All the Beirut news.

Picture taken from @Nicolasehnaoui
Telecom Minister Sehnaoui posted this picture today on his instagram account blaming Ogero Telecom chief Abdel-Moneim Youssef on the slowness and asking him to free the bandwidth.
Even though I agree with Minister Sehnaoui that Youssef’s behavior is unacceptable, I refuse to solely put the blame on one side as there are two fundamental issues that are at the origin of this problem:

In a historic move that promises to radically transform the way US security agencies operate, President Obama today officially launched the American Mukhabrat initiative. The ambitious restructuring of all US security and intelligence agencies will become Obama’s flagship policy in a bid to ‘embed intelligence work in a more fundamental way within American psyche and society’.

Everyone is confused about the new laws and regulations that came into effect this month that are supposed to stop illegal smuggling of devices into Lebanon. However, vague text messages weren’t enough to illustrate what’s actually happening. Luckily enough, Wezank, a new Lebanese startup, has saved me the trouble of actually writing a complicated post by creating a simple video that should help clarify everything. Also, check out their other videos. They can video-fy any idea you have, which I think is an awesome service for anyone trying to get a point across on a nice, easy way

Via Najib
 

NoGarlicNoOnions was recently invited to join a few select guests to sail across the Lebanese shores, into the world of Absolut Vodka.  Aboard the magnificent Yacht 42, brand Ambassadors Mr Johan Ekelund & Mrs Rebecca Almqvist, joined us especially from Sweden to enlighten us about the real story behind this premium spirit. Several hostesses welcomed »more...

I think I need to apologize for inviting you so frequently, but here we are again! Straight after my exhibition at 392RMEIL393, it is a pleasure for me to be at the open doors of the WonderEight agency on June 11th (to inaugurate their new building - for some very interesting info about the social experiment they are trying to create please to this link).

View from Sama Beirut (not yet finished) via Skyscrapercity.com
Why am I not surprised to read the below numbers? I always wondered whether these new projects in Achrafieh and Beirut are getting sold specially that they are selling at unbelievably high prices.

“Who ate my apple?”, “Who drank my last soda?”Sounds familiar? Sharing a fridge with flatmates or colleagues at work can sometimes create friction. Now there’s a solution… Check out this innovative creation of multiple components fridge   As a part of Electrolux’s Design Lab contest (held annually), Austrian designer Stefan Buchberger created the “Flatshare” fridge. »more...

This summer is amazing for one main reason: epic, underground and real parties. Stereo Club Nights have become a Saturday night staple of Beirut’s nightlife this summer, with names like Tube and Berger gracing Lebanese clubbers with the finest, delicious flavors of House music that are a welcome change from the radio garbage we are bombarded with usually.

I was waiting for it to emerge, and here it is!... One face, one conflict. I knew that somewhere, somewhere, was going to bring down a whole conflict into one "iconic" photo - and it happened. The image of "Ceyda Sungur" a Turkish academic (it helps that she is not veiled, is stylishly dressed in what has become "the lady in red" caption of the photo, has minimal accessories and oh-that-cute-about-to-be-sold-out-from-shops tote bag). And here is the photo that is supposed to sum up the boiling in the streets of Turkey:

Shtrumpf... I have memories of Shtrumpf when it first opened in Jounieh.  I remember going there often with my ex-boyfriend and sit for hours drinking beer and eating good food. That was back then, I dumped my ex and it seems that Shtrumpf has dumped their good food… I stopped going there – up until I saw »more...

Look forward this summer to a new hotel expected to change the meaning of hotels as we know it… and the interesting part is it’s location. The Smallville Hotel is located in eclectic Badaro a residential and commercial neighborhood, close to the National Museum, Berytech, universities and embassies. The property consists of a total of »more...

Picture taken from Yasa
If you thought these are stupid, check out this guy I posted about few weeks back.

Picture taken by @PamelaKhawly

Last summer, I remember trying Sweet Tea at the Souks. The location, the overall all set up was mesmerizing – a great escape within the city of Beirut itself. Owned by Chef Yannik Aleno, Sweet Tea sadly closed down, but the same location can still be enjoyed giving way the recent opening of The Garden, »more...

[YouTube]

“It is still hard to describe how it feels to have won the Indy 500,” Kanaan said. “It is something that I have always wanted to have that I have worked so hard for over the years. It was very special.” [Source]

Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian driver of Lebanese Descent. I am not a big fan of Indy 500 races but I remember seeing Kanaan’s name since ever. His best results so far were second spot in 2004 and twice third spot. He was also the driver that had led the most laps without winning before the race, with 221 laps.
Thanks Rachid

Dolce Farfalla The bald and the beautiful - Dolce Farfalla is sticking with cancer patients while emphaszing how stylish it is to be different out of solidarity. I have no idea what prompted the move or if we are in some cancer awareness month, but the initiative is laudable for sure.
And on a totally unrelated note, there was this interesting one too: