Listomania
21 Things You Probably Forgot Happened In January 2020
So much has happened during the past five months!
1. Lebanese Anchor Najwa Kassem Dead At 51 – January 2
On January 2nd, 2020 it was revealed that TV anchor and war correspondent Najwa Kassem had passed away in her apartment in Dubai. The cause of death was determined to be a heart attack.
2. Celine Dion Cancelled Her Beirut Concert – January 3
Due to the economic and political situation in Lebanon, Byblos International Festival announced that Celine Dion’s scheduled Beirut concert was cancelled.
3. Elie Ferzli Booed Out Of Swiss Butter In Growing “Shaming Politicians” Trend – January 7
Former Deputy-Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Elie Ferzli who was spotted dining at Swiss Butter in Gemmayze. Citizens and protestors quickly gathered in and around the restaurant, chanting “thief” and “thawra” until Ferzli decided to leave.
4. Nancy Ajram’s Husband Released After Fatally Shooting Burglar In Their Home – January 7
After a burglar broke into the Lebanese star Nancy Ajram’s villa, her husband Dr. Fadi Hashem fatally shot the intruder and was subsequently arrested for questioning.
5. Akkar Protestors Break Into Electricity Plant, Switch Power On For The District – January 9
After extended power cuts around the country and in the already disenfranchised Northern area of Akkar, protestors barged into the power plant and released the following video.
6. Lebanon Issues Travel Ban On Carlos Ghosn – January 9
Carlos Ghosn appeared before Lebanese prosecutors in light of the Interpol-issued request to locate and arrest Ghosn after his escape from Japan.
According to judicial sources, a travel ban was issued against Ghosn shortly thereafter.
7. Mimosa Factory In Mansourieh Was On Fire – January 10
Mimosa sanitary paper factory in Mansourieh was on fire for two days, and efforts to extinguish the flames are still underway. The fire started on Thursday at around 11 PM and quickly ripped through the ground floor of the factory.
8. Lebanon Loses Voting Rights At UN For Failing To Pay Membership Fee – January 11
Another day, another jersa! Lebanon has apparently lost the right to vote as a member state at the United Nations General Assembly for failing to paid an owed amount of $459,000.
Note: the fees were paid at a later date.
9. Le Mall Sin el Fil Announces They’re Closing Down – January 13
The administration of Le Mall Sin el Fil has announced that the mall will be shutting down within two months, and have put all their employees on notice.
10. Tripolitan Families Set Up Tents In Rashid Karami Fair After Being Evicted From Home – January 13
Entire families evicted from their homes due to their inability to pay rent have set up makeshift tents at Rashid Karami International Fair (maarad). This came after NGOs in the area were unable to help the large number of people affected.
11. Medical Equipment Importer Warns: Lebanon Running Out Of Surgical Supplies – January 14
The spokesperson of medical equipment importers Salma Assi revealed that the crisis has become unbearable for hospitals. Due to their inability to transfer USD abroad, medical equipment importers are not being able to pay their suppliers for necessary shipments.
12. Minister El Hassan Said That “Security Forces Are Tired And Not Sleeping” – January 16
In a statement to press outside the Ministry of Interior, Raya el Hassan semi-condemned/semi-condoned police actions against the members of media and press that took place last night and said, the police and security members are tired.
13. Association Of Banks In Lebanon Set On Fire – January 15
The Gemmayze building was filmed going up in flames, presumably by protestors in the area.
14. A New Cabinet Was Born – January 21
15. LOL: Electricity Cuts During Handover At Ministry Of Health – January 22
During the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Health, the power cut leaving the ministers and attendees in darkness for a few minutes while cameras rolled.
16. All Entrances To Nejmeh Square Have Been Blocked – January 23
All entrances to Nejmeh Square in Beirut’s downtown have been blocked off with barbed wire and metal barricades.
17. Road Subsides In Raouche, Swallows Water Truck – January 24
Wonders truly never cease in this country. The seaside road in Raouche, Beirut subsided, leaving behind a water truck half-swallowed in the pit.
18. Protestors Face Off With Armed Forces Ahead Of Parliamentary Session – January 27
In anticipation of a parliamentary session meant to ratify the 2020 budget, protestors gathered to voice their concerns for what they see as an illegitimate parliament. With heavy presence for army personnel and heightened security, protestors and army clashed.
19. Old Building Collapses In Tabaris, Achrafieh – January 28
An old building where the Lebanese bakery “Furn El Lebnany” is situated collapsed in Beirut late last night, with no reports of any injuries.
Furn el Lebnany has since reopened in the same location.
20. Huge Step For Lebanon: Military Court Dismisses Homosexuality Charges – January 30
Prosecutor Judge Peter Germanos issued a second historic ruling in a military court by refusing to file homosexuality charges against an army officer.
21. WHO Declares Corona Outbreak A Global Health Emergency – January 31
Well, you won’t soon forget that one.
1. Lebanese Anchor Najwa Kassem Dead At 51 – January 2
On January 2nd, 2020 it was revealed that TV anchor and war correspondent Najwa Kassem had passed away in her apartment in Dubai. The cause of death was determined to be a heart attack.
