Lebanon becomes first Arab country to legalize cannabis farming

The move is expected to generate badly needed revenue for Lebanon’s ailing economy, which is experiencing its worst downturn since the 1975-1990 civil war. For the first time in its history, Lebanon defaulted on its debt in early March. 

Nationwide anti-government protests over perceived government corruption, high youth unemployment and a lack of basic services erupted in October. Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who has promised to address the concerns of the protesters, pledged a wide-reaching rescue plan that his office says will include commitments to long-stalled reforms. 

On Tuesday, protesters took to the streets of Beirut in their cars, resuming the popular movement that had been stalled amid the coronavirus outbreak, which has so far killed 22 people in Lebanon and infected more than 680. 

A Palestinian woman from Syria became the first refugee in one of Lebanon’s camps to be treated for the coronavirus, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency said today.