Posts Tagged ‘The Daily Star’
What’s New? In Lebanon this week?
Posted on: June 12, 2014
News stories you might have missed from the past week.
1. Al-Akhbar Editor Walks Out of STL Hearing
(Photo via The Daily Star)
Ibrahi al-Amin, Editor-in-chief of Al-Akhbar newspaper, walked out of his contempt hearing at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon after reading a statement denouncing the STL as a political tool and accusing the court of “oppression,” reported the Daily Star.
Al-Amin stated that he plans to maintain “complete silence” and reject any court appointed defense lawyers.
This hearing is part of an ongoing controversial investigation into the Al-Jadeed and Al-Akhbar media outlets. They are being charged with contempt and obstruction of justice after they published news reports that disclosed details of alleged court witnesses.
2. Lebanese University Teachers Go On Strike
(Photo via Naharnet)
Professors at the Lebanese University announced that they will not be holding classes or exams until they are contracted as full-time employees.
According to Naharnet, a spokesperson of the teachers stated during a protest held Wednesday that the teachers have been protesting and “continuously struggling in the classrooms” since 2008.
The protesters proceeded to call on Prime Minister Tammam Salam to accept contracting them as full-time employees.
3. Syrian Elections Paralyze Beirut Roads
(Photo via The Daily Star)
Beirut was afflicted with major traffic jams Wednesday and Thursday after approximately 80,000 Syrians made their way to the Syrian embassy to cast their ballots for the Syrian Presidential election.
According to the Daily Star newspaper, many complained of the lack of organization as some got trampled by eager voters while others suffered dehydration and fainting spells while waiting in line.
(The election was extended an extra day and way till midnight)
4. Lower Calling-Rate and Data Service Charges Coming
(Photo via NOW Media)
After a meeting with Lebanese mobile service providers Alfa and MTC Touch, Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb announced they had made agreements to lower calling rate charges.
Beginning on June 1, users will be able to benefit from reduced prices for cellular lines and 3G internet.
5. Lebanon One of Fattest Countries for Young Boys
(Photo via Mama’s Lebanese Kitchen)
Lebanon has the fifth highest percentage of young boys (under 20-years-old) who are obese. The percentage ranges between 13 to 19.1%The findings are according to a recently released global analysis on country-by-country obesity funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
According to the same study, 29.8% of Lebanese girls under the age of 20 are “overweight or obese,” while 12.5 are just obese.
(The US is number 1 in obesity, Japan , Brazil and China are among the first five too)
Articles & Media
News stories this week
Here’s some of the most important news stories you might have missed from the past week.
1. Citizens Urged to Reduce Water Consumption
(Photo via Daily Star)
The Environment Ministry urged citizens to reduce water consumption on account of the massive decline in rainfall, The Daily Star reported Thursday.
The ministry released a water conservation guide and urged Lebanese NGOs to promote it.
Lebanon witnessed a drastic decrease in rainfall this year at just 40% of the yearly average, raising the threat of possible future drought problems.
(Last year it rained a lot. Still, no water reached the homes and we relied of the water trucks at the cost of $60 per shipment every two weeks)
2. Twenty Five People Arrested After Brawl in Bourj Hammoud
(Photo via Daily Star)
A catcalling incident escalated into an ethnic brawl Saturday in Bourj Hammoud.
According to The Daily Star newspaper, a Syrian Kurdish man made provocative comments to a woman walking with her fiancée, prompting a group of Lebanese and Lebanese-Armenian citizens to try and break into the home of the Syrian-Kurdish man and his four brothers.
As the confrontation escalated, one of the Syrian Kurdish men threw a gas canister, causing one victim to faint. The row ended when security forces intervened. In all, 25 people were arrested.
(Apparently, Syrian refugees rent a room and live 6 in the room)
3. Lebanon Faces Presidential Vacuum
(Photo via Naharnet)
The 5th round of the presidential elections on Thursday ended in failure as lawmakers were unable to reach a quorum to vote (two third of the deputies or 68 of them).
The country’s top Christian spot will remain vacant after President Michel Sleiman leaves Baabda Palace on Sunday.
The session was boycotted by the March 8 alliance, whose members claim that a consensual candidate must be agreed upon first before heading to parliament.
(The March 14 coalition put forth a warlord criminal, Samir Jaaja3, as their preferred candidate to be President. Samir Jaaja3 served a 11-year prison term for assassinating scores of people, including Prime Ministers, and was liberated politically after the withdrawal of the Syrian troops in 2005. Apparently, candidates to the presidential post don’t need to submit clean judiciary records as members of city councils)
(Read note on the President The Void)
4. Refurbished Sanayeh Park to open on June 1
(Photo via Daily Star)
The Rene Mouawad Garden, commonly known as Sanayeh Park, will reopen to the public on June 1 after a year-long $2.5 million renovation.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on May 31 by the Beirut Municipality and the Azadea Foundation, the retail holding company that funded the renovations. According to CEO Marwan Moukarzel, the garden will remain free and open to the public for 12 hours a day. It will close in the evening.
5. Snake Causes Crash in South Lebanon
A file photo of a Lebanese Red Cross ambulance. (Image via The Daily Star)
According to The Daily Star, the vehicle overturned, injuring everyone inside including Yassin’s four children, all between the ages of two and six-years-old.
Also wounded were Amal Rida Nasser, Yassin’s friend, and her three children. Two other unidentified people in the vehicle were also injured.
Note: President Suleiman https://adonis49.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/president-the-void-the-insipid-vacated-palace-warmed-an-empty-chair-and-left-it-vacant-account-in-banks-by-the-millions/
Adonis Diaries 