Celine Dion wears power suit by Lebanese designer Rabih Kayrouz

Iconic singer Celine Dion wore a bright yellow power suit by Lebanese fashion designer Rabih Kayrouz during a visit to Southeast Asia.

The Canadian songstress posed for an Instagram photo while sitting on the edge of a window in Bangkok, Thailand.

Dion was in the country as part of her 2018 tour in seven cities across the Asia-Pacific region.

In an Instagram post, Dion said her power suit was designed by fashion house Maison Rabih Kayrouz, which was established in Paris in 2008.

Dion also recognized the other designers in the Instagram post, including her Prada shoes and earrings, Chloe sunglasses and Jennifer Fisher earrings.

Celine Dion wore a yellow power suit made by a Lebanese designer during a visit to Thailand. (Instagram/Celine Dion)
Celine Dion wore a yellow power suit made by a Lebanese designer during a visit to Thailand. (Instagram/Celine Dion)

Designer Rabih Kayrouz was born in Lebanon and immigrated to Paris to study at a well-known fashion school in Paris. He returned to Lebanon and specialized in designing evening gowns and wedding dresses.

In 2015, Kayrouz moved back to Paris to open his own design house, which is located at 38 Boulevard Raspail in Downtown Paris.

WATCH: Incredible Lebanese wedding proposal on a yacht!

Wedding season is here, and like other people around the world, many Lebanese couples are wasting no time getting hitched.

In a YouTube video posted by Ali Wehbi, Ali is seen taking his blindfolded girlfriend out on a boat covered in red roses.

When she took the blindfolds off,  Ali popped the question — “Will you marry me?”

His now-fiancée Maya said yes!

Ali proposed to Maya on a yacht in the beautiful Mediterranean sea. (YouTube screen grab)
Ali proposed to Maya on a yacht in the beautiful Mediterranean sea. (YouTube screen grab)

RELATED: Epic wedding entrance captures Lebanese and Assyrian cultures

The two celebrated and danced together on the backdrop of a beautiful Lebanese sunset.

Mabrouk to Ali and Maya!

WATCH: Amazing Lebanese proposal on a yacht:

Reagan Library releases video of meeting with former president Gemayel

The Reagan Presidential Library released vintage video of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan meeting with former Lebanese President Amine Gemayel.

When the White House hosted the Lebanese President, Reagan was nearing the end of his first term in office while Gemayel was only in his second of six years.

“Our talks today focused on the next steps in securing Lebanon’s independence,” Reagan said during the 1983 meeting.

Many consider the relationship between the two presidents one of the most extensive and personal of any administrations between the two countries.

The meeting took place just a few months before the Beirut barracks bombings, which killed 241 U.S. and 58 French peacekeepers.

Gemayel visited the White House again in December 1983, where he met with Reagan for a second time.

READ: White House daily schedule on the day of Gemayel’s visit to the White House.

“My second visit to the White House in the course of the year is a further confirmation for our appreciation for the consistent support President Reagan has given Lebanon,” Gemayel said at the time.

Watch the footage released here:

READ: Reagan’s diary entry on the day of Gemayel’s second visit to the White House:

Most of N.S.C. spent on getting ready for visit by Pres. Gemayal of Lebanon. But also on whether to step up our artillery fire on Druze batteries lobbying shells in the direction of our Marines. So far we haven’t done anything. We’re a divided group. I happen to believe taking out a few batteries might give them pause to think. Joint Chiefs believe it might drastically alter our mission & lead to major increases in troops for Lebanon. Met with Gemayal & his cabinet. We emphasized need to work harder for expanding govt. to include some dissident groups. He made a good case that Syria has a block on the main factions. Cabinet Council on “space” & where we go. The issue is whether to move on a program for a permanent manned Space station. I’m for it as I think most everyone is but the question is funding such a new course in face of our deficits. Dave Stockman who opposed my signing the dairy bill came in to brief me on how the bill came to be and how may Reps. & Sens. broke their word on concessions they’d promised in return for the bill. I was never told any of this while it was going on. We’ll have to have a different procedure so this cant happen again. Nancy & I went to Shiloh Baptist Church for P.B.S. Young talent taping. Leontyne Price was mistress of ceremonies. Howard U. choir & young black singers were magnificent. It was a great finish to the day.

Lebanese café to open at Detroit Metropolitan Airport

A Lebanese café will be one of 15 new food and beverage concepts at the North Terminal at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, officials announced.

Anita’s Kitchen, a popular Lebanese restaurant in the Detroit suburb of Ferndale, is expected to open its airport concession by the spring of 2019.

In a news release, the Wayne County Airport Authority Board announced it awarded 10-year contracts to four concessionaires — one of which will operate the Lebanese café.

According to its website, Anita’s Kitchen serves a smorgasbord of hot and cold mezza, salads and signature pita sandwiches such as shawarma, kafta and kabobs.

Anita's Kitchen is located in the Detroit suburb of Ferndale, Michigan. (Facebook/Anita's Kitchen)
Anita’s Kitchen is located in the Detroit suburb of Ferndale, Michigan. (Facebook/Anita’s Kitchen)

“The concessionaires were selected after a rigorous evaluation process,” said Chad Newton, interim CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority. “We’re confident they will deliver a world-class dining experience for our customers.”

