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English

Efforts to grant entry to Jordan of Lebanese potato fail

3-11-2017

An Nahar revealed today that negotiations with Jordan to grant entry to the Lebanese potatoes have failed especially following Premier Saad Hariri call to his Jordanian counterpart on October 24 and his promise to solve the problem. The Lebanese minister of agriculture, Ghazi Z3ayater, was assigned to follow up on the subject and provide the necessary lab tests to reassure the Jordanian side of the safety of the imported crops. To note, the Lebanese trucks loaded with potato have been stranded in the Port of Aqaba since October 15 and have been waiting to enter Jordan. (c.f: http://bit.ly/2zhB6Fp) A delegation of potato farmers has visited the minister on October 31st. The latter promised them to resolve the impasse and secure new outlets for made-in-Lebanon goods. Similarly, the Democratic Gathering MP Wa2el Abu Fa3oor visited Z3ayter yesterday to discuss the crisis of agriculture and both sides agreed to put an end to smuggling and penalize smugglers and confiscate the smuggled goods that are blatantly competing domestic production. Zeiater and Abu F3aoor contacted the director general of the Lebanese Customs, Badri Daher, to this effect. (AN Nahar, Al Diyar, November 1 and 3, 2017)

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18 year hard labor for murderer of Manal Assi

3-11-2017

The Criminal Court of Cassation under Judge Suheir Harakeh sentenced yesterday the husband and killer of Manal Assi to a mitigated 18-year imprisonment with hard labor, according to Article 549 of the Penal Code. The final verdict comes three years after the death in 2014 of Manal Assi. To recall, Harakeh has repudiated the ruling of Beirut Criminal Court to mitigate the death penalty to a 5-year prison sentence. The ruling, which is unprecedented after the widespread phenomenon of domestic violence that left many women dead, was based on the report of the forensic pathologist which clearly determined that the victim has been brutally beaten and tortured from head to toe leading to her death. The lawyer at Kafa organization, Leila Awada, lauded the ruling, hoping it will send a message to the courts dealing with similar cases, especially that the criminal court of cassation is a supreme court and its jurisdiction is expended, which helps tighten penalties in trials. Awada hoped this ruling would introduce a new approach on how to deal with similar cases while rejecting any excuses of mitigation. She demanded a shorter period before the pronouncement of the sentence because, as she put it, deterrence calls for harsh, swift and fair punishment. (Al Mustaqbal, November 3, 2017)
 
Previous related news:
Trial postponed of husband killer of wife Manal Assi
Testimonies in the trial of killer of wife Manal Assi
Judiciary delays ruling in murder cases of Manal Assi and Ella Tannus child
Public Prosecutor appeals decision of mitigated sentence to killer of wife Manal Assi

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A hidden war between Tripoli and Tartus ports

2-11-2017

Lately, there has been a lot of talk on participation of reconstruction in post-war Syria, the anticipated role of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and an urgency to expand the Port of Tripoli. In this respect, Al Akhbar drew attention to a secret war between Tripoli and Tartus ports. The latter is preparing for a new investment phase unparalleled in size and shape and is upgrading its logistics to become a regional base for the reconstruction process. Al Akhbar mentioned that the Syrian Chamber of Maritime Shipping has repeatedly warned that Syrian ports are under fierce competition from ports in neighboring countries who have devised strategies to increase their revenues and make huge profits betting all their chips on the reconstruction period. The above Maritime Chamber clarified that the Port of Tripoli administrators rely on an estimated study setting the trade traffic between 40-50 million tons of goods shipped via sea annually, which exceeds the current capacity of the Syrian ports and Beirut Port, leaving out 20-30 million tons to be accommodated at supplementary harbors. To this effect, the Maritime Chamber asked the Syrian government to act quickly, logistically or legislatively, and proposed the following: first, restriction of the import activity to Syrian ports in order to “increase production and support the national facilities, and, second, the issuance of a comprehensive customs bill that is flexible and compatible with international maritime laws and regulations.” On the other hand, former minister Abdel Rahim Mrad, revealed that some prominent Lebanese figures are in Germany setting up companies to clandestinely get going in future investments in the war-torn country, pointing to nearly USD 200 billion as a start for reconstruction. This means, Mrad said, that everyone is readying themselves for business (the Lebanese more than the Syrians). (Al Akhbar, Al Mustaqbal, October 25, 2017)

