Lebanon Receives $8.86 Million from World Bank for Waste Management
According to L’Orient Today, “The World Bank awarded an $8.86 million grant to Lebanon on Tuesday to launch a project on waste management. The grant announcement comes as Lebanon continues to struggle with an unprecedented economic crisis and against the backdrop of the yearslong mishandling of waste management in the country.” [L’Orient Today]

French Foreign Minister Urges Speedy Election of President
According to Naharnet, “French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on Tuesday urged the ‘speedy election’ of a president in Lebanon and the formation of a new government to ‘carry out badly needed reforms’.” [Naharnet]

UK Removes Travel Warnings to Most of Lebanon
According to the National, “The UK has updated its travel advice to Lebanon, removing advice ‘against all but essential travel’ for much of the country . . . Whereas earlier the country map on the UK Foreign Office website was coloured entirely yellow or red, much of Lebanon is now shaded in green. [The National]

Lebanese Lira Breaks 45,000 LL to 1 USD on Black Market
According to L’Orient Today, “The Lebanese lira broke a new depreciation record on the parallel market Tuesday, while the authorities have still not adopted reforms to curb the economic and financial crisis that has paralyzed the country since 2019.” [L’Orient Today]

AbiNader writes, “We all have our stories of Lebanon during the holiday season – at least of the end of year celebrations. My first visit was in 1974 as I was returning to Lebanon from North Yemen (at the time), having served as Peace Corps Training Director in Sanaa. And I thought New York knew how to show off during the holidays! Lights, music, comradery, and a waning feeling of better days to come – despite the growing presence of refugees in the country – were the hallmarks of the season, regardless of affiliation.” 

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Kanaan writes, “In many secular, Lebanese Christian and other faith households alike, Christmas occupies a special place: Christmas lights wrap around trees, lighting up streets lined with nativity scenes. A Christmas tree lights up a room, loved ones exchange gifts, and feasts shared among people often lead to a food-induced coma. The country’s Christmas traditions are as varied as they are festive, from seasonal treats to widespread religious customs.”

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