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Ban on sale of tobacco to underage children

12-7-2019

The minister of economy, Mansour Bteish, issued yesterday a circular No. 5/1 banning tobacco product sales to underage children. The text of the ordinance said, that after receiving complaints about some companies selling tobacco products (cigarettes and hookahs) to kids under 18, in clear violation of the Smoking Law 174 for endangering their health and safety, and in observance of Article 8 of said law banning the provision of any tobacco product to minors, through sales or free delivery, the ministry reminds all involved companies and firms of the necessity of strictly complying with the provisions of the Directorate of Consumer Protection. Accordingly, the ministry shall issue tickets against lawbreakers who will be referred to competent judiciary. Recalling, that Article 15 of the Smoking Law states that any violator of Article 4 of said law be fined with what is equal to two to six times the minimum wage. And in case of repeated violation, the perpetrator will be punished with one to six-month imprisonment and a fine of ten to twenty the minimum wage. (An Nahar, July 12, 2019) 

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Youth employment initiative in Tripoli

12-7-2019

With the support of the British Embassy in Lebanon, the March Association headed by Lea Baroudi, kicked off on July 10 from the Grand Serail the Beb el Dahab Construction (BEDCO). The project is a social initiative for contracting and construction aimed to create employment opportunities for marginalized youth in Jabal Mohsen and Bab el Tabaneh in Tripoli. On the occasion, Baroudi spoke about her career in the Northern capital which started with a successful play and was followed by the launch of a cultural café that brought together the young people of Tabaneh-Jabal Mohsen. And now, the BEDCO project which revived some 300 shops, streets and public spaces after years of conflict and destruction. BEDCO director, Musaab Saeed, outlined the details of the project which provides contracting services at affordable prices and high-end technology, sustaining that the proceeds will go to other development initiatives in the city, particularly in Tabaheh-Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods. For his part, prime minister Saad Hariri, said the initiative was implemented by a woman. “The conflicts might have abated, but we must make young men and women communicate and get to know each other,” Hariri said, stressing that BEDCO should be classified as part of the CEDRE projects. Similarly, British Ambassador, Chris Rampling, stated that BEDCO was an idea before it materialized into a project, noting that Tripoli is in dire need of jobs. (Al Mustaqbal, July 11, 2019)

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Ezzeddine for adopting a comprehensive family planning strategy

12-7-2019

MP Inaya Ezzedine called on the government yesterday to prepare and adopt a comprehensive strategy for family planning and empowerment. Ezzedine noted that this is fundamental for comprehensive sustainable development and helps in addressing the alarming fiscal economic status quo in the country which is impacting Lebanese households. Ezzedine, who was representing House Speaker Nabih Berri during the 50th anniversary of the Family Planning Association and the World Population Day, underlined the importance of empowering Lebanese women through building their economic capacities and promoting their political participation. She reiterated the need to adopt the women representation quota law as a transitional stage in the framework of enhancing their access to political decision, notably the parliament. In conclusion, Ezzedine said she was determined to work to combat all forms of discrimination against women and restore their rights equally with men in jobs and wages, protect them against domestic violence and social bullying, in addition to drafting legislations to counter commercialization of women. (NNA, July 12, 2019)
 

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Social leadership & entrepreneurship in Tripoli

12-7-2019

The University of Balamand, Koora, concluded on Wednesday the Social Leaders Program aimed to train entrepreneurs aided with social responsibility values to the end of serving the North in general and Tripoli in particular. Recalling, that the 4-month program has been implemented in cooperation with the University of Balamand, Tripoli First Foundation led by MP Dima Jamali, Al Ahli Holding Group and Tripoli Entrepreneurs Club. The participating projects were presented during the ceremony and Nivine Ahdab declared as first winner for her project on seniors. MP Jamali announced the allocation of a sum of USD 10,000 to Ahdab to help her in implementing her startup. (Al Mustaqbal, July 11, 2019)

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UNIFIL first aid course for Al-Mari women

11-7-2019

In cooperation with the Social Services Center in Al Mari, Hasbaya, the Indian battalion operating in UNIFIL, organized yesterday a first aid training session for women in the town. On the occasion, mayor Yusef Fayad, said such activities are key in educating women who offer a lot to their remote communities, stressing that they can give more with rehabilitation and training on social and humanitarian skills. For his part, the Civil Relations Officer in the Indian Battalion, Maj. Mohd Arshil Muheet, pointed out that the course targets all women in the area through awareness and training workshops, especially on the principles of first aid. Likewise, Maj. Ravedeep Kaur said women should know these basic steps to save someone’s life. Holding similar sessions, which will land in all villages soon, came at the locals’ request, and is also on the agenda of the Indian Battalion to empower women, Kaur maintained. (Al Mustaqbal, July 11, 2019)

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‘Favorite village’ in its fourth edition

