By Joseph A. Kechichian,Senior Writer – Gulf news

Boston,USA: Immersed in narrow outlooks, Lebanese politicians scrambled for relevance as regional and global actors increased their involvements in Syria, where heightened tensions endangered the relative internal stability of this vulnerable country. As confrontations increased in frequency and violence, elites huddled around national dialogue round-tables that, for lack of a better term, required seriousness or meaningful objectives. After months during which politicians engaged in conversations, shared viewpoints, and otherwise pretended to place the interests of the nation ahead of narrow goals, they failed to settle on the principal roadblock, namely the election of a head-of-state. Instead, each and everyone concentrated on peripheral issues that skirted fundamentals, further distancing the body politic from citizens.

Interview by Emily Mathieson

The Guardian: Beirut has a mix of beauty, history and anarchy that can be deeply inspiring. The element of the unexpected, even chaos, leaves a lot of space for creative expression. The reason I live in Beirut is because of the inspiration it gives me as an artist and film-maker. It challenges me and makes me feel connected. I feel that I am living in history as it happens. Here, I feel I can leave a mark and make a difference.

Beirut is next to the sea. I can see the Med from my dining room window. It’s great to stroll along the Corniche [promenade], especially early in the morning, when the city is fresh and clean, but the sunset is nice, too. It’s the place to see all walks of society: fishermen, joggers, children on their bikes, people drinking coffee or playing backgammon. There are veiled women walking hand in hand with girls in mini skirts, as well as musicians and street artists.

hrw.org (Beirut) – Lebanese military authorities should immediately and unconditionally release a women arrested after she alleged being raped in military custody in 2013. The Lebanese army referred the case of Layal al-Kayaje, who was arrested on September 21, 2015, to the military prosecutor to investigate her for allegedly harming the military’s reputation by making false accusations.

 Both the criminal prosecution of a civilian before a military court and a prosecution for allegedly defaming the army or other state institutions contravene Lebanon’s obligations under international law. The Lebanese judiciary should open an independent and impartial investigation into al-Kayaje’s allegations of rape by members of the military and hold anyone involved criminally responsible, Human Rights Watch said.

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 15 (acn) Cuban Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Rodrigo Malmierca analyzes on Thursday bilateral relations with Lebanese Foreign Minister (FM) Gebran Bassil, after arriving in Beirut heading a business delegation, Prensa Latina reported.
Malmierca was accompanied by Orlando Hernandez, president of the island’s Chamber of Commerce, to participate in the second bi-national economic forum with the Lebanese-Cuban Council of Businessmen, headed by Ali Kazma.

Reuters,

The families of the 25 Lebanese servicemen held hostage by Islamist militants on the northeastern border pleaded Thursday for Qatar’s emir to help resolve the 14-month-old crisis.

“This is a humanitarian crisis, not a political or sectarian one … Please help bring our sons back before winter,” a spokesperson for the families said during a press conference after a delegation of the families met with Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk.

The families also called on Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri to resolve the issue “as they promised.”

David Ignatius, The Washington Post

An internal political storm is roiling Saudi Arabia, as the crown prince and his deputy jockey for power under an aging King Salman — while some other members of the royal family agitate on behalf of a third senior prince who they claim would have wider family support. For the secretive oil kingdom, whose internal debates are usually opaque to outsiders, the recent strife has been unusually open.

The tension between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and his deputy, Mohammed bin Salman (the king’s son), is gossiped about across the Arab world.

Brett LoGiurato

She looked experienced. Like the Hillary Clinton of debates past. Like Beyoncé, even.

Clinton, the Democratic front-runner for president, was the near-universal pick of media and pundits declaring her the winner. 

"Hillary Clinton was Beyonce. She was flawless," CNN Democratic political commentator Van Jones said on the network afterward.

By many accounts, Tuesday night’s performance was the best day of her campaign — at least in a long time. Many Clinton skeptics came out reassured, saying she looked like the Democrat who they’d want debating the Republican nominee next fall.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received at Al-Yamamah palace here today, the Leader of Lebanon’s Progressive Socialist Party and Member of House of Representative Walid Jumblatt. During the meeting, the latest developments on the Lebanese arena were discussed. The audience was attended by Minister of State and Cabinet’s Member Dr. Musaed […]

Valerie Abou Chacra (L) reacts after being announced as Miss Lebanon 2015 in Beirut October 12, 2015. Jocelyne Mosleh (C) and Cynthia Samuel (R) were both crowned as first runners-up. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Former Miss Lebanon Sally Greige (R) fixes the necklace of newly crowned Miss Lebanon Valerie Abou Chacra after being crowned Miss Lebanon 2015 in Beirut October 12, 2015. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Valerie Abou Chacra (L) Jocelyne Mosleh (C) and Cynthia Samuel (R) were both crowned as first runners-up. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

To view pictures and article of Miss Lebanon 2016 – 2017 Sandy Tabet – Please click here

Valerie Abou Chacra was crowned Miss Lebanon 2015 at the end of the beauty pageant held on October 12, 2015. She succeeds Miss Lebanon 2014 Saly Greige. Valerie will have a few months to prepare for Miss Universe 2015, where she hopes to be crowned by the reigning Miss Universe Paulina Vega from Colombia.

The Miss Universe pageant will take place on 20 December 2015 in Las Vegas. Usually the winner of Miss Lebanon goes to Miss World and Miss Universe but this year both pageants will be held at the same time (December 19th in China for Miss World 2015 and and December 20th in Vegas for Miss Universe 2015).

Valerie About Chacra, 23, is a student at the Lebanese American University (LAU). She competed against 13 women for the crown.