Lebanon

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
In this March 21, 2011, file photo, a Syrian soldier steps out of the burned courthouse that was set on fire by anti-government protesters in the southern city of Daraa, Syria.

Civil workshopping: Part II

Civil workshopping: Part II
Views from the Cedars of God, a 25-acre forest preserve just six miles from the monastery. Situated in the Kadisha Valley, the site represents one of the last remaining pieces of old growth cedar forest in the country. Some of the trees are believed to be

These monks are on a mission to protect Lebanon's sacred cedar trees — before it's too late

These monks are on a mission to protect Lebanon's sacred cedar trees — before it's too late
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 

In Lebanon, a pregnancy can only be terminated if three doctors agree that a woman's life is at risk. But this doesn't stop abortions from happening. 

‘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?

In a rare case, an Ethiopian domestic worker in Lebanon is taking her former employer and the agency that hired her to court over accusations of slavery and slave trading. The woman, identified as M.H., alleges that she was underpaid, locked up and assaulted over several years. Activists are hoping it will help change the worker sponsorship program in Lebanon.

Could a court case in Lebanon shift attitudes toward migrant domestic workers?
Cartagena's historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and contains some of the best preserved examples of 18th century military architecture in the Caribbean. The city's walls were built with slave labor.

Where The World has been in 2021 — the year in pictures

From migrants in Greece, to the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, to rebuilding Lebanon and Haiti, our correspondents from around the globe bring you images of the important stories of 2021.

Where The World has been in 2021 — the year in pictures
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
A migrant looks through a fence as others wait in a line to be registered inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021.

Cyprus takes a hard line against immigration, trapping migrants in limbo

The government says it is trying to crack down on human trafficking, but Corina Drousiotou, from the Cyprus Refugee Council, said it's having the opposite effect.

Cyprus takes a hard line against immigration, trapping migrants in limbo
A health worker inoculates a man next to a banner thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine at a government hospital in New Delhi, India

A milestone for India: 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses administered.

India administers 1 billion COVID-19 vaccinations, while Russia implements new restrictions as cases and deaths soar. Also, the government of Eswatini has directed mobile operators to suspend Facebook and its messenger app amid protests against King Mswati III. And, several countries have called on the UN to downplay the need to move away from a dependence on fossil fuels.

A milestone for India: 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses administered.
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