Lebanese director Nadine Labaki has entered the Academy Awards for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ for her for 2018 drama “Capernaum.”
The film, which has received international acclaim, follows the story of a destitute Beirut boy who files a lawsuit against his parents for raising him into a life of pain and suffering.
Labaki confirmed the Oscar submission with a post on Facebook.
“We are incredibly honored to represent (Lebanon) in this year’s best foreign language (Oscar) race,” she wrote. “This is a film from the heart – and we’re very grateful for everyone who supported the film and its message.”
In May, Labaki made history as the first Arab woman to win the prestigious ‘Jury Prize’ during the Cannes Film Festival in France. She was also the second Arab woman to be in the running for the Palme d’Or, the highest prize awarded at the Cannes festival.
Lebanese director Nadine Labaki said she is proud to represent Lebanon in this year’s Oscar race. (File photo)
Labaki received a 15-minute standing ovation at the premiere of ‘Capernaum’ at Cannes. She told Agence France Presse that she feels strongly about the political and social messages in the film.
“I’m thinking of the notion of borders, of having to have papers to exist, of being completely excluded from the system if you don’t have them,” Labaki said. “(I’m thinking) of the maltreatment of children, modern slavery, immigrant workers, Syrian immigrants — all these issues where people find themselves completely excluded from the system because it is not capable of finding solutions.”
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An Irish soldier stationed in Lebanon returned home to Ireland to surprise his 8-year-old daughter. The special reunion was captured on cell phone video and posted to Facebook.
Daniel Downey is a member of the Irish Army based in Lebanon. His 8-year-old daughter Danni had not seen her father for several months, reported The Independent.
Downey interrupted his daughter’s dance class for a reunion to remember.
WATCH: Irish soldier stationed in Lebanon flies home to surprise daughter:
Danni’s aunt said the family spent more than four months planning the special reunion, The Indepedent added.
Vice Admiral Mark Mellett visits members of the Irish Army stationed in Lebanon. (Irish Defence Forces)
According to the Irish Army, more than 300 Irish personnel are currently serving the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.
“The UNIFIL mission ‘Monitor, Support and Assist’ involves extensive mobile patrolling throughout the Irish area of operations, including ground-holding, monitoring the Blue Line and humanitarian operations,” their website said.
Examiner StaffComments Off on VIDEO: Irish soldier stationed in Lebanon flies home to surprise daughter 2601
Mayor Jared Carr issued a proclamation to celebrate the city’s “bond with the country of Lebanon not only through name, but friendship.”
Lebanon, Missouri has a population of about 14,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Facebook/Embassy of Lebanon in Washington D.C.)
Lebanese photographer Fadi Boukaram planted a cedar tree in the city to mark the occasion. Boukaram has made it his mission to visit every city named Lebanon in the U.S.
“Our bond with the city of Lebanon extends back well over half a century, and we look forward to fostering deeper cultural ties and cooperation through our mutual respect of one another,” the Embassy said in a statement.
READ: Full text of the mayor’s proclamation:
WHEREAS, The city of Lebanon and communities across America share a bond with the country of Lebanon not only through name, but friendship; and
WHEREAS, Americans have a growing social, cultural and economic ties to the global community, as we seek to communicate with and understand our partners from different language and cultural backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, our community has historic ties of friendship with the country of Lebanon; and
WHEREAS, the cedar tree is a fitting tribute to the country of Lebanon, its people and hospitality; and
WHEREAS, Though thousands of miles may separate our countries, our communities are bonded in friendship and a historic connection dating back to 1955; and
WHEREAS, The City of Lebanon seeks to renew our bond.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Carr, City of Lebanon, Missouri, Do hereby proclaim September 20, 2018 as a day of friendship between the country of Lebanon and the City of Lebanon, Missouri, USA. I urge all citizens to become familiar with and be open to learning about other nations and exploring our share of bonds.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Lebanon to be affixed this 20th day of September 2018.
Mayor Jared Carr
Attest: City Clerk Laina Starnes
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FBI Director Christopher Wray and several U.S. officials visited with Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun at the country’s presidential palace in Baabda.
In a statement, Aoun said Lebanon was thankful for U.S. support to the Lebanese Armed Forces. He said Wray expressed his support to the Lebanese army for helping to fight militant groups across the country.
“Wray visited Lebanon to reaffirm the U.S. government’s commitment to the Lebanese-American partnership,” Aoun said in a statement released by the state-run Lebanese National News Agency. “They discussed issues relating to the close law enforcement and security cooperation between the United States and Lebanon.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray visited with Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda. (Lebanese National News Agency)
The meeting was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard, and representatives from the offices of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
“Lebanon is a key partner on law enforcement, including the fight against terrorism and the preservation of cultural heritage through preventing antiquities trafficking,” Aoun added. “Director Wray’s visit highlights the importance that the United States places on its relationship with Lebanon, and our continued commitment to the security of both the United States and Lebanon.”
