Football Lovers, how could he do this?

The latest video of the French humorist Rémi Gaillard really dazzled me. Please, could anybody explain to me how could he do this?

                                                                                                                                                 

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Maleficent

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It’s not the first time that a traditional fairy tale is introduced to us in an unconventional way.

After Snow White and the Huntsman and Frozen, Disney brings us Maleficent, the story of the “evil” fairy, the sleeping beauty and most importantly of the true unconditional love between two different souls. 

The film mainly tells the story Maleficent, the character that is always forgotten in these types of tales; the one who is usually depicted as the source of darkness that wishes to disturb the peaceful lives of the humans. It tells the causes of her actions, her thoughts and feelings. 

This time, the movie points out to the real evildoers on the planet: human beings filled with greed and blinded by power and it delivers an ending that despite being predictable is also pleasing. However, I must admit that the persistence to keep it secret as long as possible is understandable; after all, the traditional path of story must be respected.

Although the plot is a little bit obvious, the film has many positive aspects like the glorious costumes and makeup, the cool effects and direction and the gorgeous presence of the one and only Angelina Jolie, who sadly, was dropping hints that she will retire from acting after her next big project "a biopic of Cleopatra".  

Objectively speaking, the movie is not a masterpiece and it doesn't claim to be. It’s entertaining with good plot, interesting ideas, simple dialogue (occasionally funny) and satisfactory performances.
Maleficent is now showing in Lebanese cinemas, watch it, you’ll have fun.   

Maleficent 3.5/5 

 Abir Lebbos

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ملحد يفجر نفسه ويقتل عشرين مؤمناً!

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 أعلنت وكالة رويترز للأنباء أنه مساء أمس 8 حزيران  أقدم المدعو م.ح. على تفجير نفسه وقتل ما يقارب العشرين مؤمناً. هذا التفجير الذي لا يعد الأول من نوعه، يأتي في سلسلة الأعمال الإرهابية التي طالت أغلب شوارع العاصمة اللبنانية. 

هذه المرة أيضاً تبنت جمعية الملحدين الوطنيين هذا الانفجار وأكدت أنها ستستمر في اعمالها الإرهابية حتى القضاء على كل المؤمنين. وورد في بيان الجمعية ما يلي:

" نحن جمعية الملحدين، وباسم كل الملحدين اللبنانيين نؤكد عدم رغبتنا في العيش مع جماعة من المؤمنين وإن استمرار وجود هذه الفئة من البشر سيؤدي عاجلاً إلى انتهاء الفصيلة البشرية.

على المؤمنين أن يعرفوا أن زمنهم قد انتهى وأننا سنطبق كل كلمة من كلمات الدستور الجديد. لاتزال الفرصة امامكم للارتداد عن الخطأ...

 أعلنوا تراجعكم عن معتقداتكم ولكم المغفرة"

 أما المؤمنون فهم حتى هذا التاريخ لم ينزلقوا بعد في لعبة الرد على الملحدين ولا تزال جمعياتهم تسعى جاهدةً لتجنب ثقافة العنف. وقد أكد الناطق الرسمي باسم المؤمنين " اننا سنسعى جاهداً لتجنب لغة العنف والحد من الخسائر البشرية" وفي رسالةٍ وجهها الى الملحدين أعرب عن حزنه الشديد ودعاهم الى حوار وطني لحل كل هذه المشاكل والأزمات.  

 وقد وضعت الأحداث الأخيرة الملحدين المعتدلين في موقفٍ حرج إذ أنه أصبح من الصعب جداً التفريق بين المتطرفين وغيرهم وبدأت هوةٌ من النفور تولد بين أبناء هذا الوطن.

الكل يعرف في قرارة نفسه أنه من الصعب جداً العيش في هذه الظروف وأن هذه الأعمال الإرهابية لا بد أن تستفز الطرف الأخر وأن حرباً طائفية جديدةً على الأبواب. لكن المشكلة الأساسية هي أن السلطة الفعلية في هذا البلد هي بيد رجال الإلحاد، وأن السياسيين رغم اصرارهم على احترمهم للمواطنية في العلن إلا أن اغلبهم هم سماسرة أموال، وسلاحٍ، ويأتي الإلحاد المتطرف في خدمتهم!

