As of 2010, there were at least 250,000 foreign domestic workers in Lebanon and an estimated 2.1 million domestic workers in all the Middle East—though that approximation may only be half the actual amount, as many aren’t documented. Many of these women work a reasonable number of hours, generate an income that wouldn’t have been possible in their own country, send that money back home to families, and create a home for themselves in their adopted country, as Birtukan has done. The housework and child care they take on allows local women leisure time and to pursue professional careers more freely.
Khazen.org supports our Cardinal PatriachMar Bechara Rai and the immediate election of a President to Lebanon before anything else. This in return will guarantee a new government with new polcies.
Commenting on the garbage crisis and yesterday’s ‘You Stink’ group protest in downtown Beirut , Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai said on Sunday during the Sunday mass in Diman :”The tragic situation we are in is the result of consumerist materialism and politics at the expense of the rise of the state, NNA reported.
“These are the personal goals, materials and policies that have blocked the election of a president for a year and five months, and thereafter, the work of Parliament and threaten to block the government. These were also behind the crimes, security chaos, corruption and misappropriation of public funds. This has led to depriving citizens of their most basic rights,” he added.
Lebanese expatriates send back about $7.5 billion to $8bn in remittances to their home country every year, an official says.Almost 85 per cent of these transfers come from a large Lebanese community in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, says the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, Muhammad Shuqair.
The product in question is EnLighten, a smartphone app created by a company called Connected Signals that tells you when the traffic light you’re approaching or waiting at is about to change.
For safety reasons, the app primarily gives audio instructions. But now those with certain BMW models can plug their iPhones into their cars’ consoles to, as the company explains it, “see traffic signal data on the vehicle’s display in real time.”
A statue of Syriac Catholic Bishop Flavianus Michael Melki, martyred during the "Assyrian Genocide," is seen during his beatification at the Patriarchal convent of Our Lady of Deliverance in Harissa,
Pope Francis on Sunday praised a Syriac Catholic bishop who has been beatified in Lebanon, a century after he his beheading by Ottoman forces during a wave of religiously motivated killings in Syria.Flavien Michel Melki, murdered for refusing to renounce Christianity, was officially recognised by Pope Francis as a "martyr" of the Catholic church earlier this month.
BEIRUT—A top Lebanese official on Sunday defied demands from thousands of protesters over the weekend to step down, providing potential fuel for a growing antigovernment movement that is coalesced around uncollected trash.
Environment Minister Mohammad Machnouk’s announcement came hours after thousands of protesters gathered in historic Martyrs’ Square in downtown Beirut on Saturday night in the largest show of force yet for the so-called “You Stink” movement. The protesters plan to hold more demonstrations in Beirut in the coming week, but officials have rejected calls for resignations, warning that it would create more governance problems.
Satya Nadella wearing a shirt with the the new Windows 10 logo, a fire-breathing unicorn.
Once, not so long ago, "computing" was synonymous with Microsoft Windows. But thanks to the rise of the smartphone and tablet, those days are behind us.
In terms of pushing the industry forward, though, Windows 10 isn’t doing much. The PC market is still shrinking, Microsoft still has a tiny sliver of the mobile market, and Windows 10 doesn’t seem to be doing anything to stop those slides.The good news for Microsoft is that doesn’t matter. Microsoft, under the leadership of CEO Satya Nadella, has a master plan: Make Office into the new Windows.
Lebanese activists chant slogans during a march against the trash crisis and government corruption in Beirut streets, Lebanon, Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. To the casual visitor, Lebanon may look like a relative success story: a tiny slice of modernity and coexistence in a turbulent region plagued by violence and extremism _ but the reality is quite different. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Associated Press |
BEIRUT (AP) — The London-based rights group Amnesty International called on Lebanese authorities Saturday to investigate allegations that security forces have used excessive force to disperse rallies, ahead of a major one planned to protest government corruption and the country’s dysfunctional power-sharing political system.
There were concerns the rally planned in Beirut for later Saturday would also descend into clashes. Hundreds of people had begun gathering in downtown Beirut, many of them in white T-shirts that read "You Stink," the name of the main activist group behind the protests.