2. Celine Dion Cancelled Her Beirut Concert – January 3
Due to the economic and political situation in Lebanon, Byblos International Festival announced that Celine Dion’s scheduled Beirut concert was cancelled.
3. Elie Ferzli Booed Out Of Swiss Butter In Growing “Shaming Politicians” Trend – January 7
Former Deputy-Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Elie Ferzli who was spotted dining at Swiss Butter in Gemmayze. Citizens and protestors quickly gathered in and around the restaurant, chanting “thief” and “thawra” until Ferzli decided to leave.
— (@Therachellekay) January 5, 2020
4. Nancy Ajram’s Husband Released After Fatally Shooting Burglar In Their Home – January 7
After a burglar broke into the Lebanese star Nancy Ajram’s villa, her husband Dr. Fadi Hashem fatally shot the intruder and was subsequently arrested for questioning.
5. Akkar Protestors Break Into Electricity Plant, Switch Power On For The District – January 9
After extended power cuts around the country and in the already disenfranchised Northern area of Akkar, protestors barged into the power plant and released the following video.
— Rania El Khatib (@rania_elkhatib) January 8, 2020
6. Lebanon Issues Travel Ban On Carlos Ghosn – January 9
Carlos Ghosn appeared before Lebanese prosecutors in light of the Interpol-issued request to locate and arrest Ghosn after his escape from Japan.
Carlos Ghosn left his house in Tokyo wearing a hat and a surgical-style mask, and took a train to Osaka.
— Bloomberg (@business) January 8, 2020
Later, a private jet took off from Kansai Airport — with Ghosn apparently concealed in a case too big to fit into the baggage-scanning machines https://t.co/qEhdDcM5q1 pic.twitter.com/hwOhlk1No8
According to judicial sources, a travel ban was issued against Ghosn shortly thereafter.
7. Mimosa Factory In Mansourieh Was On Fire – January 10
Mimosa sanitary paper factory in Mansourieh was on fire for two days, and efforts to extinguish the flames are still underway. The fire started on Thursday at around 11 PM and quickly ripped through the ground floor of the factory.
8. Lebanon Loses Voting Rights At UN For Failing To Pay Membership Fee – January 11
Another day, another jersa! Lebanon has apparently lost the right to vote as a member state at the United Nations General Assembly for failing to paid an owed amount of $459,000.
Note: the fees were paid at a later date.
9. Le Mall Sin el Fil Announces They’re Closing Down – January 13
The administration of Le Mall Sin el Fil has announced that the mall will be shutting down within two months, and have put all their employees on notice.
10. Tripolitan Families Set Up Tents In Rashid Karami Fair After Being Evicted From Home – January 13
Entire families evicted from their homes due to their inability to pay rent have set up makeshift tents at Rashid Karami International Fair (maarad). This came after NGOs in the area were unable to help the large number of people affected.
11. Medical Equipment Importer Warns: Lebanon Running Out Of Surgical Supplies – January 14
The spokesperson of medical equipment importers Salma Assi revealed that the crisis has become unbearable for hospitals. Due to their inability to transfer USD abroad, medical equipment importers are not being able to pay their suppliers for necessary shipments.
12. Minister El Hassan Said That “Security Forces Are Tired And Not Sleeping” – January 16
In a statement to press outside the Ministry of Interior, Raya el Hassan semi-condemned/semi-condoned police actions against the members of media and press that took place last night and said, the police and security members are tired.
13. Association Of Banks In Lebanon Set On Fire – January 15
— Theo Bromine (@Theo_bromine_) January 14, 2020
The Gemmayze building was filmed going up in flames, presumably by protestors in the area.
14. A New Cabinet Was Born – January 21
15. LOL: Electricity Cuts During Handover At Ministry Of Health – January 22
During the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Health, the power cut leaving the ministers and attendees in darkness for a few minutes while cameras rolled.
16. All Entrances To Nejmeh Square Have Been Blocked – January 23
All entrances to Nejmeh Square in Beirut’s downtown have been blocked off with barbed wire and metal barricades.
17. Road Subsides In Raouche, Swallows Water Truck – January 24
Wonders truly never cease in this country. The seaside road in Raouche, Beirut subsided, leaving behind a water truck half-swallowed in the pit.
18. Protestors Face Off With Armed Forces Ahead Of Parliamentary Session – January 27
In anticipation of a parliamentary session meant to ratify the 2020 budget, protestors gathered to voice their concerns for what they see as an illegitimate parliament. With heavy presence for army personnel and heightened security, protestors and army clashed.
19. Old Building Collapses In Tabaris, Achrafieh – January 28
An old building where the Lebanese bakery “Furn El Lebnany” is situated collapsed in Beirut late last night, with no reports of any injuries.
Furn el Lebnany has since reopened in the same location.
20. Huge Step For Lebanon: Military Court Dismisses Homosexuality Charges – January 30
Prosecutor Judge Peter Germanos issued a second historic ruling in a military court by refusing to file homosexuality charges against an army officer.
21. WHO Declares Corona Outbreak A Global Health Emergency – January 31
Well, you won’t soon forget that one.