منذ اعوام والأزمات تتفاقم، حروبنا الطائفية تزداد صعوبةً وقسوة فهل نحن أمام حربٍ أهليةٍ جديدة؟

Rihab

PS: This article was inspired from The Lapine article : Atheist Suicide Bomber Kills Eighteen Agnostics. 

Photo credits: Tecnificent
(http://tecnificent.deviantart.com/)

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Great Respect For Micheal Hadad!

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“I do not have control over 75% of my body, and the height of Rouche Sea Rock is 40m but under the auspices of the commander of the army and after exercising for more than three months with the commando Regiment, I will be able to climb the Rouche Rock.”

Micheal Hadad will climb tomorrow the Rouche Rock. 

Best of luck!

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CIA First tweet!!!!

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On Friday, CIA joined Facebook and Twitter! 

In its first tweet, the CIA said "We can neither confirm nor deny that this is our first tweet."

One of twitter users replied "@CIA how does it feel to be followed for once?"

This is hilarious, who thought CIA has a sense of humor!

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World Cup 2014 best ad!

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McDonald’s world cup ad is considered among the best World Cup commercials ever. This new ad shows ordinary people doing some crazy football tricks. 

The creators insisted that all the shots in this video are real. 

Real or not, this ad is very funny and it is considered until now as the best world cup ad.

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A Topless Lady killed Putin!

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"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind."

Mahatma Gandhi

On June 5, a member of the Femen organisation stabbed a Wax figure of the Russian president in a Paris museum. It is not the first time that Femen shows a great tendency to violence and unprecedented contempt of law.

Despite my respect to Femen cause, I cannot agree on their attitude and behavior. Violence should not be solved by practicing more violence!

 Photo credits: Vocativ

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The Voice Italy: And the Winner is…

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Not everyone can be a great artist but a great artist can be anyone, even 25-year-old nun, Sister Cristina Scuccia, the new winner of 2014 edition of The Voice Italy.

Sister Cristina Scuccia standing with her coach, rapper J-Ax after winning the Italian State RAI TV program's final "The Voice of Italy", in Milan on June 6, 2014 (AFP Photo/Marco Bertorello)

In March 2014, during the blind auditions, Sister Cristina dazzled the jury with her voice. It took them few seconds to turn and discover that behind this pure voice is a nun.

Sister Cristina got the chance to share the stage with Kylie Minogue and Ricky Martin. Performing from Bon Jovi and Alicia Keys’ repertoire and dancing in her nun black habit and crucifix around her neck, the Sister caught the audience’s attention and support. With 62.3% of the voices, she was declared a winner of a contract with Universal Studios. But the young talented nun, who reminded many of us of Sister Act, isn’t looking to pursue a singing career. She had a gift and wanted to share it with the audience.

Sister Cristina took bravely the criticism of many conservative spectators. She was blessed by more people cheering and voting for her.

She was also blessed by her coach. J-Ax and Sister Cristina’s relationship was a beautiful message about how the world should embrace the differences: “I want to live in an Italy like this: where I — an atheist rapper, can showcase, with all due respect, a nun being embraced by an Italian with Mauritian roots. I want to live in this kind of Italy”, said the coach.

We, too, want to live in this kind of world… 

To watch the results moment: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQHiPNIESv4

Pascale Asmar

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Game Of Thrones Actors: Before and After.

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I am in love with Game of thrones.
If I forgot the reality that all my favorite characters except the Imp were killed , I can say  that "I have enjoyed till now every single moment of this series".
Every time a new character is added , I google his name to see how he/she looks in real life, and it is always a great Surprise!
Just be my guest and have a look.

Sansa Stark

Actress: Sophie Turner.

Who would thought that little Sansa may turn out to be very beautiful and attractive?

Petyr Baelish (Littlefinger)

Actor: Aidan Gillen

Honeslty, he looks better in GOT.

Jaime Lannister

Actor: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

Lets drop the fact that he sleeps with his sister, I find him one of the most adorable characters and he is very handsome :)

Rob Stark

Actor: Richard Madden

It is hard to remember Rob without feeling some sorrow. Would I be very rude if I said that I didn't like him from the beginning?

 Cersei Lannister

Actress: Lena Headey

Dear Cersi, I just hate you :P

 Tyrion Lannister: The Imp

Actor: Peter Dinklage

My favorite character.

 Daenerys Targaryen: Mother of dragons

Actress: Emilia Clarke

I used to love Daenerys in the first 3 seasons,I am not quite sure anymore!

