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Wastes of hospitals pollute underground water, threaten citizens’ health

25-8-2017

The president of the Lebanese Farmers Association, Antoine Howayek, revealed yesterday that many of the crops and farmlands in Lebanon are irrigated by water contaminated with sewers and toxic and infectious discharges of hospitals. The crisis is not new but in fact has reached alarming levels, Howayek told An Nahar newspaper, cautioning against an imminent disaster. Irrigation water, and therefore all the vegetables and greens consumed by the Lebanese people are polluted. Howayek pointed out that water quality analysis conducted by the Association has shown that many hospitals, namely government-run hospitals, tend to dispose of their sanitary sewerage in rivers. The case of the Litani River and Al Jouz River in Batroun are good examples. There are 10 hospitals along Litani’s riverbank alone, he said, warning that the situation in Akkar and other regions is not better. The wastes of hospitals are more hazardous to health than the drainage of regular households, Howayek said. He demanded the government to treat this matter as a priority in order to lift the harmful risks of the Lebanese people who are infected with dozens of cancerous and gastrointestinal diseases. He appealed to the President of the Republic to make compulsory the treatment of the crisis if involved authorities failed to act. He also called on the health ministry to ban hospitals of dumping their wastewater discharge in the rivers and waterways, and to ask state-run and private hospitals to treat their sanitary waste before dumping. In this respect, Al-Nahar learned from sources close to the Ministry, that the latter will assign doctors of the districts to conduct the necessary analysis tests and make tours of inspection to hospitals and rivers to this effect. (Annahar 25 August 2017)

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‘Where is My Name’ campaign to restore Afghan women’s identity

25-8-2017

In its issue of today, An Nahar newspaper brought to light a social media campaign in Afghanistan, ‘where is my name’ calling for women’s identities to be respected and their names acknowledged. The women-led campaign aims to break deep-seated taboos that prevent men from openly mentioning the names of their female relatives. Women’s names on invitation cards or even on tombstones are regarded as inappropriate or even an insult in ultra-conservative communities in Afghanistan. An Nahar said the online campaign was launched earlier in July in the western Afghan city of Herat when a group of young women posted comments on Facebook and Twitter under the hashtag #whereismyname# and were followed soon by many women across the country. As a result, some men started to uncover the names of their wives and Afghan celebrities joined in support of the campaign, An Nahar reported. Last week, the movement held its first public event in the capital Kabul with the participation of a minister in the government, experts, scholars and dozens of women. On the subject, 26-year-old activist Tahmina Arian told AFP she decided to join because she wanted to see change. “We are tired of living in a medieval century while in reality it is the 21st century,” Arian said. Together, we have to break social taboos. We want our women to know that they have the basic right to be called by their own name and to have their independent identity,” Arian added. )An Nahar, August 25, 2017(

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IDAL to develop production outside the capital

25-8-2017

The chair of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) Nabil Itani disclosed to Al Mustaqbal a plan to promote ‘Invest in Regions’ program aimed at invigorating areas outside the capital and transforming them into productive communities. This, Itani said, is done through inspiring entrepreneurship and innovation in those regions, revealing that he will present the plan next week to deputy prime minister, Ghassan Hasbani. The work of the program, according to Itani, is based on the use and amassing of resources at hand in into one service (One Cluster One Zone) with the aim to facilitate access of international importers to made-in-Lebanon goods with specific standards. IDAL chief made clear that the program will be launched in cooperation with the civil society and the federations of municipalities, pointing out that funding will be secured from the local community and the Lebanese Diaspora. In Parallel, Itani noted, business incubators will be set up to explain how to prepare the product and methods of marketing in line with market demands and standard specifications. The significance of the program, Itani concluded, is that it encourages investment in productive industries, on the one hand, and eases the marketing of Lebanese goods, on the other. (Al Mustaqbal, August 25, 2017)

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Crisis of agricultural exports to Syria eases amidst a slight regression in foreign trade deficit

