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L'Orient-Le Jour
3 hours ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
'He was Lebanese to the core,' politicians, media figures remember Bou Habib's legacy
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Bou Habib passed away Wednesday night at the age of 84 following a heart attack. He was transferred to a hospital, where he later died. His passing marked the end of a decades-long career in diplomacy, economics, and public service — a loss that was widely mourned across Lebanon's political and media landscape. Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, under whom Bou Habib last served, expressed deep sorrow, describing the news as a 'painful irony,' as he had been expecting to meet Bou Habib that very morning. Mikati said their cooperation during a particularly challenging period was fruitful, praising Bou Habib's 'diplomatic firmness that blended wisdom, realism, and patriotism.' He added that the late minister was 'Lebanese to the core, steadfast in his national convictions.' Former Minister of Youth and Sports George Kallas recalled Bou Habib's calm demeanor and firm leadership during what he called 'one of the most delicate periods' for Lebanon's foreign affairs. 'I was honored to work with him,' Kallas said, adding that Bou Habib had a real talent for 'resolving crises.' 'A steadfast fighter for his homeland' MP Fouad Makhzoumi called Bou Habib 'a man who left a lasting imprint on Lebanon's diplomatic and political life,' describing him as a model of national dedication during the most difficult times. MP Fadi Alameh, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, echoed those sentiments, referring to Bou Habib as 'a role model in political work based on integrity and honesty.' MP Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement, said he had known Bou Habib closely and described him as 'deeply committed to the Lebanese, Levantine, and Arab identity,' someone who had left a 'distinctive mark in diplomatic life.' Former Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh al-Shami said: "I was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my dear friend, former Minister Abdullah Bou Habib. I had met him many years ago in Washington, and later we worked together at the ministry." "I last met him in Washington about two months ago, along with some mutual friends. He spoke to us about his rich experiences and recounted some of his diplomatic encounters with precision, deep analysis, a sharp mind, and remarkable calm," he added. Joseph al-Qassefi, head of the Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate, remembered Bou Habib as a man "who was Lebanese to his core, and a steadfast fighter for his homeland,' someone who walked 'a straight path through winding roads.' He praised Bou Habib's contributions both at the World Bank and in public service, noting that he 'prioritized his national calling over personal interest.' Al-Qassefi also cited Bou Habib's memoir, "Papers from Washington," describing it as a reflection of the 'hardship and longing' that marked his years as Lebanon's ambassador to the U.S. The Maronite League also paid tribute to the late minister in a statement released by the state-run National News Agency. 'With his passing, a voice of reason has been silenced. He always worked for unity rather than division, aspiring for the Lebanese to be pioneers, wherever they may be,' the league said, stating that Bou Habib had notably served as vice president of its executive council. A Lifelong Public Servant Bou Habib began his career at the World Bank in 1976 as an economic expert, later becoming a senior loan officer for the Middle East and North Africa region. From 1983 to 1990, he served as Lebanon's ambassador to the United States, before returning to the World Bank in 1992, where he held senior advisory roles. In 2001, he returned to Beirut to serve as chief adviser to then-Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares until 2005. He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in September 2021 in the Mikati government, serving until February 2025. His final months in office were marked by rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and an Israeli military campaign in southern Lebanon. Bou Habib held a degree from the American University of Beirut and a PhD in economics from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.
Economic Key
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Economic Key
Cairo 3A Group Sponsors the Launch of the World Junior Squash Championship in Egypt
3A Group celebrated the launch of the World Junior Squash Championship during a press conference attended by Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, along with a number of prominent figures from the sports sector. Returning to Egypt after a 23-year hiatus, the championship is held from July 20th to August 1st at Black Ball Sporting Club in New Cairo, with the participation of top international male and female players under the age of 19. The championship is officially sponsored by Cairo 3A Group, a leading name in the food industry and proud supporter of the Egyptian national squash team. Backed by strong government support and world-class organization, the event underscores Egypt's position as a global hub for squash. Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports in Egypt, expressed his pride in hosting such a prestigious international tournament. He highlighted the state's efforts to ensure the successful organization of an event of this scale, one that truly reflects Egypt's stature in the world of sports. 'We highly value the support of the World Squash Federation and are proud of the continued confidence in Egypt's ability to host global championships. Thanks to our advanced infrastructure and accumulated expertise, Egypt is more than ready. Squash enjoys significant backing from the country's leadership, and we remain committed to nurturing future champions,' said Minister Sobhy. Mr. Hazem Zayed, CEO of Cairo 3A Group, stated: 'We are honored to support Egypt's national squash team and to sponsor the World Junior Championship. At Cairo 3A, we strongly believe in the role of sports in community development—especially squash, which has become a global symbol of Egyptian excellence. This sponsorship aligns with our strategy to empower young talent and reinforce Egypt's international leadership in sports.' Zena Wooldridge, President of the World Squash Federation, highlighted the country's exceptional capacity to host global sports events, saying: 'Egypt is a powerhouse in the world of squash—not only in terms of talent but also in sports event management. This year's championship follows a series of outstanding performances by Egypt's juniors on the global stage, and we anticipate a truly exceptional tournament.' The World Junior Squash Championship features both individual and team competitions for men and women, with participation from over 30 countries. All matches will take place at Black Ball Sporting Club, one of Egypt's premier squash facilities—highlighting the country's growing investment in sports infrastructure. Through this partnership, Cairo 3A Group reaffirms its long-standing commitment to supporting Egyptian sports and empowering young champions, as part of its vision to foster sustainable community investment and nurture future generations capable of competing on a global scale. تم نسخ الرابط