Other food options in the North Terminal are expected to include Air Margaritaville, Brioche Dorée, Cantoro Italian Market Trattoria, among others. Many of the concepts are based in Detroit.

The airport said multiple other concessions will be included in the project. (Photos provided/Detroit Metropolitan Airport)
The airport said multiple other concessions will be included in the project. (Photos provided/Detroit Metropolitan Airport)

“Most of the North Terminal’s passengers are local residents or visitors to our area; they’re not connecting in Detroit to fly to other cities,” said Greg Hatcher, concessions director for the Airport Authority. “When they’re in our terminal, we believe passengers will enjoy seeing local brands they love and those that pique their interest.”

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport welcomed nearly 35 million passengers in 2017 with services from 14 scheduled passenger airlines and 1,100 flights per day, according to a news release.

PHOTOS: Best snapshots from iconic Jounieh fireworks display!

A group of photographers are being recognized for taking the best photos of the iconic fireworks display in the coastal city of Jounieh, Lebanon.

The fireworks celebrate the Jounieh International Festival, which aims to highlight the Mediterranean coastline.

The festival committee shared photos of the winners on Facebook. The winners are:

1st place: Bachir Mouawad

Bachir Mouawad won first place in the Jounieh fireworks photo contest. (Jounieh International Fireworks)
Bachir Mouawad won first place in the Jounieh fireworks photo contest. (Jounieh International Fireworks)

2nd place: Georges Samaha

Georges Samaha won second place in the Jounieh fireworks photo contest. (Jounieh International Fireworks)
Georges Samaha won second place in the Jounieh fireworks photo contest. (Jounieh International Fireworks)

3rd place: Georges Hanna

Georges Hanna won third place in the Jounieh fireworks photo contest. (Jounieh International Fireworks)
Georges Hanna won third place in the Jounieh fireworks photo contest. (Jounieh International Fireworks)

4th place: Carine Assaf

Carine Assaf won fourth place in the Jounieh fireworks photo contest. (Jounieh International Fireworks)
Carine Assaf won fourth place in the Jounieh fireworks photo contest. (Jounieh International Fireworks)

5th place: Jean Daoud

Jean Daoud won fifth place in the Jounieh fireworks photo contest. (Jounieh International Fireworks)
Jean Daoud won fifth place in the Jounieh fireworks photo contest. (Jounieh International Fireworks)

The Guardian writer: Lebanese manoushe ‘stole my heart’

In a review of a new Lebanese bakery in London, Guardian writer Tim Jonze praised the manoushe breakfast item and called it, “the Lebanese breakfast pizza that stole my heart.”

Jonze got to try za’atar, lahmeh bi ajin (beef and lamb), and a unique manoushe that was topped with eggs.

He said they were all tasty, but the cheese manoushe stole his heart!

RELATED: Lebanese restaurant named one of ‘Best New Restaurants in America’ by Eater

Jonze said the tasteful dish feels like eating pizza for breakfast. The owners described manoushe as “Perfect at 4 a.m. when the post-party hunger cravings kick in.”

The zataar and cheese manousheh is a staple of Lebanese breakfast. (File photo)
The zataar and cheese manousheh is a staple of Lebanese breakfast. (File photo)

Manoushe is a Levatine-based breakfast meal that has been around for a thousand years. Fortune Magazine reported that Lebanese street food like manoushe is now gaining traction in the U.S.

Most menu items at The Lebanese Bakery are only around $7. The bakery is also offering delivery options in the greater London area.

Read more about the Guardian’s review of the new Lebanese bakery, here.

VIDEO: Luciana Zogbi combines four trending songs in beautiful mashup!

Lebanese-Brazilian singer Luciana Zogbi combined four trending songs from the Billboard Hot 100 list on a beautiful mashup video posted on YouTube.

The singer included the songs:

  • Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” featuring Cardi B
  • Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood”
  • Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa’s “One Kiss”
  • Post Malone’s “Better Now”

WATCH: Luciana Zogbi combines four trending songs in beautiful mashup!

The independent multilingual singer shot to fame in 2014 after her cover of John Legend’s “All of Me” went viral, garnering more than 76 million views worldwide.

Zogbi has nearly 200 million combined video views on YouTube, and 1.8 million subscribers.

Lebanese-Brazilian singer Luciana Zogbi is known for her YouTube channel, which has more than 200 million total video views. (Facebook/Luciana Zogbi)
Lebanese-Brazilian singer Luciana Zogbi is known for her YouTube channel, which has more than 200 million total video views. (Facebook/Luciana Zogbi)

RELATED: WATCH: Lebanese-Brazilian singer back with amazing mashup!

She most recently explored a mashup with lyrics from Havana, Mi Gna, Mi Gente, New Rules, Strip That Down and IDGAF.

Vote for this Lebanese-Canadian beauty for Miss Universe Canada!

A Lebanese-Canadian beauty is competing in the Miss Universe Canada competition on Aug. 18 in Toronto.