24-8-2017

In the framework of the agriculture ministry’s strategy to secure foreign outlets for the Lebanese agricultural products, and following minister Ghazi Zoueiter’s visit to Damascus last week and his talks with Syrian premier and involved ministers, the special Syrian-Lebanese committee held its regular meeting in Taanayel, Bekaa on Monday. The meeting, headed by Zoueiter in the presence of the secretary general of the Higher Syrian-Lebanese Council, Nasri Khoury, discussed the required mechanisms to activate the work of the joint agricultural technical committees, mainly the export of Lebanese vegetables and livestock to neighboring Syrian markets. On another front, the trade deficit fell by USD 64 million annually, to stand nearly at USD 7.94 billion by the end of the first half of 2017, down from USD 8.1 billion in the same period of last year, according to Customs Higher Council figures. The decline in deficit, Customs sources said, is due to an increase in the export bill by USD 48 million on a year-to-year basis to roughly USD 1.44 billion, accompanied by shrinking imports (by USD 16 million) to below USD 9.38 billion. To note, China came first on the list of exporting countries to Lebanon, with an export bill of USD 915 million (representing 9.76% of Lebanon’s import bill). South Africa topped the list of importing countries, with an import bill of USD 184 million (equivalent to 12.82% of total Lebanese exports). (Al Diyar, An Nahar, August 23, 2017)

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Burj Hamoud proudly preserves the identity its Armenian people

24-8-2017

In its issue on August 12, L’Orient Le Jour brought to light the architectural and cultural legacy of the Burj Hamoud suburb with its old commercial neighborhoods that proudly uphold the identity and history of its predominantly Armenian community. The newspaper mentioned the marketplaces in Burj Hamoud are considered one of the most popular in East Beirut, notably, Arax Street which hosts the majority of shops and bazaars. Haret Sader is another famous street, as well as Armenia street renowned as the hub of jewelry and goldsmith stores. In the alleyways, L’Orient Le Jour wrote, small workshops line up, including artisan shops that have been passed on over generations. What distinguishes these streets, the newspaper went on to say, is the blend of shops where you can find small and medium craft or industrial workshops next to fashionable commercial stores, restaurants and houses. L’Orient Le Jour drew attention to the unique and distinctive architecture of the shops and homes dating from 1930, 1940 and 1970. (L’Orient Le Jour, August 12, 2017 )

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Impact of Syrian refugees on agriculture in Lebanon

24-8-2017

In cooperation with the ministry of agriculture and the Regional Centre on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development for the Near East (CARDNE), the Agriculture Engineers Section at the Order of Engineers in Beirut organized yesterday a workshop entitled, ‘exchanging experiences on the impact of Syrian refugees on the agricultural sector and rural communities in host countries’. The event was held in the presence of minister Ghazi Zouaiter represented by engineer Louis Lahoud, the president of the Lebanese Engineers Union Jad Tabet and concerned dignitaries. On the occasion, Tabet pointed out that the agriculture sector crisis in the country has exacerbated with the influx of displaced Syrians since 2011 and their concentration in rural areas that suffer from marginalization and deprivation for combined factors. This, Tabet explained, has placed additional pressure on residents of these areas, in terms of daily subsistence and livelihood and job competition. He disclosed that the Union is preparing a conference on restructuring the comprehensive land use plan in Lebanon in the wake of the refugee crisis and the impact of displacement on the local economic and productive sectors. Lahoud, for his part, considered the crisis a humanitarian issue provided that it does not affect the nation negatively. The Union and the Order, he said, will issue joint recommendations to be submitted to the agriculture minister and the Cabinet. In conclusion, Lahoud stressed that the working group at the ministry will develop a work plan to be announced at the Agriculture Engineer National Day, including the creation of markets for local products through improving specifications and reducing costs. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, August 24, 2017)

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Tunisian president’s call for gender equality questioned

23-8-2017

Reactions and retorts continue to the recent Tunisian President, Essebsi’s call for gender equality in inheritance and his sanctioning marriage between a non-Muslim man and a Muslim woman. On the subject, Al Hayat newspaper on Monday wrote that the call came in response to a petition signed by an alliance of 60 civil and human rights groups last March requesting the revoke of the 1973 decree prohibiting interfaith marriage. Said decree, the petition said, violates a fundamental right of any human being to choose his/her  partner, and is contrary to the provisions of the New Constitution that guarantees freedom of conscience and equality between Tunisian citizens. Speaking to Al Hayat on the feasibility and implications of such procedure, journalist Amal Hutheili explained that the Tunisian President did not invent anything, as Tunisian women enjoy the right to marry non-Muslim. The old law can be easily overridden when a non-Muslim husband enters Islam by pronouncing the Shahada only as a formality to conclude the marriage contract. And since the old law was unconstitutional, its repeal could be enacted automatically, Hutheili said, noting however, that Essebsi’s preemptive action was politically manipulated to show his party’s support to human rights and to women’s rights in particular as women represent nearly half the number of voters. Again, on Al Azhar deputy’s criticism of the Essebsi’s call for equality in inheritance, activists responded via a hashtag on social media under # yal al azhar khalik fil askar# ( Al Azhar keep to the military) demanding it to limit its activity to Egypt and not meddle with Tunisian internal affairs. )Al Hayat, August 21, 2017(

