RYV Brings Down 16 Lebanese Governmental Websites

April 17, 2012 By 10 Comments

To our dear “beloved” Lebanese Government,

We are RYV, short for Raise Your Voice, and we are simply a group of people who could not bare sitting in silence, watching all the crimes and injustice going on in Lebanon. We will not be silenced and brainwashed by your media. We will not stop until the Lebanese people mobilize, demand their rights, and earn them. We will not stop until the standards of living are raised to where they should be in Lebanon. We will not stop until this government’s self-made problems are solved, like the power shortage, water shortage, rise in gas prices and rise in food product prices. We are RYV, expect us to break the silence, whether in the streets or on the Internet.Silence is a crime.

Beautiful. The websites brought down include:

  1. http://www.presidencyinfo.gov.lb
  2. http://www.isc.gov.lb
  3. http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb
  4. http://www.omspa.gov.lb
  5. http://www.customs.gov.lb
  6. http://www.justice.gov.lb
  7. http://www.transportation.gov.lb
  8. http://www.moew.gov.lb
  9. http://www.foreign.gov.lb
  10. http://www.ebml.gov.lb
  11. http://www.bccl.gov.lb
  12. http://www.isf.gov.lb
  13. http://www.interior.gov.lb
  14. http://www.southernlebanon.gov.lb
  15. http://www.state-security.gov.lb
  16. http://www.pcm.gov.lb

An impressive one is the Ministry of Electricity and Water, which is a dark, blacked-out website with an interactive bright circle similar to a flashlight’s illuminating the parts of the declaration via your cursors.

This isn’t the first time this has happened, and with gas prices at a solid 39,700 LBP, we Lebanese should be doing more than defacing the government’s websites! Perhaps with brilliant hacktivists like RYV, the government will think twice about trying to regulate the Internet. After all, we have someone now who can stop their websites if they dare stop ours. It’s times like these I wish I had learned some computer science =P. I for one support this movement and really hope it manifests into something on the ground. The 2013 elections are coming up, and I for one am planning to make it worthwhile…

You can follow RYV’s Twitter account and Facebook page too.

Filed Under: Leb Tagged With: ,

Edde Sands for Free Till the 20th

April 12, 2012 By 4 Comments

courtesy of http://countlesslittlethings.wordpress.com/

Edde Sands is an evil empire to some, the ideal beach spot for others. But, perhaps we can all agree that their ever-climbing entrance fees are not something we particularly like. As for squatters who champion they can walk to the Edde Sands “sands” without being obstructed cause by law all shores are public property in Lebanon, stop whining, you know you’d never do it for the shame of people thinking “what a cheapskate”.

Anyway, all that won’t be a problem yet, cause at the moment, Edde Sands entrance is FREE! And will remain so till at least the end of next week. So, save yourself some money and go take advantage of the good weather (especially if you’re LAU Jbeil!). I know I will =D

Filed Under: Leb

The Telecom Data Controversy and Why I’m Against the ISF Getting It All

April 10, 2012 By 9 Comments


Firstly, put aside your political loyalties. Secondly, don’t bother worrying about mine, as I am a generally very selfish person when it comes to this stuff, and care first and foremost about my interests and the interests of those that matter most to me.

Whenever issues arise in this country, we are blessed with an array of inept TV stations that blabber on whatever their political financiers pay them to market. One example of such issue is the “data” controversy, especially after the attempted assassination on Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea last week.

The 14 March cheerleader TVs and media have been portraying the refusal of Sehanoui to hand over the entire data of the whole of Lebanon to the Informations Branch (IB) in the Internal Security Forces (ISF) as putting the fate of Lebanon on the line. As if the life of this country depended on the text messages I exchange with my girlfriend.

On the other hand, the ruling parties are portraying themselves as champions of personal freedom and privacy, when Hezbollah is a religiously-fueled ideological movement famous for obliterating personal freedoms for the greater causes they believe in.

So, both are selling us cheap talk and pretending to be something they’re not, or making things appear in a way that is not factual, or even logical for that matter.

