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Electoral bickering over women religious educators in the North

11-4-2018

After Al Diyar raised the issue of women religious educators in the North (https://bit.ly/2qp0L99), and they became the focus of a large segment of Tripoli’s community, former prime minister Najib Mikati asked to meet the teachers to discuss their demand for an hourly raise among other social claims. Mikati expressed his regret for not finding solutions in the near future, stressing that he will continue to follow-up this issue personally. The former PM also promised to take this matter to the Legislative to request equal treatment with other public school teachers. Following Mikati’s intervention, the electoral machine of the Future Movement in the northern city contacted the religious educators to set a date for their meeting with premier Saad Hariri, to which some agreed and others opposed. Those who rejected the initiative did not want their case to be manipulated in the elections auction, particularly that it has been there for a long time and the current PM never mediated to resolve it. Those who agreed justified the visit as important because Hariri is currently the prime minister and has the executive power to correct the situation. Should he be honest, the solution will see light in a week and will not drag on until after casting the ballots. On the other hand, and following in the footsteps of their Tripoli colleagues, 176 religious educators in Akkar, with their families and relatives, decided not to vote in the parliamentary elections, warning they will stage sit-ins in front of the polling stations on May 6. (Al Diyar, April 1, 3, 4, 2018)

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Traditional street food festival in Old Saida

11-4-2018

The Tourism and Heritage Committee of the Municipality of Saida and the South Commission at the Muslim Scouts organized on Sunday the first-ever traditional and street food festival at the Old City’s Bab al Serail square. The festival which saw the participation of several community organizations and tourism and heritage associations showcased a collection from popular dishes and traditional desserts, with a generous 10-metre-long table that served the famous confection, Raha Halkum. The festival also organized tours of the neighborhoods and old city landmarks to explore the origin of Saida’s cuisine. On the occasion, Kamel Kozbor, head of the tourism and heritage committee, representing mayor Mohamad Saoud, said the initiative honors the city as a beacon of tourism and heritage in the country, thanks to the efforts of the municipality and the Saida community. For his part, the media committee coordinator, Ghassan Hankeer, said the event brings together all the Sidonians, residents of the suburbs and festival goers to celebrate old food and revive the splendor the city. (Al Mustaqbal, April 11, 2018)

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BIFEX 2018 on retail in Lebanon

11-4-2018

The Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA) is organizing BIFEX 2018 on April 18 at BIEL Beirut under the patronage of prime minister Saad Hariri. According to Al Mustaqbal newspaper, this year’s forum held under the slogan ‘Retail in Lebanon: Sustainability and Growth’, will include specialized panel discussions with Lebanese and international experts from UK, Germany, Sweden and the US. The panels will reportedly focus on competitive chaos and its impact on the sustainability of companies, maintaining trademark and brand standards, the consumer and new consumption patterns, future growth patterns, cooperation to secure transition from ideas to strategies in companies and the importance of innovation in economic growth. The event also includes a round table on the ‘successful development strategies’ and a workshop on ‘sustainable innovation’. (Al Mustaqbal, April 11, 2018)

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Three new industrial cities to create 20,000 jobs

10-4-2018

The minister of industry, Hussein Haj Hassan, disclosed on Friday the Cabinet’s approval to establish three industrial cities in Baalbek, Torbol and Jalilieh-Deir Mkhalles that will reportedly create over 20 thousand jobs. Haj Hassan said the project, which accommodates 200 small and medium size plants, is one of the most important schemes to contribute to resolving the unemployment dilemma. It will prepare the grounds for a new phase in local industry geared toward reducing the costs of production and investment. In conclusion, Haj Hassan said the industrial cities present an opportunity to make investments in integrated administrative areas in industry, including infrastructure, roads and sewerage, while providing multiple and complementary services. (Al Diyar, April 6, 2018)

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Shopping and tourism festival back to Baalbaq this July

10-4-2018

The president of the Syndicate of Owners of Commercial Establishments in Beqaa, Mohamad Hassan Kanaan, launched yesterday the program of the 20th shopping and tourism festival due to begin early July after a three-year suspension due to the security situation. The launch took place at Kanaan Hotel, Baalbek under the patronage of industry minister Hussein Haj Hassan. This year’s event, Kanaan pointed out, will be marked by a new activity, which is an industrial exhibition that brings together industrialists and professionals, and will effectively publicize the works and localities of the participating artisans and owners of institutions in the area. Kanaan also drew attention to the annual agricultural fair which will have sophisticated grain sieving machines on display, and which is key in marketing farmers’ production and putting an end to foreign competition. Baalbaq mayor lauded the annual festival which he said contributes to stimulating the economic cycle in the region. For his part, Haj Hassan, warned of the severity of the economic crisis in the country caused by a lack of a national vision of economy by the State, which he accused of marginalizing and jeopardizing agriculture and industry, and which is further exacerbated by the Syrian conflict, leading to a decline in exports by USD 2 billion annually. (Al Akhbar, April 10, 2018)

