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 News

Massive power blackout hits Lebanon

sh-electricite-du-liban(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanon was hit with a massive power blackout since 9:20 a.m. Monday, due to a malfunction in the Zahrani power plant of Electricite Du Liban (EDL) utility company, according to local news media reports.

Failures at the Zahrani power plant are not uncommon, according to sources, but the control room that handles electricity distribution “is not accessible due to the labor strike by contract hourly employees.”

Moving the central control room to another location has, he said, made the task of restoring power more difficult.

While Lebanon has been experiencing intensive rationing for weeks, EDL has been warning against a possible total blackout if contract workers continue their occupation of the headquarters .

EDL Director General Kamal al-Hayek told Voice of Lebanon radio station that employees are working on fixing the sudden electricity disruption, but did not provide any details on when power will be restored.

Lebanon needs about 2500 MW of electric power, but the current output of the electric power stations is about 1600

About 2,000 contract daily workers have been observing a nationwide strike, demanding full-time employment and rejecting a decision issued by the company’s management to hire only the 897 of them that passed the employment test.

According to analysts EDL is a huge burden for Lebanon because its is heavily subsidized. Many of the contract hourly employees do not show up to work, or just clock in and leave.

The analysts stressed that EDL is an inefficient operation that should be privatized or shut down because it cannot continue to drag down the Lebanese economy.

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 News

Bou Saab warns Lebanese parents over limited school space

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — The Lebanese Education Ministry issued a warning to Lebanese parents on Monday, urging them to register their children in public schools before registration opens to non-Lebanese students.

“The registration rate of Lebanese students in public schools is still low until now, and the school year is set to start in a few days,” said Education Minister Elias Bou Saab in a released statement on Monday.

“The Ministry invites (parents) to reserve their children’s seats in public schools before the door is opened for non-Lebanese students to register,” he added.

The ministry has split school registration into two sections this year, prioritizing Lebanese nations before other groups, after it was clear the system could not handle the number of displaced Syrian children living in Lebanon.

The number of Lebanese students in public schools, according to last year’s numbers, is 275,000 while the number of refugee students is 400,000. Lebanese public schools can only accommodate 300,000 students in total.

Last week, Bou Saab announced a Cabinet-approved plan to garner international funds to help cover the cost of refugee students.

“There is an approved plan the ministry had prepared, estimated to cost $200 million for an additional 100,000 refugee students to be funded by international organizations,” he said last week, adding that only half the needed amount had been secured.

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 Lifestyle, Success Stories

Lebanese-American crowned “Miss Arab USA”

(SCOTTSDALE, AZ) — Lebanese-American Guinwa Zeineddine was crowned as Miss Arab USA at the Talking Stick Resort & Casino in Scottsdale, Arizona on September 6.

The 22-year-old was born in Canada and raised in the United Arab Emirates before moving to the United States at 16 years old. She is of Lebanese descent.

Zeineddine is currently pursuing two degrees in pre-pharmacy and communications, while maintaining a competitive GPA. She has remained on the Dean’s list and has been inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Zeineddine is an advocate for community involvement and female empowerment. She has served in several community organizations including the Boys & Girls Club, Center for the Blind, Operation Christmas Child, the Salvation Army and adopting needy families for the holidays.

Zeineddine honorably became the first Arab American president of a Latina-based sorority at her university.

She believes that The Miss Arab USA crown serves as an opportunity for her to receive new and greater heights in her life.

“As your Miss Arab USA, I am committed to be the best representation of what a Miss Arab USA should be.” she said.

The Annual Miss Arab USA Pageant was founded on the basis of advancing the cause for young ladies of Arab descent. The Pageant is a charity event for the community, uniting Arab Americans and their friends in celebrating the Arab cultural heritage in the United States.

“This was one of the most exciting pageants we’ve witnessed” said Egyptian singing sensation Mohamed Hamaki. “Every year The Miss Arab USA Pageant continues to grow and improve.”

Watch the moment Zeineddine was crowned Miss Arab USA:

14102118576Congrats Guinwa!

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 City Beat, Detroit

Detroit becomes “immigrant-friendly” city

detroit-michigan-immigrant-city(DETROIT, MI) — The city of Detroit is joining a national initiative aimed at creating immigrant-friendly environments.

The Detroit Immigration Task Force plans to announce Monday that Detroit will participate in “Welcoming Cities & Counties.”

It joins New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other cities in the program that also looks to maximize opportunities for economic growth through immigration.

The resolution says the initiative “aims to build cooperation, respect, and compassion among all in our city, including immigrants and non-immigrants alike.”

Task force members include immigrant community leaders, nonprofit service providers and immigration experts.

The group has been working since January to draft a comprehensive city-wide plan to help Detroit become a diverse, inclusive and global city.

City Councilwoman Raquel Castañeda-López says “Detroit’s immigrants historically played a key role in making the city one of the greatest in the world.”

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 Entertainment

Elissa gets creative with online merchandise shop

Screen Shot 2014-09-15 at 6.42.20 PM(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese superstar Elissa got creative this week when she decided to launch a new online merchandise site. The diva opened the online boutique she’s calling “The Elissa Store.”

The site, which is expected to be a quick cash generating opportunity for Elissa, features products from her latest album, “Halet Hob” (A Case of Love).

The products feature a mug with printed photographs priced at 10 US dollars, a T-shirt with her photo on it for 25 dollars, and an iPhone case for 20 dollars.

