The new Arab • 4th December 2023

The looming human catastrophe of Israel's war in south Gaza

Following a week-long ceasefire in Gaza, Israel resumed its military campaign on 1 December, killing 700 Palestinians in just 24 hours. The long-anticipated second phase of Israel’s war saw a ground invasion of south Gaza begin over the weekend, with dozens of Israeli tanks, together with armoured personnel carriers and bulldozers, entering the southern besieged enclave on Monday as the operation expanded. As fighting persists in the areas previously occupied by Israel, their strategy for civi

The new Arab • 23rd November 2023

What to expect from an Israel-Hamas tunnel war in Gaza

While an expected four-day cessation in hostilities and the release of 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners might be a breakthrough in the six-week conflict, Israel has been clear that it will continue its deadly war on Gaza afterwards. “The war continues,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference on Wednesday. “We continue until we have achieved complete victory … Eliminating Hamas, liberating our captives and making sure that post-Hamas th

The new Arab • 6th November 2023

Decoding Nasrallah: Hezbollah's strategy on the Gaza war

The first speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last Friday since the start of the war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel could be condensed into one phrase: "All options are on the table". But among the key takeaways of his speech, which lasted about one hour and twenty minutes, were useful indicators of Hezbollah’s strategy regarding its actions on the Israeli-Lebanese border and response to Israel’s ground invasion. Nasrallah claimed that Hezbollah wasn't involved in Hamas' Operation al

The new Arab • 18th October 2023

Why dismantling Hamas won't end Palestinian armed resistance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's pledge to 'destroy' Hamas has raised fears in the region, and internationally, about the scope of Israel’s anticipated ground invasion in Gaza. Hamas’ brutal attack on 7 October killed over 1,400 Israelis, both civilians and soldiers, wounded thousands, and saw around 200 hostages taken into Gaza. The first phase of Israel’s response has been an 11-day bombing campaign in the densely populated Gaza Strip that has killed over 3,000 Palestinians, mostl

Weed World • 12th October 2023

How Long Does THC Stay in the Human Body?

Drug testing can be conducted for various purposes, such as in the workplace, diagnosing or monitoring substance abuse in hospitals, in athletic competitions, and for legal reasons. A concern for cannabis users who may be required to undergo drug testing for various reasons is how long THC, the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis, stays in the human body. The answer to this question is not as simple as it can appear because multiple factors exist. But before trying to answer this qu

Weed World • 11th October 2023

Is CBD Safe for your Pets?

CBD has overwhelimingly entered our life over the last few years. Unlike THC, it has non-intoxicating effects on us but also because several studies have demonstrated its benefits in multiple treatments, including reducing anxiety, pain, and inflammation. Unsurprisingly, the CBD market has expanded recently, offering a wide array of products destined for human consumers and pets.Many pet owners have reported positive results after giving their animals CBD, including improved mood, increased app

Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East • 9th September 2023

Lebanon: Backlash as MPs introduce bill to decriminalize LGBTQ+ relationships

BEIRUT — Members of the Lebanese parliament have for the first time introduced a bill to decriminalize same-sex relationships. The proposed legislation aims to repeal Article 534 of the Penal Code, which prohibits "any sexual intercourse contrary to the order of nature" with a penalty of up to one year in imprison. Only made public in recent weeks, likely due to a leak in parliament, the bill had been introduced in early July by nine representatives, including independent members from Forces of

dw.com • 25th August 2023

How Lebanon was plundered by its own central bank – DW – 08/25/2023

The 30-year tenure of the former governor of the Bank of Lebanon Riad Salameh culminated in controversy, inquiries and sanctions. What role did the once respected financial authority play in Lebanon's economic collapse? Before the start of the economic crisis in Lebanon in 2019, the governor of the country's central bank, Riad Salameh, had a strong reputation as one of the world's best. But by the end of his mandate at the Banque de Liban (BDL) on July 31, he was being described as one of the

dw.com • 24th August 2023

How Lebanon was plundered by its central bank – DW – 08/24/2023

The 30-year tenure of the former governor of the Bank of Lebanon Riad Salameh culminated in controversy, inquiries and sanctions. What role did the once respected financial authority play in Lebanon's economic collapse? Before the start of the economic crisis in Lebanon in 2019, the governor of the country's central bank, Riad Salameh, had a strong reputation as one of the world's best. But by the end of his mandate at the Banque de Liban (BDL) on July 31, he was being described as one of the

The New Arab • 24th August 2023

Riad Salameh and the making of Lebanon's economic collapse

The farewell of Riad Salameh as the Governor of Lebanon's Central Bank could have been better. Except for a small crowd of colleagues and journalists taking pictures of him to some background music, on 31 July, the last day of his mandate, Salameh left his 30-year-long tenure with a country burdened by a crippled economy and a tarnished reputation as the face of Lebanon's financial crisis. Investigations into him and his associates extended across Lebanon and at least six European countries. I

Weed World • 24th August 2023

Has THC Potency Changed Over the Years?

