A viral video circulating on social media appears to show a wrong-way driver attempting to navigate a Lebanese highway in broad daylight.
The video, posted Saturday, uses the hashtag #TMO, which stands for Lebanon’s Traffic Management Organization. It has been viewed more than 100,000 times.
“Only in Lebanon,” the post said.
Editor’s Note: This video contains explicit language. Viewer discretion is advised.
VIDEO: Wrong-way driver on Lebanese highway:
A location is not listed, but posted signage indicates the incident may have happened along the Matn Express Highway.
It is not clear if the driver was cited, or if there were any injuries.
A viral video circulating on social media appears to show a wrong-way driver in Lebanon. (Facebook/Screen grab)
Road safety in Lebanon has been an issue in Lebanon for decades with many road safety organizations advocating for stricter law enforcement and driver’s training.
Some manufacturing companies are working on products to prevent wrong-way driving with a warning for drivers ahead of any potential risk.
The Detroit Tigers baseball team is hosting an Arab American Night Sept. 22 at Comerica Park during a Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals game.
According to its website, the Tigers are offering a package that supports an Arab American nonprofit based in Dearborn.
The package includes:
One ticket to the Sept. 22 game
A Saad Meats Sharifa Halal Knockwurst voucher
Donation to Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities
The nonprofit Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities is located in Dearborn. (File photo/Lebanese Examiner)
Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities, formerly known as the Lebanese American Heritage Club, is a human services nonprofit that works to support educational, social and economic projects in southeast Michigan.
The Sept. 22 game starts at 6:10pm. Tickets start at $25.
To learn more about Arab American Night, or to purchase tickets, click here.
Examiner StaffComments Off on Detroit Tigers to host Arab American Night at Comerica Park 2869
A Lebanese police officer is being questioned in an investigation involving a prostitution ring in Lebanon, LBCI-TV reported.
The officer, a member of Lebanon’s “morality police force,” was allegedly involved in a prostitution operation which targeted women in the small Mediterranean nation.
Authorities did not release the officer’s name. He is said to be “a senior officer,” according to Al Bawaba.
A Lebanese police officer is being questioned as part of an investigation involving a prostitution ring, according to a LBCI-TV report.
LBCI-TV reported the arrest of the officer and the subsequent investigation.
“One of the most senior officers in the office of countering immoral crime has been arrested and is being questioned on suspicion of involvement in prostitution networks,” the TV station’s website reported.
Sen. John McCain — an American war hero and veteran Arizona senator — died Saturday after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 81.
McCain’s legacy spans a lifetime of public service as a former naval pilot, prisoner of war, U.S. senator and Republican presidential nominee.
He was also a level-headed voice in the world of politics, where he brought civility and courteousness to a political system that often lacked basic decency. McCain always took the high road.
In 2008, as then-candidate for president, McCain took a question from a voter who brought up a racist conspiracy theory against then-candidate Barack Obama.
Sen. John McCain defended then-candidate Barack Obama when a voter began mentioning a racist conspiracy theory. (File photo)
McCain cut the voter off, took the microphone and defended Obama before a large crowd of supporters and the TV cameras.
“I can’t trust Obama. I have read about him, and he’s not — he’s an Arab,” the woman told McCain during a town hall meeting in Minnesota.
McCain quickly interrupted her thought and replied, “No ma’am.”
“He’s a decent family man, citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what the campaign is all about,” he replied. “He’s not.”
WATCH: McCain Counters Obama ‘Arab’ Question
Examiner StaffComments Off on Remembering McCain’s classy response after voter calls Obama an ‘Arab’ 2570
Cardi B turned heads at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards while wearing gowns by not one, but two Lebanese designers.
It was her first red carpet appearance since giving birth to her daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus who was born on July 10, according to Rolling Stone.
The New York native and rapper marked the occasion by stepping out onto the red carpet in a fitted velvet dress made by Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran.
Cardi B wore a fuschia dress by Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran. (MTV Press)
Jebran is a haute couture designer who was born in Lebanon and has gained global renown. According to the designer’s website, his work has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, and he has gone on to style Mariah Carey, Janelle Monae, Kendall Jenner and more.
Later in the evening, Cardi B accepted the Best New Artist award in a gorgeous strapless red dress artfully cut to flare out in rippling waves by Beirut-based label Azzi and Osta.
Cardi B wore a red strapless dress by Lebanese designer Azzi and Osta. (MTV Press)
The Azzi and Osta fashion house was established by designers George Azzi and Assaad Osta, both honed their fashion skills by enrolling in the international fashion education group Esmod Beyrouth in 2004 and went on to become assistant designers at the fashion house of legendary Lebanese fashion behemoth Elie Saab, according to their website.
Cardi B is best known for her recent hit “I Like It” and U.S. Billboard Hot 100 topper “Bodak Yellow.”
Examiner StaffComments Off on Rapper Cardi B wears two dresses by Lebanese designers to VMA’s 5650
Lebanese American singer Bazzi — a rising star in the Billboard charts — performed Monday at the MTV Video Music Awards during a pre-show event.
Andrew Bazzi, 20, known professionally as ‘Bazzi,’ is best known for his song “Mine,” which peaked at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Bazzi also gained popularity when his hit song appeared as part of a Snapchat lens filter.
Bazzi arrives on the red carpet during the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (MTV Press)
The rising artist was born in Dearborn, Michigan, home to one of the largest populations of Arab Americans outside of the Middle East.
During an April interview with USA Today, Bazzi spoke out against President Donald Trump’s stance on immigration.
“I’m very heavy into that culture,” he told USA Today in April. “It’s so incorrect what’s going on (politically), and I think it’s good for Lebanese-Americans to have someone they can look at and let them know that someone’s supporting them.”