Rita Houkayem is one of 46 contestants hoping to clinch the Miss Universe Canada title, and move on to the global Miss Universe Pageant.

Lebanese-Canadian beauty Rita Houkayem is one of 46 contestants hoping to become Miss Universe Canada. (Facebook/Rita Houkayem)
Lebanese-Canadian beauty Rita Houkayem is one of 46 contestants hoping to become Miss Universe Canada. (Facebook/Rita Houkayem)

Houkayem, who speaks four languages, holds a master’s degree in International Affairs. She works as a policy analyst for the Canadian government, where she focuses on information and communications technologies.

QUICK FACTS:

  • Height: 5’9
  • Hometown: Toronto, ON
  • Languages: English, French, Arabic, Spanish
  • Occupation: Public Servant

In an interview with Miss Universe Canada, Houkayem expressed pride in her Lebanese roots.

“I have also visited Lebanon numerous times and have fallen in love with it after every trip. It is one of the most intriguing places in the world as it has experienced centuries of conquest and turmoil but remains as one of the most vibrant places. Fun fact, it is the home of the Phoenicians, the civilization that created the foundation for the modern Alphabet and is characterized by charming ancient cities such as Byblos, which is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. To me, this little country conveys a message of hope and resiliency to the world, inhabiting people from eighteen different religious sects, coexisting peacefully despite all their differences.”

In the future, Houkayem hopes to become an international leader in education and development, and a UN ambassador for youth and women.

VOTE HERE: Rita Houkayem for Miss Universe Canada.

Subscription box company launches products for Lebanon lovers

A subscription box company created to promote Lebanese culture has launched new boxes perfect for any lover of Lebanon.

The ‘Koullouna‘ concept aims to connect Lebanese expats with local products that celebrate Lebanese culture, tastes, smells and sounds.

According to its website, Koullouna sends surprise themed boxes to a subscriber’s doorstep every month.

The boxes can include:

day3a box 1

The Day3a box

  • Dark chocolate by Eshmoon
  • Strawberry and rose petal jam by Mymoune
  • Sumac by Adonis Valley
  • Amareddine by Al-Rifai
  • Wild thyme by Shams Permaculture
  • A pillowcase by Art7ake
  • A postcard designed by Hoda Adra

jam3a box 1

The Jam3a box

  • A bottle of Almaza
  • Two coasters by Images d’Orient
  • A bag of nuts from Castania
  • A bowl for your nuts by Verdi
  • Zaatar crackers and other nibbles by Rural Delights Cooperative
  • A tote bag by Inoui

sobhiyeh box 1

The Sobhiyeh box

  • 3 healthy bars from Freekeh Bites
  • A Labneh bag from IRAP
  • 2 coffee cups made with recycled glass by GGRIL
  • A pack of Zaatar by The Good Thymes
  • A jar of honey by Miel Du Levant
  • A pack of Coffee by Cafe Najjar
  • A postcard by Mimo Quirks

kankaneh box 1

The Kankaneh box

  • A pair of socks by Sikasok
  • The book “L’Etoile Phoenicienne” by Tania Bonja Honein
  • A bookmark by L’Artisan du Liban
  • A suitcase tag by 10452 DNA
  • A soap by the Soap Museum in Saida
  • A pack of Anis seeds by Abido spices
  • A postcard designed by Cindy Daccache

The subscription cost is about 39 euros, or $45 per month.

Koullouna also has gift options available on their website.

Lebanese man plants cedar tree in town of Lebanon, Tennessee

A Lebanese photographer planted a cedar tree in the small town of Lebanon, Tennessee as part of his mission to visit every city named Lebanon in the U.S.

Fadi Boukaram told WKRN-TV he is on his second tour of U.S. cities named Lebanon. By his count, there are 47 total ‘Lebanon’ cities in the U.S., including in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Dakota and Oklahoma.

Boukaram said the journey was done as a road trip to explore America’s heartland and any potential connections to the country of Lebanon.

Fadi Boukaram visits towns around the U.S. named Lebanon. He posted a Facebook photo in Lebanon, Kentucky. (Facebook/Fadi Boukaram)
Fadi Boukaram visits towns around the U.S. named Lebanon. He posted a Facebook photo in Lebanon, Kentucky. (Facebook/Fadi Boukaram)

Surprisingly, Boukaram told the Nashville ABC-affiliate he found a connection involving a goodwill tour in 1955 from Lebanon to Lebanon, Tennessee.

“What’s interesting to me is the Vice Mayor, who went from Lebanon is actually Lebanese-American. His name was Frank Baddour and he was a dentist and a prominent citizen of Lebanon, Tennessee,” Boukaram said.

The photographer planted a cedar — Lebanon’s national symbol — in a community park near the town’s downtown area.

Boukaram said the town of Lebanon, Tennessee made a special impression on him.

“I started in California and this is the first big Lebanon I passed through,” he added. “I passed through two smaller ones before but they were too tiny, and the weather there is too hot to be able to grow a cedar tree. I love Lebanon, Tennessee. I spent a week here in 2017 when I first came and I just loved it.”

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