Examiner Staff

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 Business, News

Salameh: New anti-laundering laws

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh revealed new measures taken by Banque Du Liban to tackle money landering in Lebanon on Thursday.

“Lebanon issued Law No. 318 on fighting money laundering, which gave birth to the SIC (Special Investigation Commission), an independent entity affiliated to BDL, whose mission is to efficiently fight all kinds of money laundering activities,” said Salameh.

Salameh announced these measures at the two-day “Governance, Risk and Compliance Summit” hosted by Thomson Reuters, which gathered regional and international bank leaders to discuss monetary trends in Lebanon and the Middle East.

Salameh said the new measures will regulate cross-border transportation of cash and tackle tax evasion. He also introduced the “Financial Stability Unit,” which will monitor the financial sector in Lebanon.

“We are in the process of establishing a Consumer Protection Unit to ensure that banks deal equally with all their customers in a transparent manner,” he said. “We have issued circulars requesting banks to establish compliance and risk management units, to appoint independent members in their board of directors, and to create a remuneration committee whose members are chosen among the board’s non-executive members.”

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 City Beat, Detroit, Independence Day

U of M students celebrate Lebanese Independence

(ANN ARBOR, MI) — The Lebanese Student Association at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor hosted a Lebanese Independence Day celebration on Thursday, inviting students of other cultural backgrounds to learn about their Lebanese heritage.

“We want to educate others about our Lebanese culture,” said Ayah Anani, president of the student-run group. “It is a chance for us to exchange cultural identities with other students and show them what Lebanon is about.”

John Akouri, President and CEO of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce, spoke about Lebanese-American success stories and the importance of IMG_2985preserving a cultural heritage.

“We see successful Lebanese-Americans in almost every sector,” said Akouri. “From business to law, medicine to technology, Lebanese-Americans have built a strong reputation across the country.”

Donations from the event were given to the “Giveback Lebanon” project, which aims to serve underprivileged Lebanese children and seniors this Christmas, the group says.

Anani says the group is busy planning for the Annual LSA Unified Gala, which will take place on January 17, 2015.

Four universities — University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Wayne State University, Oakland University, and University of Michigan – Dearborn — participate in the gala, which draws 800 people annually and awards four $1,000 scholarships to Lebanese students.

RELATED: The Oakland University Lebanese Student Association will also host an Independence Day event on November 21. For more information, click here.

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 Day3a of the Day

Day3a of the Day: Aley

Aley (عاليه) is a picturesque city in Mount Lebanon located 17 km uphill from Beirut on the main road that leads to Damascus. It is also the capital of the Aley District and one of the largest cities in Lebanon.

Aley has one of the largest Druze populations in the world along with Sweida in Syria. The natives are predominantly Druze; however, there are Christian Melkite, Orthodox, and Maronite minorities.

Many outsiders, especially from Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, own homes in Aley where they spend their summers, escaping the heat and humidity in their own countries.

The word “aley” derivatives from Aramaic, and means “high place,” referring to the town’s high altitude above sea level.

Aley gained prominence when a railroad was built between 1892 and 1895 passing through the town, linking the Lebanese capital of Beirut to Damascus, which provided the residents of Beirut easy means of transportation to the mountains.

This resort town with its increasing number of tourists and visitors has become one of the most flourishing resort towns in Mount Lebanon, and thus has garnered its historical name as “The Bride of Summers.”

The “Souk Aley” is a relatively long historical boulevard lined with palm trees and numerous red-roofed stone houses erected on the east side of the street. Several street cafes, outdoor restaurants, and nightlife pubs occupy its western side.

In addition to these, there are several antique shops and retail boutiques along the street, which forms the heart of Aley. Aley also hosts a well-known casino and many public swimming pools like the Piscine Aley, Country Club and Heritage.

The municipality contains 13 schools, 4 public and 9 private. The largest and most important of these schools is the Universal College of Aley, and the 2 universities: the Lebanese University-Faculty of Economic Science and Business Administrations, and the Modern University of Business and Science (MUBS).

Aley has 3 hospitals: The National Hospital of Aley (30 beds), Al Iman Hospital (52 beds), and Al Ouyoun Hospital, which specializes in ophthalmology.

