Source: Kataeb.org
Security & Justice
State Action Signals Change in Tackling Longstanding Illegal Land Grabs in Jbeil District
For years, the serene villages of Jbeil's highlands have been far from peaceful. Ghabat, a Maronite village nestled between the predominantly Shiite towns of Afqa and Lassa, has become a focal point of growing tensions due to territorial disputes.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Mawlawi Ensures Strict Monitoring for Wanted Syrian Regime Figures at Beirut Airport
Caretaker Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi, conducted an inspection tour of Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut to review the security arrangements and measures implemented by the Airport Security Apparatus ahead of the holiday season.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Opinion
Lebanon After the Assads
The United States has important equities in Lebanon, including a desire for a generally friendly government’s economic and political stability; security cooperation; long-standing relations with the large Christian community in Lebanon and Lebanese diaspora in the United States; and ultimately peace between Israel and Lebanon within a broader regional settlement. Achieving these objectives will require navigating a tumultuous period in the country’s history following a war between Hezbollah and Israel that has devastated a large part of the country, exacerbating Lebanon’s already challenging economic conditions. But perhaps the most important dynamic will be how a likely Sunni-dominated state of uncertain composition in Syria will differ in its intentions toward Lebanon from the previous Alawite-led minoritarian Assad regime.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Europe’s Syrian Dilemma
The news of the sudden and unexpected demise of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has met a mixed response in Europe. The jubilation that a murderous dictator and close ally of Russia and Iran has fallen is not just good for the Syrian people but serves as a morale booster for Eastern Europeans wondering whether Russia can be defeated
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Unveils New Private Jet Worth $73 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the richest global athletes, has unveiled his upgraded private jet reportedly worth $73 million. With its top-notch design, exceptional speed and range of 7500 nautical miles, the Gulfstream G650 is among the fastest jets in the world.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Guardiola Accepts Man City May Need to Sign More Players to Cope with Schedule
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes he will need a bigger squad to handle soccer’s ever-expanding fixture schedule.
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Thursday 18 July 2024 21:38:47
Lebanon’s Food Security Crisis Deepens as Essential Costs Soar
The World Food Program's (WFP) recent findings reveal a concerning trend in Lebanon's economic landscape, particularly impacting the affordability and availability of essential goods. As of May 2024, the cost of basic necessities has skyrocketed, with significant implications for Lebanese households.
The SMEB, which covers the bare minimum required to meet lifesaving needs, now costs LBP 37.3 million (USD 414) for a family of five, reflecting a 50% annual increase in local currency and a 58% rise in US dollars. The MEB, which encompasses broader essential needs, costs LBP 46.2 million (USD 513), also marking significant increases over the past year.
According to WFP’s latest report, the cost of food has also seen a sharp rise. The food SMEB per person reached LBP 3.13 million (USD 34.5) in May, a 25% increase in Lebanese pounds and a 30% increase in US dollars compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the food MEB per person stood at LBP 4.13 million (USD 45.8), showing a 22% increase in local currency and 28% in US dollars over the same period.
Monthly changes were primarily driven by a 2% increase in bread prices, attributed to uncertainties regarding wheat import subsidies, and an 11% increase in potato prices due to labor shortages affecting local production.
These rises are largely driven by increases in the prices of staple foods such as bread and potatoes, exacerbated by uncertainties over import subsidies and labor shortages.
Non-food items have not been spared from price hikes. The Non-Food SMEB reached LBP 21.7 million (USD 241.5) and the Non-Food MEB LBP 25.6 million (USD 284.7) in May 2024. Over the past year, these costs have surged by 75% and 86% in Lebanese pounds, respectively, with even higher increases in US dollars. Significant contributors to these increases include skyrocketing rent prices and higher costs for residency renewals.
Lebanon's broader economic landscape remains bleak. The World Bank and Bloomberg have downgraded growth forecasts for 2024, while the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlighted a continuous decline in the Human Development Index (HDI). The protracted financial crisis and conflict have also led to significant human and economic costs, estimated at USD 8.4 billion in 2023 by the Global Peace Index.