The most common reason to consume cannabis is its psychoactive effects. Cannabis is wildly used worldwide for recreational purposes, even though people have become more aware of its medical benefits in recent years. Therefore, average adult-use cannabis consumers pay significant attention to the potency of delta-9 tetrachydrocannabinol, most commonly know as THC, the main cannabis compound that makes you feel high. Although many experts and cannabis connoisseurs explain that THC is not the onl

Weed World • 9th August 2023

Do Bees Love Cannabis?

There are loads of content about cannabis on the internet that can teach every single aspect of this plant. Someone curious about cannabis or hemp may have dug deep enough to discover man facts about cannabis that you didn’t know. Such as cannabis or hemp has been titled the oldest cltivated plant for products in the Guinness World Record, and the first US President George Washington used to grow cannabis. But the relationship between the cannabis plant and bees may be much more interesting. Y

The New Arab • 8th August 2023

Behind the fighting in Lebanon's Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp

The Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh in Sidon, Lebanon, became the centre of intense fighting between rival armed groups last week. Between 29 July and 2 August, explosions, rockets, and gunshots shook the camp, resulting in at least 12 deaths, dozens of injuries, and the displacement of 2,000 people. The camp, housing nearly 50,000 registered Palestinian refugees, is now under a fragile ceasefire. The clashes reportedly started with an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Islamist mi

Weed World • 3rd August 2023

A Fresh Start?

Is Biden's mass pardon for federal cannabis possession a fresh start for cannabis legalization in the United States? On 16th October, U.S. President Jo Biden announced his intention to pardon all prior federal offenses of simple cannabis possession."There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden," he tweeted.1Furthermore, he encouraged governors to

dw.com • 25th July 2023

Lebanon in smoke: Cigars for the rich, hookah for the poor – DW – 07/25/2023

Lebanon's economic crisis hasn't stopped people from smoking. While smoking hookah remains affordable for almost everybody, cigars have become a status symbol for all those who profit from the crisis. When taking a walk along the cafes and restaurants in Beirut, it is impossible not to notice the intense smell of fruity tobacco permeating the nostrils as it wafts from hookahs. Hookah, locally known as narghile or shisha, is a waterpipe used for smoking tobacco or flavored tobacco (or moassal).

CannIntelligence • 5th July 2023

Right wing’s rapid U-turn – government keeps Italy guessing on hemp flowers

A proposal by Italy’s ruling right-wing coalition to regulate the sale of hemp flowers was met with some surprise – and was then withdrawn, without any official explanation, less than 24 hours after being put forward. The attempt marked something of a change in approach from politicians who, until that point, had been heavily critical of cannabis and hemp flower sales and had opposed any liberalisation of them.

DAWN • 21st June 2023

With Lebanon’s Economic Collapse, Syrian Refugees Become Scapegoats

There was no possible scenario for talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis to succeed when other Yemeni parties...

Middle East Eye • 18th June 2023

Lebanon rounding up Syrian refugees for deportation regardless of legal status

Despite UN protection, increasing numbers of Syrians are being rounded up by the army and sent back to Lebanon's war-torn neighbour.

The New Arab • 1st June 2023

Have Lebanon's new opposition MPs made a difference?

The results of the 2022 Lebanese general elections highlighted two significant changes within the country's political landscape. Firstly, Hezbollah and its allies lost their majority in terms of seats in the parliament and, secondly, 13 independent MPs belonging to the opposition movement were voted in. Lebanon’s revolution, or thawra, began in 2019 after mass protests by civil society groups called to dismantle the corrupt, sectarian ruling class and demanded social and economic rights and ac

dw.com • 8th May 2023

Lebanon: Soaring inflation turns olive oil into a luxury – DW – 05/08/2023

Lebanese olive oil has become unaffordable for many in the crisis-ridden country. As inflation bites and the US dollar reigns supreme, poorer people are forced to part with their traditional local diet. Imad Waresbi is a 43-year-old resident of Tripoli in northern Lebanon who produces and trades olive oil for a living. He sells his oil for a wholesale price of $5 (€4.50) per liter, which is a fairly reasonable price for the product, he said. In the shops, however, a liter nowadays costs around