News

The ISF Directorate General announced in a statement yesterday that the CyberCrime and Intellectual Property Protection Bureau received two complaints filed to the Beirut Public Prosecutor by a Palestinian woman against an unknown for charges of sexual extortion. The statement went on to say, that upon surveillance, the suspect’s whereabouts were detected and he was arrested on 17-12-2019 in the Hadat neighborhood of Baabda. In the details, the suspect (Y. A, Egyptian, born in 1990) had installed a camera in the plaintiff’s (his roommate) room to take intimate snapshots which he used for sexual and financial blackmailing. The second complaint, the ISF statement said, was filed by the father of a girl (born in 2005) against an unidentified person for charges of the blackmailing and seduction of a minor. The identity of the suspect was revealed (F.A, Lebanese, born in 1996) and he was arrested in Abi Samra- Tripoli on 16-12-2019 where he admitted his actions. He confessed that he impersonated a woman and contacted underage girls via whatsapp luring them into taking nude pictures. And in the case of refusal, he threatened to publish his stock of photos and videos, or report to their parents. (Al Mustaqbal, December 19, 2019)
 

The Regie Libanaise de Tabacs et Tombacs announced in a statement two days ago that, based on complaints it received about the manipulation of tobacco farmers on part of the Lebanese banks through so-called installment reimbursement of their dues, the Regie intervened to resolve the matter. The statement went on to say, that in a letter to the Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh and concerned banking institutions, the Regie asked for facilitating the process of payments and refraining from charging farmers ridiculous financial deductions, safeguarding the dignity of this struggling working class. Recalling, that the Regie has deposited LBP 100 billion worth of funds at banks as part of compensation of the debts for tobacco growers accumulated over a 12 month period. (Al Diyar, December 19, 2019)
 

In response to the calamitous conditions in Lebanon, the world leader in transport and logistics, CMA CGM, decided to mobilize resources to launch the ‘CMA GCM Supports Lebanon’ operation to help disadvantaged households and vulnerable children during the year end period. The Group will reportedly order all food products from local producers to be donated with the support of CEVA Logistique (affiliated with CMA CGM) to concerned associations and orphanages. The Group will also supply dispensaries with the required medications. The dispensaries and orphanages benefiting from the operation are: S.O.S Villages, Ashghalouna Association, LIBAMI Charity, Chabeb Sour Association, Al Tawarek Foundation, Soeurs Dominicaines de Sainte Chatherine Orphanage, Saint Charbel des Soerus des Saint Coeurs Orphanage, Tarik El Jdideh Women Association, Eglise Saydet Niyah Dispensary and Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church. And benefiting from the foodstuff are: Centre Medico-Social Notre Dame de Lourdes, Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Joseph Damour. (An Nahar, December 19, 2019)
 

In its issue of today, An Nahar spotlighted Rana Nicolas, a physician and lecturer at LAU, as well as a researcher in the Atomic Energy Authority in France, who was chosen among the finalists to the ‘Astronaut’ program. Indeed, and among 500 participants of academics and pilots, 12 persons, including Nicolas, were shortlisted to partake in the program aired on Dubai TV show. Speaking to the newspaper, Nicolas said she did not expect to reach the finals, “Yet I tried to do everything in my power to promote the image of Lebanon, specifically the image of the strong, ambitious, impulsive and successful woman.” I always felt exhausted but persevered until I made it to the finals, she boasted. (An Nahar, December 19, 2019)
 

Salam Yamout, who was sworn in yesterday as the new head of the National Bloc Party, held the government fully responsible for negligence in addressing the financial, economic and social crisis in the country. She pointed out that after two months of the revolution, the people and the ruling authorities are still far apart. Yamout uncovered the program of her party to face the disastrous situation from four axes: strengthening the social safety net; curbing the financial spiral down; stopping embezzlement of funds; fighting corruption and recovery of looted public funds, as well as the enactment of a fair electoral law. Yamout said the solutions are there but the predicament lies in their implementation, saying: “We have to put the right team in the right place, meaning a government of technocrats from outside the ruling elite.” In conclusion, Yamout pointed out that Lebanese women have suffered enough from the discriminatory and bigoted laws, stressing that women alone can break down the actual and mental barriers in society and unite their dreams. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, December 19, 2019)
 

The minister of tourism in the caretaker government, Avedis Guidanian, noted yesterday that the tourism sector has recorded a drastic decline by nearly 80% after the  positive figures noted earlier in 2019 compared to previous years. Guidanian who was speaking during a meeting with the heads of tourism syndicates in Lebanon, revealed the launch soon of an initiative to attract Lebanese expats and Arab visitors. This initiative is based on incentives provided by airlines, namely the MEA, in addition to offers by restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, tourism compounds and furnished apartments. The minister pledged to negotiative with stakeholders and decision makers to secure the requisites for the plan to stimulate economy through the incoming hard currency afforded by incomers to the country. (Al Diyar, December 18, 2019)

CARE International organized yesterday a field trip to Tripoli to present a number of projects the organization implements over Lebanon as part of the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) to help refugees and host communities. On the occasion, CARE country director in Lebanon stressed that the organization has projects for Lebanon for the next five years targeting Lebanese communities in the areas of women’s rights, combatting poverty and protecting the environment. In this respect, a meeting was held with beneficiaries and coordinators of programs related to the protection of women and girls and elimination of violence against them, noting that said projects are funded by the EU- Madad Fund, UN Women and Ford Foundation. The programs provide backing to most marginalized women and girls, basically through awareness sessions, social and psychological assistance and mentoring, as well as through specialized services and capacity building activities, like, first aid and training on self-defense. (An Nahar, December 18, 2019)

In its issue of December 12, An Nahar daily reported that the Egyptian street is discussing the issue of wearing the hijab in public places and government departments or banning it similar to other countries. The controversy was sparked after naming the ‘veiled’ fine artist, Mona Qamah, as director of the Palace of Culture in Buheira Province. In the details, An Nahar wrote that the designation of Qamah has incited a wave of condemnation and criticism in cultural circles, which prompted Ahmad Awad, the head of the General Authority for Cultural Palaces, to revoke the decision. Awad explained that Qamah was temporarily managing the work of the director of Kfar Duwar Palace of Culture pending the assignment of a new director. Citing a number of legislature members, An Nahar said they planned to file a request to ban the hijab within public offices, in referral namely to MP Ghada Ajami who earlier submitted a draft bill prohibiting wearing of hijab in public places. Ajami justified this by claiming that the rate of crime has increased especially with the increased use of the veil by extremist groups. For her part, Amna Nseir, professor of philosophy of belief at Al Azhar University, member of parliament, told the newspaper that wearing the veil is not an Islamic custom, hoping it would be banned by law for security and safety reasons. (An Nahar, December 12, 2019)