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HSBC has worst gender pay gap in Britain

10-4-2018

The largest bank in Europe, HSBC, has topped the list of large British companies witnessing a large difference in salaries between male and female staff. The bank pays men 59% more than women, posting the biggest pay gap among companies with more than 5 thousand employees in the UK, according to an analysis on pay figures conducted by Reuters covering 491 of the leading firms, government departments, charities and local authorities, which employ more than 5,000 people. Virgin Atlantic came second, with men receiving 58% more, followed by a unit of Barclays (48%). To recall, the British prime minister, Theresa May, has since she got power introduced long-planned reforms forcing companies with 250 employees or more to publish details of the pay difference between male and female staff by last Wednesday evening and report back annually on the issue. According to Reuters analysis, men’s salaries are higher in over 97% of organizations, with women receiving higher pay in only 3% of these organizations. (Al Hayat, April 6, 2018)

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Good potato harvest in Akkar

10-4-2018

Potato growers in Akkar started their harvest of the season which they described as abundant and specially-rewarding in quantity and quality, notwithstanding the unusual weather conditions, Al Mustaqbal reported. Despite their concerns about the dumping of imported crop on the local markets, farmers told the newspaper that the conditions improved from last year. This, they maintained, was a direct result of Premier Saad Hariri’s intervention and contacts to reduce importation of the Egyptian potato and secure the Arab Gulf markets for the surplus export, as he confirmed two weeks ago to a delegation of the agricultural coop. The farmers also told Al Mustaqbal that this year’s prices are better compared to the past year yet still below expectations, especially for those who are full-time farmers. One kg is being sold at LL 600, varying slightly up or down according to the quality of the crops, against last year’s price of LL 200. (Al Mustaqbal, April 6, 2018)

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Similar to electricity and water citizens pay two schooling bills

5-4-2018

In its issue of today, AL Akhbar newspaper said that the Lebanese citizens are paying two school bills, referring to so-termed ‘reinforcement institutes’ that present themselves as an informal alternative to the public and private high schools and faculty members. While students and their parents seem to find refuge in such establishments for they spare them the official exams “mess”, school teachers describe them as “messer-uppers’ of the educational system and the educational objectives, Al Akhbar wrote. For more on the subject, the newspaper cited education ministry sources as confirming that the majority of these institutes are unlicensed, unsystematic and unmonitored. Besides, they don’t report the names of their enrolled students to the ministry of education neither they provide it with the yearly budget figures. Al Akhbar spoke to an officer at one of the reinforcement learning centers who maintained that the student comes willingly because he wants to receive information in a simplified style. She drew attention to the growing interest among students reflected in their increasing number by year (from 270 to 500 students in one year). On the fees, the officer explained that the student gets 15 hours of education per month for USD 100 (equivalent to LL5,000 per hour), while some private tutors are paid USD 50 per hour. (For the full article, kindly visit the link below: https://bit.ly/2uQ6PNe). (Al Akhbar, April 5, 2018)

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Campaign to promote the Lebanese industry

5-4-2018

The ministry of industry, jointly with the Lebanese Industrialists Association (LIA), launched yesterday a media-advertising campaign entitled, ‘Industry is a national issue and a winning bet’. The campaign aims to highlight and remind the public of the pivotal role of industry in the resurgence of national economy and in stimulating growth and production. On the occasion, LIA president, Fadi Gemayel, disclosed that over 24 industrial sectors have already requested that the ministry takes preventive and protective measures against market dumping. He further stressed the need to enforce protective fees on Lebanese goods similar to all other countries and to raise the competitiveness of the Lebanese industry, locally and abroad. Gemayel appealed to all concerned officials, parties and parliamentary candidates to direct attention to this key sector and translate this into actions, hoping the government will ratify, in its last session before the elections, the bills that promote industry, notably energy-intensive industries, addressing the costs of exports and market dumping files. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, Al Diyar, April 5, 2018)

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AUB commemorates Mona Shemali Khalaf

5-4-2018

The American University in Beirut (AUB) commemorated yesterday the anniversary of late Mona Shemali Khalaf, former head of the President’s Club and one of the women leaders in the university and Lebanon. The ceremony which took place at the Bathish Auditorium, included an exhibition and the launch of a book produced by the Club entitled, ‘Stories of Women at AUB’ featuring the stories of women graduates from AUB who made an impact on the world. On the occasion, the current head of the President’s Club, Eugenie Saad Hosri, mentioned some of the projects Khalaf worked on, including this show. For his part, AUB president, Dr. Fadlo Khury, highlighted Khalaf’s personal qualities and professional accomplishments, including the book she started and was completed after her death. Also, former first lady, Mona Hrawi, spoke about the career life of Khalaf, saying, “She was a democratic and patriotic woman who committed herself to educating the young generations and fought for human rights and promoting culture. (Al Mustaqbal, April 5, 2018)

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