For more information about Lebanese Examiner’s “Day3a of the Day,” click here.

Content validated and reprinted via Wikimedia’s Creative Commons License.

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 Day3a of the Day

What is the Lebanese Examiner Day3a of the Day?

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — In an effort to develop and expand positive news content on Lebanese Examiner, we have recently launched a new segment called “Day3a of the Day.”

A Lebanese “Day3a,” or “village” in English, is a cultural symbol of Lebanon which sheds light on the country’s religious and cultural diversity and pluralism.

This section will reveal a new Day3a every Tuesday, and will highlight main attractions, geography, economy, climate, and other interesting facts about each village.

Which Day3a do you want us to feature? Submit your favorite to news@lebaneseexaminer.com.

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 Entertainment

VIDEO: Najwa Karam scolds audience member on stage

(SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA) — Lebanese superstar Najwa Karam recently lashed out at an audience member on stage in Sydney, Australia after reportedly getting harassed halfway during her performance.

“Money does not buy us nor does it buy you, and shame on you for what you are doing,” she told the unidentified man.

Karam, who is known for her modesty and lack of controversy, continued with her performance despite the man’s jeers.

“In my life, I have never liked problems on stage, but you are being rude tonight,” she said. “Isn’t there anyone who can push you back tonight?”

Other audience members cheered for her and yelled, “May God strengthen you Najwa!”

It is unclear why the man was supposedly upset.

Watch the amateur YouTube video below:

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 News

Tammam Salam in Dubai: “I will ask for military aid”

Tammam_Salam

(DUBAI, UAE) — Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam said he would ask the United Arab Emirates for military aid to Lebanon on Monday, after arriving in Dubai for a two-day diplomatic visit.

Salam praised UAE’s “old and continuous” support for Lebanon, telling journalists he “will ask the Emirates to provide helicopter gunships similar to the Gazelle choppers that it offered Lebanon in the past.”

During a reception hosted by the Lebanese community in Dubai, Salam called the situation in Lebanon “difficult,” and explained that the government’s concern was electing a new president.

“The security situation is difficult in the region and its environs,” he said. “Lebanon, with all its sects and provinces, is not a safe haven for terrorism or the like. All the Lebanese are united with the Army and security forces to shield and protect the internal situation.”

Salam also spoke about the Lebanese soldiers and policemen held hostage for more than three months by ISIS and Nusra Front militants, assuring families the government will not rest until the hostages are released. He also said he would not give in to militant conditions.

“We are living every moment with those kidnapped soldiers. Terrorism is imposing conditions on us,” Salam said. “We will not succumb to blackmail and we will not weaken in the face of threats. This requires solidarity from the Lebanese.”

Salam is expected to meet Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammaed al-Maktoum and other senior Foreign Ministry officials on Tuesday.

He will also visit the American University of Dubai and Al-Arabiya satellite television channel and meet Lebanese communities in Dubai, before holding a press conference in the evening.

Salam is accompanied by Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, Education Minister Elias Bou Saab and Youth and Sports Minister Abdul-Muttaleb al-Hinawi.

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 Lifestyle

Lebanese Safra family owns second most expensive house in the world

Brazilian philanthropist and widow of Lebanese banker Edmond Safra, Lily Safra, owns the second most expensive house in the world, according to Forbes Magazine.

Edmond Safra, Lebanese banker and founder of the Republic National Bank of New York, had major banking operations in Syria, Lebanon, Brazil, and Switzerland.

Forbes Magazine says Lily Safra assumed ownership of the property, which is considered a French historical monument and location for various Hollywood productions.

The home is valued at $750 million and features a 50-acre estate including “a commercial sized green house, a swimming pool and pool house, an outdoor kitchen, helipad, and a guest house larger than the mansions of most millionaires,” according to Variety.

The house was famously used as a set in the 1955 Hitchcock classic To Catch a Thief.

The villa was designed and built from 1929 to 1931 by American architect Ogden Codman, Jr., on an estate once owned by King Leopold II of Belgium.

The home was previously owned by King Albert I and was used as a military hospital during World War I.

