Of ministers and men, machines and magazines

 

A bit of an odd- ball collection but it's been a busy few days. First up is Lebanon's Finance Minister Raya Hassan, followed by welding in the Bekaa Vaalley, cardboard recycling and, finally, Samia el Solh, editor of the newly formed women's 'business and empowerment' magazine, Push, the first ever issue of which came off the press yesterday.

International Herald Tribune

International Herald Tribune is the "global edition of the New York Times," so having a picture printed in it (that'll be the wee tiny one on the right) from my recent trip to Lebanon's southern border feels pretty gosh-darned premium. That's Josh Wood's uber-massive story it's running with.

The thin blue line

 Nepal was one of the first countries to supply troops to the UN mission in Lebanon, sending five observers to the country in 1958. Today this modest mountainous country is responsible for the longest section of the UN demarcated 'Blue Line' between Lebanon and Israel, much of which crosses farm land - always a sensitive area when villagers can't harvest crops on land that has been in their families for centuries. I spent an afternoon running after a Nepalese unit as it patrolled such an olive grove, along with journalist Josh Wood for an upcoming piece in Esquire and maybe even the International Herald and Tribune, which would be nice.