My stance on this is hell no, why the hell should anyone obtain all my telecoms information and have the ability to manipulate it as they see fit?! The attempt on Geagea’s life is alarming and no effort (within the law and democracy) should be spared to prevent similar incidents. But, under no circumstance whatsoever will I give up my constitution-given (or god-given, whatever floats your boat) right to my privacy. I am not a terror suspect, why the hell should all my calls and texts be in the hands of people who can easily manipulate it to look as if I had called up one of you guys and was planning to plant a bomb?!

That’s when it comes to the moral aspect of such an absurd claim. Legally, there are proper channels that include the judiciary system for security forces to obtain telecom data. Of course, the data has to be for a given period of time, given geographical location and to persons of interest in a particular investigation. According to this article by The Daily Star, the three judges who handle these requests, unanimously declined the request by a security forces branch (probably the IB) to obtain the telecom data of everyone in Lebanon.

So, whether you’re a government loyalist, or an opposition member, or preferably neither, don’t let all the bullshit politicians vomit on TV sets let you think twice: your data is no one’s business, and it should stay that way. Someone once said you shouldn’t sacrifice your rights and freedom for security, and that someone was absolutely right. So, security forces, lay off the fried chicken and do your job instead of illegally obtaining Lebanese people’s data en-bloc, which honestly I don’t trust them with.

As for the claims that Hezbollah gets that data, no one can say for sure, but if Hezbollah is breaking the law, doesn’t mean our police forces can do the same.

Also, Geagea made the assassins look like they’re something straight out of a Mission Impossible movie. Do you really think they’d call up each other on cellphones and send texts with “lol” and “brb”?!

My personal data if off-limits, unless I’m a terror suspect. Full stop.

Filed Under: Leb, Thoughts Tagged With: ,

The Hilton Hotel Scraps Old Plan, Buys Out Habtoor and Metropolitan?

April 10, 2012 By 1 Comment

The below are my own assumptions, I’m not sure what will become of the original plans for the waterfront Hilton.

As many of you Beirut commuters may have noticed, there is an inconspicuous building before the Four Seasons Hotel on the Beirut Waterfront which has been vacant for the past few years. The sign was covered, but to be honest, the person who covered it did a very sloppy job and it was obvious it was a Hilton which had been halted for some reason.

One would easily assume that the Hilton-to-be in Beirut looked like a sissy excuse of a motel compared to the gargantuan Four Seasons Beirut a few hundred meters ahead. Their solution seems to be buying out the Habtoor Grand Hotel and Metropolitan Hotel, which have now apparently completed their transition and have become a part of the international Hilton group. As you can see by the massive signs which have been changed, and the small bulletins for those of you who have been to Le Mall or one of the hotels recently. (I hope Paris will come officially inaugurate it :P )

So, in addition to lots of Intercontinentals, we now have a Four Seasons, a Hilton and soon a Grand Hyatt. Honestly, I’m bummed they didn’t build a new hotel which would again redefine the Beiruti skyline, but, I guess this would work too given that the alternative was the building below.

For those of you wondering where the Grand Hyatt is, it’s a couple of blocks from Beirut Souks towards the West. Here’s a photo:

Filed Under: Leb Tagged With: , , ,

Free Internet After Midnight

April 5, 2012 By 4 Comments

Sometimes, amid all the whining and cursing over the price of Internet services in Lebanon and their notoriety when it comes to reliability, we fail to notice a few positive changes which seem way overdue.

One nice initiative was the free WIFI connections now available in public gardens. It might not have benefited you directly though, seeing how few public gardens we still have!). Another one was approved this week by the cabinet, and this one, Telecom Minister Nicola Sehanoui believes will directly benefit the 122,000 DSL subscribers in Lebanon.

Here are the details

  • Unlimited usage at night, from 12:00AM till 7:00AM
  • Charged for every 100 extra megabytes, instead of a full gigabyte (i.e. if you exceed your quota, you’ll pay for an extra 100MB versus a full 1GB, which means 0.4$ instead of 4$ at one time)
  • Comes into effect as soon as it is published in the official newspaper (jareedeh el rasmiyyeh)
  • Is for the public sector only, but of course the private ISPs who haven’t already done that, will follow soon to be able to stay competitive

So, whether its your “university lectures” or naughtier version of “university lectures” ;) Save downloading them till after midnight and save up on your megabytes.

