St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Mission is proud to announce their Church Dedication Weekend.
Saturday April 5
Grand Banquet, honorary guest: His Excellency Bishop A. Elias Zaidan
Sunday, April 6 – Divine Liturgy of Dedication, His Excellency Bishop A. Elias Zaidan Officiating
Liturgy 11:30 AM
Email info@boundlesstalents.com for details on this private event.
BEIRUT: The American University of Beirut is bracing for a student-led occupation of a central building on campus Wednesday afternoon after activists accused the administration and Board of Trustees of not taking seriously their demands to halt the tuition hike.
“Following the BoT’s [Board of Trustees] unresponsiveness and disregard of the demands of the student body, further escalation of our actions is clearly a necessity,” read a statement posted on a Facebook event page titled Occupy College Hall by a group called Students of AUB.
“Starting Wednesday, April 2 2014, we will start a sit in at 3:00 pm in front of College Hall, during which we sill set up tents and sleep for an undetermined period of time.”
AUB President Peter Dorman, Provost Ahmad Dallal and the university’s Chief Financial Officer George DeBin all have their offices in College Hall. The university denies that it disregarded student demands.
Students are calling for the administration to freeze tuition fees for next year, something the administration says is practically impossible due to the funds needed to maintain AUB’s standard of operations.
While dialogue between a student delegation and Dorman is ongoing, some say they have begun to doubt the goodwill of the administration.
According to one graduate student, who asked to remain anonymous, it has tried to silence students’ demands. The goal of the College Hall occupation, she said, was to “push back, to reclaim a space where students can’t be ignored.”
Dallal said he did not see the point of the protest: “I don’t know what purpose the occupation will serve.”
He said the university’s financial officers were working long hours to develop budget plans that would minimize the tuition increase, but did not disclose details of the numbers being considered.
“We just cannot commit to a figure right now,” he said, adding: “It will take four or five weeks to resolve this issue.”
Students, however, accuse the administration of dragging its feet ahead of the upcoming Board of Trustees’ meetings at which the budget will be finalized.
“We can’t just wait around for the board’s response in May,” said a student activist, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Jean. “We believe this [occupation] is a form of peaceful pressure that can have a stronger impact than an open strike.”
The occupation plan was decided upon after a letter released by Dorman last week all but confirmed that tuition would indeed increase next year, Jean explained. “It’s finished, [the administration] didn’t give us any other choice,” he said.
Despite having previously sympathized with the students’ demands, Dean of Student Affairs Talal Nizameddin strongly censured the planned occupation.
“I do not support the occupation of any building for a variety of reasons including safety concerns,” he told The Daily Star.
“I know that the Occupy Wall Street movement was fashionable and this is probably the model that is being emulated, but in this case, the university is home to students,” he said. “Having large crowds in buildings and blocking exits puts lives at risk.”
Jean, however, was confident that the occupation of College Hall would have a positive impact.
“During the day, it will be a place where students will hang out and protest and study and spend their time,” he said.
“We believe that if the occupation succeeds, the administration will go for negotiations.”
The Daily Star
The Kurdish company Korek Telecom hired the services of Lebanese “Sport Evasion” to organize the biggest bonfire in the Middle East and Africa in Korek Mountain in Erbil, on Sat 29 March.
A pyramidal 10m high structure of nearly 700m3 of wood was lit in the presence of Sheikh Serwan Mostapha Barazani, chairman of Korek Telecom, VIP Guests and nearly 1000 persons present for the occasion. The event was held for the occasion of Nawroz celebrations representing the Kurdish New Year. Talks are that a world record bonfire attempt is expected in 2015.
Naharnet
TRIPOLI, Lebanon: Security forces launched a wide-ranging crackdown in Tripoli Tuesday that brought calm to the embattled northern city but failed to apprehend militia leaders who went into hiding ahead of the raids.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, the Army said it had arrested 75 people, 27 of whom had Palestinian or Syrian citizenship, and confiscated large quantities of weapons and ammunition.
The arrests were made as part of the government-approved security plan to restore stability to the city, where rounds of fighting linked to the war in Syria have claimed scores of lives. Those arrested are suspected of involvement in clashes.
Around 1,800 Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces personnel were deployed in Tripoli in the early hours of the morning and conducted an estimated 40 raids in several neighborhoods of Lebanon’s second largest city.
The sites of the raids included the residence of the pro-Assad Arab Democratic Party Secretary-General Rifaat Eid in Jabal Mohsen, where soldiers confiscated two wireless devices and two surveillance cameras, among other items, security sources said. It was the first time the ISF has deployed to Jabal Mohsen, where tensions between local Alawites and the security force had reached a fever pitch.
