Mansour Rahbani (R.I.P.)

Mansour Rahbani, a Lebanese composer, musician and producer, passed away today at the age of 83.

Rahbani was the brother of Assi Rahbani, who was married to Lebanese singer Fairuz, for whom the two men composed many poems and songs.

The pair, who became known as the Rahbani Brothers, also wrote several widely-acclaimed musicals including "Petra" and "Biyaa el Khawatem" (The Ring Seller), which was adapted on screen by Egyptian film director Youssef Chahine.

Following Assi Rahbani's death in 1986, Mansour composed several plays on his own, the latest of which, "The Return of the Phoenix", is currently playing in Lebanon.

May his soul rest in peace.

White Phosphorus bombs into Gaza

The AP photo above shows what appears to be a white phosphorus shell fired into Gaza, as was used by Israel in Lebanon. White phosphorus is an indiscriminate killer that ignites once it is exposed to oxygen, producing such heat that it bursts into a yellow flame and produces a dense white smoke. It causes painful burn injuries to exposed human flesh, as discovered byLebanon's Children at the hands of Israeli Phosphorus Bombs in 2006. White Phosphorus is considered a chemical weapon by most governments around the world. Its use in civilian areas is banned by the Geneva Treaty of 1980. The United Nations considers such weapons illegal.

Source: Times News