It comes in a Coffin

Alarming rates of smokers in Lebanon, the 8th anniversary of Rachel Corrie's stand in Gaza, some progress in Jordan and harassment in the streets of Beirut.

Banning smoking in public space is not enough, it’s not even a solution in a country where traffic lights are year-long-Christmas-ornaments. Strict measures must be imposed.

Lebanese Voices [2]

Lebanese Voices share some shocking and alarming statistics on cigarette and "arguileh" smoking in Lebanon. "Cigarette smoking costs the state about $327 million a year, roughly $55 million more than the profits made from tobacco sales. On average, a Lebanese adult smokes 12.4 packs of cigarettes per month. Cigarettes are cheaper than food in Lebanon.. at a price of $1.5 for a pack, who cares to rethink their habits."

Ramallah Online [3]

8th Anniversary of Rachel Corrie’s Stand in Gaza

"On Wednesday, March 16th, we mark the eighth anniversary of our daughter Rachel’s stand in Rafah, Gaza, to protect the right of a Gazan family to be safe and secure in their home and the rights of all Palestinians to self-determination, freedom, equality, and security in the same measure as their Israeli neighbors." Rachel Corrie's parents write about the things they have worked on in the past year in Washington, Gaza and even international waters. They write about planned events, about following up on activists around the world and about their civil lawsuit against the State of Israel. All the while thanking everyone for remembering Rachel with them.

Black Iris [4]

The Missing Youth: How To Have A National Dialog Without Jordan’s Biggest Constituency

The Black Iris describes the progress in Jordan to be taking one step forward and two steps back with regards to the recent announcement of the national dialogue committee. "The 52-member “task force” is supposed to be an attempt to hold a “national dialog” with various members in the country to talk about steps for reform. In theory, the idea is sound. A national dialog is needed to discuss reform. It is a step towards greater public inclusion, mixed in with a little transparency. But here’s the kicker. Amongst the 52-member list of PhD holders, the country’s biggest constituency is completely missing. Nearly 60% of this nation’s population is under the age of 30 and none of them are represented in these national dialogs. Which begs the question of how can you have a national dialog without the nation’s biggest constituency? " Let's not even go into women representation.

Ivy Says [5]

An Hour In A Lebanese Woman’s Heels

Ivy gives us a preview of 'An Hour In A Lebanese Woman’s Heels'. "So thanks to our heroes at the Ministry Of Tourism, sexual harassment may just triple this summer, since they’re now promoting Lebanese women in their campaigns to lure in more “hungry” male tourists! If you haven’t watched the joke of an AD titled Lebanon Blues please do here."