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Lebanese Collegiate Network to host convention in Michigan

(DETROIT, MI) — The Lebanese Collegiate Network will host more than 150 Lebanese students and working professionals during the eighth annual LCN convention at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor from April 10 to April 12.

The convention draws students and professionals from across the country for networking events and professional development workshops, according to the group’s press release.

“When we get all these people on one campus they find innovative ways to collaborate and make lasting friendships,” said Joe Sadek, president of the 501(c)(3) organization. “I’d say most of our members are self-starters, entrepreneurs, and generally thoughtful individuals.”

Sadek says the workshops have included business presentations, resume building seminars, and marketing classes, among others. They’ve also had major keynote speakers including Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Antoine Chedid.

“The convention provides a medium for students to connect and collaborate while having a ton of fun,” he said.

Sadek adds that most LCN members are students enrolled in 4-year academic programs.

“We began our alumni track in 2011 and we attract young professionals from across the country to attend,” he said. “I’d say the conference is 65-35, students to alumni.”

This is the second time LCN hosts their convention in Michigan. The group gathered at Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. in 2011.

The cost to attend the two-day convention is $80 for LCN members, and $85 for non-members. For more information, visit mylcn.org.

LCN 15 Convention Banner

 

 

 

Lebanese model announces divorce, then changes mind

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — U.S.-born Lebanese model Joelle Hatem seems to have acted on impulse when she took to Facebook to announce a divorce from her husband, singer George Al Rassi.

Hatem, 36, shocked her 60,000 Facebook fans when she wrote:

I announce my divorce from George Al Rassi. This is not a lie for me and George cannot be together anymore. I respect him very much and apologize from everyone I need to relax and I cannot answer anyone at this time. I wanted you to know the news from me personally first.

Jordanian news site Al Bawaba reports that Lebanese singer Cyrine Abdel Nour may have had something to do with the separation.

But a few hours later, Hatem returned to Facebook with a change of heart. She wrote:

I want to tell you from the bottom of my heart and by the life of my son Joe, I truly regret what I had done, it is true that George and I had had a big dispute and he left, but I do not want to get a divorce. I want a happy family and what I said on Facebook was a result of my outrage and anyone who wants to curse me for it do it, and I want to thank everyone who support us and stood by our side.

It was unclear whether the couple will reconcile or continue with the separation. They had their first baby in October of last year.

(Photo © Joelle Hatem Official Facebook)
(Photo © Joelle Hatem Official Facebook)

Gebran Bassil visits Lebanese community in Mexico

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil visited Mexico this week to meet with the Lebanese-Mexican community and call for closer economic ties between the two countries.

Bassil stressed the role of Lebanese expatriates in strengthening economic relations by investing in Lebanese exports.

The minister said Lebanon could “turn into Mexico’s (economic) gateway to the Arab world,” according to statements published by the National News Agency on Monday.

Bassil also met with the Maronite community, stressing that the Christian presence in Lebanon was critical for the region.

“We are entrusted with the mission of our lord Jesus Christ, and we have to maintain it in Lebanon by remaining rooted in our land,” Bassil said. “If (Maronites) ever leave Lebanon, I assure you that not a single Christian will remain in the country or in the whole Orient.”

Bassil’s added that Lebanon’s power sharing between Muslims and Christians was unique in the Arab world.

“Our Lebanese identity cannot be divided from our Christianity, it is not opposed to it and it does not undermine others sects, but it embodies Lebanon’s particularity, because it is the sole Christian-Muslim country in the Orient which is based on equality between these two religions,” he said.

Bassil began his visit to Latin American countries on Friday with a visit to Cuba, where he signed a diplomatic agreement with the country.

Report: ISIS plans to capture Lebanese land, declare emirate

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Islamic State militants are planning to extend their command to Lebanon and declare an “Islamic emirate” there, according to Beirut-based newspaper The Daily Star.

“ISIS is preparing military plans to declare an Islamic emirate in Lebanon very soon to serve as a geographical extension of the so-called ‘Islamic State’ announced by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Iraq last year,” security sources told the newspaper.

“ISIS fighters have demanded support from the militant group in northern Syria to achieve this goal,” the sources said.