Security forces in Akkar also raided the home of ADP leader Ali Eid, who is accused of helping to smuggle out a suspect involved in twin car bombings in Tripoli last summer. Four of his guards were arrested, security sources said, but Eid was not found.
The Army also raided the house of militant Sheikh Omar Bakri, a Tripoli-based Islamist, in the Abu Samra neighborhood, as well as the residence of Shadi Mawlawi, but the two men were not found, according to the sources.
Mawlawi was previously accused of terrorism-related offenses and leads an armed group in Tripoli.
The Army raided the neighborhood of Riva and detained militia leader Jihad Dandashi, along with 10 other people including three Syrians.
Tripoli gunmen and fighters went into hiding in anticipation of the security plan’s implementation, after the military prosecutor issued 200 warrants, including some for militia leaders in the city.
Residents said the city was peaceful and expressed support for the Army’s plan, hoping that it could herald a return to economic growth. Asaad Hariri, an established merchant, said it was the first time residents had seen Lebanese helicopters flying in Tripoli’s skies since the early 1980s, adding that he had seen no armed gunmen or thugs on motorcycles since the Army deployment.
“Economics and security go hand in hand,” he said.
Roula Fawwaz, who heads a number of vocational training centers in the city, said calm had taken hold.
“I’m usually scared when I go out and drive my car, but it was peaceful in the street,” she said.
“We are with the security plan,” she added. “All of the people of Tripoli need this.”
Military Prosecutor Saqr Saqr issued warrants on charges related to armed clashes, car bombs, kidnapping and forgery, as well as the attempted murder of civilians and Army soldiers. The judicial move grants security agencies the right to detain suspects and refer them to the judiciary.
The military and ISF set up 30 checkpoints throughout the city. The Army began removing barricades and sandbags that were erected during armed clashes, as several shops and markets opened for business.
Internet services in Tripoli were cut off to assist in the implementation of the plan, which was drafted by the Higher Defense Council.
President Michel Sleiman voiced relief over the measures and “sacrifices to restore stability and preserve the security of the nation and citizens.”
At least 30 people were killed in the latest round of fighting between opponents and supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The clashes subsided last week.
MP Walid Jumblatt mocked the security plan, saying the government’s announcement gave militia leaders enough time to flee the city.
“Now Rifaat Eid can continue his graduate studies at the University of California at Berkeley,” Jumblatt said in the statement.
Meanwhile, Investigative Military Judge Fadi Sawan questioned Jamal Daftardar, who was once thought to be the next leader of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, and issued an arrest warrant against him on charges of belonging to terrorist networks, including Al-Qaeda and the Abdullah Azzam Brigades
Judge Sawan questioned Daftardar inside the military hospital in Beirut, where the detainee is receiving treatment.
The charges against Daftardar also included transporting explosives-rigged vehicles from Syria to Lebanon and detonating them in residential areas of Beirut and the capital’s southern suburbs, as well as killing civilians and launching rockets into Israel.
A judicial source told The Daily Star that Daftardar, also known as Mohammad Ahmad al-Masri, confessed to belonging to the Abdullah Azzam Brigades. He also confessed that the former leader of the group, the late Majid al-Majid, had previously appointed him as an official of Islamic law in Lebanon.
Daftardar claimed that Majid had appointed Naim Abbas, the alleged mastermind behind two bombings, as the new military official for the group in Lebanon.
After he finished questioning Daftardar, the judge referred the file, which covers 23 suspects from a range of nationalities, to judge Saqr Saqr. The file includes Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian and Iraqi suspects, some of whom remain at large .
Daftardar was arrested during a raid on a residence in the Western Bekaa town of Kamed al-Loz in mid-January.
The Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility for several attacks in Lebanon including the Nov. 19 twin suicide attacks targeting the Iranian Embassy in Beirut that left 30 people dead, including an Iranian diplomat. – Additional reporting by Kareem Shaheen
The Daily Star
Lebanese songstress Nancy Ajram has announced that she finished recording the theme song for Coca Cola’s World Cup 2014 promotional commercial, al-Bawaba reported this week.
The diva’s 2010 World Cup anthem with Somali-Canadian rapper K’naan, “Wave your Flag,” was well received, becoming a chart topper.
Ajram’s latest album, “Nancy 8,” has topped the iTunes world chart at #1 in France and the U.S. while her latest hit single “Ma Tegy Hena” (Why don’t you come over here) has had more than three million YouTube views, after being uploaded a week ago.
Meanwhile, Colombian pop star Shakira released the official World Cup song for 2014 on last week, four years after super hit “Waka Waka” made huge successes during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The lyrics of the song titled “La La La” were written by Shakira, as a reworked version of the star’s new song “Dare.”
The World Cup is set to take place in Rio de Janeiro towards the end of 2014.
“It’s an upbeat, Brazilian track. The lyrics are personal and I’ve actually recorded a version for the World Cup,” said the 37-year-old singer, reported Britain’s Daily Star.