According to the site, the products are “exclusive” and will sell signed posters and archived music CDs in the coming weeks.

For more information, click here.

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 News

Bassil, Kerry discuss Lebanon terror threats in Paris

(PARIS, FRANCE) — Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil met for a meeting with United States Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday to discuss the role Lebanon would play as part of a global coalition to fight terror in the Middle East.

The meeting was during a Paris conference on peace and stability, where both Bassil and Kerry are attending. The two discussed “circumstances and factors” that shape Lebanon’s role in the war against terror, according to sources.

During a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last week, the U.S won backing from 10 Arab countries, including Lebanon, for a coalition to fight the Sunni militants who have seized parts of Iraq and Syria.

Bassil held talks with several other foreign ministers at the conference, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Italian Foreign Minister Frederica Mogherini, who is expected to assume her post as the new EU foreign policy chief this fall.

Sources say the meeting lasted 25-minutes and was “positive” and “cooperative.”

According to sources, the meeting touched on all issues related to Lebanon, but especially focused on the war on terror and the Islamic State’s impact on Lebanon. Kerry also pledged continued aid to the Lebanese Army.

French President Francois Hollande also pledged support to the Lebanese Army and underlined the need to preserve Lebanon’s unity, security and sovereignty in light of ISIS threats.

Addressing the foreign ministers of more than 24 states during the International Conference on Peace and Security in Iraq, Bassil outlined immediate, short term- and long-term measures required to effectively and efficiently counter terrorism.

“Lebanon has been a pioneer in the fight against sectarianism and terrorism and its troops have every single time proven their professionalism and patriotism,” Bassil said.

According to Bassil, time was pressing on weakening ISIS’ impact.

“There is a need to act collectively and swiftly,” he said.

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 News

Possible bomb threat on MEA flight forces “precautionary” landing

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — A Middle East Airlines flight from Geneva arrived in Beirut on Sunday after landing in Rome over the absence of a passenger, the airline announced in a statement.

MEA said in a statement that the aircraft was heading from the Swiss city to Rafik Hariri International Airport in the Lebanese capital when it was revealed that a passenger with a boarding pass did not take the flight.

Official say there was a possible bomb scare which forced the MEA aircraft to land in Rome’s Fiumicino Airport Sunday, temporarily halting air traffic in Rome’s largest airport. The incident was revealed to be a false alarm, according to officials.

The aircraft was thoroughly inspected. No traces of a bomb were found on it, according to the MEA statement.

The company denied the bomb threat reports.

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 News

Pharaon says Lebanese tourism numbers are up

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Despite Lebanon’s turbulent security climate and initial low tourist numbers, Lebanon’s summer season registered a thirty percent increase in tourism, according to Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon.

Pharaon announced the news during a conference for the World Tourism Organization for the Middle East in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday.

In a plan to boost tourism, Pharaon requested the establishment of a new Phoenician touristic route which would include Jordan, Tunisia, France and Lebanon.

The tourism minister spoke about previous initiatives aimed at improving tourism in Lebanon, including the promotional campaign titled “Live Love Lebanon.”

Pharaon also discussed the launch of a new website dedicated to exposing touristic regions in the country, particularly rural tourism.

Despite Pharaon’s announcement, several taxi companies and hotels hosted recent news conferences complaining of low tourist numbers and hinted impending bankruptcies.

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 News

Lebanon police bust Kaslik prostitution ring

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese police busted a prostitution ring run by Syrian and Lebanese partners on Saturday in the Kaslik area of Kesrouan, after receiving a tip about the group, according to the Internal Security Forces.

In a statement, security officials said they raided the location in Kaslik and arrested a 39-year-old Syrian and a 34-year-old Lebanese, who were alleged to have ran the prostitution ring together.

Six Syrian women were also arrested on charges of prostitution, including a 19-year-old. The women confessed to the charges and said they had also sold drugs to their clients.

At the Syrian suspect’s apartment in Sarba, the Jounieh area of Lebanon, police found six grams of hashish.

The eight-strong ring was also charged with drug abuse and trafficking.

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 City Beat, Detroit, News, TV

VIDEO: Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce hosts ‘Garden Party’

(BIRMINGHAM, MI) — The Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce welcomed two candidates for United States Congress on Wednesday during the group’s annual ‘Garden Party’ in Birmingham, Michigan.

10671471_10152275751851576_5486625830188343340_n
Photo courtesy John Akouri.

Candidates Mike Bishop and Dave Trott chatted with Lebanese and Middle Eastern chamber members about some of the issues facing the Middle East.

“The Lebanese community is a very influential community within Southeast Michigan and for an individual candidate running for office today to think that they could run for office without approaching the Middle Eastern community would be non-constructive,” said John Akouri, the president and CEO of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce.

Akouri, who said the Chamber does not endorse candidates, asked Congressman Bishop to clarify his position on Middle Eastern foreign policy.

“We need a strong foreign policy, we need to restore America’s dignity,” Bishop said.

Other attendees included FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Abbate, Our Lady of Redemption Pastor Michel Cheble, French Chamber Executive Director Stephanie Salvadero, Attorney Joumana Kayrouz, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Senator Marty Knollenberg and his wife Lori Boutros Knollenberg, Birmingham Mayor Mark Nickita, Consul General of Mexico Juan Manuel Solana Morales, Consul General of Iceland Eric Christian, and retired Consul General of Jordan Karim Ajluni, Esq.

Watch highlights:

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3jjyGn0BeM” width=”500″ height=”300″]

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