11-7-2019

During a ceremony held at AUB yesterday, the 4th edition of the ‘Favorite Village’ competition, sponsored by L’Orient Le Jour daily in cooperation with Fransabank, was launched. The participating villages are: Amshit, Baruk, Bsherri, Qana, Habariyeh, Ghazir, Baskinta, Hermel, Mashghara and Qobayat. An outline was presented about the features of each competing village, including traditional dishes, crafts, religious sites, nature, heritage and agriculture. Former tourism minister, Michel Pharaon, who was present at the launch, stressed that rural tourism bolsters and props up internal tourism. For his part, AUB President, Fadlo Khury, addressed the issue of migration, criticizing the slackness of the government towards rural and agricultural areas and reminded it of its responsibility towards the youth in order to stay steadfast in their villages. Voting online for only one of the ten participating villages will start on July 10 and will close on July 28 ( lorientlejour.com/village). (L’Orient Le Jour, July 11, 2019)

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Lebanese Food Bank partners with Le Bristol

11-7-2019

The Lebanese Food Bank signed yesterday a partnership agreement with Le Bristol Hotel by virtue of which the hotel donates leftover food to needy beneficiaries. This comes as part of the non-profit charity organization’s efforts to provide families in need with food rations and to reduce hunger. The Food Bank clarified in a statement that, the agreement was conducted in the framework of its objectives to manage wasted food, and as part of Le Bristol’s many social responsibility programs. The statement pointed out that the Lebanese Food Bank currently cooperates with the major food catering companies in the country, including restaurants, hotels and event planners. The aim is collect food discarded from buffets, weddings and receptions, but is still in good condition, package it in parcels and distribute it on 70 concerned NGOs and associations who deliver it to the most underprivileged households, the statement said. Le Bristol, as per the above agreement, also offers generous donations of clothes, linen or towels to be distributed to needy families under the Bank’s patronage, the statement concluded. (Al Mustaqbal, July 11, 2019)

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Tourism sector booming, Jezzine festival launched

10-7-2019

President Michel Aoun said yesterday after his meeting with tourism minister Avedis Guidanian, that the progress in the tourism activity is mainly due to the security stability the country is experiencing. To this effect, Guidanian presented tourism activity figures during the first six months of the year, pointing to a higher rate in incoming visitors compared to the year 2010 considered one of the golden years for tourism. He said the growth rate in the number of visitors from France stood at 30% compared to the past year and 42% compared to 2010; and from Russia 127% compared to 2010, pointing also to a considerable growth in the rate of travellers from England and Germany. He mentioned an additional 100,000 tourists coming from Europe, compared to the year 2010, bringing in nearly USD 100 million to the country. The growth rate in the number of visitors from GCC countries, Guidanian explained, reached 100% against last year, with a drop by 37% from the year 2010, while from Egypt it posted 60% compared to 2010. On the other hand, Guidanian kicked off yesterday the Jezzine Summer Festivals 2019 between the months of August and September. He appealed to politicians to soften their angry public statements in pursuance of a successful touristic season that has been flagging for the past 8 years. He said the vigor of festivals has in the past supported internal tourism here in Lebanon, but that today, there should be should be more diversity and innovation in tourism. For his part, the head of the Union of Municipalities of Jezzine, Khalil Harfoush, announced the launch of an inclusive tourism plan that will turn Jezzine to a touristic destination. He declared a joint tourism initiative with Saida based on the exchange of services and tourist, especially his town boasts large hotels that can accommodate around 500 visitors/ guests. (Al Diyar, July 10, 2019)

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Claudine Aoun stresses the right of Lebanese women to nationality

10-7-2019

The NCLW head, Claudine Aoun Rukuz, stressed yesterday after a meeting with foreign minister, Jibran Bassil, that the visit comes in the framework of the Commission’s talks with parliamentary blocs and ministers to present the National Action Plan for the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. And while she hoped the Cabinet would vote on the plan soon, Rukuz said she updated Bassil on the projects drafted by NCLW, notably the nationality law, the ban of child marriage and other laws that eliminate discrimination against women. Rukuz underlined the significance of the proposal that enables Lebanese women to confer nationality to their children, maintaining that she will press for its discussion in the Legislature. Recalling, that the draft was prepared by the NCLW as commissioned by the prime minister, Saad Hariri. (L’Orient Le Jour, July 10, 2019)

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VAW: Brother kills sister in Qobayat, taxi driver harasses woman in Jal el dib

10-7-2019

The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces announced that on July 2, 2019, the body of a woman, (born in 1980), was discovered shot dead with six gunshots and transferred to a hospital in Quobayat in the North. Upon investigation, the ISF said, the culprit, identified as the brother of the victim (born in 1979), was arrested in the town of Shadra on July 6 carrying the weapon used in the crime. In a related incident, Al Diyar newspaper reported today that a woman (born in 1989) who rode a taxi from the Museum neighborhood in Beirut was sexually harassed by the cab driver. When the latter reached Jal el Dib east of the capital, he deliberately drove his commuter to a closed area attempting to sexually assault her but failed and fled to an unknown destination. Also, in the follow up on the case of the murder of British diplomat, Rebecca Dykes, on January 2, 2018, who was raped and killed by an Uber driver (https://goo.gl/nb1nLW), the Mount Lebanon Criminal Court held a hearing session yesterday and set September 26 as the date to pronounce the final verdict. The defendant’s lawyer said during the hearing, that his client has killed his victim under the influence of drugs. But the plaintiff’s attorney asked for the trial of the driver on the two charges of rape and premeditated murder. He also demanded fining him with LBP one million which will go to the Rebecca Dykes Fund. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, L’Orient Le Jour, July 9, 10, 2019)

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