Al-Arabiya
Forgery’ll get ya nowhere, clearly. After Haifa Wehbe’s “Words on Paper” director Mohammad Sami was discovered to have faked his college diploma, he was swiftly stripped of his membership of the Egyptian Cinema Professions Syndicate.
According to Sayidaty.net, the Syndicate has demanded that all the legal actions be taken against Mohammad, and he may face a possible jail sentence for forgery of official documents.
Mohammad, who is currently filming the scenes of his new television drama “Kalam Ala Waraq” (Words on Paper) starring Lebanese diva Haifa Wehbe and Egyptian actors Majed Al Masri and Ahmad Zaher, may be forced to stop and the drama may never see the light, especially since he will be put under legal questioning and investigation.
Cyrine Abdel Nour is getting ready to film the romantic comedy “Sou Tafahum” (Misunderstanding) with fellow stars from Egypt and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, she’s also got a film on her slate this summer with producer Marwan Haddad and director Rami Hanna. The screenplay was written by Reem Hanna and co-stars her common on-screen partner, Syrian actor Maksim Khalil.
The starlet is one busy gal as her other drama, also with Maksim, “Sirat Hub” (Love Story) will air 90 episodes, starting in Ramadan.
Don’t forget bout her singing career either ’cause Cyrine revealed that a romantic duet is in the works with Lebanese singer and composer Marwan Khoury. She added that she is also preparing another song with Salim Assaf.
BEIRUT: American center Chris Daniels starred with 28 points and 12 rebounds as Sagesse clinched a valuable 81-75 victory against fifth-placed Byblos at Ghazir Sunday in the opening match of round 16 in the Lebanese Basketball League. Sagesse moved provisionally to first place with 12-4, one win ahead of Riyadi, Mouttahed and Amchit – the three teams have a game in hand.
The green side played their first match at home since their heartbreaking defeat against Homenetmen last week, and their start wasn’t a positive indicator as they trailed 22-15 early in the second.
The Jbeil side controlled the boards through Mike Fraser, who was as usual dominant in the paint, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds.
But Sagesse kept themselves in contention at 32-32 at the interval, thanks to Daniels and Rodrigue Akl, who scored a 2-point basket at the buzzer.
Both teams continued to exchange the lead, but no one could control the tempo; while Youngblood was instrumental for Nenad Vucinic’s side, Daniels was demonstrating his skills under the basket.
With Sagesse ahead 54-53 into the fourth, Youngblood struck from distance to give the visitors a 61-57 lead with seven minutes to go. But Daniels had other ideas, as he dominated inside showing great footwork. With five minutes to go, the score was tied at 61 all.
Akl, who has been in a rich vein of form this season, was on the verge of another triple-double, and his 3-pointer helped his cause, giving his side a one-point lead.
Moments later, American forward Charles Thomas nailed a crucial 3-pointer to extend the hosts’ lead to six, before they eventually wrapped up the game 81-75.
The loss dealt a blow to Byblos’ chances to compete for one of the first four places, as they will possibly trail by two games at the end of this round with two game to go before the playoffs. They sit now in fifth place with 10-6.
Alongside Daniels, Akl was one assist shy from recording his second triple-double as he finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Thomas added 15 points, while Rustom added nine. Julian Khazzouh had six points and seven rebounds.
For Byblos, Youngblood led the scoring with 24 points and five assists, Fraser posted 13 points and 16 rebounds while Kanaan netted 15 points.
Both teams shot below 30 percent from the 3-point line.
Elsewhere, Homenetmen extended their unbeaten run to six games after routing Tadamon Zouk 92-60 to secure sixth place Saturday at Mezher. The Armenian side also avenged their first leg loss of 78-75.
Homenetmen secured their playoffs spot, as they look to build on a historic appearance thus far, having recorded eight wins from 15 games.
They are now three games ahead of Tadamon in seventh and Champville in eighth.
Homenetment’s American duo impressed once again as Terrence Leather netted 32 points and 8 rebounds, and Dion Dixon added 31 points, six rebounds and six assists. Hayk Gyokchyan also added 16 points and five rebounds.
For Tadamon, who produced one of their worst performances this season, American Hugh Robertson led the scoring with 18 points and Nadim Souaid added 13. American Jarrid Famous posted 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Mouttahed joined Saturday a four-way tie at the summit, after cruising past bottom side Hoops 85-72. Mouttahed are tied with Riyadi, Sagesse and Amchit at 11-4, as the battle for first place remains open.
American center Hassan Whiteside continued his dominant performance after registering 32 points and 23 rebounds, while his compatriot Corey Williams added 19 points and nine assists.
