Lebanon’s radioactive unknown
After several shipments of merchandise were found to be radioactive, the Lebanese government needs to answer some important questions. Over half a ton of sanitary towels with radioactive emissions were confiscated last week at the Beirut Airport. Similar incidents have occurred at least four times since the beginning of 2015. There are two possible explanations for the radioactivity detected in the sanitary pads from China or in the kitchenware, which came from India. One would be that both cargoes were exposed to radioactivity in their countries of origin. The second is that they were contaminated on the same cargo ship or plane because it was also transporting radioactive waste.
Following the reported incidents, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), sent several notifications to the Lebanese government even offering assistance to build a proper storage facility for radioactive waste. To date, all of the identified cargoes and radioactive waste the Lebanese government has seized is in the custody of the Lebanese Army (LAF). It is unclear if the LAF is equipped to handle this type of hazard.
Source: Now
Conversations: a doctor in Sermin, Syria describes the fallout of a chemical attack
Last week opposition groups accused the Syrian government of new chemical weapons attacks in the northern province of Idlib. Government sources denied responsibility in comments to the press. Activists on the ground released photos purportedly showing victims of the attack, saying that at least six people were killed.
Dr. Muhammad Tanari, 35, was on duty at the Sarmin field hospital when patients started pouring in. The number of injured arriving to this hospital was 70: all cases are documented with names and photos. The radiologist told Syria Deeply what he witnessed: ”All the injured that I mentioned earlier have suffered, and still are suffering from, symptoms that correspond to those of exposure to toxic gases. All cases were treated and documented, and we’ve sent evidence to many organizations and committees that can prove the use of toxic gases against civilians in Sarmin and Qminas. The same symptoms appeared on all the infected. The affected family also had advanced symptoms such as seizures and fainting. Upon clinical examination, symptoms were found of lung edema [swelling] and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which led to breathing failure then death.
Source: Syria Deeply
‘The Egyptian Family House’: fostering religious christian-muslim unity
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has not been shy about the need to reform religious discourse and relations.He is concerned about how the image of Islam has been marred by Muslims themselves, and how extremist thought has torn the fabric of Muslim-Christian unity.
Established in 2011 by the post-revolutionary cabinet of Essam Sharaf, the Family House was first conceived by the Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb, and the now-deceased Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda. The Egyptian revolution had promoted the idea of “one hand,” meaning the unity of Christians and Muslims, and these religious leaders found favor with the interim government and created an institution meant to strengthen Egyptian religious harmony.
The organization is headed by a 27-member leadership council led jointly by al-Tayeb and current Orthodox Pope Tawadros. It presides over eight committees which engages directly with government ministers concerning public policy. Populated by around two dozen like-minded employees of various educational institutions, in equal proportion Muslim and Christian, the committee hopes to soon present the minister of education with a new textbook for all levels of public education that will promote shared religious values, as well as a manual that will ensure the proper training of all religion teachers. Committees have trained groups of 70 imams, sheikhs, priests, and pastors to engage in local dialogue and social development.
The emergency committee has intervened in sectarian incidents in Aswan, Minya, Deir Mawas, Dahshur, and Samalout. The youth committee has conducted five regional conferences of 200 students each, focusing on spiritual, economic, and cultural development.
Source: Middle East Institute
