Six Noteworthy Stories You Might Have Missed in Lebanon This Week (4/5)
You’re busy, we get it. No sweat. Here’s some of the most important news stories you might have missed from the past week.
1. There Are One Million Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Syrians line up with their passports to enter Lebanon at immigration at the official border crossing in Masnaa, Lebanon. (Photo credit: Time.com)
The Syrian conflict, which began in March 2011, has killed more than 150,000 people and displaced more than nine millions others. On Wednesday, the country reached a grim milestone when the number of Syrian refugees who have fled to Lebanon reached the one million mark. The bulk of refugees in Lebanon poses a strain on the already-exhausted economy and politics of the country.
2. Maternity Leave Extended Mothers say more time is needed to bond with one’s baby or to be in the best state of mind to return to work. (Photo credit: Daily Star)
A draft law passed by the Cabinet this week extended maternity leave from 7 to 10 weeks. Nonetheless, the International Labor Organization still deems the 10-week leave too short, according to the Daily Star newspaper.
MP Michel Musa, who co-wrote the law with MP Gilberte Zwein, promised to extend the leave, however they said this would happen “gradually as [the issue needs to] be tackled step by step.”
3. AUB Students ‘Occupy’ Campus Building AUB students erect tents on campus in protest of proposed tuition hike on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. (Image via Daily Star)
AUB students continue their push to protest a proposed tuition hike at the university. On Wednesday, they set up tents in front of College Hall, just outside the main entrance gates of the campus. AUB President Peter Dorman approved the tents on the conditions that occupants are of the same-sex and that no alcohol whatsoever be allowed on campus.
4. Hunter Captures Crocodile in Beirut River Hunter captures crocodile in Beirut River (Image via naharnet.com)
A 20 kg crocodile was caught by a hunter in the Beirut River this week. The reptile was identified as Crocodylus Niloticus (or a Nile crocodile) and is among the most dangerous crocodiles in the world. The hunter told reporters he plans to sell the crocodile for money.
5. Domestic Violence Law Passed, But Missing Key Amendments Nada Sabbagh, center, whose daughter was killed by her son-in-law weeps while taking part in a rally making International Woman’s Day demanding that parliament approves a law that protects women from domestic violence in Beirut. (Image via theepochtimes)
On Tuesday, the Parliament passed Lebanon’s first domestic violence law. The law had been pending for four years. The law amended a draft law written by local NGO KAFA demanding protection against marital rape and asking for religious laws to prevail over civil.
The current law favors fathers in child custody battles, even if they’re proven to be abusive. In addition, marital rape remains legal, according to the new legislation.
6. Teenager Kicks His Mother in The Face on Lebanese TV
On March 31, a Lebanese teen identified only as Ahmad appeared on the Lebanese talk show, Al Akeed with Zaven Kouyoumdjian. Ahmad shocked viewers with his disgraceful manner, at one point approaching his mother, Dunya Al-Asaad, kicking her in the face and calling her names. Dunya explained that she hadn’t seen her children since her divorce four years ago. She also mentioned on the show that her ex-husband was verbally and physically abusive, and her son was apparently following the example of his father.