Sources: @NicolaSehnaoui, Annahar Newspaper

Filed Under: Leb Tagged With: ,

39100

April 3, 2012 By 2 Comments

That’s how much we’re gonna paying for gas tomorrow =)

Filed Under: Leb

Another Batch of Must-Have Android Apps

April 3, 2012 By 1 Comment

1- Expincers (Bank Audi Support) (5/5)

I just made my first credit card, and shuffling that with my internet card, savings account and debit card is sometimes confusing. Also, I hate going to the bank, and who the hell still uses paid SMS? With this awesome app, you just sign in with your Bank Audi online account, and it automatically tracks everything you spend with your cards. You can also add your cash withdrawals and categorize each transaction, and make a cute pie chart.

What’s useful about this app is it really helps you keep track of how much you’re spending. It also helps you keep track of your budget, and helps you sniff out all those pesky bank fees which they don’t SMS you about (sneaky bastards). If you’re an Android user and a Bank Audi customer, this is a MUST-HAVE. Love it. I just wish it would automatically categorize obvious things like restaurants into the “restaurants” category for example, but, otherwise flawless.

2- LBCI News (3/5)

I don’t know why, but instead of grouping everything into one, neat, comprehensive app like MTV, LBCI has chosen to develop several apps such as LBCI, LBCI News and Kalam Ennas. If you’re a news junkie though, this app is cool. It has breaking news notifications (in arabic) and does that cleanly without misbehaving in terms of wasting megabytes.

3- SMS Leb (5/5)

Alfa and MTCtouch rape us with their fees and rape us again with their poor, poor, poor service. So, making use of the measly 5 free SMSes per day does have its satisfaction. However, the assholes now added the stupid “verification” code when you want to send an SMS, making it even more of a hassle, especially from your mobile browser.

This app is extremely simple and does what it says perfectly. Just sign in, punch in the number, type your message and send. And voila, sent. No verification, no waiting for it to load, no lag in SMS time. So, download it and make use of the “gift” our crappy providers have given us. Also, there is one for Alfa and one for MTCtouch, making it even simpler.

4- Beirut Electricity Cut Off (3/5)

Personally, I step out of the door and press the stairwell button to see if its electricity or “moteur”. But, for you app freaks, I’ve added in this app. I don’t like it because it’s basically a widget-maker only. You have to get all the information, like when the electricity cuts off in your area, and for how long. So, it’s not very useful in terms of predicting the cut offs itself, it just presents whatever you now in a widget format. But, it’s nice to have it in case some Apple fanboy flaunts their version of the app.

 

Filed Under: Leb, Tech Tagged With: ,

Avoid Valet Parking Series: Gemmayzeh Edition

February 13, 2012 By 8 Comments

After the unexpected success of the Zaitunay Bay edition, it was only natural to do the Gemmayzeh edition one. Below is a Google Map detailing the locations of parkings I frequent the most. Personally, I’d recommend you find a spot on Mar Mikhael street, but because of the bourgeoning nightlife district there recently, it’s getting tougher to find a parking spot.

My favorite spot is the Freres school’s parking, because the proceeds go to fund scholarships in the school (or at least that’s what the parking ticket says). It’s at the beginning of Gemmayzeh too, so will allow you to do the entire pub-route. There are two others on Pasteur street, parallel to Gouraud street (the main Gemmayzeh street). One is in front of the European Union’s HQ in Lebanon (5,000 LBP) and the other is near Coop D’Etat and Bulldog (5,000 LBP).

There are several smaller ones also, which are garages in the day, and parking by night. They’re tight though, and you might get your car busted there just as much as when you use a valet.

Filed Under: Leb

Avoid Valet Parking Series: Zaitunay Bay-Water Front Edition

February 10, 2012 By 5 Comments

Some people like to whine. Especially on social media. One day it’s racism, the next its valet parking attendants. Some Lebanese people are funny, and remind me of South Park episodes where everyone protests by yelling random stuff like “rabble rabble rabble!” without understanding what’s happening, doing the research, or finding the alternatives. I guess its contagious, after all, the shortsighted Arab Spring has proven its failure with the ascension of muslim extremist, versus moderate seculars.