 Joffrey Baratheon

Actor: Jack Gleeson

So, you know how to smile after all?

Ned Stark

Actor: Sean Bean

It 's been two years, and I can't believe you actually died! Still waiting for a black magic or something to bring you back.

 Brienne of Tarth

 Actress: Gwendoline Christie.

Seriously!!!!!!!!!

 Rihab

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Stealing the World Cup!!!!

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Money buys everything, even the organization of the 2022 World Cup!

On June 1st, The Sunday Times alleged that Mohamed Bin Hammam, the former Qatari vice president of FIFA, has paid millions to ensure support for Qatar’s bid to host the World Cup in 2022.

The decision to award this huge event to Qatar was largely condemned from the start. Situated in the Gulf, Qatar has extreme weather conditions. The summer heat may be unbearable for both, players and fans, and FIFA is taking into consideration the possibility of rescheduling 2022 World Cup to cooler season.

In addition, Qatar was accused of abusing the Nepalese nationals  involved in the World Cup preparations.

“The extent of the risks faced by migrant construction workers building the infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been laid bare by official documents revealing that 185 Nepalese men died last year alone.” Reported The Guardian.

One week ago, Qatar's decision to preserve its culture by imposing a special outfit on its visitors made me wonder if FIFA will regret Qatar’s nomination and consider a change.

Well yes, I would love to attend the World Cup in one of the Arab countries but I cannot turn my eyes away from the huge human costs. I already have my serious problems with the football game and the large amounts of money spent on it. I hope FIFA will not give me more reasons to question the integrity of this game.

I doubt Qatar can host the World Cup. Until now, it didn’t show its intention of  accepting  the culture and the diversity of  its visitors. Besides, it is violating the rights of its workers and paying money so the world would disregard its slips.

For the sake of this game, FIFA should preserve some dignity and call for an investigation to clarify all these buzzes. When rumors are raised about illegal bargains and enormous bribes, we should ask ourselves what Qatar is trying to hide.

Rihab

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Is Chatting Haram?

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Please, try to read this without laughing.

“Sheikh Abdullah al-Mutlaq, a member of the Saudi Committee of Senior Scholars, said that chatting online through social networks falls under the forbidden khulwa“(Reported Al Arabia).

Sheikh al-Mutlaq urged women to avoid chatting with men because the devil will be present between the two of them.

This fatwa is one of many that consider that chatting between men and women is haram. Islamic Saudi clerics are worried that any correspondence over the internet may lead to seduction.

Photo credits: Al Arabia

Every now and then, a Saudi cleric amazes us with a new fatwa. As stupid and unacceptable these fatawa are, I cannot but be stunned by the great amount of time some members of the Saudi committee are sacrificing to develop the Islamic Sharia. As if banning a woman from driving, forcing her to wear Hijab, forbidding any unrelated/unmarried man or woman to be alone in public, and other unjustified laws that violate the basics rights of any human being are not enough.

"Whenever a man is alone with a woman the Devil makes a third."

“لَا يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ ، لَيْسَ مِنْهَا بِسَبِيلٍ ، فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ ثَالِثُهُمَا”

The reactions of Saudi internet users regarding Sheikh al-Multaq’s statement were very different and reflected the raising new spirit in the kingdom. Although some admired him and agreed on this statement, others mocked him and asked: “why they just ban women altogether?” (Reported Al Arabia).

Relying on people’s trust and their unquestionable faith, religious figures have been ruling Saudi Arabs and sequestering them between robust walls of unbreakable rules. Despite all the efforts to maintain these walls firm and abiding, they will not eternally resist the wind of change.

Rihab

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قوّة الحقّ ستنتصرُ على حقّ القوّة...

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Today, Nadim Koteich shared a link about Samir Kassir on his page. Someone commented wishing Koteich the same fate as Samir Kassir.

Oucèma Karam, friend of the blog, replied by these few lines and I felt the urge to share them with you.

Thank you Oucèma Karam, I couldn't find better words.

