According to a study published by the Imperial College London, Lebanese youth are ranked among the heaviest hookah smokers in the world.
The study was conducted in 2018 and included smoking estimates for 68 countries. Researchers concluded that 37.2 percent of youth reported using hookah in the past 30 days of a survey, among the highest in the world.
“Waterpipe tobacco smoking is most prevalent in Eastern Mediterranean and European countries, and appears higher among youth than adults,” the study said.
Waterpipe tobacco smoking is most prevalent in Eastern Mediterranean and European countries, according to the study. (File photo)
The study also added that about 65 percent of Lebanese citizens under 24 have smoked hookah at least once in their life.
Hookah usage in Iran and Egypt were also considered high with usage rates over 10 percent.
In response, the American University of Beirut Medical Center launched a social media campaign to raise awareness of the negative health effects associated with smoking tobacco from a waterpipe.
The InterContinental Mzaar Mountain Resort and Spa in Lebanon was recently listed in the 50 most scenic mountain resorts by U.S. News & World Report.
The resort was featured alongside worldwide favorites like the Gstaad Palace in Switzerland and Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Colorado.
Located about one hour northeast of Beirut, the resort has over 135 furnished rooms and suites along with conference facilities and exquisite variety of dining venues, according to their website.
“Experience luxury amid snowy peaks at this InterContinental hotel less than 32 miles northeast of Beirut. Though you could easily spend your entire vacation skiing and snowmobiling in winter or hiking and rafting in summer, be sure to take advantage of the resort’s cinema, shops, heated indoor pool and kids fun center. Or, retreat to your Alpine chalet-inspired room or the on-site spa for a massage, facial or body treatment. When you’ve worked up an appetite, sit for a meal at one of six restaurants that serve everything from Japanese fare to Lebanese mountain cuisine to American classics.”
The InterContinental Mzaar Mountain Resort and Spa was named among the world’s most scenic mountain resorts. (Facebook/InterContinental Mzaar)
To learn more about the resort and reserve your room for a future visit, click here.
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A forgotten luxurious hotel built under Ottoman rule over 100 years ago, in the village of Sofar east of Beirut, officially reopened its doors to the public on Sept. 16 as it celebrated works honoring its past by British artist Tom Young, according to AFP.
AFP offered a look inside the grand space and spoke to Young about his exhibition paying homage to the hotel’s glamorous past, before the civil war forced the building’s doors closed.
“This place is just full of history… it was once one of the greatest hotels in the Middle East,” Young, a 45-year-old painter who has been living in Lebanon for a decade, told AFP.
A sneak peak inside the Grand Sofar Hotel before it opened for public viewing. (Facebook/Tom Young Art)
“It was where kings and princesses and emirs and generals used to meet — also the most famous singers of the day.”
The paintings on display for Young’s exhibition showcase the exclusive parties of high society, lively dance scenes in the ballroom, card games played by the rich and powerful as well as historic political meetings — sometimes held in secrecy.
“Breezing through the Grand Hotel’s seventy five roomed corridors you can almost hear the secret deals being made between generals and ministers as celebrity love affairs nestled in the corners of the Monkey Bar,” Young wrote on his website.
The Grand Sofar Hotel is open to the public for a special art exhibition until Oct. 14. (Facebook/Tom Young Art)
Young’s show will run through Oct. 14, but programming at the Grand Sofar Hotel will also include: music, dance performances, kids workshops and art workshops.
The hotel and exhibition are featured in a video shared by Young on YouTube, take a look inside:
Throughout the exhibition, Young’s website says shuttles to the hotel are available every Saturday of the week from Beirut. Pick-up is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the return is set for 7 p.m.
For more information, visit tomyoung.com or email grandsofarhotel@gmail.com.
Examiner StaffComments Off on Forgotten luxury hotel from Ottoman Empire re-opens in Lebanon 5542
One of the largest Lebanese communities in North America successfully renamed a section of Donald Street in Ottawa, Canada to St. Charbel Way, according to the Ottawa-based news outlet CTV News Ottawa.
The celebration included fireworks, speeches and a visit from the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, who entered on a horse-drawn carriage.
WATCH: Patriarch Rai enters on a horse-drawn carriage:
Rai was present to mark the occasion while he was on a ten-day tour of eastern Canada, where he visited other cities to meet with members of the Maronite Catholic community.
Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi visits the Lebanese community in Ottawa, Canada. (Facebook/Maronites Canada)
Mayor Jared Carr issued a proclamation to celebrate the city’s “bond with the country of Lebanon not only through name, but friendship.”