The U.S. has provided more than $1 billion in military assistance to Lebanon since 2006, according to the Associated Press.
Christopher Wray formally replaced former FBI head James Comey in September 2017.
WATCH: FBI Director Christopher Wray meets with President Michel Aoun in Lebanon:
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A Lebanese American University graduate made history as the first female news anchor on a main news program in Saudi Arabia, reported The Daily Mail.
Weam Al Dakheel recently became co-anchor of Al Saudiya’s 9.30 p.m. bulletin, the main news program on Saudi Arabia’s state-run television network. She will work anchor alongside Saudi journalist Omar al-Nashwan.
Weam Al-Dakheel is Saudi Arabia’s first female news anchor. (Twitter/Saudi TV)
Al Dakheel graduated from the Lebanese American University, according to her Facebook page. She was previously a reporter for CNBC Arabia and an anchor for Al-Arab News Channel in Bahrain.
The journalist set a milestone in the conservative country, known for its tight restrictions on women. Saudi Arabia only recently lifted its widely criticized ban on female drivers.
Following Al Dakheel’s first broadcast, many Twitter users expressed their support for the promising future of female journalists in Saudi Arabia.
“This is big from Saudi Arabia,” wrote one Twitter user. “(She is) confident, focused (and) beautiful.”
WATCH: Weam Al Dakheel anchors the main 9:30 p.m. news broadcast in Saudi Arabia:
Queen Rania of Jordan looked glamorous in a balloon short sleeve shirt styled by Lebanese fashion designer Maison Makarem.
The queen wore the classic white shirt while accompanying King Abdullah II of Jordan to visit the Jordanian national martial arts team. The team recently participated in the Asian Games in Indonesia, and brought home 12 medals.
Queen Rania wore a classic white shirt by Lebanese fashion designer Maison Makarem. (The Royal Hashemite Court)
According to its website, Maison Makarem was launched in 2015 by political science graduate Layal Makarem. The fashion studio has grown quickly, and is working on opening a new studio and creative space in Beirut.
In a Facebook post, Maison Makarem said this is the fourth time Queen Rania appeared in public wearing from Maison Makarem.
“The Maison Makarem team and founder, Layal Makarem, are beyond honored, humbled and grateful to Her Majesty Queen Rania for believing in the vision of Maison Makarem and the cycle of goodness and giving back that we chose to be part of,” the post added.
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Named after a saint known for his miracles around the world, St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church announced its opening of a 29,000-square-foot church in Clinton Township, Michigan.
The church is home to one of the largest Maronite communities in the United States. It was formerly located in Warren, but moved to Clinton Township as part of a major expansion and construction project.
St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church is located at 43888 Hayes Road in Clinton Township, Michigan. (Lebanese Examiner)
“We are delighted to welcome our parishioners to their new home,” said Chorbishop Alfred Badawi, pastor of St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church. “This beautiful new church helps accommodate our growing parish, which is a testament to the vibrancy of the Maronite Catholic faith in Michigan.”
The church features architectural influences from among the world’s most historic churches in Lebanon, where St. Sharbel was born and lived as a solitary hermit. St. Sharbel was beatified Dec. 5, 1965, and canonized Oct. 9, 1977.
Thousands of tourists from around the world visit St. Sharbel in Annaya, Lebanon annually. (Lebanese Examiner)
“It is humbling to build an honor for St. Sharbel, who has performed dozens of miracles right here in metro Detroit, and who inspires devotion among Christians of all denominations, “Chorbishop Badawi added. “This move to Clinton Township secures the foundation of our future and safeguards the mission of the Maronite community, allowing us to preserve the treasures of our traditional values and culture for decades to come.”
For more than three decades, St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church has served a diverse population of parishioners in southeastern Michigan, including a large population who immigrated to Detroit from Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries.
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The Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport served 1,159,815 passengers in August, a 9 percent increase, according to Beirut-based newspaper The Daily Star.
Since the beginning of the year, the airport served a total of 6,002,040 passengers, up from the 5,535,725 passengers last year, the report added.
Lebanon’s only operational airport has been experiencing overcrowding at its terminals, and flight delays as a result of a system failure earlier this month.
A source told The Daily Star expansion is a top priority due to the congestion and increased number of visitors.
In July, airport officials announced a deal to bring advanced simulation technology from New Zealand to Beirut’s air traffic control tower. (Airways New Zealand)
A $500 million expansion project is in the works to offer more space at the airport, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Airport officials expect to award a contract by June 2020.
Although the airport’s current capacity is 6 million, Lebanon passed 8,234,782 travelers through the airport last year, airport officials added.
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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.
“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)
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.
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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)
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.
U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
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.
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