A storm dubbed Alexa arrived in Lebanon this past week. The Lebanese ministries of interior and communication sent out SMS messages on Tuesday morning to residents across the country asking them to take precautionary measures ahead of the arrival of Alexa. Schools were closed on Wednesday upon the request of Caretaker Education Minister Hassan Diab. Two people died and 14 others were injured as a result of the storm.
2. Syrian Refugees Struggle in Cold (Photo via now.mmedia.me)
Syrian refugees were the ones most affected by Alexa, especially those residing in the Bekaa Valley. The United Nations said on Wednesday that it is “extremely concerned” for Syria’s refugees as snow and freezing temperatures descended on the region. Roberta Russo, a UNHCR spokeswoman, said assistance would be expanded where possible.
3. Caretaker Cabinet Ministers Safadi and Aridi Go to Court (Photo via the Daily Star)
Prosecutor Ali Ibrahim asked authorities to provide him with a written transcript of caretaker Transport and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi’s news conference and caretaker Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi’s television interviews after last Wednesday’s floods of which both ministers were held accountable. The Lebanese University in Hadath and the Beirut airport road flooded after a heavy rainfall, blocking traffic for hours on major roads. Ibrahim summoned both ministers to (Photo via Naharnet)
According to Naharnet, security forces arrested two Syrians for attempting to smuggle 20 thousand pills stacked in Kinder chocolates, Christmas ornaments, fake Christmas trees and a snowman.
The suspects were taken to the Zahle bureau for investigation.
