May 02, 2010
Solving the dilemmas of life in Lebanon, one app at a time.
(click image for original size)
(click image for original size)
Apple
Arabic
Beirut
May 02, 2010
As of May 1, Lebanon is set to head the United Nations Security Council for the first time in almost 50 years and will remain in that position throughout the month.
Lebanon will gain exceptional importance in that role in light of several conflicts and dangers raging in many areas in the world, reported the daily An Nahar Saturday.
The daily said that Lebanon's presidency "will not change the world, but nations great or small, far or near, friend or foe, will have to address Lebanon with the term 'Mr. President' before the Security Council and the entire United Nations."
Lebanon's permanent representative at the Security Council and the current President of the Council, Ambassador Nawaf Salam, told An Nahar: "Part of Lebanon's message has arrived by its entry into the Security Council."
He continued: "The message is that Lebanon is regaining its health, it is present on the international scene, it takes part in international resolutions, and it has an opinion that is heard on matters that concern it and the region within this Council."
"This month, Lebanon's image will become clearer through its return to the international political scene, and more light will be shed on its role in issues reaching as far as Nepal and Chad, Sudan and Palestine, and Somalia and all parts of the world," he added.
Salam stressed: "Lebanon's voice will be heard throughout the world."
Lebanon will start its presidency of the Security Council with a closed meeting with its 15 members and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Long Island in New York.
Salam revealed that he held meetings with various heads of departments in the U.N., including its Peacekeeping Operations Department, to look into this month's work schedule.
Lebanon is set to make its debut as head of the Security Council on May 5.
The session will be attended by European Union's high representative for foreign affairs Baroness Catharine Ashton during which she will tackle the EU's relations with the United States.
Lebanon will also address the issue of Palestine and the Middle East during May as the region is a monthly issue of discussion at the Security Council.
Furthermore, the issues of Kosovo and Congo will also be addressed.
In addition, Lebanon will head the group of Arab states that presented three papers for the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. [via]
Lebanon to Head U.N. Security Council throughout May
As of May 1, Lebanon is set to head the United Nations Security Council for the first time in almost 50 years and will remain in that position throughout the month. Lebanon will …
As of May 1, Lebanon is set to head the United Nations Security Council for the first time in almost 50 years and will remain in that position throughout the month.
Lebanon will gain exceptional importance in that role in light of several conflicts and dangers raging in many areas in the world, reported the daily An Nahar Saturday.
The daily said that Lebanon's presidency "will not change the world, but nations great or small, far or near, friend or foe, will have to address Lebanon with the term 'Mr. President' before the Security Council and the entire United Nations."
Lebanon's permanent representative at the Security Council and the current President of the Council, Ambassador Nawaf Salam, told An Nahar: "Part of Lebanon's message has arrived by its entry into the Security Council."
He continued: "The message is that Lebanon is regaining its health, it is present on the international scene, it takes part in international resolutions, and it has an opinion that is heard on matters that concern it and the region within this Council."
"This month, Lebanon's image will become clearer through its return to the international political scene, and more light will be shed on its role in issues reaching as far as Nepal and Chad, Sudan and Palestine, and Somalia and all parts of the world," he added.
Salam stressed: "Lebanon's voice will be heard throughout the world."
Lebanon will start its presidency of the Security Council with a closed meeting with its 15 members and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Long Island in New York.
Salam revealed that he held meetings with various heads of departments in the U.N., including its Peacekeeping Operations Department, to look into this month's work schedule.
Lebanon is set to make its debut as head of the Security Council on May 5.
The session will be attended by European Union's high representative for foreign affairs Baroness Catharine Ashton during which she will tackle the EU's relations with the United States.
Lebanon will also address the issue of Palestine and the Middle East during May as the region is a monthly issue of discussion at the Security Council.
Furthermore, the issues of Kosovo and Congo will also be addressed.
In addition, Lebanon will head the group of Arab states that presented three papers for the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. [via]
Arabic
Lebanon
new year
May 01, 2010
LEBANON: Authorities under scrutiny after mob lynches Egyptian murder suspect
Lebanon is reeling from the shock of five brutal killings, four of which targeted members of the same family and the fifth that of the Egyptian man suspected of their murders. He w…
Lebanon is reeling from the shock of five brutal killings, four of which targeted members of the same family and the fifth that of the Egyptian man suspected of their murders.He was dragged from police custody, beaten to death and lynched by an angry vigilante mob Thursday in the small mountain town of Ketermaya.