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International projects supporting Lebanese olive oil

23-8-2017

L’Orient Le Jour said that despite the multiple projects sustaining the olive oil sector in the country, local producers still face challenges in competing in international markets. The newspaper cited a one million euro agreement signed earlier this month with the Italian government to enhance the quality of olive oil through improving production techniques and as a result increase prospects of export. The newspaper also mentioned the USD 2 million Lebanon Industry Value Chain Development (LIVCD) project since 2013 funded by USAID. The project focused mainly on the rehabilitation of electronic presses and the distribution of olive harvest machines to some 55 agricultural cooperatives which helped in curtailing the cost of production. However, only 3,000 out of 100 thousand farmers benefited from the project, according to L’Orient Le Jour. Other projects included, a UNDP program kicked off last year through which 55 thousand olive harvesting equipment were distributed; a project in the making by Mercy Corps Lebanon to support olive farmers; a program launched last year by ACTED with a USD 700 thousand backing from EU to help olive oil and honey producing coops and, a French Development Agency (AFD) funded Daman 2 project from 2016-2018. For reference, Lebanon exports around 18% of its olive oil to the United States that boasts a large Lebanese expat community, and to the GCC states, with exports reaching 10 thousand tons in 2016 (at USD 30 million). (L’Orient Le Jour, August 21, 2017)

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French promises to facilitate Lebanese exports to Europe

23-8-2017

The minister of industry, Hussein Haj Hassan, briefed yesterday French Senator Jean-Marie Bockel on the difficult economic situation in the country seeking his mediation in facilitating the export of made-in-Lebanon goods to Europe and France. After the meeting, Haj Hassan disclosed that the support of Lebanese exports was at the heart of discussions held last month at the European Commission in Brussels. To recall, the industry ministry has warned recently against trade imbalances with many countries, particularly with Europe. Bockel stressed in turn the need to sustain dialogue between Lebanon, Europe and France to the effect of activating trade exchange and easing access of Lebanese exports to the Old Continent. It should be noted, that Bockel’s visit to Beirut comes before President Michel Aoun’s projected visit to France and his talks with French President Macron and other French officials. (Al Diyar, August 23, 2017)

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Egyptian trademarks empower women artisans

22-8-2017

The art/culture columnist, Pamela Kesrouani, in Sunday’s issue of Al Mustaqbal newspaper said Egyptian trademarks have been in the pursuit of rural women in marginalized areas and who are skilled in handicrafts, like sewing, embroidery and crochet, to more refined jewelry making projects. The purpose is to bring to light the rich history of the North African state in the distinctive creations of craftswomen, and at the same time, empower them financially to support their families and encourage them to pass on their talents to future generations. For more insight on the subject, Kesrouani spoke to the administrative director of Fair Trade Egypt, Mona Sayyid, who praised her organization’s pioneering efforts in backing women artisans. Since 1998, we have been on the lookout for artisans to offer them the necessary training, as well as, the development of their products through proper follow-up, and provision of new designs which allow them to compete in the local and international markets, Sayyid boasted. Many involved associations are doing the same now and this is seen as a positive step towards easing the country’s economic crisis, she said. The initiative contributes to raising awareness on the quality of handmade artifacts, as well as, promotes the value of women’s work through empowerment of female craftworkers to access the labor market. For her part, Egyptian designer, Noura Mossallem, stressed that in order to create innovative collections of accessories, handbags, cushions and other inspirational pieces, she buys fabrics from the Upper Egypt province of Saeed. She also organizes specialized workshops for 15 women in the town of Bulaq, where beneficiaries employ their talents and skills to fashion handbags, soft furniture and personal accessories. Similarly, Jocelyne Khawly founder of Jozee Boutique said she relies on Bedouin women for ethnical embroidery to embellish her collection of leather bags, clothes and accessories. (Al Hayat, August 20, 2017)

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