AUB ranks in top 50 universities worldwide for employability

The American University of Beirut is among the top 50 universities worldwide for producing the most employable graduates, according to 2019 rankings released by education researcher Quacquarelli Symonds.

AUB was ranked 45 in the list of top 50 universities around the world for employability.

The top five universities include:

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Stanford University
  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • Harvard University
  • The University of Sydney

The new ranking marks the third year in a row AUB is listed above every accredited university in the Arab region.

READ HERE: Full analysis of AUB’s employability ranking.

“AUB’s continued dominance in the QS ranking of graduate employability is evidence of AUB’s success in achieving its mission of producing outstanding graduates,” said Lokman Meho, director of AUB University Libraries.

Fadlo Khuri is president of the American University of Beirut. He assumed office in September 2015 and was officially inaugurated on January 25, 2016. (File photo)
Fadlo Khuri is president of the American University of Beirut. He assumed office in September 2015 and was officially inaugurated on January 25, 2016. (File photo)

RELATED: AUB sets world record for Lebanese flag made of 60,000 notebooks!

AUB was ranked 41 in 2018, and 81-90 in 2017.

No other Arab university ranked in the top 50. The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals ranked 251-300, and the American University in Dubai and American University of Sharjah ranked 301-500.

The research measures the proportion of graduates in full-time or part-time employment within 12 months of graduation.

WatchMojo lists Lebanon’s ‘Top 10 Attractions’ from St. Charbel to Baalbek

From the mountains of Faraya to the ruins of Baalbek, Lebanon’s top travel destinations are the highlight of a new YouTube video posted by a popular travel channel.

In collaboration with Lebanese Examiner, WatchMojo released its list of the ‘Top 10 Attractions’ in Lebanon — and the selections are spot on!

At number 10, WatchMojo features the city of Baalbek in the Beqaa Valley, followed by the Tomb of Saint Charbel at number 9, and the mountains of Faraya at number 8.

WATCH: Top 10 Attractions in Lebanon:

The full list includes:

  • Baalbek – Beqaa Valley
  • Monastery of St. Maron & Tomb of Saint Charbel – Annaya
  • Faraya – Keserwan District
  • Zaitunay Bay – Beirut
  • Byblos – Jbeil District
  • Cedars – Bcharre
  • Sidon – South Governorate
  • Central District – Beirut
  • Tyre – South Governorate
  • Jeita Grotto – Nahr al-Kalb Valley

RELATED: Beirut named in world’s top 15 cities by Travel and Leisure magazine!

The Old Souq Market in Jbeil, Lebanon is one of the country's top travel destinations. (Lebanese Examiner)
The Old Souq Market in Jbeil, Lebanon is one of the country’s top travel destinations. (Lebanese Examiner)

MojoTravels features “all things travel” on YouTube, with insider videos on food, hot spots and travel tips from around the world.

Brazil’s two main parties have presidential candidates of Lebanese descent

Two of Brazil’s main parties have nominated candidates of Lebanese descent for the country’s upcoming presidential election in October, according to an article by The National.

Fernando Haddad, former mayor of São Paulo, is running on one of the largest political movements in Latin America — the left leaning Workers’ Party.

Haddad was previously the running mate of presidential candidate Lula da Silva. He is widely expected to become a presidential nominee after Lula’s candidacy was denied by the Supreme Electoral Court due to his conviction for corruption crimes.

Fernando Haddad was Mayor of São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, from 2013 to 2017. (File photo)
Fernando Haddad was Mayor of São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, from 2013 to 2017. (File photo)

Geraldo Alckmin, chairman of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party, is also a candidate for Brazil’s highest office. He previously served two non-consecutive terms as governor of São Paulo.

“Mr Alckmin, seen as a candidate for the business community in a country reeling from a crime epidemic and poverty, may have his work cut out but he is vying to replace Michel Temer, the incumbent and another politician of Lebanese heritage – his parents emigrated from the town of Btaaboura in northern Lebanon in 1925,” The National wrote.

Gerald Alckmin served as the Governor of São Paulo from 2001 to 2006. (File photo)
Gerald Alckmin served as the Governor of São Paulo from 2001 to 2006. (File photo)

Lebanese descendants have called Latin America home since the late 1800s. They immigrated to Latin countries in two waves, most prominently after the collapse of the Lebanese silk trade.

RELATED: Ancient relics of Saint Marina the Monk arrive in Lebanon

“Should any of them be successful, they would join a long list of other children of Lebanese emigrants who have made their mark on Latin American politics, joining the recently-elected president of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Beníte and Argentina’s First Lady Juliana Awada,” The National reported.

U.S. urges citizens to ‘reconsider travel’ to Lebanon due to security

The U.S. government is urging its citizens to “reconsider travel” to Lebanon due to the risk of crime and terrorism in the country, according to a renewed travel advisory.