Graphic footage and video of the murder suspect's lynching (way too graphic to be posted here) began circulating immediately, leading many to criticize the breakdown of law and order.
The suspect, Mohammad Salim Mssalem, was arrested after the fatal stabbing on Wednesday of Youssef Abu Merhi, his wife Kawthar and their two granddaughters Amina, 7, and Zeina, 9.
Mssalem was reportedly reenacting the murders for investigators at the scene of the crime when an angry mob overpowered the security officers, dragging the suspect into the streets and beating him severely. The officers were able to retrieve the badly wounded Mssalem and get him to a hospital, but angry residents stormed the hospital as well, beat him to death, stripped his body and hung it from a telephone pole as onlookers shouted for vengeance.
"I fear that because this man was an Egyptian, so he has no one to back him up," Omar Nashabe, justice editor of the Lebanese daily Al Akhbar, told Babylon & Beyond."They took advantage of the situation and acted in this barbaric and inhuman way that will destroy the reputation of this country and undermines the government."
Many aspects of the original investigation are now being called into question, including the decision to leak incendiary details to the press and the speed with which DNA evidence confirming Mssalem's guilt was released following the lynching.
"A source within the judicial police told us yesterday that the results would be ready Friday night or Saturday morning at the latest," said Nashabe. "So it was very strange to receive a phone call about it at 8 this morning,"
The town's mayor, Mohammad Naguib Hassan, told Al Akhbar that the investigating authorities are to blame for transferring the suspect back to the scene of the crime, which was bound to inflame the passions of the victim's family and local residents.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding Mssalem's background and history. The National News Agency reported that Mssalem was wanted for crimes in Egypt. Al Akhbar has reported that Mssalem worked at a local slaughterhouse and that his mother is married to a Ketermaya resident. According to local media, Mssalem had been accused of rape several months ago, although the outcome of those charges remain unexplained.
Internal Security Force chief Gen. Ashraf Rifi reportedly took disciplinary measures against several security officers involved for “making a grave error in the judgment of the field situation and for failing to ensure the protection of the murder suspect." Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar and Interior Minister Ziad Baroud both condemned the killing and called for an investigation. [via]
Arabic
death
Egypt
April 30, 2010
Definitions of Wasta:
Seen Around :P
Definitions of Wasta : Wasta (Arabic: وَسْطة) is an Arabic expression that loosely translates into ‘whom you know’ or 'clout'. ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasta Intercession or…
Definitions of Wasta:
- Wasta (Arabic: وَسْطة) is an Arabic expression that loosely translates into ‘whom you know’ or 'clout'. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasta - Intercession or mediation by people on behalf of others to whom they are connected by friendship or blood
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wasta
Arabic
AUB
Beirut
April 26, 2010
Sari Hanafi, a sociology professor at the American University of Beirut, has done an incredibly brave or stupid act (depending on your perspective) co-editing a book with Israeli academics. This is particularly perplexing considering that Hanafi has put his name to the Lebanese Campaign for the boycott of Zionism in solidarity with the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions. This includes boycotting Israeli academics and their institutions, as the statement reads:
Specifically, we ask our colleagues worldwide to support the call by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel to comprehensively and consistently boycott and disinvest from all Israeli academic and cultural institutions, and to refrain from participation in any form of academic and cultural cooperation, collaboration or joining projects with Israeli institutions as a contribution to the struggle to end Israel’s occupation, colonization and system of apartheid.
The book is called The Power of Inclusive Exclusion and looks fascinating. The website details that the book is about:
The Power of Inclusive Exclusion analyzes the Israeli occupation as a rationalized system of political rule. With essays by leading Palestinian and Israeli scholars, a comprehensive chronology, photographs, and original documents, this groundbreaking book calls into question prevalent views of the occupation as a skewed form of brutal colonization, a type of Jewish apartheid, or an inevitable response to terrorism…. The Power of Inclusive Exclusion uncovers the structural logic that sustains and reproduces the occupation regime.
I imagine that Hanafi would take the argument that this project does not contribute to the continued occupation.
The Israeli co-editors of the book are Adi Ophir is Professor of Philosophy and Political Theory at the Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas at Tel Aviv University and Michal Givoni is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Tel Aviv University.
