August 4th, 2021 might seem like any other regular summer day for anyone not Lebanese. For Lebanon, it marks one year of one of its darkest days in history: The Beirut Port Explosion. One year since one of the most devastating non-nuclear explosions in history quaked Lebanon, crumbled its capital, killed over 230 people, and… Continue reading Aug 2021. The Beirut Explosion One Year On
Tag: Beirut
Feb 2021. The Beirut Explosion
On 4 August 2020, a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the port of the city of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, exploded, causing at least 204 deaths, 7,500 injuries, and US$15 billion in property damage, and leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless. A cargo of 2,750 tonnes of the substance had been stored… Continue reading Feb 2021. The Beirut Explosion
Dec 2020. Lebanon PM Charged with Negligence
A Lebanese judge has reportedly charged caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three ex-ministers with negligence over August’s Beirut port explosion. Judicial sources said the four would be questioned next week about warnings they received over the unsafe storage of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse. A fire triggered the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of the… Continue reading Dec 2020. Lebanon PM Charged with Negligence
Sep 2020. Trump Sanctions Lebanon over Hezbollah
The US has put sanctions on two former Lebanese government ministers for allegedly providing material support to Hezbollah and engaging in corruption. Yusuf Finyanus and Ali Khalil were accused of ensuring contracts went to firms owned by Hezbollah, which the US considers a terrorist group, and moving money to associated institutions. There was no response… Continue reading Sep 2020. Trump Sanctions Lebanon over Hezbollah
Aug 2020. Beirut Explosion
August 2020. The disaster was preceded by a large fire at the Port of Beirut, on the city’s northern Mediterranean coast. In videos posted on social media white smoke could be seen billowing from Warehouse 12, next to the port’s huge grain silos. Shortly after 18:00 (15:00 GMT), the roof of the warehouse caught alight… Continue reading Aug 2020. Beirut Explosion
Jul 2020. The Lebanon Crisis
July 2020. Hundreds of demonstrators angered by a deepening economic crisis rallied across Lebanon for a third consecutive day on Saturday, after violent overnight riots sparked condemnation from the political elite. Protesting against the surging cost of living and the government’s apparent impotence in the face of Lebanon’s worst economic turmoil since the 1975-1990 civil… Continue reading Jul 2020. The Lebanon Crisis
Jun 2020. The Economic Crisis in Lebanon
June 2020. Major retailers in Lebanon announced Thursday they will temporarily shut down in the face of an increasingly volatile currency market and their inability to set prices while the Lebanese pound plunges against the dollar. Later in the day, owners of the businesses rallied in central Beirut to denounce the government’s inability to handle… Continue reading Jun 2020. The Economic Crisis in Lebanon