Palestinian center Sani Sakakini was the best player for Hoops with 26 points and 21 rebounds, and American point guard Brandon Johnson added 17 points and five assists.
Hoops remain in last place at 1-14.
(The Daily Star)
HONG KONG: Dangling his feet off the edge of a skyscraper more than 50 stories above the streets of Hong Kong, Jonathan Tsang looks as relaxed as if he were kicking back in his own living room.
For most people, the view below would be a dizzying, terrifying spectacle. But for 25-year-old Tsang, it brings a sense of calm.
“The population is really dense, and sometimes it’s just kind of suffocating to the point where you need some time to yourself,” he said. “That’s mostly why I come up here.”
Tsang, who asked AFP to use a pseudonym, is one of a growing number of so-called urban explorers, a subculture of adrenaline junkies, photographers and history enthusiasts who treat the world’s forgotten – and often forbidden – places as their own personal playgrounds.
The pursuit has long been popular in North America and Europe, and now Asia is becoming an increasingly sought-after destination for an intrepid new generation of “urbexers.”
In February, two Russian daredevils scaled China’s tallest building with their bare hands. Vadim Makhorov and Vitaliy Raskalov took advantage of lax security over the Chinese New Year holiday to sneak into the under-construction Shanghai Tower, releasing a hair-raising video of their stunt that went viral.
Hong Kong, a city with more skyscrapers than anywhere else in the world, is a particularly attractive destination for both local and international “rooftoppers,” a daring subset of adventurers with a head for heights willing to risk arrest, injury and even death as they scale some of the world’s tallest buildings.
Getting to the top of many Hong Kong residential buildings, said Tsang, is often as easy as bluffing your way past the concierge and taking a lift to the top floor. But some of the tallest luxury complexes, hotels and office towers present a much greater challenge.
“You try and do as much research as you can. If other explorers have been there then you can get advice about how to get in – like whether there is a hole in a fence somewhere,” he said.
“Usually there are security guards, but you just have to be patient. You can’t just barge into a place and walk up to the roof. You have to wait for the right time.”
Many attempts end in failure.
“The success rate on rooftops is probably 20-30 percent,” he said. “And at times it can be discouraging. You might walk up 30-40 stories and then you discover you can’t get past the final door. But when you do finally get to the top, wow, it’s hard to describe. It’s just beautiful.”
Accessing the roof of the skyscraper – a luxury hotel in the city’s bustling Kowloon district – was alarmingly easy.
Tsang and an urbexing friend who uses her exploring name Airin T simply walked through a mall, into the hotel and took an elevator most of the way up. To avoid any guards or staff near the more exclusive penthouse suites, the last few stories were made on foot via a staircase and through an unlocked door that led to the roof.
But any misconception that rooftopping is a safe hobby was soon dispelled as Tsang and his friend climbed a large illuminated dome at the top of the building. The ladder up to the dome hung over the edge of the skyscraper while the pathway at the top was little more than a foot wide. A slip on either would mean certain death.
“I do have a fear of heights,” said Tsang, visibly elated from his climb. “It sounds kind of cliched, but it’s about facing your fears. And it really does help.”
Hong Kong’s police declined an interview request by AFP but warned that practitioners could face criminal damage and burglary charges in the event of any destruction of property.
No explorers have been prosecuted to date.
Yet not all forms of urban exploration are about seeking the adrenaline rush that comes from soaring above the crowds on rooftops.
Airin, a 25-year-old office worker by day, is a keen rooftopper. But she also spends much of her time exploring Hong Kong’s myriad abandoned places, from shuttered mental asylums to discarded factories and crumbling apartment blocks.
Sporting bright blue hair, suspenders and a leather skirt, she looks like a character from a manga comic as she strolls along the decaying paths around an abandoned village in Hong Kong’s rural Sai Kung district.
In one house, she cuts past a traditional table still displaying ancestor offerings, up a rotten wooden staircase to a bedroom littered with broken pieces of furniture.
For Airin, who has gone urbexing as far afield as Russia, South Korea and Japan, abandonments offer a hidden window into the past.
“You can feel that time stops here, and that’s what attracts me,” she said.
Wong Chuk Yeung is one of around 100 traditional villages in Hong Kong that lie shuttered.
“The young people move out and they have their families in the city. The old people stay and [eventually] die so it becomes abandoned,” Airin said of the village.
Tsang believes urbexers are too often portrayed as adrenaline junkies and that their respect for leaving places untouched is ignored.
“There’s a lot of people putting labels on us. Calling us thrill seekers, daredevils,” he said.
“That’s true, there are some people like that but it doesn’t fully represent this subculture.”
Meanwhile Airin believes more and more people across Asia will inevitably be drawn to explore the forbidden as the subculture grows.
“Everyone is actually born an explorer,” she said. “But they just don’t realize it.”
(AFP)
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