The move by Hanafi has caused a quite a stir at the AUB campus and a petition has been created against normalisation of relations. [via]
More about this topic:
Professor condemned for scholarly work with Israeli counterparts - Los Angeles Times
Boycott and madness: Is working with anti-Zionist Israelis an act of treason? - Now Lebanon
Adi Ophir to share a platform with Sari Hanafi, an associate professor of sociology at the American University of Beirut - The Jewish Press Blog
Ahmed Moor: Why I am for academic boycott - Aletho News
Sociology proffessor at AUB co-edits a book with Israeli academics
Before you guys go crazy on me, I did not write this article. It is a repost from Al-Bayt Baytak blog which I found interesting. I am very interested to see what you guys think ab…
Before you guys go crazy on me, I did not write this article. It is a repost from Al-Bayt Baytak blog which I found interesting. I am very interested to see what you guys think about this issue, so feel free to comment below.
Sari Hanafi, a sociology professor at the American University of Beirut, has done an incredibly brave or stupid act (depending on your perspective) co-editing a book with Israeli academics. This is particularly perplexing considering that Hanafi has put his name to the Lebanese Campaign for the boycott of Zionism in solidarity with the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions. This includes boycotting Israeli academics and their institutions, as the statement reads:Specifically, we ask our colleagues worldwide to support the call by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel to comprehensively and consistently boycott and disinvest from all Israeli academic and cultural institutions, and to refrain from participation in any form of academic and cultural cooperation, collaboration or joining projects with Israeli institutions as a contribution to the struggle to end Israel’s occupation, colonization and system of apartheid.
The book is called The Power of Inclusive Exclusion and looks fascinating. The website details that the book is about:
The Power of Inclusive Exclusion analyzes the Israeli occupation as a rationalized system of political rule. With essays by leading Palestinian and Israeli scholars, a comprehensive chronology, photographs, and original documents, this groundbreaking book calls into question prevalent views of the occupation as a skewed form of brutal colonization, a type of Jewish apartheid, or an inevitable response to terrorism…. The Power of Inclusive Exclusion uncovers the structural logic that sustains and reproduces the occupation regime.
I imagine that Hanafi would take the argument that this project does not contribute to the continued occupation.
The Israeli co-editors of the book are Adi Ophir is Professor of Philosophy and Political Theory at the Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas at Tel Aviv University and Michal Givoni is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Tel Aviv University.
The move by Hanafi has caused a quite a stir at the AUB campus and a petition has been created against normalisation of relations. [via]
More about this topic:
Professor condemned for scholarly work with Israeli counterparts - Los Angeles Times
Boycott and madness: Is working with anti-Zionist Israelis an act of treason? - Now Lebanon
Adi Ophir to share a platform with Sari Hanafi, an associate professor of sociology at the American University of Beirut - The Jewish Press Blog
Ahmed Moor: Why I am for academic boycott - Aletho News
Arabic
AUB
Beirut
April 25, 2010
There's a Rally papers currently going on at my university and I would personally like to endorse a group 33, so I would appreciate it greatly if you can like THIS PAGE on facebook for a few days to help them win the prize.
Thank you!
*moudz
Support Group 33 In AUB Rally Paper
Dear readers, There's a Rally papers currently going on at my university and I would personally like to endorse a group 33, so I would appreciate it greatly if you can like TH…
Dear readers,There's a Rally papers currently going on at my university and I would personally like to endorse a group 33, so I would appreciate it greatly if you can like THIS PAGE on facebook for a few days to help them win the prize.
Thank you!
*moudz
AUB
Beirut
cheating
April 24, 2010
by Mohammad Hijazi
Lifehouse is an American alternative rock band originating from Los Angeles. They grabbed the attention of the music scene in 2001 with their hit single "Hanging by a Moment" from their record-breaking multi-platinum debut album "No Name Face." Their first single was able to claim a Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year and beat Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson for the #1 single in 2001.
Currently, this band includes Jason Wade (lead vocalist and guitarist, Rick Wooltenhulme (drums, percussions), Bruce Soderberg (bass guitarist), and Ben Carey (guitarist). They have sold over fifteen million albums and singles worldwide to date.
Another song from there debut album which has became famous is "Everything." This song was featured on the Premiere and season one finale of "Smallville," the TV show that tells the story of Clark Kent, aka Superman. This began a long-standing affair between the band and the series, as Lifehouse would go on to have seven songs played during the series' first four seasons, ending with a live performance in the fourth-season prom episode.
Their second album, "Stanley Climbfall", saw the light in 2002. Its singles, "Spin" and "Take me", were successful, yet, the whole album was overshadowed by the success of their first album.
