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Lebanese woman dies after being turned away by three hospitals

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — A Lebanese woman died on Saturday after she was denied admission by three hospitals, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

“Amira Al-Akoumi arrived deceased this evening to the As-Salam Hospital in al-Qoubaiyat” in the northern Akkar district, the ministry announced.

Al-Akoumi reportedly visited Al-Youssef, Rahal, and government-run Abdullah Al-Rassi hospitals where she was denied treatment.

“The ministry acted immediately and summoned the owners of the four hospitals for an interrogation at the ministry’s building on Monday morning,” the ministry said. “They were asked to submit reports on how they dealt with Akoumi.”

Health Minister Wael Abu Faour called her death “inappropriate” and ordered an urgent investigation.

This comes after Abu Faour launched an investigation into the death of Louisette Mansour, who also died after being denied admission by several hospitals.

“I am committed to securing the right of all citizens to hospitalization while preserving their dignity, without them having to wait for their fate at the doors of the hospitals,” he said.

Abu Faour says hospitals who deny admission based on financial situations will face consequences by the Health Ministry.

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 News

Hezbollah retaliates; kills 2 Israeli soldiers

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Hezbollah retaliated against Israel on Wednesday for a Jan. 18 Israeli airstrike in southern Syria that killed six Hezbollah members and an Iranian general.

The group fired a missile at an Israeli army vehicle killing two Israeli soldiers and wounding several others, in what was widely considered the biggest escalation since the 2006 war.

A member of a United Nations peacekeeping force from Spain was killed by Israeli strikes following the retaliation.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah lashed out against Israel for reportedly killing several of its members, describing Israel as “a cancerous growth” and a “bacterium of corruption.”

“Our brothers in Quneitra were killed in a clear assassination, in a decision taken by Israel,” Nasrallah said. “Israel has not yet claimed responsibility for the airstrike believing that Hezbollah is weak and would disregard the attack.”

Nasrallah said Hezbollah is prepared to fight Israel, despite committing resources in Syria and Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.

“If Israel is thinking that we fear war, then I tell it that we do not fear war and we will not hesitate to take it if it is imposed on us,” Nasrallah said.

A Foreign Ministry statement said Lebanon remained committed to U.N. Resolution 1701, arguing that Hezbollah’s attack did not amount to a violation of the 2006 deal since it targeted an Israeli military convoy inside the Shebaa Farms, which is occupied Lebanese territory.

Former President Michel Sleiman called on political forces to stand behind the Lebanese government, cautioning that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to take advantage of Lebanon to serve his election interests.

“Israel should not be allowed to take advantage of Lebanese divisions,” Sleiman said.

LISTEN to Nasrallah’s remarks from January 30, 2015:

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 News

Lebanese anchorwomen are too sexy for Egypt

(CAIRO, EGYPT) — Lebanese anchorwomen may be a little much for Egyptian television viewers to handle these days.

Asharq Al-Awsat reports that Lebanese women are sparking controversy among conservative Egyptian TV executives because they’re considered “exotic” by the Egyptian general public.

It adds that Lebanese anchorwomen are more “relaxed” and “outgoing,” which threatens the jobs of homegrown journalists, who are generally more tense and impartial.

But the Lebanese style of broadcasting has boosted ratings and saved money for Egyptian TV channels, according to a TV executive speaking on the condition of anonymity.

“A satellite channel is essentially a business enterprise and Lebanese anchorwomen accept lower pay compared to others,” a senior executive at a private Egyptian TV channel told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“They are ready to work at any time, and are willing to go out in the field and present from the ground. As for Egyptian presenters, time is a major problem since they follow strict working hours.”

The analyst added, however, that Lebanese women have a “special appeal” for the Egyptian public.

Egyptian journalist Faten Abdul-Ma’boud, who works for Egypt’s state-owned TV channel, says it only becomes a problem when “Egyptians start copying their style of dress and presenting.”

Abdul-Ma’boud warns that Egyptian anchorwomen may feel compelled to change their fashion choices to resemble the Lebanese newbies.

“The way Lebanese anchorwomen dress is incompatible with the conventional dress code the Egyptian viewer is used to seeing,” she told Asharq Al-Awsat. “Many Egyptian households may not accept the ‘Lebanese style’ which they are not used to seeing on Egyptian screens.”

