· August, 2008

Stories about Lebanon from August, 2008

Lebanon: Maid is Lebanese for Slave

  27 August 2008

How are some housemaids or domestic helpers being treated in Lebanon? Nash Suleiman sums up the reactions of Lebanese bloggers to this tragedy, following the release of a report on the situation by Human Rights Watch.

Palestine: Return of the Prisoners

  26 August 2008

From Palestine, Body On the Line describes the return of Palestinian prisoners from Israel in this post, and compare it to the reception the freed Lebanese prisoners received.

Lebanon: Israel threatens while Syria seeks to buy arms

  24 August 2008

"What’s cooking?" is probably the most common question people in Lebanon are asking since Israel Environment Minister Gideon Ezra’s speech few days ago and the recent news of the Russian-Syrian arms deal. Last week, Minister Ezra said that the Lebanese state will be considered a target if it legitimizes Hizbullah (which the Lebanese government did). On the other hand, Russia has announced that it is ready to sell new weapons to Syria. What do Lebanon's bloggers have to ay about those developments?

Lebanon: The Beijing Olympics

  19 August 2008

Lebanon presence in the Beijing Olympics might be in small numbers, but it is interesting to note that the Lebanese athletes were only absent once since 1948. Ajnabiya gives us a refreshing overview on the Lebanon's participation in this year's event in her latest post.

Lebanon: Waste water treatment

  19 August 2008

While the political situation in Lebanon is undeniably taking over the media’s focus, blogger Rami at Land and People turns his attention to a critical and rarely addressed issue: Waste water treatment.

Lebanon: Terrorist Attack in Tripoli – II

  15 August 2008

The terrorist attack that took place in Tripoli, Lebanon, is the most fatal since the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri in February 2005. The place and the target of the attack are of serious implications and may have grave consequences on Lebanon as a whole. This may be one of the reasons why the media and the blogosphere is giving it so much coverage, writes Moussa Bashir, who brings us more reactions from Lebanon.

Lebanon: The image of Islam

  15 August 2008

While Muslims are frustrated with the way western media portrays Islam negatively, Nash argues that some Muslims, by abandoning some of Islam's basic teachings, like tolerance and forgiveness, are themselves giving Islam a bad image.

Lebanon: Tripoli's Attack – More Online Reactions

  14 August 2008

Lebanon is back in the headlines after an explosion ripped through a bus in Tripoli, killing 18 people, including soldiers, and injuring tens more. And although the day the explosion happened marked the first visit of the newly elected Lebanese President Michel Suleiman to Syria - a visit which was highly anticipated and monitored by both pro-government and opposition officials - news of the explosion took over the media coverage.

Lebanon: The Presidential Visit to Syria

  14 August 2008

As the Lebanese president Michel Suleiman wraps up his first official visit to Syria, the regional media outlets are dedicating their resources and efforts to broadcast every event, announcement and speculation surrounding the trip. Naturally, the local blogosphere too has been busy reporting news and opinions on the visit and what it holds for the future of Lebanon, writes Nash Suleiman, who takes a closer look at Lebanese blogs in this post.

Lebanon: Prisoners in Syria

  14 August 2008

As Lebanese President Michel Suleiman visits Syria, “the government media in Damascus recognizes for the first time after years of silence the existence of the question of the Lebanese prisoners held in Syrian jails,” writes Abullor at Bilad ash-Sham.

Lebanon: Terrorist attack in Tripoli

  13 August 2008

A terrorist explosion killed 11 people, including nine soldiers, and wounded 30 others in Tripoli, Lebanon. Moussa Bashir gathers the Lebanese bloggers first reactions to the tragedy.

Egypt: Singer Killed in Dubai, Not Cairo

  13 August 2008

Egyptian blogger Zeinobia argues why Egyptian authorities have no reason to ban publications from running stories on the murder of a Lebanese singer Susan Tamim in Dubai, UAE.

Lebanon: Citizen vs Economy

  13 August 2008

Although the telecommunication sector in Lebanon is one of the most profitable businesses in the country, it remains an expensive service for citizens. In her new post, Ms. Tee discusses the reality most Lebanese are facing.

Lebanon: Understanding Zionism

  9 August 2008

“The first time I met and listened to a zionist, I cannot tell you how suspicious I was of every word he said. Many ideas crossed my mind when I heard him speak […] It took me almost a year to overcome my suspicion,” writes Worried Lebanese about understanding but...

Lebanon: An Italian Lesson for Lebanon

  8 August 2008

What are the similarities between Lebanon and Italy, other than the fact that they both overlook the Mediterranean? Blogger Antoun Issa, in his latest post at Lebanese Chess argues that his understanding of Italy’s political corruption can certainly be compared – both directly and indirectly to Lebanon’s political corruption as...

Lebanon: The Beirut Spring Family

  7 August 2008

To cater to different readers, Lebanese blogger Mustapha has tweaked his blog – Beirut Spring. The Beirut Spring ‘family’ is now made up of Beirut Spring Tabloid and Beirut Spring Business.

Lebanon: Fires and Global Warming

  7 August 2008

Summer forest fires have been erupting in what is left of the Lebanese wilderness for years now. And every year, the blame game is played; starting with parties and politicians blaming each other for not being prepared, to blaming each other for intentionally starting the flames. So, what do the bloggers have to say about this?

Lebanon: Calling Gaza and the West Bank

  6 August 2008

“…people in Lebanon can now make calls to +970 lines in the West Bank and Gaza,” reports a Diamond in the Sunlight about the recent decision by the Lebanese government to allow direct phone links between Lebanon and Palestine.