News

Director of Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute (NKBCI) at the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine, Professor Naji Sagheer, referred to some 1,700 new cases of breast cancer this year in Lebanon, according to official statistics. Sagheer was speaking during a seminar organized by the Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation and AUB in the southern town of Kfar Jowz, Nabatiyeh area. During the seminar which was attended by over 250 women from surrounding villages, Sagheer emphasised the importance of awareness and early cancer detection tests primarily by breast self-exam, while disclosing that almost half the cases noted in the survey were patients of the age group 20 to 50. In his presentation, he explained what breast cancer is and how women are affected. He cautioning against the negative effects of taking birth control pills for long periods of time, such as 15 years, or taking hormones to treat menopause symptoms. Finally, Sagheer revealed that prospects for healing are very high and approaches 90% of cases as indicated by a recent study published by the American University of Beirut. (Al Diyar, 25 May 2015)

For millions of young people in the Middle East and North Africa, jobs remain out of reach and unemployment has only worsened in the post-“Arab Spring” turmoil. Regional youth unemployment stands now at 29.5%, one of the world’s highest rates, and represent an increase by 2% in more than one decade according to the International Labor Organization. Starting next Thursday, hundreds of political and business leaders from 58 countries came together for the regional conference of the World Economic Forum where Mideast youth unemployment will be on the top of the agenda. This problem has been the focus of debates regional decision makers for years, but has taken on greater urgency with the growing appeal of Islamist militants and radicalized ideas among desperate young people. Widespread joblessness creates fertile ground for recruitment by extremists, said Samir Murad, a former Jordanian labor minister. There is a high risk that if the unemployed “do not find a decent living, they will look for the alternatives, and the alternative is the so-called Islamic State,” he said. (Daily Star, 22 May 2015)

With the close of the activities of the Arab Media Forum, which was held over two consecutive days, May 13-14 in Dubai, UAE, Lebanese woman journalist Natalie Iklimus from Al Jumhouriya newspaper, won the Arab Journalism Award for the ‘Young Journalist’ category. Iklimus received the award along with two other colleagues, Rana Al Sharafi from Falastine newspaper (Palestine) and Mariam Bouzachan from Al Akhbar newspaper (Morocco). The Arab Journalism Awards rewards young outstanding talents who distinguished themselves by the choice of their subjects, are serious and profound in their research, and attempt to identify solutions for problems in focus. Natalie disclosed to L’Orient Le Jour newspaper that she has chosen journalism because it is an active and dynamic career that keeps her motivated all the time and she strives for excellence in her field. The Arab Journalism Award has been presented to 15 media personalities from the various daily and weekly newspapers and periodicals printed as well electronic media organizations, from Arab and foreign countries. On the same note, the Lebanese Press Club is today planning an honoring ceremony for Iklimus. (L’Orient Le Jour, 22 May 2015)

Snail farming is a 44-year old global industry unlike in Lebanon where it emerged only two years ago but yet proved to be a promising sector. According to As Safir daily, world studies have shown that the available size of production does not exceed 20% of the global demand. As Safir pointed out that Lebanon is considered a favorable environment for snail farming because of suitable weather and the existence of vast land areas in the South, Beqaa and Akkar. For this purpose, the ‘Lebanese Treasures Land’ (Kounouz al Arad al Lubnaniya) was founded with the support of farmers associations and with funding from the Lebanese Trust for Consultancy and Investment. The newly introduced business recently signed an agreement with the International Snail Farming Institute in Italy according to which the Italian party commits to purchase the entire Lebanese production as long as it meets international standards. In this respect, LTL General Manager Nawfal Daou informed As Safir that the first shipment of high quality Lebanese snail estimated at 9 tons were exported to Italy few weeks ago, adding that this places Lebanon at an international standing among snail exporting countries. Daou stressed that the expansion of this alternative farming is feasible, since in 2014 current global production stood at 480 thousand tons. He said there are currently some 20 snail breeders in Lebanon and production is expected to reach 300 tons in 2016. Snails, he underscored, are the only do not easily get sick and have an immune defense system against viruses. In a similar note, Tony Saadeh, General Manager of the Lebanese Trust for Consultancy and Investment told As Safir that each 10 meters of land produces some USD 60 to 65 thousand worth of snails while the cost of equipping and supplying the farm is USD 50 thousand every year, adding that the price of one ton of snails is currently estimated at USD 5,500 which makes the sector indeed a very profitable industry. (As Safir, 22 May 2015)

The Modern University of Business and Sciences MUBS organized yesterday May 22, its annual job fair for the year 2015 under the patronage of Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi and the participation of the National Employment Agency in addition to numerous companies. The event was held at the University’s Beirut campus in Hamra between 10 am to 5 pm. Opening the fair, Azzi said that unemployment in Lebanon has climbed to 25%, 35% of which is among the youth, particularly fresh university and college graduates. In explaining the causes, Azzi pointed out to the lack of skills among graduates, who according to the data of his ministry, do not manage to retain their jobs. However, he die acknowledge that a great number of men and women business owners in Lebanon do not offer the adequate wage or salary and prefer to resort to cheap foreign labor. Surprisingly, he concluded by saying that young people in Lebanon should first work to change the political establishment in their quest for decent work. (Al Diyar, 22 May 2015)

