Society

Ivonne A-Baki, Ecuadorian diplomat born to Lebanese parents, is a candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations. Presented by Tonga, the former ambassador of Ecuador to the United States and Qatar claims its Lebanese roots and its journey between Latin America and the Middle East. It also highlights its role in the rapprochement between Ecuador and Peru after their 1995 border war. Eight candidates are now competing to succeed António Guterres.

HP warns that the global memory shortage is at an unprecedented level and that prices should continue to rise. The crisis affects both the DRAM used as a living memory and the NAND of SSD. Its origin lies in the explosion of the needs of data centres dedicated to artificial intelligence. Manufacturers now favour high margin components for servers, reducing the capacity available for computers and consumer electronics.

Lebanese basketball strengthens its commercial weight. According to data published by Ipsos MENA, the television advertising value associated with the finals rose from approximately $1.07 million in 2025 to $2.51 million in 2026, an increase of 135 per cent. This increase is all the more significant as the number of advertisements increased by 24% and their cumulative duration by 9%. The challenge now is to transform this media development into sustainable resources for discipline.

The figure of 19 August 2026 — 35 stations in operation on about 100, some only partially — is therefore not only a breakdown. It measures the gap accumulated since the post-war period between the policy of building infrastructure and the much less visible policy of its operation. Projects now announced will have to be evaluated on this difference: not how many stations Lebanon owns, but how many cubic metres of wastewater are actually collected, cleaned to the level planned and rejected without transferring their health and environmental costs to the rivers and the Mediterranean.

From the Apostolic Antioch to the reforms of the twentieth century, the Melkite Church in Lebanon crossed empires, crusades, schism of 1724 and conciliar modernization. True to the Byzantine rite in Arabic, it embodies a bridge between East and Rome. A documented historical narrative, between community resilience and national role.

The total solar eclipse of Wednesday 12 August 2026 will not be visible from Lebanon, not even in partial form. The entire band will cross the Arctic regions, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic and part of Spain, while much of Europe will observe a partial eclipse. Beirut and all Lebanese territory will remain outside the lunar darkness. Lebanese observers will have to wait until 2 August 2027 to see a new solar eclipse directly.

The total solar eclipse of Wednesday 12 August 2026 will not be visible from Lebanon, not even in partial form. The entire band will cross the Arctic regions, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic and part of Spain, while much of Europe will observe a partial eclipse. Beirut and all Lebanese territory will remain outside the lunar darkness. Lebanese observers will have to wait until 2 August 2027 to see a new solar eclipse directly.

Lebanon faces a sustained increase in cancer that now exceeds the capacity of oncology services alone. International estimates show 13,034 new cases and 7,307 deaths in 2022, while 33,576 people were diagnosed in the previous five years. Breast, lung, prostate, colorectal and bladder cancer are among the main locations. To this increase is added the cost of drugs, unequal access to care and inadequate screening.

Lebanon faces a sustained increase in cancer that now exceeds the capacity of oncology services alone. International estimates show 13,034 new cases and 7,307 deaths in 2022, while 33,576 people were diagnosed in the previous five years. Breast, lung, prostate, colorectal and bladder cancer are among the main locations. To this increase is added the cost of drugs, unequal access to care and inadequate screening.

By Tasneem Elridi Thousands of Lebanese families continue to suffer the consequences of an increasingly serious humanitarian crisis, despite the announcement of a ceasefire. According to the latest reports published by the United Nations and international organizations, the number of internally displaced persons now exceeds 1.049 million, while more than [...]

CNRS Infographic 2026 shows that 24 Lebanese beaches are bathed, but seven sites between Beirut and Jounieh are prohibited from bathing due to extreme pollution. The analysis reveals regional disparities, the impact of wastewater and microplastics, and gaps in infrastructure and governance. Solutions exist but require collective commitment.

Aqulina Chayeb won gold at the Tallinn European Open 2026 in -78 kg, a historic first for Lebanese judo.

The WHO report shows a ravaged Lebanon's health: hospitals hit, caregivers killed, displaced and diseases on the rise.

Henry Kaai launched his 2026 season in difficult conditions at the 41st Spring Rally, organized by the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon. A victim of a road trip and mechanical problems on his Citroën DS3, however, the Lebanese pilot finished the race with his co-driver Georges Nader and won the RC4 R3T Cup. He now aims to defend his titles in front traction, rally and coast racing.