Lebanon's prestigious cultural awards, the Murex d'Or, has cancelled its Wednesday’s ceremony in light of the explosion in the northern Lebanese town of Akkar.
On Sunday, an oil tanker exploded and killed at least 27 people and injured 79 others, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health and Lebanese Red Cross.
The tragedy occurred as the country grapples with widespread fuel and electricity shortages and a spiralling economic crisis.
Citing these dire conditions, the award’s founders Zahi and Fadi Helou took to Twitter to announce the “postponement” of the star-studded event, which was scheduled to take place in Beirut’s Casino du Liban.
No new dates have been announced.
"After the new catastrophe that afflicted our country, Lebanon, which was represented by the explosion in the town of Akkar, which claimed the lives of dozens of dead and wounded, the Murex committee decided to postpone the ceremony that was scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening.”
The move marks the second consecutive year the annual awards, recognising Lebanese and pan-Arab achievements in music film and television, has been cancelled.
The 2020 ceremony was also nixed as a safety precaution against the pandemic.
The Murex d'Or statement comes on the back of a growing number of celebrities snubbing the event because of Lebanon’s current problems.
On Saturday, pop star and Best Lebanese Artist nominee Nawal El Zoghbi declared she will be a no-show at the ceremony.
“I announce my apologies for not accepting it this year because of the difficult situation the country is going through,” she said. “I hope that the resurrection of Lebanon is near ... Lebanon is not well.”
Syria's Kosai Khauli, shortlisted for the Best Arab Actor award, also tweeted he will not make it.
"In view of the difficult circumstances experienced by Lebanon, Syria and other countries in our pained Arab homeland, I apologise for not attending the award ceremony." he said. "I hope that we can all celebrate and rejoice in our homelands and with our people who deserve a better life.”
One of Lebanon's leading television and film production companies, Cedars Art Production, released a statement declaring "we are ashamed to rejoice and celebrate our success in light of our great pain."
Launched in 2000, the Murex d'Or is one of the Arab entertainment industry's most important events.
The major categories – including Best Music Artist, Best Actor, Best Film and Best Television series – are split into two streams, to recognise Best Lebanese and Best Arab talents and works.
Some of the nominees this year include pop stars Elissa, Nancy Ajram and Abeer Nehme for Best Lebanese Artist, while Egyptians Amir Karara and Ahmed Ezz were up for Best Arab Actor.
The dramas 1982 and Khamsa w Nos was also nominated for Best Lebanese Film and Best Lebanese Series respectively.
Brief scores:
Day 1
Toss: South Africa, field first
Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48
South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
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Ultra processed foods
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- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
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Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Scotland v Ireland:
Scotland (15-1): Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Sean Maitland; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); Josh Strauss, James Ritchie, Ryan Wilson; Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Simon Berghan, Stuart McInally, Allan Dell
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, D'arcy Rae, Ben Toolis, Rob Harley, Ali Price, Pete Horne, Blair Kinghorn
Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)
Ireland (15-1): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack Conan, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour
Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)