Their third album was eponymous. Its first single, "You and me" was released in January 2005, although it was written five years before. The song was a huge success for the band, especially that it stayed for 66 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100. This song has also appeared on "Smallville" and songs from this album were featured in eight other shows including "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scrubs." Other recommended songs from this album are "Come Back Down", "Blind", "Undone," and "All in All".
Their fourth album, entitled "Who We Are", was released in June 2007. This album "rocks a little harder" than previous albums, according to the band. From this album, the songs that were most famous are "First Time", "Whatever it Takes", and "Broken."
Their fifth album was recently released on March 2nd, 2010 after several delays. This album is entitled "Smoke and Mirrors" and debuted at #6 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Songs worth listening to from this album are "Had Enough" featuring Chris Daughtry, "Halfway Gone" and "From Where You Are." This album particularly shows that after ten years of producing music, this band has become more mature.
Most songs of Lifehouse will entertain alternative rock lovers, and some will leave you obsessing over them. If you like the music of Nickleback, One Republic, and The Fray, the music of this band is for you.
Band review: Lifehouse
by Mohammad Hijazi Lifehouse is an American alternative rock band originating from Los Angeles. They grabbed the attention of the music scene in 2001 with their hit single "H…
Lifehouse is an American alternative rock band originating from Los Angeles. They grabbed the attention of the music scene in 2001 with their hit single "Hanging by a Moment" from their record-breaking multi-platinum debut album "No Name Face." Their first single was able to claim a Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year and beat Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson for the #1 single in 2001.
Currently, this band includes Jason Wade (lead vocalist and guitarist, Rick Wooltenhulme (drums, percussions), Bruce Soderberg (bass guitarist), and Ben Carey (guitarist). They have sold over fifteen million albums and singles worldwide to date.
Another song from there debut album which has became famous is "Everything." This song was featured on the Premiere and season one finale of "Smallville," the TV show that tells the story of Clark Kent, aka Superman. This began a long-standing affair between the band and the series, as Lifehouse would go on to have seven songs played during the series' first four seasons, ending with a live performance in the fourth-season prom episode.
Their second album, "Stanley Climbfall", saw the light in 2002. Its singles, "Spin" and "Take me", were successful, yet, the whole album was overshadowed by the success of their first album.
Their third album was eponymous. Its first single, "You and me" was released in January 2005, although it was written five years before. The song was a huge success for the band, especially that it stayed for 66 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100. This song has also appeared on "Smallville" and songs from this album were featured in eight other shows including "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scrubs." Other recommended songs from this album are "Come Back Down", "Blind", "Undone," and "All in All".
Their fourth album, entitled "Who We Are", was released in June 2007. This album "rocks a little harder" than previous albums, according to the band. From this album, the songs that were most famous are "First Time", "Whatever it Takes", and "Broken."
Their fifth album was recently released on March 2nd, 2010 after several delays. This album is entitled "Smoke and Mirrors" and debuted at #6 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Songs worth listening to from this album are "Had Enough" featuring Chris Daughtry, "Halfway Gone" and "From Where You Are." This album particularly shows that after ten years of producing music, this band has become more mature.
Most songs of Lifehouse will entertain alternative rock lovers, and some will leave you obsessing over them. If you like the music of Nickleback, One Republic, and The Fray, the music of this band is for you.
alternative
band review
Lifehouse
April 24, 2010
According to recent studies, an estimated 42 percent of males and 30 percent of females smoke in Lebanon, a country of around 4 million inhabitants. Most teenagers start the habit of smoking (cigarettes or ‘Nargileh’) due to peer pressure or family traditions. If our society wasn’t as accepting to smoking as it actually is, much fewer people would even consider starting to smoke as means to relieve stress. In Syria, tobacco cannot be sold to minors (below 18 years of age) by law. Why can’t such a law be implemented in Lebanon? Is it because we want to support the tobacco farmers in the Bekaa Valley without any regard to the health of the Lebanese population?
Lebanon should look up to Syria (for once)
Below is an opinion piece that will be published in this week’s issue of Outlook, AUB’s official student newspaper. Believe me, I cannot believe I just said that either. Yet, the…
Below is an opinion piece that will be published in this week’s issue of Outlook, AUB’s official student newspaper.
Believe me, I cannot believe I just said that either. Yet, there is a very compelling reason; I have to give credit where credit is due. Syrian President, Bashar al-Asad issued a decree early this April banning smoking inside cafes, restaurants and other public areas. This decree was implemented almost two weeks after, making Syria the first Arab country to implement such a ban in public areas.
Moreover, in 1996, Syria banned tobacco advertising while in 2006, a law was passed to outlaw smoking on public transportation and some public areas.