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Empowering Syrian women to face the tragedy of war

2-11-2017

In a special feature today, Al Akhbar touched on the conditions of Syrian women affected by war, including those freed from kidnapping, refugees and wives of martyrs. The newspaper wrote that adequate economic empowerment is what those women need to confront present-day difficulties, pointing to special programs carried out by Assawari civil society organization in Lattakia, founded in 2016, which, besides targeting children affected by the conflict, assists women as well. Currently, Al Akhbar mentioned, Assawari is implementing a 2-day workshop for mothers of children to help them develop economic feasibility studies for micro-projects. One participant, Rawda Zarif Yassin, whose husband was killed in the war and she was detained with her family and her property confiscated, said she felt inept as she knows nothing of the present prices. Sahar Mikdid, for her part, proposed a project involving the preparation of pickles and offered her house as the venue. Mirvat Sheikh, wife of a martyr army officer, mother of two and a state employee herself, stressed that working with Assawari strengthens her self-confidence and that listening to other women’s problems expands her experience and insight. On the multiple activities by Assawari, the association’s head Afnan Belal noted that children interact more easily and rapidly compared to their mums, due to cultural and educational disparities. Belal disclosed that the association will sponsor all the feasible projects, and will provide psychological, health and educational support to some 60 kids, in addition to socio-economic empowerment courses for 40 mothers. (Al Akhbar, November 2, 2017)

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Digital campaign by Kafa to counter Article 522

1-11-2017

In collaboration with the ministry of state for women and NCLW, Kafa, Enough Violence and Exploitation organization, is launching a new digital campaign to eliminate the effects of Article 522 of the Penal Code exonerating a rapist should he marry his victim. Despite the repeal on August 16 of the above article, its effects remain under Article 505 related to sex with a minor (who completed her 15 years) pardoning the assailant should he decide to marry his survivor. Another article is Article 518 related to forced sex by means of deception to marry the victim. In its campaign, Kafa seeks to abolish the effects of Article 522 which substantiates the marriage of minors, and to protect underage girls and children against violence. In this respect, MP Nabil Nicola of the Free Patriotic Movement disclosed on Monday that, at the request of the Woman and Child Committee and NCLW, he submitted a draft bill to amend Articles 505 and 519 and to scrap Article 518 of the Penal Code. To note, Article 519 decrees prison of up to 6 months for the perpetrator of an indecent act with underage male or female who completed 15 years and did not turn 18 and at least one-year imprisonment for lewd acts with a minor under 15 years. (L’Orient Le Jour, Novembe 1, 2017)

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Lebanese women startup shortlisted for Dubai Future Accelerators

1-11-2017

Synkers was the only Lebanese startup to be selected by Dubai Future Accelerators (DFA) to take part in an international program gathering leading technology companies and government organizations to forge transformational solutions. Founded by 3 Lebanese women, Zeina Sultani, Sybell and Audrey Nakad, Synkers was chosen among 45 companies shortlisted from more than 1000 applicants. Synkers made a significant shift in learning and education life and will be part of a promising experience to collaborate with the government of Dubai, particularly for its peer-to-peer private tutoring application. The latter connects students seeking help in specific subjects with highly qualified private instructors through a quick and efficient online booking process. On the initiative, Synkers co-founder, Zeina Sultani, said: “Our aim is to enhance students’ academic performance and orient them towards a brighter future.” Through the application, Sultani explained, “we employ innovative technologies to create jobs for outstanding university students, and help bringing the future to the present.” It is estimated that by the year 2020, there will be around 1.5 million new digital jobs in the world, Sultani disclosed. (Al Mustaqbal, November 1, 2017)

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Lebanese Wine Day in America between November 16 and 20

