Here are the latest updates on current issues in Lebanon.
Israel
A helium-filled balloon landed on a house in Shebaa with an inscription that read “welcome to Israel” NNA reported
Security forces were examining the white and blue balloon emblazoned with a Star of David, according to media reports.
A series of massive explosions were heard last night and reportedly occurred inside the occupied Shebaa Farms, amid Israeli reconnaissance flights over Arqoub villages and the heights of Mount Hermon, NNA reported.
Aoun/ Hezbollah
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah confirmed last night that Aoun is still a presidential candidate and his party backs his candidacy.
The parliamentary Future Bloc accused Hezbollah of using Aoun and his Free Patriotic Movement to paralyze state institutions, prolong the presidential vacuum, now in its 15th month, and obstruct the government’s work.
Gas prices reduced
Fuel prices were reduced Thursday by LL600 for gasoline (98 octane), LL500 for gasoline (95 octane) and LL200 for diesel.
The reductions are per 20 liters. The $/LL exchange rate is $=1500 LL
9 killed when boat sank
Nine people were killed when a boat smuggling Palestinian refugees out of north Lebanon sank in Turkey’s territorial waters.
40 Palestinian refugee who moved from Yarmouk camp in Syria to Lebanon were on the boat . The boat sailed off the Port of Tripoli towards Turkey about 48 hours ago, and upon arriving in the territorial waters of Turkey, it drowned due to the excess weight.
The survivors were pulled out of the water and transferred by Turkish rescue units and Coast Guard to Turkish hospitals for treatment.
Port employees go on strike
The employees and workers of Beirut port started today over the dumping of garbage in a space close to the port, NNA reported.
Health minister Abu Faour telephoned Salam to inform him about the danger of dumping waste at Beirut Port, LBCI reported.
Wheat silo employees went on strike in solidarity with the Beirut Port employees, according to media reports.
The strike at Beirut Port was suspended after the protesters received assurances from Salam, LBCI reported
Dispute between Jumblatt and Arslan
Kuwaiti newspaper al Anbaaa reported that relations between the 2 Druze leaders PSP chief MP Walid Jumblatt and Lebanese Democratic party leader MP Talal Arslan are tense because of their dispute over the situation in Syria . While Arslan continues to back the Assad regime and has recently received several Druze officials from Sweida Syria who back the regime, Jumblatt has been urging his supporters in Syria to back the opposition.
Syrian arrested
The General Security Directorate on Wednesday reported that it had arrested 13 Syrians for entering Lebanon illegally
Bank Robbery
Unknown assailants stole LL100 million from Credit Libanais bank in Khalde and fled on a mid-sized motorcycle towards Beirut’s southern suburb, NNA reported
Assir /Raid
National News Agency reported on Wednesday that the General Security today raided the house of Palestinian Fouad Gh., (a supporter of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir) who is still at large, in Sidon.
State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr referred on Wednesday Sheikh al-Assir and the other detainees (linked to the case) to the Army Intelligence Directorate to expand investigations with them, Lebanese media reported.
You Stink protest
An activist group that was born from Lebanon’s garbage crisis held today a protest to pressure the government to adopt a sustainable solution to the country’s garbage crisis.
The protesters blocked the Riad al-Solh road outside the Grand Serail.
Security forces tried using water cannons to disperse the protesters (after they tried to remove the barricades outside the Grand Serail ) and arrested two protesters.
The Protesters refused end their protest before security forces release their detained comrades. This led to clashes between the group and security forces which resulted in several injuries and the arrest of 2 more protesters
The Internal Security Forces on Wednesday released the four ‘You Stink’ protesters just after 10 pm , NNA field reporter said, adding that the four of them are back in Riad Solh square.
The campaign decided to stage another sit-in on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.
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