Bazzi performs ‘Mine’ at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (MTV Press)
Bazzi began his singing career in 2012 when he began posting covers of songs on his YouTube channel. In November 2014, he moved to the Los Angeles area to pursue music full time.
He released his debut studio album Cosmic in 2018.
WATCH: Bazzi Performs ‘Mine’ at MTV Video Music Awards Pre-Show:
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A Lebanese teen was awarded the Amal Clooney Scholarship, and will participate in a two-year international baccalaureate program in Armenia, Reuters reported.
Kamar Omary, 16, is the fourth Lebanese teen to receive the prestigious scholarship set up by Lebanese-British human rights attorney Amal Clooney.
The scholarship aims to promote cross-cultural education and social and philanthropic projects, according to a news release.
Omary will study at UWC Dilijan College in Armenia. (UWC Dilijan)
“This scholarship (gives) young women from Lebanon the opportunity of a lifetime,” Amal Clooney said. “Cross-cultural learning and studying abroad can be transformative.”
Omary will head to the UWC Dilijan College in Dilijan, Armenia for the two-year program. She told Reuters she wants to join in a nationwide effort to combat child marriage and marital rape in Lebanon.
“We need a minimum age for marriage and marital rape should be criminalized,” Omary told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “Sexism and abuse of women and children is still widespread. Women are stigmatized. They are generally seen as weaker than men and we need change.”
Omary also wants to follow in Clooney’s footsteps and help people in need, she added.
“Every single person deserves education, health and security, and most refugees don’t get that here. That is very unfair,” Omary said. “I want to connect with people and listen to them – that is how you trigger change and that is what Amal does. She listens to the people and defends them.”
The scholarship winner is chosen annually based on academic performance and interest in the promotion of human rights and international issues.
Examiner StaffComments Off on Lebanese teen wins Amal Clooney Scholarship to study abroad in Armenia 2516
Trendy avocado bars appear to be popping up around the world — and the concepts are Instagram gold!
The bars feature an all-avocado menu with avocado toasts, salads, bowls and beverages, among others.
L’AVO has not yet announced an opening date. (Instagram/L’AVO)
L’AVO founders said the concept started as an idea between two childhood friends.
“L’AVO gives you all the avocado satisfactions you seek by offering everything ranging from toasts and salad bowls, to smoothies and desserts,” an Instagram post said. “Something to satisfy all your taste buds whether it’s the sweet or sour ones.”
Examiner StaffComments Off on Avocado bar set to open in Beirut, will be first in Lebanon 3004
The Lebanese Mikati family own one of the most prestigious mega-yachts in the world, according to Forbes Magazine.
Chopi Chopi is a 262-foot yacht currently docked in southeastern France.
The beauty is valued at over $100 million, and features more than 20 cabins and luxurious space for 12 overnight guests and 33 crew members.
Chopi Chopi was built in Ancona, a city and a seaport in the Marche region in central Italy. (CRN Yachts)
According to its builder CRN Yachts, Chopi Chopi is owned by former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his brother Taha Mikati, who together own the Beirut-based holding company M1 Group.
VIDEO: Inside Chopi Chopi, one of the largest yachts ever built in Europe:
The brothers have a net worth of nearly $2.5 billion, and have investments in South African telecom firm MTN, fashion retailer Pepe Jeans and prime real estate in New York, London and Monaco, according to Forbes.
The mega-yacht is the largest built by CRN Yachts in its over 50-year history. (CRN Yachts)
The brothers also founded Investcom in 1982, and sold satellite phones at the height of Lebanon’s civil war.
Chopi Chopi features an entire deck for the owner. (CRN Yachts)
Chopi Chopi is the largest mega-yacht ever built by the Italian-owned CRN Yachts company.
See virtual map of Chopi Chopi docked at Port Hercules:
Examiner StaffComments Off on See incredible photos inside the Mikati family mega-yacht 28241
Lebanese American actress and model Jamie Gray Hyder is best known for her role as Lt. Nora Salter — a Lebanese character — in the video game Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.
In an interview with Lebanese Examiner, Gray Hyder talked about her Lebanese upbringing, and her successful career in television, movies and video games.
Jamie Gray Hyder plays a Lebanese character in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. (Facebook/Jamie Gray Hyder)
How did you get started in movies, TV and voice acting?
I have been performing on stage since I was very young, and was a classically trained singer for many years. After getting my degree in Theatre and Film Studies, I moved to Los Angeles and began working in film, TV, and video games.
How has the Lebanese culture and upbringing influenced your success?
My Lebanese father has always instilled a good work ethic in me. He has also promoted the idea of balance, meaning work some, play some, which I think has contributed greatly. The Lebanese culture appreciates good food and drinks, which has always fueled my love of food. I was the only 9 year old I knew eating kibbeh nayeh!
Did either of these have any influence in accepting your role in Call of Duty?
When given the opportunity to represent my Lebanese roots as Lt Salter, I was so excited! There aren’t many roles written for Middle Eastern actresses, so I jumped at the chance. I think it’s important to represent well-rounded characters with diverse life experience, and to move away from archetypes and caricatures.
What are some current or future projects that your fans can look forward to?
I am currently doing the voice for the character Zethrid, in the Dreamworks animated series Voltron (you can find it on Netflix!). Voicing animated characters is one of my favorite types of work to do! You get the chance to play characters very different from yourself, which is always fun.
What are some of your hobbies/interests outside of the entertainment industry?
I love to eat and drink and cook anything and everything I can get my hands on. I grew up eating my sittoo’s hummus, tabouleh, baklava, rice, you name it. I have always had a healthy appetite. That goes hand in hand with my love of travel. I went to Japan earlier this year, and I was in food paradise! A food tour of Lebanon is next on my list.
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