See aerial photos of the home:

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 News

Lebanese-Canadian professor charged with 1st-degree murder in France

HASSAN-DIAB

(OTTAWA, ON) — Lebanese-Canadian university professor Hassan Diab was charged with first-degree murder and other offenses in France on Saturday after being extradited in connection with a decades-old terrorism case, and his lawyer says he is ready to prove in court there is no real evidence against him.

On Thursday, Canada’s highest court refused to hear Diab’s final plea to halt his extradition to France, ensuring he will face trial for the 1980 bombing of a Paris synagogue.

The decision brings an end to 60-year-old Diab’s six-year legal battle to avoid what he said would be an unfair prosecution in France for a crime he insists he did not commit.

The Supreme Court of Canada issued its decision in a statement, saying his appeal of a lower court ruling and the government’s extradition order was “dismissed without costs.”

Diab, who was taken into custody Wednesday pending the announcement, could now be flown to Paris at any time in the next 45 days. There he will be questioned by an investigating judge before criminal proceedings can begin.

If convicted, Diab could face life in prison.

The 1980 bombing on the Copernic Street was the first fatal attack against the French Jewish community since the Nazi occupation in World War II.

Explosives packed in the saddlebags of a parked motorcycle were detonated as worshippers were starting to exit the synagogue.

The blast killed three Frenchmen and a young Israeli woman. Forty were injured.

Guillaume Denoix de Saint-Marc, speaking for the victims’ families, expressed “relief” that the case may now finally go to trial after 34 years.

Diab is a former sociology lecturer at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

He was born in Lebanon and studied sociology at the American University of Beirut. He received his PhD from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York and became a Canadian citizen in 1993. Sources say Diab moved to Ottawa in 2006.

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 News

Bassil: Lebanon needs support of expatriates

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil called on the support of the Lebanese diaspora on Sunday, saying when it comes to elections or the economy, Lebanese expatriates should help.

“Elections in Lebanon can’t happen without the participation of expats,” Bassil said during a conference held in the Rotana Beach Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Bassil called for granting Lebanese citizenship to second generation expatriates and launching electronic voting options for Lebanese living abroad.

The foreign minister says opening these opportunities for Lebanese communities would make them more likely to invest in Lebanon’s economic sectors.

“Lebanese abroad can compensate for the failure of the government in building a strong state, and contribute to the revival of its economy,” he said.

Bassil also called on emigrants to market local products in their host countries, especially Lebanon’s apples and wine.

Bassil announced that he will host a conference for Lebanese immigrants on March 21, saying that the event seeks to build bridges between Lebanon’s residents and Lebanese living abroad.

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 City Beat, Detroit

Muslim woman files suit against Advance America

(DEARBORN, MI) — An Arab American woman filed a discrimination lawsuit against Advance America in Inkster, Mich. on Wednesday.

Raghdaa Ali says she walked into a cash advance provider in June when the clerk told her to “get out,” she told WYXZ-TV in Detroit.

Ali claims the clerk pointed to a dress code sign on the door and asked her to leave, saying her religious head scarf violated the no hat policy.

“This is our beliefs and our religious (beliefs) — we cannot take it off. She said if you cannot take it off, we cannot serve you,” she told WXYZ-TV.

Ali filed a federal lawsuit against the corporate parent, claiming that Michigan does not require the removal of the scarf for state ID, and asking to remove her headscarf is unlawful.

“Lack of (knowledge of) religious culture,” is to blame says Ali. “This is my country and I have the same right as they have.”

Advance America Cash Advance was founded in 1997 and is the largest provider of the non-bank cash advance services in the United States.

“For the safety of our customers and employees, Advance America requires the temporary removal of hoods, hats, sunglasses and other head coverings in order to be admitted into our centers,” said Jamie Fulmer, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Advance America. “We intend to vigorously defend the legitimate security purpose of our practice in court.”

Ali says she has the support of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee.

“In this instance, we are talking about a religiously protected activity. In this instance, we are talking about mistreatment towards somebody because of the way they look,” says Fatina Abdrabboh, the director of the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee.

Watch the WXYZ-TV report below:

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