Examiner Staff

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 News

VIDEO: Syrian lawyers attack Lebanese lawyer at conference

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — A commission of Lebanese lawyers representing the Beirut Bar Association were violently attacked by a group of pro-regime Syrian lawyers on Sunday at an Arab Lawyers Union conference in Cairo, Egypt.

The violent assault came after Fadi Saad, a lawyer affiliated with the March 14 Future Movement, spoke about the Syrian army.

“The Egyptian army defended its people twice in 2011 and 2013, while the Syrian army is killing their people,” he said.

Cell phone footage broadcasted on LBC Television show a group of lawyers leaping from their seats and attacking Saad.

One Syrian lawyer can be seen throwing his shoe at Saad.

Minister of Justice Ashraf Rifi denounced the attack, according to Beirut-based newspaper, The Daily Star.

“The assault against the Lebanese lawyer’s delegation at a conference of the Arab Lawyers Union in Cairo indicates the nature of the Syrian regime,” he said. “(The lawyers’) practices are replicas of the system they belong too.”

The Future Movement also released a statement, claiming assault on two other Lebanese delegation members as well.

“As the lawyer Saad was delivering his speech, he was interrupted several times by Assad’s representatives, before they assaulted him and Lebanese delegation members Jabil Qambris and Munir al-Husseini,” the Future Movement said.

The Arab Lawyers Union describes itself as a “pan-Arab confederation of bar associations and law societies.” The group did not respond to requests for comment.

WATCH the attack:

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 New York, Photos

PHOTOS: NY Consulate Reception for Philippe Aractingi

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(NEW YORK, NY) — The Consulate General of Lebanon in New York hosted a reception welcoming Lebanese filmmaker Philippe Aractingi, who was in New York for the screening of his film “Heritages.”

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 Lifestyle

Vogue ranks Mar Mikhael staircase among world’s 9 best

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Mar Mikhael’s vibrant staircase was featured among the nine “amazing staircases from around the world” by the globally recognized fashion and lifestyle magazine, Vogue.

“Staircases are normally considered simple, at times inconvenient, pathways,” Vogue wrote. “A handful of artists, though, have experimented with transforming them into alluring art installations.”

The staircase is painted by “Paint Up,” a Beirut-based organization aiming to “make Beirut brighter and more beautiful through color,” according to their Facebook page.

The so-called “Dihzahyners” are a group of 12 self-funded graphic design students from the Lebanese American University. Their Beirut-based projects include staircases in Hamra and Saqiet Al Janzeer.

Vogue also featured other staircases in San Fransisco, London, France, and Brazil, among others.

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 Lifestyle, News

Selfie sparks debate over Lebanese-Israeli engagement rules

(MIAMI, FL) — Miss Lebanon Sally Greige came under fire after Miss Israel Doron Matalon posted a selfie of herself, Miss Lebanon, Miss Japan, and Miss Slovenia at the Miss Universe competition in Miami.

Greige says she was ‘photo-bombed’ by Miss Israel at the competition and tried to distance herself from her. She issued the following statement on Facebook.

“To all my supporters and Lebanese citizens, I would like to thank you indeed for your continuous support of Miss Lebanon at the Miss Universe contest …The truth behind the photo: Since the first day of my arrival to participate to Miss Universe, I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss Israel (that tried several times to have a photo with me) … I was having a photo with Miss Japan, Miss Slovenia and myself; suddenly Miss Israel jumped in, took a selfie, and put it on her social media…this is what happened and I hope to have your full support in the Miss Universe contest,” she wrote.

Miss Israel Doron Matalon responded with the following statement:

“It doesn’t surprise me, but it still makes me sad. Too bad you can not put the hostility out of the game, only for three weeks of an experience of a lifetime that we can meet girls from around the world and also from the neighboring country.”

Some are calling for Greige to lose the title over the selfie, especially because any contact with the Jewish state is illegal in Lebanon.

