If we can’t expect authorities to stop this vehicle, can we really expect them to detect risky buildings and take the necessary measures to prevent its collapse?

Thanks Jossy!

I overheard some people express their relief that a large number of residents were non-Lebanese in the building that collapsed. In fact, 10 Egyptians, 9 Sudanese and 2 Jordanians were reportedly living in that building.

When are we going to get rid of those sick mentalities?

What happened yesterday in Achrafieh was another tragic incident that showed the lack of responsibility of officials, the unpreparedness of the security forces and rescue teams but also the lack of accountability towards the people we vote for.

Everytime a building collapses, we are told that there were previous warnings and everyone knew. Take a walk around Achrafieh and most Lebanese areas and you will see there are tons of buildings that could collapse any second now.

Some are blaming the old buildings’ owners, others are pointing at the government, but the truth is Lebanese are becoming very negligent and taking a nonchalant and passive attitude towards all issues.

We cannot blame the building’s residents but had they been warned, why didn’t anyone take an initiative to move them out?

- Had the building owner warned local MPs, ministers, mayors and officials or even the media, I am sure someone would have reacted.

- If the buildings’ residents are poor and don’t have money, they or their families could have raised the issue to local MPs or municipalities and many NGOs and associations. They could have also helped them relocate. Unfortunately, one resident was moving out with the help of some family members but it was too late as the building collapsed.

I am not trying to point fingers at anyone here, but rather urge Lebanese to raise their voices whenever their lives are endangered and draw attention before it’s too late. There’s no use in yelling and cursing officials and politicians when the tragedy occurs as this will never bring back the dead.

Having said all that, I urge all building owners and residents to warn the authorities of any old or new building in a bad shape and make sure their voices are heard by all means possible because Lebanon is not ready for more tragedies like this one.

Last but not least, our prayers go to the victims’ families and to those still stuck under the rubble.

I was just watching the live coverage of the 5 story collapse on MTV and I have to say the studio news anchor was incredibly annoying. She kept cutting people off and then when another news anchor was interviewing the head of the hospital where they had taken the injured to, she interrupted them abruptly telling them they had to stop because the news was about to start. THIS IS THE NEWS! What the hell are you talking about? I can’t believe she cut them off so they could go into the news.

A 5-storey building has collapsed on its tenants in the Ashrafieh neighborhood of Fassouh. 30 people were inside the building at the time it collapsed and 7 injuries have so far been reported.

Update: A 15 year old girl was reported dead. Her name is Ann-Marie Abdel Karim. For more information visit the DailyStar website [Here]

The Lebanese movie was banned for its sexual content by the General Security in Lebanon but will be aired on Friday, January 20 on the French television station, Arte, at 9:35 p.m. [Source]

You can watch the trailer [Here].

I’ve been driving for a week or more now without a horn (My car caught the flu) and I must say it changed slightly the way I drive in Lebanon. I am relatively a calm driver but a honk is always needed with all the assholes out there trying to cut you off or crossing a red light.

Now that I have no car horn, I got used to avoiding situations where I needed it as I found myself helpless when people would cut me off or throw their cars in front of mine.

Having said that, maybe we should ban car horns in Lebanon and fine drivers using them on the highways and main roads, that way Lebanese who actually care about their cars will drive more calmly and responsibly.

This is probably never gonna happen but maybe we could start by calling for a honk-free day.

Found this by mistake awhile ago and it turns out it took place in Lebanon. Pretty cool. [YouTube]

I like the worldplay in this ad, but I don’t think many will understand they are actually talking about Waterproof Glass, not with that picture at least.

Christmas has passed, New Year’s eve is over, Armenian Orthodox Christmas was last week, we are in the middle of January 2012 yet NYE billboards are still everywhere and Christmas decorations are still found in all malls and shops and on the streets.

Maybe everyone’s waiting for the perfect storm to take them out?

[Source]

I’ve been hearing from a lot of people that there’s been an increase in internet credit card fraud lately in Lebanon. One of them told me there’s a local payment gateway that’s being hacked consistently and that is being used by a considerable number of Lebanese websites.

I could not find any articles related to that matter, but there aren’t that many payment gateways used by Lebanese websites to my knowledge. The Lebanese websites I’ve used to buy stuff at least once and never had a problem with are playlebanon.com (Lotto website), Wise & Cyberia websites, MTC website and livingsocial.com.

There’s a guy on Elmazad offering services that include hacking into people’s accounts in Lebanon. Maybe his softwares are working after all?

I noticed that Charles El Helou bridge was undergoing some maintenance work last Friday and the road was closed as a result, but I had no clue the situation was as bad as it is portrayed in this report.

It basically says that the bridge could crumble any second now, similarly to the Jal el Dib Bridge which has expired and is yet to be taken down.

In fact, I had posted back in October that the Jal el Dib will be taken down soon but political disputes between various parties have delayed early plans.

So until then, pray before you cross any of those two bridges or avoid crossing over them by taking other routes.

A woman from Lebanon brought zatar with her which is prohibited in Australia. Her son in law who has lived in Australia for 25 years is determined to bring the food whith him because it’s a typical Lebanon delicacy.

This guy REALLY wants his zaatar! [YouTube]

Thanks Thoraiya

According to the Maronite League, 80% of lands in Ajaltoun, Rayfoun, Mayrouba and Kfardebian were sold to non-Lebanese. Added to that, Northern town Alma has more than 85% of its land sold to non-Lebanese. [Source]

Those statistics are hard to believe to be honest as these towns are neither deserted nor far away, and there are a lot of Lebanese living there all year long, specially in Ajaltoun and Rayfoun.

Jennifer Lopez: I want your most expensive and unique dress for the American Music Awards. Don’t disappoint me Zuhair!
Zuhair Murad: Don’t worry Jenn! You will be the only one to wear this dress in 2011.

Hayfa Wehbe: Badde dress ma byefham lal NYE party Ok Zuz?
Zuhair Murad: Don’t worry Hayoufti! You’ll be the first to wear this dress in 2012.

A week after NYE 2011

Haifa Wehbe started 2012 in a grand ceremony in Biel downtown Beirut; the star looked sexier than ever in a Zuhair Murad dress similar to the one previously worn by Latin bombshell Jennifer Lopez. [Link]

Haifa Fans: Jennifer lopez wore the same dress as Haifa Wehbe. [Link]

[Jennifer Lopez] [Haifa Wehbe]