Life is tough, life is hard but life is also lessons we learn, it may hurt but it can change us and …

Gulf news by Joseph A. Kechichian, Senior Writer - Beirut: At a time when 77 per cent of all Lebanese claimed that their financial situation deteriorated over the past six months — according to a Byblos Bank/AUB Consumer Confidence Index — Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh has stressed that all local banks would abide by the latest Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of Treasury rules, even as he requested justifications before suspending accounts suspected of belonging to Hezbollah operatives.

“The law issued in the United States is an American law that is supposed to be implemented globally and in Lebanon, and, accordingly, Memo 137 that was issued by the Central Bank on May 3, 2016 was a Lebanese legal obligation,” Salameh declared in a formal statement issued on Tuesday. This was more than a technical concern because “Article 70 of the Monetary and Credit Act required the Central Bank to ensure credit stability [which] cannot be secured without implementing this US law.”

By Elsa Keslassy

CANNES — Lebanese actress-turned-helmer Nadine Labaki, whose latest film “Where Do We Go Now” won prizes in Cannes and Toronto, is set to direct her third pic, “Cafarnaúm” (Capernaum), a $4 million feature set in a Middle Eastern town.

Labaki is reteaming with her regular French producer, Anne-Dominique Toussaint at Les Films des Tournelles — the Paris-based outfit behind this year’s Directors Fortnight player “Tour de France” directed by Rachid Djaidani. Labaki and her husband, Khaled Mouzanar, who is a popular music composer, will co-produce via their newly-launched outfit in Lebanon. “Cafarnaúm” (Capernaum) wil start shooting at the end of the summer in Liban.

The script – now completed — is based on an original story penned by Labaki Jihad Hojeily whose credits include “Caramel” and “Where Do We Go Now” (pictured above).

Staff writer, Al Arabiya English  Former Miss USA Rima Fakih married music Lebanese-American producer Wassim Salibi in Lebanon on Sunday. The wedding …