Beirut

museum reopening

Beirut museum damaged by blast reopens

In 2020, a deadly blast at Beirut port destroyed the much-beloved Sursock Museum. Parts of the 20th-century building’s architecture, reflecting both Venetian and Ottoman stylistic elements, were damaged, along with 57 works of art. Now, almost three years later, the museum has reopened.

Beirut museum damaged by blast reopens
A Lebanese policeman stands guard next to a bank window that was broken by depositors to exit the bank after attacking it trying to get their money, in Beirut, Lebanon

'We are forced to be bank robbers,' desperate Lebanese citizens say amid financial crisis

'We are forced to be bank robbers,' desperate Lebanese citizens say amid financial crisis
view of the city

Solar power is the 'only business that's booming' amid financial and electricity crises in Lebanon, experts say

Solar power is the 'only business that's booming' amid financial and electricity crises in Lebanon, experts say
woman near a machine

‘They’re hurting themselves’: In Lebanon, women risk their lives to get an abortion illegally 

‘They’re hurting themselves’: In Lebanon, women risk their lives to get an abortion illegally 
A migrant domestic worker holds a placard during a march demanding basic labor rights as Lebanese workers in Beirut, May 3, 2015. More than 200,000 workers mostly women from Asia and Africa work as maids in a country of 4 million people, many also come fr

Could a court case in Lebanon shift attitudes toward migrant domestic workers?

Could a court case in Lebanon shift attitudes toward migrant domestic workers?
Workers prepare meals at the Matbakh El Kell Community Kitchen in Beirut. The kitchen was set up in response to the Aug. 4 Beirut port explosion, and it now serves 2,500 free meals a day to those in need.

‘We need a rescue plan’: Hunger in Lebanon surges amid economic crises

Food prices have skyrocketed in Lebanon, and the World Food Program says an unprecedented number of people rely on humanitarian assistance to get by. Private charity groups say they are doing all they can but that it’s not enough to meet the demands.

‘We need a rescue plan’: Hunger in Lebanon surges amid economic crises
Lawyer and activist Hussein El Achi helped found a group called Minteshreen that wants an end to Lebanon’s sectarian political system.

These activists want to end sectarian politics in Lebanon

Lebanon has 18 recognized religious sects, and sectarianism is built into the country’s political system. But in the wake of the October 2019 protest movement, some are advocating for a different path.

These activists want to end sectarian politics in Lebanon
Twenty-four-year-old Abdel Ghani Ali Ghanoum works at a paper factory on the outskirts of Beirut. The economic crisis in Lebanon and the recent Saudi ban on Lebanese imported goods means he faces an uncertain future. He is considering taking a boat to Tur

‘We live paycheck to paycheck’: Workers at a paper factory in Beirut worry about making ends meet in a dire economy

An economy in freefall and political tensions with an important importer of Lebanese goods have workers and managers at a paper factory on the outskirts of Beirut worried about the future.

‘We live paycheck to paycheck’: Workers at a paper factory in Beirut worry about making ends meet in a dire economy
Diala Attieh Younes, 39, washes dishes under candlelight in her kitchen in Beirut. She said her generator-supplied electricity bill has increased six folds since last year.

Lebanon’s electricity crisis means life under candlelight for some, profits for others

Lebanon is facing a critical electricity shortage. The state’s electric company is only able to provide power to residents for a few hours a day. For the rest, people have no choice but to rely on private generator businesses, which in turn, has created its own set of problems.

Lebanon’s electricity crisis means life under candlelight for some, profits for others
Lebanese teachers react to the sounds from nearby armed clashes as they flee their school under the protection of Lebanese soldiers after a clash erupted along a former 1975-90 civil war front line between Muslim Shiite and Christian areas at Ain el-Ruman

Tensions rise over Beirut blast investigation

A rally against Tarek Bitar, the Lebanese judge in charge of investigating the Beirut port blast, turned parts of the capital into a war zone. Clashes left at least seven people dead. Now, the question is, can the investigation move forward?

Tensions rise over Beirut blast investigation
Three men are show wearing white traditional clothing and standing amidst broken glass from a mosque in the background.

Suicide bombings kill at least 37 at a mosque in Afghanistan

Top of The World: A group of suicide bombers have attacked another Shiite mosque in Afghanistan. And, The Lebanese government has called for a national day of mourning on Friday after heavy gun battles in Beirut left at least seven people dead. Also, The Biden administration is planning to reinstate the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy in November.

Suicide bombings kill at least 37 at a mosque in Afghanistan
A police officer is shown bending down to walk under yellow caution tape outside of a set of glass doors.

Bow-and-arrow suspect arrested in attack that killed 5 in Norway

Top of The World: Police in Norway on Thursday have arrested and charged a 37-year-old Danish man suspected of a bow-and-arrow attack that killed five people. And, at least six people were left dead on Thursday in Beirut after armed clashes broke out during a protest over a judge conducting a probe of last year’s devastating blast in the city’s port. Also, a fire in a 13-story building that raged out of control for hours overnight in the city of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan has left 46 people dead.

Bow-and-arrow suspect arrested in attack that killed 5 in Norway
Wide shot of Lebanese parliament

Lebanon's political class 'ripped off' the country's potential, 'Pandora' investigator says

The "Pandora Papers" exposed offshore accounts of the rich and powerful around the globe, including Lebanon's elite political class. Alia Ibrahim, founder of Daraj Media, a team that helped bring the investigation to light, joined The World's host Marco Werman to discuss Lebanon's economic situation.

Lebanon's political class 'ripped off' the country's potential, 'Pandora' investigator says
A Syrian grocery shop in Istanbul sells brands that are familiar to Syrian customers, such as canned meats and condensed milk.

Syrian refugees and migrants in Turkey face a difficult decision to return home 

Millions of Syrians are wrestling with the tough choice to return to Syria after 10 years of civil war. In Turkey, the COVID-19 pandemic hit some Syrians so hard that they returned home, only to regret it.

Syrian refugees and migrants in Turkey face a difficult decision to return home 
In a church about a mile from Beirut’s port, Sunday mass occurs with just a few dozen worshipers in the massive hall.

Beirut blast one year later: No justice, no hope

A year after a blast in Beirut killed more than 200 people and destroyed swathes of the city, no one has been held accountable as the country sinks deeper into crisis.

Beirut blast one year later: No justice, no hope