad Salameh has been indicted again, this time alongside former Bank Audi chairman Samir Hanna, over allegations including embezzlement, bribery and illicit enrichment.

The latest case concerns tens of millions of dollars allegedly taken from the central bank and marks the first time a major commercial banker has been charged in a case directly linked to Salameh’s financial conduct.

But Lebanon’s financial collapse was not the work of one man. For decades, monetary policy operated alongside successive governments, ministers and political leaders who approved budgets, accumulated debt and benefited from a system that ultimately collapsed in 2019.

As accountability moves deeper into the banking sector, the larger question remains: will the politicians who oversaw and sustained the system ever face the same scrutiny?

13/08/2026

Around 730,000 Lebanese are estimated to have emigrated since the economic crisis began in 2019, equivalent to roughly 15% of Lebanon’s population by some estimates.

The exodus has been driven by the financial collapse, declining living standards, political instability, insecurity and the search for better opportunities abroad.

The impact goes far beyond the headline number. Lebanon has lost large numbers of young people and skilled professionals, accelerating an already serious brain drain and leaving the country with a shrinking resident population.

With emigration remaining a major consideration for many Lebanese, the demographic consequences of the post-2019 crisis could shape the country for decades.

12/08/2026

Lebanon has officially abolished the death penalty after Parliament voted to replace capital punishment with life imprisonment, becoming the first country in the Middle East to formally eliminate the practice.

Lebanon had already maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 2004, but courts could still issue death sentences. The new law now removes capital punishment from the legal system altogether, marking a major shift in the country’s criminal justice policy.

11/08/2026

Lebanon is moving ahead with a major overhaul of its public sector through the $150 million Lebanon Digital Acceleration Project, approved by the World Bank in January 2026. The program aims to bring more government services online, strengthen digital platforms and data systems, and make dealing with the state faster and more accessible for citizens and businesses.

The project is also designed to build a safer digital environment, expand economic opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs, and improve government efficiency. For a country where many public services still depend heavily on paperwork and in-person procedures, the investment could represent a significant step toward a more modern digital state.

09/08/2026

Every month, we’re telling the story of one Lebanese name that shaped how the world sees us. 🇱🇧🗺️

First up: Gibran Khalil Gibran — the boy from Bsharri who became one of the best-selling poets in history, and still, most people don’t know he was Lebanese.

Save this one, and follow for the next chapter! 📖

08/08/2026

Rmeich, in southern Lebanon, has received what local officials described as the first operational Starlink terminal publicly announced in the country.

Telecommunications Minister Charles Hage provided the system to the municipality so it can maintain communications with Lebanese state authorities if conventional telecom networks are disrupted.

The deployment comes after Lebanon granted Starlink a license to provide satellite internet services nationwide in 2025.

The Rmeich installation represents a visible step toward integrating satellite connectivity into Lebanon’s communications infrastructure, particularly in areas where maintaining reliable connections can be difficult during emergencies or network outages.

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