"لستُ مِن محبّذي الثرثرة السياسيّة على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعيّ. بيدَ أنّ استمرار بعض شركاء الوطن باعتبار العنف من الشتيمة وصولًا للاغتيال وسيلةً طبيعيّةً يوميّةً مِن وسائلِ التعبير و الحرّيّة المقدّسة، باتَ يُلزِمُ رفعَ الصوتِ و القلَم (لا سلاحَ غيرهما لدى الأحرار). كرامةُ شُهداءِ الرأي و الصِحافةِ و الثقافةِ و النضالِ الديمقراطيّ أعلى مِن كلِّ متراسٍ و منجنيق و مدفع و صاروخٍ و طائرة، أيُّها البؤساء! حلّق عاليًا يا سمير قصير فالنورُ في الظلمةِ يُضيء!"

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Stop Ruining Basketball.

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Who does not remember these days when basketball was all we cared about? When being Hkmewi or Riyadi was as diving as being 8 or 14 march?

It is sad to see that using basketball to conceal our eternal conflicts is still occurring.

Today, I was reading the news when this statement popped in front of my eyes.Two realities stroke me:

-Lebanese people are still intolerant and the struggle between Hekmi and Riyadi still exists. If it wasn’t for Hekemi’s president’s name, I would think that this piece of information is 10 years old.

-What did “Nadim Hakim” mean when he urged his club fans to stay polite because “there are women and children between the audiences”?
Should we conclude that it is very acceptable to shout and insult others if the audience was 100% male?
Mr. Hakim, with all my respect, but insulting the other club should not only be rejected to avoid penalties or to protect women and children.  The true spirit of any sport game is to know how to welcome winning and losing with the same amount of respect.

Rihab

Reference : Please check this link 

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Banned in Lebanon... Again???

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A new case of censorship has hit the social media today: “The Exhibition”, a short movie by Lebanese filmmaker Youssef Nassar, was supposed to be screened during the Cabriolet Film Festival. Nassar and the Cabriolet Film Festival’s committee were astonished to hear that the Lebanese General Security refused to give their approval to screen the movie because, as reported by Censorshit Lebanon’s blog, it displayed nude pictures of women. The festival’s committee is deploring the transformation of free Beirut into Kandahar.

Picture via Stop Cultural Terrorism in Lebanon’s fb page

The multiple and repetitive acts of censorship are getting more serious and are worrying us about the “conditioned” freedom of speech: You have the right to say or do anything as long as it doesn’t tackle  religious figures and parties, politics and political figures, and sex.

So basically, keep hiding behind your little finger, as we say around here, because this is what we are good at doing…

Oh and by the way, long live the internet where all banned movies, plays and books will be found!

Pascale Asmar

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A husband detained after beating his wife!

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On May 31, The Daily Star reported: “A husband who had been abusing his wife for over a year was detained Friday, the first time the law against family violence was enforced.
Public Prosecutor Bilal Dennawi ordered the detention of a man, whose identity remains unknown, for 48 hours after an investigation showed that he had been abusing his wife. The order for the arrest was issued in line with the recently passed controversial law to protect women against domestic violence.

The man has also been ordered to pay his wife’s medical examination fee and return the couple’s 7-month-old daughter to the victim, in accordance with Article 11 of the law.”

This case is the first since the law against domestic violence was passed in the parliament and KAFA considered it as the first victory for family law.

The husband, who has been detained on Friday, will be held in custody for 48 hours and KAFA was worried that a protection order will not be issued before Monday due to administrative regulations.

Fortunately, yesterday the judge of urgent matters issued a protection order for the victim and her child.

This case highlights a weakness in the new law and urges for a quick amendment. As a matter of fact, the judge of urgent matters is the only one entitled to issue the lengthy protection order, and he is not on call for 24 hours a day. KAFA has requested to handle the protection orders by the public prosecutor since his time is more flexible.

The new law still needs adjustments. The date of the detention should not determine the fate of the victim.

Rihab

To read about this case.

To read the protection order. 

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Sin City 2 BANNED Poster!

Sin City 2 poster has been banned in the US for being too sexy and showing too much nipples.

The Motion Picture Association for America has deemed the promo inappropriate and rejected it for nudity or, more specifically, “curve of under breast and dark nipple/areola circle visible through sheer gown”, according to Page Six. Reported the Independent.

Sin City 1 was considered as terrifically violent and all the signs confirm that its sequel will follow the same lead.

It is ridiculous to ban a too sexy poster while a too violent movie is in question ! 

Rihab

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The reality behind barbie!

Who didn't love Barbie? Who doesn't miss her?

When I was a kid, Barbie was a dream; everything related to her was so beautiful and well designed. I needed years to discover what lies behind her.