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Youth Knowledge Forum kicks off in Egypt with participation of key experts and industry leaders - Middle East Business News and Information
Under the patronage of Egypt's Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly Egypt's Minister of Youth and Sports attended the opening of the Forum's fourth edition, held at Cairo University Theatre The fourth edition of the Youth Knowledge Forum (YKF)، titled 'Knowledge Economy and Human Development,' commenced at the Cairo University Theatre, garnering wide participation both regionally and internationally. It is being organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Egypt's Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) through the Youth Knowledge Office, under the patronage of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt. The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Egypt's Minister of Youth and Sports, along with several other ministers and senior officials, including Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population; Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno, Minister of Culture; and Counselor Mahmoud Fawzy, Minister of Parliamentary and Legal Affairs. The inaugural session was also graced by the presence of H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF; Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University; and Eng. Hany Torky, Project Manager of the Knowledge Project at UNDP, as well as a distinguished group of partners and experts. Furthermore, attendees enjoyed a vibrant lineup of musical and artistic performances by the 'Percussion' troupe. Dr. Ashraf Sobhy emphasized that as the host of the Forum's fourth edition, Egypt has demonstrated its strong commitment to investing in human capital and capacity building. Moreover, he stated that the knowledge economy is the backbone of the nation's ongoing development efforts. He further stated: 'The forum serves as a dynamic platform for impactful dialogue and youth policymaking, redefining benchmarks of how government institutions should engage with youth in an era of digital and knowledge transformation. Through such initiatives, we strive to enhance the creativity, awareness, and leadership qualities of Arab youth, since empowering them today is fundamental to building a cohesive society and a sustainable, competitive economy.' H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, expressed his delight at the Forum's return to Cairo, following the success of last year's edition. He further underscored that Arab youth empowerment remains a cornerstone of the Foundation's strategic vision. Meanwhile, Eng. Hany Torky, Project Manager of UNDP's Knowledge Project, emphasized that the world's greatest challenge today is not a lack of professional opportunities, but a growing skill gap, which is hindering individuals' ability to keep pace with digital transformation and artificial intelligence. Following the opening, the first session titled 'Knowledge Economy and Human Development' was moderated by Mr. Mostafa Magdy, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports for Strategic Affairs and Information, and a member of the Technical Secretariat of the Ministerial Group for Human Development. The session explored the importance of formulating a comprehensive vision for the knowledge economy and examined the role of Egypt's development policies in supporting the same. The event also featured a second session titled 'Formulating Development Policies in the Era of the Knowledge Economy,' which was moderated by Mr. Fathi Emad, Director of the Egyptian Knowledge Youth Office. The session facilitated discussions on enhancing public policies, in line with global shifts in knowledge and innovation. The session witnessed the participation of Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports; Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno, Minister of Culture; H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF; and Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University. Together, they outlined Egypt's future vision for strengthening the knowledge economy, emphasizing the need to invest in human capital while fostering robust collaboration between the government and other institutions to drive knowledge-based development. On the first day, the Forum facilitated six specialized panel discussions addressing a variety of key topics, including strategies for advancing the knowledge economy in Egypt, the role of international institutions in fostering a knowledge-friendly environment, the transformation of education to meet the needs of the modern era, artificial intelligence as a key driver of development, and the impact of misinformation on the economy and society. The sessions attracted wide participation from a group of leading executives and experts from prestigious organizations such as Microsoft, Uber, and Blocks 17, in addition to prominent academic and thought leaders.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
'Sure is a great way to get fit and healthy,' says Hannah Yeoh on pickleball, the raging phenomenon that has hit Malaysia and the region
Hannah Yeoh, the Minister of Youth and Sports, says that she is just impressed with the way the pastime sport pickleball has picked up in Malaysia and is certainly impressed with that way it has helped Malaysians to be healthier. "It is amazing. There are so many people who are into this game these days. But I really do believe it is a fantastic way to get fit and helps Malaysians to be healthier," said Hannah at the One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya after officiating at the 2025 Asia Pickleball Summit. "It's fantastic too that a lot of people that I know are also into this game, and this includes my own family members. My sister does not play many sports, but now she is into this game and she's like plays it almost every day. "That's amazing, you know. Even a friend told me that he lost 10kg because he started to play the game. It's just wonderful that many people are playing the game. I foresee an excellent future for this game." Hannah also added that the pastime may soon the game go real top class and even be competed in the Olympics. "The game is getting big globally. I also read that there are many associations