1-11-2017

Lebanese foreign minister Jibran Bassil announced in a press conference yesterday the participation of 26 local companies in the forthcoming ‘Lebanese Wine Day 2017’ to take place on November 16 and 20 in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California. The event, to note, is organized by the ministry of agriculture in partnership with the American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (AmCham). Bassil said Lebanon is able to increase its production of wine from 9 million to 100 million bottles every year, generating an extra USD 1 billion to the national economy, creating additional jobs and fostering tourism. Bassil disclosed that Lebanon has improved its export of wine in the past 4 years by 15%, noting that the sector needs a boost from the government in many areas. Similarly, the director general of agriculture, Louis Lahoud, said the launch of the Lebanese Wine day in the two US cities comes as part of the ministry’s plan to develop the sector which was kicked off 5 years ago with the support of the private sector. AmCham president, Salim Zeenni, said the event showcases one aspect of the Lebanese successes worldwide. For his part, the president of the Union Vinicole du Liban, Zafer Chawi, said this activity contributes to strengthening the role of Lebanon as a distinguished producer of wine, pointing out that the Lebanese wine today boasts high quality and promotes Lebanon’s name in more than 30 world states. To recall, the ‘Lebanese Wine Day’ was held for the first time in 2003 in Paris, followed by Berlin in 2014 and NYC in 2016. (An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, November 2, 2017)

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Olive oil from tree to table

31-10-2017

In a special feature, An Nahar described the arduous olive picking season in the country from the tree to the consumer’s table, with special focus on the Modern Olive Oil Mill and Press of Bint Jbeil. The latter receives tens of olive growers every day with a daily output of thousands of kilograms of olives (nearly 20 tons equivalent to 250 olive oil containers). The season, An Nahar wrote, begins with the picking ritual where families race to the groves to collect the harvest and rush it to the mill. There, the olives are sorted from leaves and twigs, washed and dropped into the press to be pummeled and the mush filtered to separate the oil from the dregs and the end product is pristine olive oil. An Nahar also mentioned that during the extraction process, the olive pits or residues are collected to be used as fuel for heating. It is believed, An Nahar said, that olive trees only bear a full crop every other year, but this is not realistic. The factors involved are multiple, most importantly are, the inadequate care for the olive tree and the lack of agricultural extension and recommended fertilizers, the newspaper pointed out. It also cited criticism by olive growers of certain agricultural associations that allege to assist farmers but which in fact do nothing to help. (An Nahar, October 31, 2017)

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Awareness on women’s heart at Bank of Beirut

31-10-2017

For the second consecutive year, Bank of Beirut, in cooperation with Women Heart Health Center Yaduna Foundation, organized on Thursday an awareness meeting for a group of its women clients and media partners. Earlier in October of last year, a seminar was successfully held for the Bank’s women staff and has reaped positive results. This year’s event aimed at raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases known to be the leading cause of death worldwide, and the importance of early detection, treatment and prevention. On the occasion, the Bank of Beirut representative, Carole Khoury, underlined the social responsibility of the Bank and the heart-to-heart connection it boasts with its clientele. The seminar included as well, interventions by Yaduna experts who emphasized the crucial role of preventive tests by women starting at the age of 45 years. Physicians and dieticians also explained the risk factors and preventive measures a woman can follow to maintain a healthy heart and arteries, in addition to the services provided by Yaduna in this direction. (Al Diyar, October 31, 2017)

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Shield of excellence to Tania Msallam for her role in banking

31-10-2017

As part of its continuous women economic empowerment programmes, notably the 5-year old WE Initiative, the BLC bank was invited to participate in the Arab Women Council forum (from October 16-18) in Cairo on the role of women leadership in economic growth and sustainable development. The Forum witnessed the honoring of the BLC Bank’s Assistant General Manager, Tania Msallam, who was awarded the golden shield of excellence for her pioneering role in the banking sector. On the occasion, Msallam noted that the “empowerment of women morally is not enough, as they should be imparted the proper tools and means that enable them to forge a significant change at the national and regional levels.” Msallam stressed that the BLC bank’s initiative is a proof that struggling for gender equality at the workplace is an opportunity the private sector can seize to make the progress needed in this area. For his part, the general manager of BLC, Nadim Kassar, said what started as a small idea is now a topic for studies by the Global Banking Alliance for Women (GBA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Oxford Business School. BLC has reaped many awards on the above initiative. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Akhbar, October 31, 2017)

Previous related news:
BLC promotes in NY its women empowerment initiative
 

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