A renewal was issued Sept. 4 by the U.S. Department of State.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo leads the U.S. Department of State. (File photo)
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo leads the U.S. Department of State. (File photo)

READ THE FULL ADVISORY HERE:

Reconsider travel Lebanon due to crime,terrorism, and armed conflict.

Do not travel to:

  • the border with Syria due to terrorismandarmed conflict
  • the border with Israel due to the potential forarmed conflict
  • refugee settlements due to the potential forarmed conflict

U.S. citizens should reconsider or avoid travel to certain areas in Lebanon because of the threats of terrorism, armed clashes, kidnapping, and outbreaks of violence, especially near Lebanon’s borders with Syria and Israel. U.S. citizens living and working in Lebanon should be aware of the risks of remaining in the country and should carefully consider those risks.

U.S. citizens who choose to travel to Lebanon should be aware that consular officers from the U.S. Embassy are not always able to travel to assist them. The Department of State considers the threat to U.S. government personnel in Beirut sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under strict security restrictions. The internal security policies of the U.S. Embassy may be adjusted at any time and without advance notice.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Lebanon. The potential exists for death or injury in Lebanon because of the attacks and bombings perpetrated by terrorist groups. Terrorists may conduct attacks with little or no warning targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.

The Lebanese government cannot guarantee the protection of U.S. citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence. Family, neighborhood, or sectarian disputes can escalate quickly and can lead to gunfire or other violence with no warning. Armed clashes have occurred along the Lebanese borders, in Beirut, and in refugee settlements. The Lebanese Armed Forces have been brought in to quell the violence in these situations.

Public demonstrations can occur with little warning and could become violent. You should avoid areas of demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings. Protesters have blocked major roads to gain publicity for their causes, including the primary road to the U.S. Embassy, and the primary road between downtown Beirut and Rafiq Hariri International Airport. Access to the airport may be cut off if the security situation deteriorates.

Kidnapping, whether for ransom, political motives, or family disputes, has occurred in Lebanon. Suspects in kidnappings may have ties to terrorist or criminal organizations.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Lebanon:

Border with Syria

Since August 2014, deadly terror attacks have occurred in border towns along Lebanon’s border with Syria, as have episodic clashes between the Lebanese Army and Syrian-based violent extremist groups. A 2017 Lebanese Army offensive expelled ISIS militants from territory along Lebanon’s border with Syria. The U.S. Embassy strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid the Lebanese-Syrian border region. The U.S. Department of State also warns U.S. citizens of the risk of traveling on flights that fly over Syria, which include some flights to Beirut.

Border with Israel

There have been sporadic rocket attacks from southern Lebanon into Israel in connection with the violence between Israel and Hizballah: the last reported incident was in 2014. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to avoid this border area.

Refugee Settlements

The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to refugee settlements, where violence has resulted in shootings and explosions.

Viral video shows wrong-way driver on Lebanese highway

A viral video circulating on social media appears to show a wrong-way driver attempting to navigate a Lebanese highway in broad daylight.

The video, posted Saturday, uses the hashtag #TMO, which stands for Lebanon’s Traffic Management Organization. It has been viewed more than 100,000 times.

“Only in Lebanon,” the post said.

Editor’s Note: This video contains explicit language. Viewer discretion is advised.

VIDEO: Wrong-way driver on Lebanese highway:

A location is not listed, but posted signage indicates the incident may have happened along the Matn Express Highway.

It is not clear if the driver was cited, or if there were any injuries.

A viral video circulating on social media appears to show a wrong-way driver in Lebanon. (Facebook/Screen grab)
A viral video circulating on social media appears to show a wrong-way driver in Lebanon. (Facebook/Screen grab)

Road safety in Lebanon has been an issue in Lebanon for decades with many road safety organizations advocating for stricter law enforcement and driver’s training.

Some manufacturing companies are working on products to prevent wrong-way driving with a warning for drivers ahead of any potential risk.

Help get signatures to make Paypal payment services available in Lebanon

A petition is circulating on Change.org asking Paypal to expand their payment services to Lebanon.

Paypal is currently available in other Middle Eastern countries like Yemen and Somalia but not Lebanon.

Jason Karim, the petition organizer, is asking for only 500 signatures before he forwards the petition to the tech giant.

“PayPal is one of the essential payment services around the world, and still, it has not been deployed in the Lebanese market,” Karim wrote.

RELATED: Subscription box company launches products for Lebanon lovers

He believes if the app is made available, it would help local businesses make safe and secure transactions with consumers.

Paypal is a fast, safe way to send money, make an online payment, or receive money, according to the company website. (File photo)
Paypal is a fast, safe way to send money, make an online payment, or receive money, according to the company website. (File photo)

“This petition will help Lebanese (YouTubers), small business owners, the general public, artists, and many more get (paid),” Karim added.