According to recent studies, an estimated 42 percent of males and 30 percent of females smoke in Lebanon, a country of around 4 million inhabitants. Most teenagers start the habit of smoking (cigarettes or ‘Nargileh’) due to peer pressure or family traditions. If our society wasn’t as accepting to smoking as it actually is, much fewer people would even consider starting to smoke as means to relieve stress. In Syria, tobacco cannot be sold to minors (below 18 years of age) by law. Why can’t such a law be implemented in Lebanon? Is it because we want to support the tobacco farmers in the Bekaa Valley without any regard to the health of the Lebanese population?Before anything else, the Lebanese parental mentality and upbringing should change. I am sure that every parent tells his/her children not to smoke, and explains the dangers of smoking. Yet, when the child is brought up in a family where his/her father and grandfather smoke, then how are adults setting better examples for the children?
For once, I am really grateful for the American University of Beirut (AUB) to have recently restricted smoking to several “smoking areas” on campus, banning smoking inside all buildings (except for the dorms) with a vision to make AUB a smoke-free campus. I strongly support this decision because I have witnessed many freshman and sophomore students start smoking when they came to AUB just because they can, and because their friends smoke. The smoking ban will greatly reduce smoking due to peer pressure and will raise much better awareness than any anti-smoking advertisements in the media.
Consequently, the Lebanese Ministry of Health should implement a similar law as the Syrian law which bans advertising of tobacco. Tobacco advertising in Lebanon is very exaggerated. It seems that wherever I go, these advertisements pop-up: on street billboards, vans and busses, restaurants, television advertisements, magazine back-covers, etc…
Lebanon should also increase the taxes on tobacco products rather than increasing the taxes on bare necessities such as food, clothing and fuel. This will greatly reduce smoking because it will make people, especially teenagers, think twice before consuming lots of cigarettes per day.
But most importantly, smoking in public places, especially crowded areas, should be completely banned. The ministry should impose rules on restaurant, club, pub or cafe owners to have secluded sections for smokers with the major part devoted to non-smokers. Because, let’s face it, banning smoking all over Lebanon will not happen any time soon. All we need is baby steps to ensure a healthier environment for generations to come.
Related posts from Lebanon:
Joke-smoke night – Amalgam: Maya Zankoul’s Blog
A smoking ban? Fine, but only with choice – Now Lebanon, February 26, 2010
Syria Begins Smoke Ban – Ya Libnan
Banning Smoking in public areas in Lebanon – The Lebanese Inner Circle
Banning Smoking in public areas in Lebanon – The Lebanese Inner Circle
AUB
Beirut
children
April 24, 2010
Syria bans smoking in public areas.
Smoking using a nargile is very popular in Arab culture Syria has become the first Arab state to implement a ban on smoking in public places, such as restaurants and cafes. The decr…
Syria has become the first Arab state to implement a ban on smoking in public places, such as restaurants and cafes. The decree also outlaws smoking in educational institutions, health centres, sports halls, cinemas and theatres and on public transport. Workers must not smoke during meetings and businesses need to provide well-ventilated areas for smokers. The restrictions include the nargile, or hubble-bubble pipe, which is popular among locals and tourists. The decree was signed last November by President Bashar al-Assad, a qualified medical doctor. According to the official news agency SANA, fines for violating the ban range from 500 to 100,000 Syrian pounds (US$11 to $2,169). Businesses hit The BBC's Lina Sinjab in Damascus says the ban has upset many in a country heavily addicted to nicotine. In one of the city's traditional cafes, Cafe Rawda, on the first day of the new rules, the inside area was deserted but the outdoor terrace was busy with customers smoking shisha pipes, she reports.
Cafe owner Ismat Kosoros said he feared the ban would take a heavy toll on business. "There are customers who have been coming here for forty years. And in hot summears, it is hard to have people sitting in courtyard, they need an air-conditioned area," he said. But there are members of the younger generation who welcome the decision as good for public health - even if they still smoke themselves - our correspondent reports. The Syrian government has passed several laws restricting smoking in the last two decades. A decree in 1996 banned tobacco advertising while a 2006 law outlawed smoking on public transport and in some public places, introducing fines for offenders. Under-18s are not allowed to buy tobacco. The World Health Organization is unable to provide details on tobacco consumption in Syria, but levels of smoking in public is high across the Arab world, especially among men. Last year Iraq's cabinet agreed a draft law outlining similar measures, causing uproar amongst smokers. [via] | ||
Arabic
health
Iraq