Industry Minister Dr. Hussein Haj Hassan chaired yesterday a meeting to resume debate on the projected sea route for exports destined to Jordan and Gulf countries as an alternative for Nassib Syrian-Jordanian Crossing. Present at the meeting were former minister Fadi Aboud, Director General of Land and Maritime Transport Hafiz Qaysi, Chairperson and General Director of the Port of Beirut Hassan Koraytem and CEO, General Director of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon IDAL, Nabil Itani. Haj Hassan started by clarifying that the Council of Ministers has earlier instructed ministries involved to prepare a study of the cost of alternative shipping of agricultural and industrial production by sea, in cooperation with IDAL. Itani gave a preview of the study, noting that agriculture suffered most, followed by food industries and other industrial sectors. He also added that figures showed that agricultural exports in the past six months stood at nearly 250 thousand tons, food industries reached 52 thousand tons against 62 thousand tons for the remaining industries. The number of trucks loaded with agricultural produce totaled 9165 vehicles against 2100 food containers and 2487 trucks carrying other products. For his part, Qaysi pointed that the findings of IDAL and the Ministry of Public Works were similar as to the number of trucks. He added that negotiations with Egypt are in progress in order to reduce bank guarantees requested by the Egyptian side. To note, Egypt has demanded a guarantee of USD 150 thousand for each Ro-Ro shipment, which is close to USD 500 for each truck, a guarantee that will increase the total cost of transportation to around USD 1200 excluding the transport cost of the ferry and the corresponding cost of transport inside the Egyptian territory. In case of agreement, the cost of guarantee per truck will drop to only USD 50. (As Safir, Al Diyar, 21 May 2015)

The outrageous murder of Sara Al Amin by her husband Ali Zein (for full news press here) brought back the debate on the role of social norms and practices in playing down the implementation of the domestic violence law passed a year ago by the Lebanese Parliament, as well as in sustaining the deafening silence of women who are subjected to abuse. According to As Safir newspaper, the slain wife refused to press domestic violence charges against her husband or file a protection grievance given her by the new law to the Jury for matters of special urgency, which basically requires that the abuser stay away from the marital house. Sara has reportedly told her attorney Ashraf Mousawi that she “did not want her husband and father of her children to be humiliated”. Not only did she refuse the protection order but also that her husband appears at the police station to sign a pledge vowing not to ill-treat his wife again. The shocking crime instigated a wide social media campaign by activists challenging women to refrain form using such outdated advices such as: “go back to your husband, forgive him, compromise, it’s ok, sacrifice for your family…”; describing these advices as ‘killers’. In this respect, Sara’s father revealed to the newspaper that he and his sons opposed his daughter’s return to her marital house but she insisted to “reunite with her family and sacrifice for the sake of her children”. It is to be noted that Article 549 (on attempted murder) of the new protection law provides for severe punishment, namely life sentence, for the husband who kills his wife which repeals the old Penal Code provisos of severity of punishment that exclude the wife. Sara’s lawyer Mousawi confirmed that he will base his case on this stipulation in prosecuting the defendant. On the same note, lawyer Leila Awada, Kafa’s legal unit officer, demanded the review of the legal ways used in these cases, criticizing the resort to reconciliation to resolve differences between couples especially when the life of the wife is at risk. (As Safir, 20 May 2015)

‘Souk El Tayeb’, the ‘No Garlic No Onion’ and Chef Wael Ladkani in cooperation with Solidere are organizing the first street food market in the heart of the Lebanese capita, which will open today, Thursday, May 21 and will last for two days, from 5 pm to 11 pm. Speaking to Al Diyar newspaper, Antony Rahil, owner and manager of ‘No Garlic No Onions’ website disclosed that the aim of this initiative is to bring the Lebanese people together under one roof to enjoy a tasty bite of the authentic Lebanese cuisine offered at reasonable price. Rahil noted that participation in the event is based on several criteria, mainly the high quality of ingredients used in cooking and affordable prices. Furthermore, he added that similar activities will be organized subsequently in various parts of Lebanon. (Al Diyar, 21 May 2015)

Sara Al Ameen joined the growing list of domestic violence victims in Lebanon this year when her husband, Ali Zein, shot her dead in front of her six kids in their home in Dohat Aramoon south of Beirut, Tuesday morning. Security forces arrested the perpetrator who was taken to the police station for investigation under the supervision of Appellate Lawyer in charge of domestic violence cases, Judge Ghada Abu Alwan. The victim’s attorney, Ashraf Musawi, said the culprit lured his wife to their marital house after kicking her off previously while keeping her identity papers with him, and then he celebrated the birthday of one of their daughters before firing some 17 bullets into his wife’s body using an assault rifle. Musawi has in the past filed a lawsuit against the husband for beating and torturing as well as for other domestic violence charges, but the husband did not comply. He said the murdered wife has been for 20 years putting up with ill-treatment and beating by her husband who banned her from visiting her parents’ house. (Al Akhbar, Al Diyar, 20 May 2015)

The American University of Science and Technology organized yesterday its 14th job opportunities fair on its campus under the auspices of the Minister of State for Administrative Affairs, Nabil De Freij and with the attendance of AUST’s President, Hyam Sakr. Present also at the opening were members of faculty and administrative staff, deans of various AUST schools and a crowd of students of all majors. Some 120 companies representing the various sectors of tourism, industry, banking, health, ICT, printing, design, insurance, media, advertising and marketing, partook in this event. AUST Vice President Riad Sakr emphasized the need for universities to set up special centers or offices to monitor employment and job prospects. He urged these institutions to exercise their dual role in education and intellectual and cultural exposure as well as in preparation and orientation of students to various specialties that will meet the needs of the labor market. De Freij for his part considered that civic organizations and vocational and educational institutions contribute greatly to helping students carve their professional path. However, the main problem, he noted, remains in linking the specialty subject with the potential job openings. He blamed the lack of vocational guidance on both parents of students and on the private and public educational sector, while stigmatizing the absence of a comprehensive national strategy to boost the economy and the labor market. (An Nahar, 20 May 2015)