A Lebanese anti-government protester, her face painted with colors of the Lebanese flag, during a demonstration in Martyrs’ Square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Thousands of people staged the largest of the demonstrations that began last week over garbage piling up in the streets of Beirut following the closure of a main landfill. The government’s failure to resolve the crisis has evolved into wider protests against a political class that has dominated Lebanon since the end of the country’s civil war in 1990 and a government that has failed to provide even basic services to the people. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Lebanese model Miriam Klink, a well known personality and performer, poses during a demonstration against the ongoing trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Thousands of people gathered Saturday amid tight security in downtown Beirut, for a major rally to protest government corruption and the country’s dysfunctional political system. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Lebanese anti-government protesters hold placards during a demonstration in Martyrs’ Square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Thousands of people staged the largest of the demonstrations that began last week over garbage piling up in the streets of Beirut following the closure of a main landfill. The government’s failure to resolve the crisis has evolved into wider protests against a political class that has dominated Lebanon since the end of the country’s civil war in 1990 and a government that has failed to provide even basic services to the people. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Lebanese activists wave their national flag during a mass rally against a political class seen as corrupt and incapable of providing basic services on August 29, 2015 in Beirut (AFP Photo/)
BEI003. Beirut (Lebanon), 29/08/2015.- A young Lebanese women is comforted by her boyfriend after she got hurt during a riot police charge to break up a protest in downtown, Beirut, Lebanon, 28 August 2015. Lebanese people’s frustration with the government’s internecine conflicts which have paralyzed the political process has manifested itself in protests over the mounting garbage crisis in the country. (Protestas, Líbano) EFE/EPA/OLIVER WEIKEN
A protester removes a barbed wire during a protest against corruption and against the government’s failure to resolve a crisis over rubbish disposal, in front of the government palace in Beirut, Lebanon August 29, 2015. Thousands of protesters waving Lebanese flags and chanting "revolution" took to the streets of Beirut on Saturday for an unprecedented mobilisation against sectarian politicians they say are incompetent and corrupt. The "You Stink" protest campaign, ignited by a waste crisis, has widened to reflect anger at widely-perceived graft in the political class and the state’s failure to provide basic services. REUTERS/Alia Haju
Lebanese riot policemen walk at the head of a rally with demonstrators heading from the Ministry of Interior to Beirut’s Martyrs Square to protest against a political class seen as corrupt and incapable of providing basic services on August 29, 2015 (AFP Photo/)
Lebanese women hold signs before the start of an anti-government protest on August 29, 2015 at Beirut’s iconic Martyrs Square (AFP Photo/Anwar Amro)
Lebanese anti-government protesters dance during a demonstration in Martyrs’ Square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Thousands of people staged the largest of the demonstrations that began last week over garbage piling up in the streets of Beirut following the closure of a main landfill. The government’s failure to resolve the crisis has evolved into wider protests against a political class that has dominated Lebanon since the end of the country’s civil war in 1990 and a government that has failed to provide even basic services to the people. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Lebanese security detain a protester after Lebanese policemen dispersing a rally against the trash crisis and alleged government corruption in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Some thousands of people staged the largest of the demonstrations that began last week over garbage piling up in the streets of Beirut, and the government’s failure to resolve the crisis has evolved into wider protests against a political class that has dominated Lebanon since the end of the country’s civil war in 1990. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
A Lebanese anti-government protester acts the role of a Lebanese politician holding a safe with fake money sticking out, during a demonstration against the trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. hat has dominated Lebanon since the end of the country’s civil war in 1990. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Lebanese anti-government protesters paint graffiti that reads in Arabic, "You Stink," during a demonstration against the ongoing trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Thousands of people gathered Saturday amid tight security in downtown Beirut, for a major rally to protest government corruption and the country’s dysfunctional political system. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A protester wears sunglasses decorated with Lebanese national flags as she takes part in an anti-government protest at Martyrs’ Square in downtown Beirut, Lebanon August 29, 2015. Thousands of protesters waving Lebanese flags and chanting anti-government slogans converged on a square in central Beirut on Saturday for a rally against political leaders they say are incompetent and corrupt.Their "You Stink" protest campaign was mobilised after the government failed to solve a crisis in trash disposal, leaving piles of refuse rotting in the summer sun. REUTERS/Hasan Shaaban
Protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks take part in an anti-government protest at Martyrs’ Square in downtown Beirut, Lebanon August 29, 2015. Thousands of protesters waving Lebanese flags and chanting anti-government slogans converged on a square in central Beirut on Saturday for a rally against political leaders they say are incompetent and corrupt.Their "You Stink" protest campaign was mobilised after the government failed to solve a crisis in trash disposal, leaving piles of refuse rotting in the summer sun. REUTERS/Hasan Shaaban
People carry Lebanese national flags as one of them holds up a trash bag on a broom as they take part in an anti-government protest at Martyrs’ Square in downtown Beirut, Lebanon August 29, 2015. Thousands of protesters waving Lebanese flags and chanting anti-government slogans converged on a square in central Beirut on Saturday for a rally against political leaders they say are incompetent and corrupt.Their "You Stink" protest campaign was mobilised after the government failed to solve a crisis in trash disposal, leaving piles of refuse rotting in the summer sun. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi
A Lebanese anti-government protesters hold satirical posters mocking politicians during a demonstration against the ongoing trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Thousands of people gathered Saturday amid tight security in downtown Beirut, for a major rally to protest government corruption and the country’s dysfunctional political system. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Lebanese model Miriam Klink, a well known personality and performer, carries a banner with a slogan that reads in Arabic, "Leave us alone," during a demonstration against the ongoing trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Thousands of people gathered Saturday amid tight security in downtown Beirut, for a major rally to protest government corruption and the country’s dysfunctional political system. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Lebanese anti-government protesters wave Lebanese flags and holds banners during a demonstration against the ongoing trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Thousands of people gathered Saturday amid tight security in downtown Beirut, for a major rally to protest government corruption and the country’s dysfunctional political system. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
A Lebanese anti-government protester holds a placard during a demonstration against the ongoing trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Thousands of people gathered Saturday amid tight security in downtown Beirut, for a major rally to protest government corruption and the country’s dysfunctional political system. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Lebanese riot policemen pass under barbed wire barriers, as they start deploying around the government building where anti-government protesters hold their daily demonstrations, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. The London-based rights group Amnesty is calling on Lebanese authorities to investigate allegations that security forces have used excessive force to disperse rallies protesting the government failure to deal with garbage pilling in the streets. The statement comes ahead of a major rally planned in Beirut Saturday amid worries it would also descend into clashes. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
A Lebanese street vendor sells balloons colored with the Lebanese national flag, for sale before a protest against the trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A man uses his mobile to take pictures as Lebanese army soldiers drive past ahead of a protest in Martyrs’ Square in downtown Beirut, Lebanon August 29, 2015.
Reuters/Jamal Saidi
A general view shows a garbage filled-area on the edge of Beirut river, Lebanon August 29, 2015.
Lebanese protesters today gave the government a 72 hour ultimatum to meet their demands or face further protests on Tuesday. The demands include the resignation of Environment Minister Muhammed El-Machnouk and a permanent, sustainable solution to the garbage crisis, which initially took the people to the streets.
Earlier today, up to 250,000 protesters turned up at Martyr’ Square, where they continued to protest for a sustainable solution to the country’s mounting garbage problem.
The demands, published on the Tol3et Re7atkom (You Stink) Facebook page, were shared on Twitter by Lebanese blogger and activist Joey Ayoub, who is also a Global Voices Online author and a You Stink movement member:
Other demands are holding accountable all those who have wasted public funds during the last period and holding accountable the minister of interior and all those who gave orders to open fire at the protesters.
Rami Khouri described the demands as “reasonable” but warned that failure to ensure them would mean the end of the You Stink movement.
To the casual visitor, Lebanon may seem like a tiny slice of Mediterranean modernity and coexistence in a turbulent region plagued by violence and extremism.
But for many Lebanese, it’s a rotting state eaten away by a political class that has long used the country’s sectarian power-sharing system to perpetuate corruption and nepotism.
And while recent protests over uncollected trash have challenged an arrangement almost universally denounced by Lebanese, they also can’t seem to shake it. Many argue that system is what has allowed the country of 4.5 million people from 18 recognized and often rival sects to survive.