The report adds that jihadists are preparing to establish a military committee that will oversee “Lebanese affairs” while “considering Lebanon as part of its state.”

It also revealed plans to actively recruit suicide bombers to “target Shiite gatherings in Beirut and the southern suburbs, as well as French and Western interests.”

The Iranian embassy in Beirut, which was previously targeted in November 2013, is particularly vulnerable to a suicide attack, according to sources.

The news comes amid reports that ISIS has been adding fighters in Syria’s Qalamoun province, which is near the border of Lebanon.

ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was reportedly not yet interested in seeking a takeover in Lebanon, but instead was plotting to target a string border towns that support Hezbollah, which has fought ISIS in Lebanon and Syria.

Several countries have military pledged aid to the Lebanese Army, including the United States, which donated $25 million worth of military equipment on February 8.

In addition to the Lebanese Army, many Lebanese Christians near the border of Syria have been arming themselves to defend their land and families.

WATCH Russia Today’s report about newly-formed Christian militias:

Lebanese-American marine sentenced to two years in prison

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — A Lebanese-American marine who vanished in Iraq in 2004 has been sentenced to two years in prison for fleeing his post and moving to Lebanon.

Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, 34, was found guilty of deserting with intent to avoid hazardous duty and desertion with intent to remain away permanently, according to Marine Capt. Stewart Coles, a spokesman at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where the trial took place.

Hassoun was also found guilty of losing government property — a 9mm M9 pistol that authorities said he had when he vanished.

Hassoun was sentenced to two years in prison, a reduction in rank to private, loss of all pay and allowances, and an dishonorable discharge, Coles added.

The case began when Hassoun vanished from a base in Fallujah, Iraq in June 2004. Days later, he appeared blindfolded and with a sword pointed at his head in a photo allegedly taken by an extremist group.

He later appeared unharmed at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, saying that he’d been kidnapped. But U.S. officials were suspicious and brought him back to Camp Lejeune where charges were considered.

After several months, Hassoun vanished again to “visit family in Lebanon”, according to his attorney, Haytham Faraj.

The Marine Corps charged Hassoun with desertion a second time and labeled him as a fugitive, prompting an arrest by Lebanese authorities, who later transferred him to American custody.

Hassoun, who was born in Lebanon, enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2002 and served as an Arabic translator.

Jordan donates tanks, artillery to Lebanese Army

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Jordan donated 30 armored carriers and 12 howitzers to the Lebanese Army on Monday during a ceremony held at Beirut’s naval base, according to the Lebanese National News Agency.

The donation was first announced by Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk two weeks ago during a private meeting with King Abdullah.

“The Jordanian military assistance aims to boost the Lebanese army’s capability of addressing regional threats and challenges,” said a statement by the Jordanian government.

Lebanese Army Deputy Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Manuel Kirjian thanked Jordan for the military cooperation and donation to help the country battle regional spillovers.

“We thank you for the military cooperation between the two brotherly armies and the continuous cooperation to confront the common threats and challenges, especially the threat of terrorism,” he said.

Security sources say the donation was made several weeks ago, but the announcement was delayed for several weeks following the death of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kassabeh, who was burned to death by ISIS militants in January.

King Abdullah says his country will pledge more arms and military equipment and free training for the Lebanese army at “all bases,” according to comments published in Al-Mustaqbal newspaper.

“We are one,” he said. “Jordan is ready to offer the Lebanese army all its needs of arms and military equipment, including free training at all our bases.”

Elie Saab dresses shine at Oscars

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Elie Saab’s line of dresses beamed at the Oscars, as Jennifer Lopez and Emma Stone wore the Lebanese designer’s patterns at the 87th annual awards ceremony, which took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Stone sparkled on the red carpet in a long-sleeved, light green Elie Saab gown covered in intricate beading.

(Photos by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
(Photos by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

The actress, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Birdman,” showed some skin in the backless dress.

The Huffington Post said Stone’s dress was one of their “favorites.”

“Her fashion risk-taking always pays off, so it’s no surprise that she stunned once again at the Oscars,” they wrote.

Lopez wore an Elie Saab embellished belted silk gown, which featured intricate nude colored lace work. Hollywood Life said Lopez was one of the best dressed at the ceremony.