in the world that are pushing it into the mainstream. Maybe, one day it will be competed in the Olympics too, I do believe Malaysia must be ready for it, and maybe we can have a good player here," added Hannah. "We even heard that Selangor is going big in the game and hopes to hold international events here. As usual, the ministry will always have good programmes. "As I see it, pickleball is growing rapidly here in Malaysia, from community courts and school programmes to social activities and public events,' Adam said. "It is good to see a state having big plans for this game. "This excellent pastime is also simple to start, thrilling to play, and most importantly, it brings people together.' For the record, the venue in PJ is also hosting the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Asian Grand Slam, the event is being held in Malaysia for the first time, besides hosting the 2025 Asia Pickleball Summit. Delima Ibrahim, the acting president of the Malaysian Pickleball Association, added that Malaysia have a large pool of players already. "According to our latest record, there are almost 150,000 active players in Malaysia. This is an incredible feat for such a new sport. The association also aims to have its own ranking system soon. This will help Malaysians know their standards and also help them during tournaments. "We will stage a Malaysian Open later this year where international players can also take part in the tournament. At the same time, a Malaysian Closed will also be held only for our players, which will help the rankings programme," said Amelia. "We also have plans to introduce the game in the grassroots level. There are exciting time ahead for this game." For the record, pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two or four players use a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high (0.86 m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors. It was invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game in the United States, on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. In 2022, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington. Aspects of the sport resemble tennis and table tennis played on a doubles badminton court, but pickleball has specific scoring rules, paddles, balls and court lines. The game has been picking up frantic space in Malaysia and also South-East Asia. In Malaysia, the game can now be seen in almost every other major car parks and also many tennis courts and badminton courts have been changed to pickleball courts due to its immense popularity. In Singapore, bookings for pickleball courts need to be made as early as a week ahead of the planned play. Even Malaysians are trying to play the game in Singapore to test out its courts. The game has also made its way to Laos and Cambodia and is also well-known in Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. The amazing thing about the game is that it is very affordable for Malaysians to pick up the pastime. Most courts charge around RM60 per court, and it is equipped for four people to play the game. On top of that, many of the host/owners of the venue also offer the bats and ball to play the game for free (meaning it is probably RM15 per person to take up the sport for an hour.) "It is also a fun, fun game," said Delima. "That is an important aspect for many of us. Having fun and staying healthy, it's a perfect combination." In another development, the federal government remains firm in its decision to lower the youth age limit to 30 years, effective Jan 1, 2026, in line with amendments passed by Parliament in 2019, said Hannah. However, she said organisations like Sarawak's main youth body, Pertubuhan Belia Kebangsaan Bersatu Sarawak (SABERKAS), are exempted from the ruling because they are registered under the Registrar of Societies (RoS), not the Registrar of Youth Organisations (ROY). "With regard to the youth age limit, the government has already made a decision -- Parliament passed the law in 2019. It has since been postponed twice, which means we are now in the third grace period. "Sarawak has its own youth organisation, SABERKAS, which is registered under the RoS and not under ROY. So they don't need to follow (the federal decision). RoS has no age limit,' she told reporters after officiating at the 2025 Asia Pickleball Summit here today. Hannah stressed that the amendment to set the youth age limit at 30 is a step in line with global trends, which are increasingly focused on the younger generation. Sarawak's Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had previously stated that Sarawak has the authority to determine the youth age limit at the state level. He said the state intends to maintain its youth age range of 15 to 40 years.
MTV Lebanon
15-07-2025
- Business
- MTV Lebanon
Aoun: Industry is a pillar of Lebanon's economy, urges reforms to strengthen sector
President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, reaffirmed Lebanon's identity as an industrial nation and stressed that the sector remains a vital pillar of the country's economy. Aoun further voiced full support for Lebanese manufacturers, describing them as 'makers of hope for a promising economic future,' and pledged governmental action to protect local industry from smuggling and tax burdens. The President's comments came during a meeting at Baabda Palace with a delegation from the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, led by its president Salim Zeeni, who presented a detailed overview of the sector's current challenges. Zeeni emphasized that Lebanon's industrial output stands at $12 billion annually, nearly one-third of the national GDP, and employs some 220,000 workers. He called for practical reforms, including a special electricity tariff for factories, streamlined customs procedures, and legislative incentives to protect domestic production. President Aoun was also briefed by Minister of Youth and Sports Nora Bayrakdarian on upcoming summer sports festivals and the development of a national sports strategy, set to be launched at a September conference under his patronage. The President later met with MP Adib Abdel Massih to discuss regional developments, anti-corruption efforts, and the needs of the North, particularly the Koura region. He also held talks with former MP Hadi Hobeich, focusing on electoral reform, the issue of arms outside state authority, and infrastructure needs in Akkar. Additionally, a delegation from the Christian Coordination Council—including Dr. Fouad Abou Nader, attorney Naoum Farah, Dr. Naji Hajar, and Jean Chamoun—outlined the council's development, agricultural, and healthcare initiatives aimed at strengthening local communities and preserving national unity. President Aoun also received Lebanon's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Rami Mortada, who briefed him on diplomatic developments and bilateral relations.
