Subscribe to newsletter

Custom Search 1

You are here

Home

News

English

Syria raises transit fees, impasse of banana exports to ease

21-9-2018

After the reported progress in reopening of Nassib Crossing, (https://goo.gl/ce1PMg), the Lebanese minister of agriculture, Ghazi Zeiater, revealed to An Nahar that Lebanon conveyed to the Syrian side, during recent meetings, its wish to speed up the process, pointing out that the decision largely depends on the outcome of the Jordanian Syrian talks. As to the decision by the Syrian ministry of transportation to increase the transit fees for the empty and loaded Syrian, Arab and foreign trailers crossing the Syrian territory, Zeiater clarified that Lebanon has not yet been officially notified of the said decision. To note, the Syrian transportation ministry recently described the decision to raise the transit fees as “strategic and essential” as it will ensure sustained competition with neighboring sea ports and higher profitability and revenues. For his part, the head of the Beqaa Farmers Association, Ibrahim Tarshishi, considered that such decision would have no impact on Lebanon because the Syrian conflict has led to the closure of most of the border crossings preventing trucks coming from Lebanon to enter Syria or other Arab countries via Syrian territory. On the problem of banana exports to Syria, and the promises by Zeiater to resolve the problem, the minister disclosed that meetings will be held at end of September between all concerned parties to discuss the matter and agree mechanisms for resuming exports. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, September 20, 2018)

Previous related news:
Progress towards reopening of vital Nassib trade crossing
Minister Zeiater promises to restore banana exports to Syria

Share on

Strict compulsory restrictions on Saudi women in amusement parks

21-9-2018

Saudi Arabia is enforcing inane restrictions on women at amusement parks, Al Diyar reported Monday. The newspaper pointed out that in Jedda, and specifically within the Abha Shopping Festival, the Never Never Land enforced strict conditions on women, the usual penalties imposed on Saudi women and compulsory instructions that should be observed. Al Diyar added that it is strictly prohibited for the woman to lift the abaya and show the pants or scream during the rides, pointing to a sign which does not really resemble an amusement park. Nevertheless, this is the case according to documented experiences of Saudi women with the mounting restrictions operated by such theme parks. Al Diyar said, that irrespective of her educational level or age, Saudi women cannot function without a man, even in cases of requesting the issuance of official documents where women have to be escorted by a male, who happens to be their son sometimes. The newspaper also wrote that women are not allowed to travel without a male guardian or enter football stadiums on the grounds that this is forbidden by Islam (haram) for involving a mixing of genders. In conclusion, the newspaper maintained that the participation of Saudi women in the public sector and the state did not exceed 1.5%, insinuating that the Kingdom is not on the right track of reform, which poses a great threat to Saudi women. (Al Diyar, September 17, 2018)

Share on

Unemployment in Lebanon reaches alarming levels

21-9-2018

In its issue of September 19, Al Diyar newspaper highlighted the alarming rates of unemployment in Lebanon which have crossed the redline and have come to a dead end. The ambition of young people, the newspaper wrote, ends the moment they receive their university degree, where, after years of hard work and studying, they end up jobless and their college diplomas displayed as wallpapers. Al Diyar said the government is primarily responsible for unemployment in the absence of a ministry for planning, in addition to universities and higher education institutions that are unaware of labor market requirements and outcomes. The wasta (connections and nepotism) play a part in hiring, the newspaper said, pointing out that he/she who gets a wasta is employed. In figures, Al Diyar noted an increase in the rate of unemployment which stood roughly at 36%, meaning there are around 660,000 jobless persons in the country. It drew attention to a 40% rise in the rate of unemployment among youth aged between 21 and 27 years, while noting that 25,000 persons who graduate every year require 6-fold increase in the number of existing jobs. The high rate of unemployment is driving graduates to emigrate, the newspaper reported, citing surveys which showed that 43% of young immigrants are university graduates (18-35 years), including 37% who are graduates in engineering, technology and sciences, 30% in administration and services and 13% in medicine. (Al Diyar, September 19, 2018)