Among the new Lebanese faces on Egypt’s TV screes are Raghda Shalhoub, a new addition to Al-Hayat TV, and Liliane Daoud, who was recently hired by ONTV.

Farouk Abu Zeid, head of the media department at Egypt’s Misr University for Science and Technology, said the job threat for homegrown Egyptian journalists is an “over-exaggeration.”

“There is no problem; the number of Lebanese TV presenters working in Egypt currently stands at just between 20 and 30,” he said.

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 News

Texas parents upset over name of ‘Lebanon High School’

(FRISCO, TX) — Some Texas parents are angry over the name of a new high school set to share its name with Lebanon, saying it doesn’t fit their community, which historically shared the same name.

“The present-tense name of a country that was in the news all the time with reference of war and battleground was always what was on my mind when I would say the name ‘Lebanon,” parent Liffey Skender told the Frisco school board last month, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Skender alleges receiving more than two dozen phone calls and 100 emails from concerned parents who object to the name, “Lebanon High School.” She urged the board to consider “Freedom High School” instead.

“The word ‘Lebanon’ still reminds me of all the sad and turmoil that goes on in the Middle East,” she said.

But the school district says the name will honor the town’s history, which was called Lebanon a half a century before the city of Frisco was established.

“Memories of Lebanon may be found throughout Frisco,” the school district said. There’s a road and a Baptist church that still bear the name, and there even used to be a Lebanon school, although it closed in 1947, according to BBC News.

School district Spokesman Shana Wortham told the Dallas Morning News that the school board may add another word to Lebanon, such as “community,” to avoid confusion.

There are 16 cities in the United States named “Lebanon.”

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 Entertainment

Hiba Tawaji wows judges on France’s ‘The Voice’

(PARIS, FRANCE) — Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji wowed judges on the French version of ‘The Voice’ on Saturday, after performing the Arabic rendition of Michel Legrand’s Les moulins de mon cœur, or The Windmills of my Heart.

All four judges granted Tawaji a standing ovation following her live performance. They praised her “audacity” that defied traditional elements of Arabic music.

“I’m blushing because you are a great singer,” Lebanese-British singer Mika told Tawaji, who later selected him as her mentor.

Tawaji is widely known for collaborating with prominent producer and composed Oussama Rahbani in 2007.

In 2014, Aline Lahoud also wowed judges after performing “Khedni Maak,” but was eliminated in the second round.

WATCH Tawaji’s performance here:

http://www.wat.tv/video/orient-invite-grace-hiba-avec-777q7_4cw81_.html

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 City Beat, Detroit

Imam Al-Qazwini resigns amid Islamic Center controversy

(DEARBORN, MI) — Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini resigned from his duties as spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of America (ICA) on Ford Road in Dearborn, Mich. on Friday.

In a speech to the Young Muslim Association, Al-Qazwini called ICA board members “racist” and “selfish,” and called on the packed congregation to urge them to step down.

“For 18 years, I kept my mouth shut,” he said. “I’m not going to take it anymore.”

Al-Qazwini has been the target of anonymous letters that accused him of corruption and adultery, including diverting mosque money for his father’s projects in Iraq.

He has strongly denied all allegations, except admitting that he sent some money to his father’s charitable orphanage in Iraq.

Al-Qazwini, who was born in Iraq, says he was also the victim of racism by Lebanese board members, who wanted to fund projects in Lebanon, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Ron Amen, the chairman of the board, confirmed Qazwini’s resignation.

“The news came as a total shock to the board,” Amen told the Arab American News. “I think it’s a huge mistake. There have been derogatory comments about the Sayed, but I don’t believe resigning is the way to handle the adversary.”

Lebanese-American radio host Afaf Ahmad says she’s being attacked for publishing controversial YouTube videos about ICA issues.

“It’s very said,” she said. “This is how the Arab community reacts to a female journalist is doing her job and telling the truth. Thanks to those who believe in my mission since only brainwashed people are attacking me mostly from fake accounts.”

On Twitter, supporters are defending Al-Qazwini with the hashtags #SupportQazwini and #WeSupportQazwini.

“The community I know is better then this,” wrote Danielle Mallad. “Should we not come together instead of dividing apart? Stop the hatred!”

Another Twitter user wrote: “I admire and respect you for your 18 years of loyal service to our community, you will be greatly missed.”

WATCH Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini speak to the Young Muslim Association:

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