(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
(Photo Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Saab, who was born in Beirut, has dressed over 150 international celebrities for key global events over the past year.

His creations can be found all over the world, with boutiques located in Beirut, Dubai, Doha, Paris, London, Geneva, Hong Kong, and Mexico. Saab has 100 retail outlets all over the world.

Lebanese satirist under fire for ‘insulting Islam’

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese satirist Charbel Khalil is under fire for allegedly defaming Islam on Twitter.

Khalil appeared before a prosecutor on Monday after Dar al-Fatwa, the top Sunni religious authority in Lebanon, filed a complaint against him to the courts.

Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Abdel-Latif Derian urged Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi to take action against Khalil, after he posted a photo of a woman lying on a black bed-cover with the Islamic slogan, “There is no God but God and Mohammed is his Prophet” in Arabic.

The black bed cover resembled the banner of the Islamic State group and it was accompanied with the words, “Sexual jihad under the Prophet’s umbrella.”

Khalil appeared before the prosecutor at Beirut’s Justice Palace with his lawyer MP Ibrahim Kanaan. He said the photo meant to shed light on the harm being done by Islamic State militants to Islam.

State Prosecutor Samir Hammoud referred the case to the State Prosecutor of Appeals Claude Karam after he found that there was enough evidence to try Khalil.

Khalil’s friends, colleagues, and supporters gathered outside of court with black ribbons around their mouths to signify government censorship.

© AP Photo/Hussein Malla
© AP Photo/Hussein Malla

Many of them held signs reading “Je Suis Charbel”, comparing Khalil’s case to the Charlie Hebdo Magazine in Paris. The magazine headquarters came under fire on January 7 by a group that killed 11 people and injured 11 others over an alleged critical photo of Prophet Mohammed.

Khalil is the director of comedy program “Basmat Watan,” which airs on LBC-TV. The program pokes fun at politicians of all political backgrounds and religions.

In 2006, Khalil came under fire after airing a satire comedy of Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, sparking street demonstrations and tire burnings in Beirut.

Iran offers donation to build dams in Lebanon

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Iran announced plans to offer a donation on Sunday to help Lebanon better manage its water resources by building dams in the country.

Lebanese Environmental Minister Mohammad Machnouk met with Iran’s Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian in Tehran, where they announced that Iran was prepared to offer donations to the Lebanese government for dam construction.

“We held serious talks on dam construction in Lebanon and Iran’s experiences and capabilities in the field of dam construction were explained,” Chitchian said. “Iran is ready to provide the friendly country of Lebanon with all its technical capacities and facilities.”

In 2012, Iran offered Lebanon a $40 million cash donation to support the Balaa dam in Batroun, which came under fire by several Lebanese political leaders.

MP Boutrous Harb said the Iranian donation to Batroun was a political gain for Iran and its allies in the region.

Chitchian confirmed on Sunday, however, that Tehran did not end up funding the Balaa dam, which is currently under construction.

Machnouk, who was visiting Iran for an environmental conference, said the meeting also discussed water pollution, drought, and other water-related problems in Lebanon.

Iran currently has dam construction projects in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and in neighboring Azerbaijan and Armenia, according to the Iranian state-run news agency. Sources say Iran has also begun to develop dams in Nicaragua and Ecuador.

Haifa Wehbe wannabe turns himself into Haifa look-alike

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — An unknown man on Instagram has completely transformed himself into an identical look-alike of Lebanese superstar Haifa Wehbe.

The wannabe Haifa, who replicated her looks from head-to-toe, often posts provocative videos of himself dancing and lip-syncing to Haifa’s songs in skimpy outfits.

He has since come under fire from Haifa fans on Instagram, who attacked him on his YouTube channel, saying he is “howling for attention.”

The man, who calls himself ‘Haiifa MJK” does not reveal his actual name or country. His ethnic background is also unclear.

Since the transformation, he has garnered 300k Instagram followers and more than 55k YouTube views.

Jordan based media website, Albawaba, said he went “every inch of the way to replicate the diva’s provocative looks.”

The media group says he may be from the Far East, since he often speaks Thai to his Instagram fans.

It goes to show you that as new levels of insanity enter the Middle East, people continue to follow and add to their fan base….

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