Share on

Lebanon in Gastrodiplomacy - Canada

19-9-2018

A delegation from the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night-clubs & Pastries in Lebanon participated in the Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference held on September 15 in Canada. Toni Rami, the president of the syndicate, underlined the importance of promoting Lebanon’s image locally and among the diaspora communities through Lebanese cuisine, as well as, sustaining the authenticity of Lebanese eateries in those communities. The delegation, which returned to Beirut yesterday, has visited the Municipality of Montreal and the Canadian-Lebanese Chamber of Commerce. Discussions focused on the exceptional quality and uniqueness of the Lebanese food and on buoying up the Lebanese culinary sector to open branches of Lebanese diners and brasseries in Canada, with the support of the private sector and diplomatic missions. Rami revealed that the ministries of foreign affairs, tourism and other concerned ministries and the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants have, two months ago, signed a memorandum of understanding to form a national committee devoted to campaign for gastrodiplomacy in the diaspora countries. (Al Diyar, September 19, 2018)

Share on

Lebanese views on early marriage of girls and boys

19-9-2018

The Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering (LWDG) launched yesterday the results of the national poll, ‘The attitude of Lebanese society towards the marriage of underage boys and girls’, implemented in partnership with UN Women and Save the Children. The study highlights the views of the Lebanese from the phenomenon of early marriage, its causes and effects, in addition to the potential role of the Lebanese State to end it through endorsing a law that sets the minimum legal age of marriage at 18 years. The coordinator of campaigns and communication at LWDG, Hayat Mershad, presented the findings of the survey which showed that 84% of respondents were against early marriage and that 80% considered it as a punishable crime. As for the ideal age for marriage, 97% of respondents believed that the ideal age for females is 18 years and above, while 64% supported enacting a legislation that clearly determines the age of marriage at 18 years. According to the survey, those who supported early marriage belonged to the age group above 56 years, of which 9% maintained the ideal age for girls is between 15 and 17 years and opposed the marriage of boys under 18 years. Mershad explained that the real reasons driving parents to concede marriage of their underage girls are economic, or related to traditions, fear of celibacy or to avoid unchastity. Mershad concluded that working to prevent the marriage of underage girls and boys should not be limited to ratification of legislations only, but should involve parents and raising awareness among them on the risks of early marriage, accompanied by efforts to reduce poverty and achieve economic empowerment for families. (An Nahar, L’Orient Le Jour, September 19, 2018)

Share on

Lebanon campaigns for equal pay for women and men

19-9-2018

The minister of state for women’s affairs in the caretaker government, Jean Ogassapian, launched yesterday the so-called national campaign for equal pay called upon by the minister’s office and the Business and Professional Women Lebanon association. The campaign aims to raise women’s awareness about their rights in equal pay for equal work and similar aptitudes and qualifications like their male peers, said the president of BPW Lebanon, Carmen Zgheib. The benefits of equal pay are not exclusive to women though, Zgheib added, noting that this will increase the productivity and competitiveness and create a positive work environment. Lebanon, she said, needs a campaign for equal pay to eliminate discrimination in this area, stressing that the responsibility to reduce the gender gap in salaries rests on the Lebanese State, trade unions and companies. The one-month campaign seeks to lift injustice against women, she maintained. Ogassapian, for his part, expressed his relief saying discrimination in salaries in the public sector does not exist, but is required in the private sector through the application of certain rules. (Al Akhbar, September 19, 2018)

