Mayyas Stuns Audiences in America’s Got Talent Finale, Winner Revealed Tonight After the latest performance from the Lebanese dance troupe, Mayyas, who advanced to the final round of the America’s Got Talent television competition, the group awaits this evening’s announcement of the program’s winners. Go Mayyas! [The National]
Woman Breaks into Beirut Branch of Blom Bank Demanding Savings According to AP News, “A woman accompanied by activists and brandishing what she said was a toy pistol broke into a Beirut bank branch on Wednesday, taking $13,000 from her trapped savings. Sali Hafez told the local Al-Jadeed TV that she needed the money to fund her sister’s cancer treatment. She said she had repeatedly visited the bank to ask for her money and was told she could only receive $200 a month in Lebanese pounds.” [AP News]
President Michel Aoun Alludes to ‘Major Progress’ on Maritime Border File In publicly made remarks, the Lebanese President Michel Aoun hinted that major progress was underway concerning the ongoing, US-mediated negotiations between the Lebanese and Israeli governments concerning Lebanon’s southern maritime border. He said, “The contacts to finalize the demarcation file have made major progress, in which Lebanon has achieved what enables it to exploit its resources in its waters.” [Naharnet]
Parliamentary Session on 2022 Budget Boycotted Due to Lack of Quorum According to L’Orient Today, “A Parliament session on Wednesday, during which Lebanese delegates had planned to discuss the long overdue 2022 draft budget, was postponed to Thursday morning due to a lack of quorum . . . The Lebanese Forces and Kataeb announced on Monday that they would not attend the session on Wednesday as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of former Lebanese President Bachir Gemayel’s assassination. Free Patriotic Movement MPs also boycotted the meeting.” [L’Orient Today]
OPINION & ANALYSIS
Al-Monitor Lebanese Turn To Wood Logging In Preparation For Winter Rodayna Raydan
Raydan writes, “In the face of rising fuel prices and scarcity in Lebanon, residents have become increasingly dependent on cutting down trees from nearby forests and woodlands to stay warm, and while the increased logging is causing fears of deforestation, many in Lebanon say they are left with little choice . . . Wood markets are booming, while other markets are bearing the brunt of the economic downturn. Wood seller Omar Safa told Al-Monitor that the government is to blame for the financial crisis and rising inflation, and that as a result citizens cannot afford energy supplies. He said that this year had witnessed the highest demand for wood logs as people plan to use wood not only for heating but for cooking, too, a throwback to the past that many are finding hard to accept. Safa noted that the prices of wood logs depend on their type as the quality differs. For instance, oak tree wood is more expensive compared to orange or pine tree wood, because they last longer when burnt.”
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.