Barbie, this beautiful girl we used to be in love with, was a bad ideal or to be more fair an unrealistic one. 

Barbie does not only promote a false body image for girls who unwillingly try to copy her and end up anorexic, she is also very obsessed with her clothing and accessories; she hates math , finds it very tough and likes to do shopping.

However, what I really hate the most about Barbie is that she wears make up!

Finally, a sketch of Barbie without make up was created and for the first time she looks a bit realistic.

I do not want my daughter to look, wear or think like Barbie. I prefer smart beautiful girls who know how to dress, manage their looks and stay natural.

So next time you think about buying a Barbie (and I know how attractive she looks) remember that behind this divine face a dangerous message is hiding.

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Why the Lebanese University is a chance...

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Every year, a lot of serious issues are raised regarding the Lebanese University. Most of them – if not all – are related to political interferences. In fact, it has been like forever since politicians took the prerogatives of the university board. Since then, no nomination has been possible without politicians meddling in. The failure of the government to upgrade 574 contract professors into permanent ones has urged the head of the university, Dr Adnan Sayyed Hussein, to call for a strike in an attempt to regain the academic prerogatives and protect the Lebanese University against any political interference. The problem regarding the appointment of full professors proves that there is a clash of interests between politics and academics.

I am not going to investigate if the 574 contract professors are worth being upgraded or not. Much was said (especially in Assafir newspaper which reported many “fishy” situations regarding the “academic” list and the “political” list). I am going to remind each one of us about the importance of the institution that has been the victim of many administrative and political abuses. The Lebanese University, sole public institution for higher education, counts around 75 000 students in its 6 sections. Most of them cannot afford the extravagant tuition fees of the private universities that are estimated by hundreds in Lebanon, and aren't monitored by the government – which eventually leads to huge raises every year (For a recent matter, check AUB and LAU’s tuition fees raises that led to students’ strikes). So for 75 000 students coming from everywhere, the Lebanese University is a chance: if the Lebanese University didn't exist, they wouldn't be able to get a chance to be admitted in a higher education institution. Or, they would spend their lives paying off extravagant mortgages cumulated through years since their first class at any private university.

I am not against private universities. But I am against the sabotage and abolition of the only chance of education for 75 000 students.

Oh, and for the record, I am a Lebanese University graduate. I couldn't be prouder of that. The Lebanese University was a chance for me. It is a chance for many of us. Public and free education is a right and it is our duty to protect it against “private educational corporations” that want to rip you off and against politicians who are contributing to this conspiracy. A proud and developed state is the one that has confidence in its public institutions, mostly in its public university.

Pascale Asmar

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France bans Hijab in Football games!

“Reflect your respect”, a campaign launched by Qatar, urges people to dress “modestly” in public by covering themselves from shoulders to knees, and forbidding women from wearing leggings.

The campaign uses Twitter and Instagram to spread its message all over the world. It will start officially on June 20, 2014.

Nasser Al Maliki, the centre’s public relations chief, proclaimed that this campaign would help preserving Qatar’s traditions and protecting its children from the foreigner's immodest behaviour.

Mr Nasser’s statement gives you the impression that their children do not watch TV and do not use the internet. Seriously, what kind of danger exposed knees or shoulders may form?

It is not the first time gulf countries use the Sharia law as the main source of their legislations. Even in Dubai, one of the most visited cities in the world, leaflets forbidding people form dressing immodestly are handed out in some places.

Qatar will be hosting the world cup in 2022; it will witness a huge mixture of cultures and I am wondering how they are planning to enforce this “modest” dress code on the huge number of tourists attending the event. Imagine if France decided in 1998 to preserve its culture by imposing an outfit on its visitors! 

Would any Qatari woman accept to put down her Hijab so she can blend in with French people? Would any Qatari man accept to wear shorts in order to protect the French culture?

In addition, I cannot see how Qatar is planning to forbid people from wearing light clothes when the temperature reaches 40 degrees. Are they also planning to forbid football fans from celebrating in the streets?

I am not against Qatar’s intention to preserve its culture but that does not mean that the country can force its culture on others. No one should forbid men or women from wearing the Shayla and the Abayha and no one should forbid them from wearing shorts.

 “If you are in Qatar, you are one of us. Help us preserve Qatar’s culture and values, please dress modestly in public places.”

Dear Qatar, we do respect your culture, but how about respecting ours?

Rihab 

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