Lebanon, Missouri has a population of about 14,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Facebook/Embassy of Lebanon in Washington D.C.)
Lebanese photographer Fadi Boukaram planted a cedar tree in the city to mark the occasion. Boukaram has made it his mission to visit every city named Lebanon in the U.S.
“Our bond with the city of Lebanon extends back well over half a century, and we look forward to fostering deeper cultural ties and cooperation through our mutual respect of one another,” the Embassy said in a statement.
READ: Full text of the mayor’s proclamation:
WHEREAS, The city of Lebanon and communities across America share a bond with the country of Lebanon not only through name, but friendship; and
WHEREAS, Americans have a growing social, cultural and economic ties to the global community, as we seek to communicate with and understand our partners from different language and cultural backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, our community has historic ties of friendship with the country of Lebanon; and
WHEREAS, the cedar tree is a fitting tribute to the country of Lebanon, its people and hospitality; and
WHEREAS, Though thousands of miles may separate our countries, our communities are bonded in friendship and a historic connection dating back to 1955; and
WHEREAS, The City of Lebanon seeks to renew our bond.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Carr, City of Lebanon, Missouri, Do hereby proclaim September 20, 2018 as a day of friendship between the country of Lebanon and the City of Lebanon, Missouri, USA. I urge all citizens to become familiar with and be open to learning about other nations and exploring our share of bonds.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Lebanon to be affixed this 20th day of September 2018.
Mayor Jared Carr
Attest: City Clerk Laina Starnes
Examiner StaffComments Off on Mayor of Lebanon, Missouri celebrates ‘Day of Friendship’ with Lebanon 3805
Queen Rania of Jordan looked glamorous in a balloon short sleeve shirt styled by Lebanese fashion designer Maison Makarem.
The queen wore the classic white shirt while accompanying King Abdullah II of Jordan to visit the Jordanian national martial arts team. The team recently participated in the Asian Games in Indonesia, and brought home 12 medals.
Queen Rania wore a classic white shirt by Lebanese fashion designer Maison Makarem. (The Royal Hashemite Court)
According to its website, Maison Makarem was launched in 2015 by political science graduate Layal Makarem. The fashion studio has grown quickly, and is working on opening a new studio and creative space in Beirut.
In a Facebook post, Maison Makarem said this is the fourth time Queen Rania appeared in public wearing from Maison Makarem.
“The Maison Makarem team and founder, Layal Makarem, are beyond honored, humbled and grateful to Her Majesty Queen Rania for believing in the vision of Maison Makarem and the cycle of goodness and giving back that we chose to be part of,” the post added.
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From the mountains of Faraya to the ruins of Baalbek, Lebanon’s top travel destinations are the highlight of a new YouTube video posted by a popular travel channel.
In collaboration with Lebanese Examiner, WatchMojo released its list of the ‘Top 10 Attractions’ in Lebanon — and the selections are spot on!
At number 10, WatchMojo features the city of Baalbek in the Beqaa Valley, followed by the Tomb of Saint Charbel at number 9, and the mountains of Faraya at number 8.
WATCH: Top 10 Attractions in Lebanon:
The full list includes:
Baalbek – Beqaa Valley
Monastery of St. Maron & Tomb of Saint Charbel – Annaya
The Lebanese Mikati family own one of the most prestigious mega-yachts in the world, according to Forbes Magazine.
Chopi Chopi is a 262-foot yacht currently docked in southeastern France.
The beauty is valued at over $100 million, and features more than 20 cabins and luxurious space for 12 overnight guests and 33 crew members.
Chopi Chopi was built in Ancona, a city and a seaport in the Marche region in central Italy. (CRN Yachts)
According to its builder CRN Yachts, Chopi Chopi is owned by former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his brother Taha Mikati, who together own the Beirut-based holding company M1 Group.
VIDEO: Inside Chopi Chopi, one of the largest yachts ever built in Europe:
The brothers have a net worth of nearly $2.5 billion, and have investments in South African telecom firm MTN, fashion retailer Pepe Jeans and prime real estate in New York, London and Monaco, according to Forbes.
The mega-yacht is the largest built by CRN Yachts in its over 50-year history. (CRN Yachts)
The brothers also founded Investcom in 1982, and sold satellite phones at the height of Lebanon’s civil war.
Chopi Chopi features an entire deck for the owner. (CRN Yachts)
Chopi Chopi is the largest mega-yacht ever built by the Italian-owned CRN Yachts company.
See virtual map of Chopi Chopi docked at Port Hercules:
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