The following list explains the rules of Lebanese-Israeli engagement, courtesy of Beirut-based media outlet, NOW News:

Rules-of Lebanese-Israeli-engagement

The 63rd Miss Universe pageant finale is scheduled to take place on January 25 at the US Century Bank Arena at Florida International University.

What do you think? Submit your comments on our Facebook page.

RELATED: VIDEO: Jon Stewart responds to Miss Universe selfie debate. Watch here.

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 City Beat, Detroit

Lebanese-American skydiver dies after tragic jump in Michigan

(LANSING, MI) — A Lebanese-American skydiver died on Wednesday after his parachute failed to deploy during a BASE jump from a television news tower in Tompkins Township, Mich.

BASE stands for building, antenna, span and earth.

Jackson County police say Josh Sheppard, 31, was killed after falling from a 1,000-foot tower owned by Lansing TV station, WLAJ-TV.

Sheppard was an active parishioner at Our Lady of Redemption Melkite Catholic Church in Warren, Mich. He was also involved in the Melkite Association of Young Adults (MAYA) chapter.

Sheppard’s mother, whose maiden name is Michaels, is actively involved in the church community.

“It was always a pleasure to be around Josh Sheppard – such an infectious smile and positive attitude,” wrote one of his friends on Facebook. “He will be missed.”

Sheppard and his family owned “Skydive Owosso” a skydiving company in Owosso, Mich., 90 miles from Detroit.

Editor’s Note: Lebanese Examiner sends our deepest condolences to the Sheppard and Michael families. May his soul rest in peace.

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 City Beat, New York

Lebanese film director Philip Aractingi visits NY to promote latest film

(NEW YORK, NY) — Lebanese film director Philip Aractingi visited New York this week to premiere his latest film, “Heritages.”

The autobiography film narrates the exile of his own family across four generations and a hundred years of history, according to Aractingi’s website.img-9215-custom2015-01-17-080415

The film was screened at the City University of New York Graduate Center on January 15, followed by a Q&A session with Aractingi.

“People didn’t stop laughing while seeing the film. They laughed and cried,” Aractingi said. “The New York crowd was so light and so responsive. Lebanese and non-Lebanese identify themselves with the film and it’s themes.”

Consul General of Lebanon in New York Majdi Ramadan also hosted a private reception for the Lebanese film director at his home.

Ramadan says this was an opportunity to support the independent film industry in Lebanon.

Aractingi is also the director of several other films, including “Bosta” and “Under the Bombs.”

WATCH the trailer for “HERITAGES”:

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 News

Jumblatt renews call for legalizing weed in Lebanon

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — MP Walid Jumblatt renewed calls for legalizing the cultivation of cannabis in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, saying its economic impact could be substantial for the region.

In a statement published Wednesday in As-Safir Newspaper, Jumblatt applauded the crackdown on inmates in Roumieh Prison as a bold security move, but called it the first step to improving security strifes in the country.

“The treatment cannot be a security one only, but it should be backed by development, and thus I still believe that the cultivation of hashish should be legalized because the theory of alternative crops has failed,” Jumblatt said.

Jumblatt believes the “page has turned” in the Roumieh issue, and efforts should now focus on security and economic stability in the Bekaa. He says regulating security and cannabis growers should go hand-in-hand.

“Never in my life have I smoked marijuana, but I support growing cannabis for medical use and to improve the living conditions of farmers in north Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley,” Jumblatt previously told Al-Jadeed television.

“Let’s legalize cannabis and regulate its cultivation.”

Lebanon remains one of the top five global producers of hashish, accounting for around 5-6% of total world supply since 2002.

Global demand for cannabis and hashish is ever-increasing, and the incentive for impoverished Lebanese farmers to return to their traditional livelihood is great.

A hectare of cannabis may produce anything from 40-100 kg of hashish, worth between $20,000 and $40,000 USD.

WATCH: Inside a Lebanese marijuana factory:

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 News

Kuwaiti delegation announce development projects in Lebanon

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — A delegation from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) signed two agreements to benefit Tripoli residents and Syrian refugees, according to the delegation director Abdul Wahab Al-Bader.

“The first is a loan to fund a project for the city of Tripoli, which is worth 5.5 million Kuwaiti Dinars,” al-Bader said. “The second agreement is a donation by the fund as part of Kuwait’s commitment to support Syrian refugees.”

The 18.7 million dollar loan will be used to finance a slaughterhouse project in Tripoli, according to the Kuwaiti News Agency. 19 million dollars will go to Syrian refugees.

The delegation met for a private meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri at his home in Ain al-Tineh before announcing the two agreements.

They also met with Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail where they discussed the progress of several Kuwaiti-funded development projects, including the training of governmental employees.

KFAED is also expected to finance a number of projects in southern Beirut, including an emergency center in Ghobeiry, the historical Beaufort Castle in Nabatieh and the project of Litani River in Bekaa Valley.

The delegation previously supported the Litani River Project in 2012, which is a $330 million first phase project that aims to channel channel from the Qaroun Reservoir to 340,000 residents in South Lebanon.

The second phase is expected to provide agricultural land with irrigation networks, facilities, and land rehabilitation.

Upon arriving, the delegation, headed by Director General Abdul Wahab Al-Bader, and including regional manager for the Arab Countries Marwan Al-Ghanim, was received by at the airport by Third Secretary in Kuwait Embassy Mohammad Al-Wogayan, representative of KFAED resident in Lebanon Nawaf Al-Dabous, and Chairman of Lebanon’s Council for Development and Reconstruction Nabil Al-Jesr.

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 News

Abu Faour to close 8 labs, 3 plastic surgery clinics

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese Health Minister Wael Abu Faour announced the closure of eight health labs and three plastic clinics on Thursday for a failure to abide by health and legal obligations.

Abu Faour said the health labs were primarily “blood sample collection centers” and the registered physicians were not present during patient visits.

Lebanon requires centers to have valid licenses and full-time specialized doctors working in the establishment at all times.

The absent physicians were identified as Dr. Hassan Haidar in Saksakiye, Bassam Shoeib in Choueifat, George al-Baino in Taalbaya, and Qassem Salim in Sarafand.

The other four registered “doctors” were actually pharmacists, according to Abu Faour.

The lab owners were identified as Hussein Khalifeh, Joseph Najjar, Ricardo Sarraf, and Imad al-Afash.

Abu Faour also contacted south Lebanon’s governor with a request to shut down three plastic surgery clinics, for several “health-related” violations.

The clinics, which were all in Sidon, include Janin Nassar’s Center, Silkor Laser Medical Center, and Seif Beauty Clinic.

The minister said the clinics would be shut down for a renewable two week period, until the center could report proper health conditions.

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 News

Japan donates $7M to Lebanon’s education, health ministries

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Japan donated $6.8 million to Lebanon’s education and health ministries on Wednesday, according to a release by Education Minister Elias Bou Saab.

“I am pleased to announce the signing of a coordination agreement between Lebanese and Japanese government representative in Crown Agents for a 800 million yen ($6.8 million) contract, divided between the health and education ministries,” Bou Saab said.

The money will be split between both ministries, including $4 million that will go to the Health Ministry, and $2 million to the Education Ministry.

Bou Saab said the funds will be used to equip 160 public schools with generators, bathrooms, and desks and chairs for both Lebanese and Syrian students.

He says the donation will also provide enough fuel for an entire year, which will be used for public school generators.

The Japanese-Lebanese bilateral relationship was established in 1954 after an Embassy of Japan was established in Beirut.

“(Lebanon) was placed as the strategic country for the Japanese foreign trade and commercial activities in the Middle East,” said Japan’s Ambassador to Lebanon Seiichi Otsuka.

The donation was announced during a signing ceremony attended by the education minister, representatives from the Ministry of Health, and Ambassador Otsuka.

The Health Ministry has yet to announce how it will use the donation funds.

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