Share on

Renewed efforts to rescue Bsharri apple harvest

18-9-2018

In a letter to Prime Minister Saad Hariri, MP Sitrida Geagea lamented the unmarketable apple produce in Bshareh and Jibbet Bshareh, North Lebanon, after being exposed to excessive humidity during the summer which caused tremendous damage to farmers and to the agricultural seasons. Geagea asked Hariri to instruct the Higher Relief Council to send a team of experts to inspect and assess damages in the orchards in preparation for compensating aggrieved farmers. To note, with the approach of the apple harvest season in August, apple growers in Ehden, Tanourin, Bshareh, Laqlouq, up to Mount Lebanon and some parts of the Beqaa, grumbled once again the non-existent markets to dispose their harvest, as well as, the insufficient aid allocated to them (c.f: https://bit.ly/2OASZDN). Meanwhile, the head of Shabash for sorting apples project in Beit Munzer, Bshareh caza, Tony Kayrouz, visited Geagea thanking her support for the plant. The latter, to mention, is now technically prepared to receive and sort the crops from local farmers and prepare them for export according to local, regional and international specifications. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, September 12, 15, 2018)

Share on

Progress towards reopening of vital Nassib trade crossing


An Nahar newspaper reported progress in negotiations between Jordan and Syria on reopening the Nassib border crossing between the two countries, pending final agreement on a number of technical measures. However, An Nahar quoted the Jordanian Government spokesperson, Jumana Ghuneimat, as saying that no specific date has been set for the resumption of its trade activities. Retired brigadier general, Mohamad Alawneh, for his part, stated that the reopening of borders might need more time to create the appropriate security situation needed for the movement of passengers and transport. According to Jordanian military experts, Jordan is looking forward to the reopening of this border crossing which constitutes the ‘northern lung of Jordan’ and is the major transit line connecting Jordan with several other countries. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the reopening of this vital trade crossing was also at the core of discussions between Lebanese and Syrian officials during the Damascus International Fair held recently in the Syrian capital (https://bit.ly/2xj8vO6). (An Nahar, September 18, 2018)

Share on

Femme Francophone Entrepreneure 2018

18-9-2018

The Francophone University Agency (AUF) concluded on Thursday the Femme Francophone Entrepreneure 2018 competition at the USJ Sports and Innovation Complex. The competition, to recall, was launched back in 2011 by AUF, Berytech, L’Orient Le Jour with funding from SGBL bank and is aimed at supporting women entrepreneurship. The candidacy for this year’s event opened on May 16 till June 20 and eligible projects were selected on June 22. Winning women entrepreneurs received training on how to develop work plans and they will share the prize of 20,000 euros. (Al Akhbar, September 18, 2018)

Share on

Increasing divorce rate in Lebanon

17-9-2018

Al Diyar today tackled the issue of divorce in Lebanon, pointing out that despite its soaring rates, it is not out of the ordinary. The phenomenon, Al Diyar explained, lies in the high percentage of young people seeking divorce shortly after marriage or even before, during the engagement period. On the subject, the newspaper spoke with family sociology researcher, Zuheir Hatab, who revealed that marriage contracts reached 1500 contracts as compared to 400 divorce cases every year. This, he said, is equivalent to %32, including 12% of divorces among couples who broke up after creating a family, and the remaining who broke up while they were still young and engaged or soon after they wed. Similarly, clinical psychologist, Dr. Abbas Makki, pointed out that separation during the engagement period indicates a more problematical issue if weighed against the reasons for divorce after marriage, which is the inability of the young couple to experience marital life under one roof. For his part, the Jaafari Court consultant, Sheikh Abdel Halim Charara, said the change in the social status of women due to education and work produces a rejection of certain arrangements in the marital relationship, including, giving the husband the authority or the right to abuse or batter his wife. The problem, Charara maintained, is not in the position reached by the woman herself, but in the inadequate relationship ordained by the institution of marriage. In conclusion, Charara stressed that this institution is currently shaken in preparation to reach an unwavering formula, noting that this phase is brought about by an ancient inequity and imbalance in bringing up women and pigeonholing them as second rate creatures. (Al Diyar, September 17, 2018)

Share on

Pages


Subscribe to RSS - News