Vanessa Kallas

In a country at war, or caught in a cycle of chronic crises, resilience becomes a necessity, allowing the population to overcome the hardships of the moment. This resilience can manifest on a military and security level, but it can also — and perhaps more importantly — take the form of cultural, social, and above all, economic resistance. With the aim of making a modest contribution to this kind of "economic resistance," Levant Time is launching a new section called "Business Life." Our goal is to provide media visibility to companies that are growing or launching new projects despite the ongoing war and simmering crisis. Where growth isn't possible, we also aim to show the public what measures companies are taking to cope with the many challenges they face, as they work to weather the economic stagnation gripping the country.

Doctored images, sexualization, smear campaigns, and accusations of treason: in Lebanon, artificial intelligence is providing new tools for harassment targeting women who are visible in the public sphere. The case of a government minister and the testimonies of two journalists shed light on a global phenomenon that is outpacing the legal and technical measures designed to contain it. A red devil with horns, holding a trident — but with a familiar face: glasses, short bleached hair, and hoop earrings. This was no ordinary caricature, but one of dozens of AI-generated images that flooded social media platforms targeting Education and Higher Education Minister Rima Karamé. Her publicly stated insistence on going ahead with official exams despite the tense security situation surrounding the war had sparked a widespread wave of anger.