In 2013, a senior Paypal manager promised to bring the service to Lebanon by the end of the year, but the initiative later fizzled out.

“This is a must service for Lebanon,” wrote one of the petition supporters. “Technology is increasing and the demand to pay online is growing, so Paypal is a must!”

To learn more about the petition or to add support to the initiative, click here.

Detroit Tigers to host Arab American Night at Comerica Park

The Detroit Tigers baseball team is hosting an Arab American Night Sept. 22 at Comerica Park during a Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals game.

According to its website, the Tigers are offering a package that supports an Arab American nonprofit based in Dearborn.

The package includes:

  • One ticket to the Sept. 22 game
  • A Saad Meats Sharifa Halal Knockwurst voucher
  • Donation to Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities
The nonprofit Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities is located in Dearborn. (File photo/Lebanese Examiner)
The nonprofit Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities is located in Dearborn. (File photo/Lebanese Examiner)

Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities, formerly known as the Lebanese American Heritage Club, is a human services nonprofit that works to support educational, social and economic projects in southeast Michigan.

The Sept. 22 game starts at 6:10pm. Tickets start at $25.

To learn more about Arab American Night, or to purchase tickets, click here.

Report: Lebanese cop questioned in prostitution ring investigation

A Lebanese police officer is being questioned in an investigation involving a prostitution ring in Lebanon, LBCI-TV reported.

The officer, a member of Lebanon’s “morality police force,” was allegedly involved in a prostitution operation which targeted women in the small Mediterranean nation.

Authorities did not release the officer’s name. He is said to be “a senior officer,” according to Al Bawaba.

A Lebanese police officer is being questioned as part of an investigation involving a prostitution ring, according to a LBCI-TV report.
A Lebanese police officer is being questioned as part of an investigation involving a prostitution ring, according to a LBCI-TV report.

LBCI-TV reported the arrest of the officer and the subsequent investigation.

“One of the most senior officers in the office of countering immoral crime has been arrested and is being questioned on suspicion of involvement in prostitution networks,” the TV station’s website reported.

RELATED: Prostitution ring busted by security officials in Lebanon

The officer is being referred to a disciplinary committee to evaluate the next steps, reported the newspaper Al Mustaqbal.

In a statement, the Lebanese Internal Security Forces denied the allegations, and called the reports inaccurate and fabricated.

The investigation is over suspected corruption, ISF officials added.

Lebanese spot named one of the top places for cocktails in Ibiza!

Patchwork, a rooftop restaurant and bar featuring Lebanese cuisine, was recently named one of the top 16 places for cocktails on Ibiza, by Ibiza-spotlight.com.

Patchwork is a part of a trio of restaurants in Sa Punta Ibiza, and is located in the beautiful city of Dalt Vila.

The restaurant combines food, cocktails, design and music and makes the dining experience, “a laid-back one until 3 a.m.,” according to its website.

The establishment is “brightly decorated and bursting with color,” and the cocktails are “brimming with fresh fruit and the gin and tonics are amongst the best of the island,” its website added.

RELATED: Lebanese-owned WHITE nightclub ranked top 20 in world

Ibiza Spotlight told readers they would love the clever vessels in which these gorgeous mixed drinks are served. (Youtube Screen grab)
Ibiza Spotlight told readers they would love the clever vessels in which these gorgeous mixed drinks are served. (Youtube Screen grab)

Ibiza is an island in the Mediterranean Sea off the east coast of Spain that is a wildly popular tourist destination for millennials.

Remembering McCain’s classy response after voter calls Obama an ‘Arab’

Sen. John McCain — an American war hero and veteran Arizona senator — died Saturday after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 81.

McCain’s legacy spans a lifetime of public service as a former naval pilot, prisoner of war, U.S. senator and Republican presidential nominee.

He was also a level-headed voice in the world of politics, where he brought civility and courteousness to a political system that often lacked basic decency. McCain always took the high road.

In 2008, as then-candidate for president, McCain took a question from a voter who brought up a racist conspiracy theory against then-candidate Barack Obama.

Sen. John McCain defended then-candidate Barack Obama when a voter began mentioning a racist conspiracy theory. (File photo)
Sen. John McCain defended then-candidate Barack Obama when a voter began mentioning a racist conspiracy theory. (File photo)

McCain cut the voter off, took the microphone and defended Obama before a large crowd of supporters and the TV cameras.

“I can’t trust Obama. I have read about him, and he’s not — he’s an Arab,” the woman told McCain during a town hall meeting in Minnesota.

McCain quickly interrupted her thought and replied, “No ma’am.”

“He’s a decent family man, citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what the campaign is all about,” he replied. “He’s not.”

WATCH: McCain Counters Obama ‘Arab’ Question

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