ANYWAY, in Lebanon, the police, government and all other authorities are corrupt and inept. So, you need to learn to fend for yourself and avoid problems, because you won’t find a listening ear or a helping hand from the police. Also, valet parking isn’t a glamorous job, and its employees are usually gangsters in uniform who enjoy abusing your cars and ripping you off. But, even though this is illegal, a 50,000 LBP bribe to a police officer would be enough to make him turn a blind eye on the violations. So, learn to avoid valet parking, and here’s the first post on how to do that in ZB, where incidents with the bad valet services have been going around Facebook.

So, less whining, more doing guys. Anyone can comment on Facebook and retweet on Twitter. Be useful =P

Green is the underground parking of ZB. You can park there alone, no valet needed.

Red areas are the public parkings, where you can park for 2000-3000 LBP

Yellow is street parking, which is paid during the day and usually free at night

Filed Under: Leb

The Salary Increase Fiasco Explained

January 29, 2012 By 3 Comments

To the layperson like me, watching the news about the planned wage hikes and the resulting back-and-forth between concerned parties would make you confused and come to the conclusion that either the minister is being childish, the employers are scheming and the workers don’t know what’s best for them.

Today, I had the chance to sit with one of the 12 members of the General Labor Union council (Ittihad 3ommalli 3am), and its representative in the Lebanese Labor Court (ma7akem el 3amal) and discuss this issue in-depth with people immediately concerned with this whole matter. Here’s what I managed to get

What was the problem exactly?

In 1995, labor unions demanded reimbursement for transportation (badal el na2el) seeing how affordable public transportation was practically non-existent in Lebanon. Back then, a measly 2,000 LBP was sanctioned by the cabinet for every day you showed up at work. This means that this reimbursement wasn’t given when you missed work or off, and was not included in your retirement salary’s plan.

Minister of Labor Charble Nahhas considers this work-around as illegal, and wants to include transportation fees and scholarship fees into the bulk of the salary. This would amount to 200,000 LBP added to each salary. Which means that employers would pay 200,000 LBP + 21.5% for welfare and retirement funds. Meaning more than 242,000 LBP in extra fees (apart from a wage hike).

This is of course massive news for workers, and given Charbel Nahhas’ Communist background, his unwavering, yet illogical clinging to his stance is understandable. However, looking at things objectively makes us realize that a wage hike + the 242,000LBP would mean that businesses would have to fire people to cope, since the economy isn’t at it’s finest. That is why, some might be puzzled at this, but the workers were against including the 242,000 LBP into their salaries. A tough, but pragmatic compromise I think.

Another problem was the 200,000 LBP lumpsum increase in 2008 by PM Fouad Siniora’s government back then. Technically, it was illegal. So, a legal work-around was created to compensate for it, and here’s what it looks like:

Let’s suppose your salary is 800,000 LBP, here’s what happens with the passed cabinet bill

100% increase for the first 400,000 LBP plus a 9% increase for the second 400,000 LBP, minus the 200,000 LBP of 2008 = Your New Salary

(800K + 400K + 36K) – 200K = 1,036,000 LBP

 So, this silly example of mathematical gymnastics makes things legal and was passed by the cabinet and approved by the Shoora Council.

Why did the Shoora Council intervene?

We rarely hear of the Shoora Council intervening. That’s because its opinion is non-binding when concernend parties are in agreement. However, when concerned parties are at odds, the Shoora Council verdict becomes legally binding.

What happened to the transportation reimbursement?

It will remain at 8,000 LBP per working day you show up. What’s unfair is that it is not according to how far you live. So, while one might live within walking distance of his/her place of employment and takes the 8,000 LBP as extra revenue, someone who lives three “services” away will be paying from their salary to be able to get to work. This is another problem with the badal na2el which would be cool to solve.

Why didn’t they just subsidize fuel instead?

That was something I asked myself, and apparently the labor unions demanded this instead of the wage hike. Even though this might solve the whole problem, and include all the Lebanese instead of just the 40% on the payroll (not self-employed or part-timers, ie the ones this law affects).

