[YouTube]

Dani Schahin is a Germany Footballer who currently plays for Fortuna Düsseldorf in the Bundesliga. I am not sure whether he’s of Lebanese descent or not though, as Wikipedia mentions his father is Palestinian of Lebanese descent while other websites mention he’s Lebanese. [FootballDatabase.eu] [Encyclo.co.uk]

Eitherways, he is very talented striker who could make his way through to the national team if he keeps his great strike rate and strong performances. In his first appearance in the Bundesliga, Schahin scored two goals.

NRJ Lebanon posted the below message yesterday on their [Facebook page]:

Due to unforeseeable circumstances, regrettably Sean Paul will not be performing as planned on Aug 25 at the Edde Sands Beach Resort. Sean Paul sends his deepest apologies to his fans and will look to reschedule his trip to Lebanon in the future. GET YOUR TICKET REFUNDED STARTING WEDNESDAY 29TH FROM ANY VIRGIN BRANCH

I heard rumors that RHCP might cancel their upcoming concert in Lebanon but nothing’s confirmed yet. The Red Hot Chili Peppers will be performing on September 6th at Beirut Waterfront. [Event]

The concert I am looking forward to attend is Keane on October 13 at the Forum de Beyrouth. To know more about the concert and buy tickets, click [Here].

Wael Kfoury is doing it all wrong with his new album release:

1- The album has no name

2- He is using the GodFather’s movie font (via Patrick)

3- In one of the posters he looks like taking a dump [Link]

Knowing that every ATM in Lebanon has a security camera attached to it, they could have at least identified the criminal and surrounded him quickly and probably arrested him if they wanted to, but the district attorney could not be bothered as he was finishing Iftar. It’s all about priorities after all.

Three weeks ago, my car window was smashed and my belongings stolen while I was at the beach in Batroun. Horrified as I was, I decided to go to the Batroun police station to file a complaint.

My aim was to have a written report not to have my possessions returned (for I had no faith in having any of the stuff back), but I simply wanted to facilitate the process of having to reapply for a new ID and a driver’s license at the local Serail.

I will spare you the boring details, but suffice to say that my idea of the police was an archaic and inefficient institution could not have been any truer. The first thing the policeman (whom I shall not name) asked me was: “You came all the way from your town [Saida] to our town to swim? Don’t you have beaches in Saida?”

Naturally, I wanted to tell him we’re still in the same country; that I was free to go wherever I liked; that we should get over the sectarian mentality, but I didn’t. I wanted to get the report and be done with it. The number of useless questions the policeman proceeded to ask were many, most notably whether or not my male friend (who was nice enough to come with me to the police station) was with me at the beach and whether or not he’s Lebanese, which he wasn’t.

After refusing to give me a copy of the report (because apparently procedures state that a report of theft must remain open for 48 hours), we were left in a room for two hours. The policeman later explained that we were waiting for the district attorney to finish his Iftar so as to figure out how to proceed.

During our wait, my sister was able to figure out that my credit card (which was reported stolen at that time) was used in Shakka at 5:30 p.m. at the BLC ATM machine. Thrilled, I ran back into the building to inform the police officer of my findings and to have him add that to the report. He didn’t.

He later acknowledged that there is no way for them to find the thieves, and that “anyway, we’re in Batroun and they’re in Shakka. We have no authority there.” So the police in Batroun doesn’t coordinate with the police in Shakka?! I was dumbfounded.

By 9:00 p.m., the policeman took pity on us and said I should come back in three days to pick up a copy of my report and to bring him copies of the car license, since he couldn’t find a place to photocopy my documents. They didn’t even have a photocopy machine, a thing they probably need every day. Argh.

I left frustrated and angry. Very angry. I had never set a foot inside a police station until that day due to my own presumptions. Yet when I turned to the police, I was proven right. The incident was the last straw, and as I marched out of the police station, I heard a little voice in my head say: “It’s time to leave. This is no longer home.” [NowLebanon]

I didn’t like the way Al-Jadeed is trying to portray Elie Mchantaf as being the racist guy out there. He did answer in a wrong way at first but then corrected himself and made a relatively good point. From a strictly business perspective, he will lose money if he allows everyone in while other beaches disregard the law and ban migrant domestic workers. However from an ethical point of view, and given the PR he has and the role-model/hero/captain figure he represents to many Lebanese, I believe he should set an example for all other beaches and resorts to follow at the expense of some financial losses.

This being said, it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Tourism to make sure ALL beaches and resorts allow migrant domestic workers and penalize those who don’t let them in. Recently, the Ministry issued a memorandum banning discrimination in the country’s private pools and beaches but that’s not enough. We need to have tourist police members at every resort making sure no discrimination is taking place; otherwise all those reports and videos are pointless.

Thanks Dany for the video!

Picture from L’Orient-Le Jour

The picture shows a gay militant participating in the annual Montreal Gay Parade and protesting against the anal probe tests that were performed in Lebanon against 36 alleged homosexuals.

