Written by Joe Ayoub- Global Voices

Days after two thousand protesters gathered in front of the government palace in Beirut on March 19, to protest against proposed tax hikes, the Lebanon's Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri announced that elections will be delayed, again. Hassan Chamoun, a videographer and member of the widely successful anti-corruption ‘You Stink’ Movement, argued that the proposed tax hike is an attempt to distract the Lebanese people from the election extension. Speaking to Global Voices, he said:

Ruling politicians are bringing attention to this issue on purpose, to eclipse the parliamentary extension and political deadlock between them regarding a new electoral law.

Elections should have taken place in June of 2013, but the parliament extended its own term for 17 months citing ‘security concerns’. Then, in November of 2014, citing the need to decide on a new electoral law before voting, the parliament delayed elections to 2017. This time, the government is saying the extension is for ‘ technical reasons’, in reality the parliament has reached a deadlock on the new electoral law. To put this in perspective, a 28 year old Lebanese citizen has yet to vote for their parliamentarian of choice despite being legally allowed to vote since they turned 21. Popular blogger Elie Fares sarcastically thanked the government or dawleh for the extension on Facebook:

I’m 27 year old, moving to Philadelphia in 2 months, and I’ve never – nor will I ever at this rate – voted for parliament. #ThanksDawleh

Egypt Independent In an interview with state-run news agency MENA, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said that he called on President Abdel …

by Ingrid Melander, Michel Rose, Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) - The top candidates in France's presidential election clashed in a televised debate on Monday, with centrist Emmanuel Macron accusing far-right leader Marine Le Pen of lying and seeking to divide the French. The debate, the first between the five main contenders ahead of a two-round election on April 23 and May 7, could help viewers make up their minds in a French election where nearly 40 percent of voters say they are not sure who to back. Opinion polls show Macron and Le Pen pulling away from the pack in an election that has been full of twists and turns, and which is taking place against a backdrop of high unemployment and sluggish growth.

One of the most heated exchanges came between the two frontrunners, after Le Pen accused Macron of being in favor of the burkini, a full-body swimsuit worn by Muslim women that created weeks of controversy in France last summer. "You are lying (to voters) by twisting the truth," retorted Macron, a 39-year-old former economy minister under Socialist President Francois Hollande who is running as an independent.

The debate on TF1 television grew testy when the candidates were asked about migration and Islam. "I want to put an end to immigration, that's clear," Le Pen said, before talking about a rise of Islamist fundamentalism in France and saying the security situation in France was "explosive". After the surprise of Britain's Brexit vote and the election of Donald Trump in the United States, markets are nervous about the possibility of a Le Pen victory. She is pledging to take France out of the euro and hold a referendum on EU membership.

by daily star.com.lb Beirut has been ranked among the world’s best cities to eat in, according to a New York-based travel magazine. …