The reason is a sinister one, but unfortunately true. Fuel is a lot of money, and direct money for the government. By direct, it means you pay, you get. Unlike electricity for example, which you could use up and not pay for. Everyone in Lebanon pays for fuel too, so compromising this vital lifeline for the government’s coffers is unthinkable, unfortunately for us.

Why did prices inflate 4 times and the salary just once?

Because the oligopolies that control so many products and services are unfair and mafia-like. The way to fix this is via the Ministry of Economy’s customer protection agency (7imayat al mustahlek). Unfortunately, the corruptness and under-funding of this sector makes it virtually useless. But, if you’re a business and buy in bulk, call them up and complain… Who knows, perhaps it will fall on ears that listen and act!

Also, interesting fact: the municipality and its police officers have the authority to inspect food quality and prices in their jurisdiction, and take the necessary measures which could be anything from a fine to closing down the guilty establishment and legal prosecution.

Conclusion?

This is just too messed up.

Filed Under: Leb, Thoughts

Don’t Die On Collapsing Bridges: Alternative Routes to Jal el Dib and Charles Helou Bridges

January 17, 2012 By 12 Comments

After the horrifying Ashrafieh building collapse tragedy and the laughable reactions of the government and authorities, mass hysteria about other buildings and infrastructure not fit for use and habitation have surfaced. Broadcasts, tweets and statuses warning people to avoid the infamous Jal El Dib bridge, which was built back in the 80s and was expected to be in place for 3 to 5 years, is in its third decade. A less “in-your-face” hazard is the Charles Helou bridge-parking-bus stop. Blog Baladi and Kataeb.org have already touched upon this subject, and I’ve borrowed photos and some information from them for this post, so thanks guys!

Pics of Jal el Dib (Taken Today)

I risked my life to take these photos for you guys! I also got my sweater dirty thanks to the leaks from the GAPING holes in the bridge. It’s really fascinating how it didn’t fall down yet. This has been a problem for years, and it should’ve been dismantled this month, but according to my friend Najib from Blog Baladi, political disputes have retarded the plans.

Charles Helou Bridge Held With Wooden Boards

Was closed last weekend. I was hoping they’d be paving the road… Apparently, they were keeping it up with wooden boards. Hurray! -_- (note: I was being sarcastic =P the boards hold up the concrete they added to the cracks and holes, after all, those tiny metal bars and wooden boards won’t hole the tens of thousands of cars that pass there everyday)

So, here are some roads to avoid these bridges (and traffic too). I admit, I wasn’t posting this for the past two years cause I wanted some of them all to myself. Yes, greedy I know. But, I wouldn’t want any of you guys to fall to their deaths so, here you go!

The Port Road

Take the exit on the right instead of going straight near the MTCtouch building. You will go on the road that leads to the Beirut Port entrance and eventually BIEL.

Forum-Gemayel-Armenia-Mar Mikhael

U-turn off the Forum de Beyrouth, go on the Pierre Gemayel road, then at the cross-roads near Art Lounge, go on Armenia Street which is the one that leads to Gemmayzeh eventually. This will probably be less crowded than the Port area. I use it often

Forum-Gemayel-Yerevan-Ashrafieh

Ashrafieh-Yerevan-Badawi Street (where dictateur is)-Armenia-Forum (Back from Beirut)

The small, one-way road is not very well-known, so it can be useful while avoiding monster traffic and crumbling bridges.

Antelias-Jal El Dib-Nahr El Mot Inner, Inner Road

It’s not the inner road we all know, but the one above it. Much less crowded, I use it more than the highway and main inner one.

Filed Under: Leb Tagged With: , , ,

5 Amazing Panoramic Photos of a Snowy Ehden Taken With My SII

January 15, 2012 By 2 Comments

View of Mar Sarkis Mountain and Qadisha Valley

View of Mar Sarkis Mountain and Qadisha Valley

View of my grandparents house and garden

View from the street in front of my grandparents house

View from my grandparents house

Ehden is my hometown, nestled in the Northern mountains of Lebanon. It’s 100 kilometers away from Beirut and arguably the most awesome place in the universe. Heck, it’s even called Ehden = Eden.

Filed Under: Artsy Fartsy, Leb Tagged With: , ,
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