I had no clue Naked Pizza opened in Lebanon until I spotted their delivery scooter the other day.

Naked Pizza, (originally named World’s Healthiest Pizza), was launched in the US in 2006 as an ambitious business model that seeks to change the nutritional profile of fast food. By way of example, Naked Pizza is demonstrating that pizza does not have to be part of the problem in our global epidemic of obesity and chronic disease, but in fact can be part of the solution. [More]

It’s definitely worth a try!

Their first branch in Lebanon is located on George Tabet st. Off Adib Issac Rd Achrafieh – Lebanon. [Map]

Phone: 01 20 77 88
Opening Hours: 10am till midnight.
Website: NakedPizzaLebanon.com

Figs are one my favourite fruits and can be used in so many different ways. I like them raw, dried out or made into jam.

Arguile is a must even during clashes in Lebanon: Picture from Al-Akhbar

Despite the heavy deployment of the Lebanese army and security forces yesterday night, the clashes are still ongoing and the army vehicles are now being targeted by sniper fire coming from Jabal Mohsen.

So far 12 people were killed, including a young Sunnite Sheikh, and 86 injured, including Canadian journalist Maria Moore. [Link]

Things are going from bad to worse but I think like everything else that’s been going on in Lebanon lately, it will calm down all of a sudden and everything will go back to normal. After the Mokdads almost initiated a civil war a week back by kidnapping Syrian dissidents, people seem to have forgotten about them even though innocent civilians are still being kidnapped randomly, with the last victim being Youssef Jamil Sabra in Forzol.

Amid all the chaos, I worry that our only hope for peace is in the hands of the winner of the Miss Lebanon 2012 competition.

[YouTube]

We should all support 4 a Cause and non-profit NGOs taking care of the poor and mentally challenged individuals in our Lebanese society.

4 a Cause is a non-profit NGO which was launched in October 2011, to organize various events to help raise awareness and funds to causes and associations in need. This year’s goal is to help out Baitna, a non-profit organization that wants to provide homes for impoverished mentally challenged persons, particularly orphans and those uncared for, with the objective of welcoming them in a family atmosphere. [Baitna.org]

For that purpose, 4 a cause are organizing a concert entitled “Music 4 a Cause” aimed at supporting Baitna. The concert will be held on August 30th, 2012 in Sin el Fil’s cultural and sports center and will include artists such as Joy Fayad, Lazzy Lung, Meen the Band, Mini-B and Underrated.

You can buy tickets at all Librairie Antoine’s branches for 20$ or buy them at the door for 25$.

To read more about the event, click [Here].

[YouTube]

Lebanon from The Hungry Cyclist on Vimeo.

Pope Benedict XVI seems determined to visit Lebanon in mid-September despite the chaotic situation here. His “papamobile” has already landed in Lebanon and was immediately taken to the presidential palace amidst security escort, in presence of Apostolic Nuncio Gabriel Katchea, Embassy First Secretary Monsignor Paolo Borgia, and representatives of Presidential Palace. [NNA]

The popemobile most often used by Pope Benedict XVI when traveling abroad is a modified Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport utility vehicle with a special glass-enclosed “room” that has been built into the back of the vehicle. The pope enters through a rear door and ascends several steps. After the pope sits in his chair, it is elevated up into the glass “room” by a hydraulic lift, allowing the pope to be more easily seen. In addition to the driver, there is room for one passenger (usually a security agent) in the front of the vehicle. The glass-enclosed rear of the vehicle also has room for two papal aides who can sit in the area in front of the pope’s elevated chair. The vehicle’s security features include bulletproof glass windows and roof and reinforced, armored side panels and underbody. [Wiki]

Another uncovered papa mobile used by The Pope

As expected, the controversy that surrounded Gretta Taslakian and her coach at the London 2012 Olympics will remain unsolved as the Lebanese Federation dismissed any sexual harassment and asked Gretta for a verbal apology. [Link]

What I find unacceptable about this whole story is that a member of the delegation (supposedly her coach) was the one who reported Gretta to the Olympic committee and caused her ban from the Olympic village. They should have waited till they got back to Lebanon then dealt with the matter internally. That was an unprofessional and sort of “childish” behavior. As for Gretta, she has to come out and say what happened with her or else she’s to blame for this scandal as much as the Lebanese Olympic Delegation and her coach are.

Last but not least, someone should be asking the London Olympic Committee whether not wearing the proper uniform is a valid reason for banning an athlete, specially that other athletes have done the same and got away with it.

[YouTube]

I like the initiative but I still think nightlife in Jounieh needs a serious improvement.

The city of Jounieh will celebrate on Tuesday evening the World’s Longest Bar extending from Jounieh’s square all the way to the municipality building.

This is not the first time Jounieh attempts such a stunt. Last years bar measured 370 meters, with this year’s expecting to reach 450 meters.