John Owens

Lebanese Clown Troupe Marks Valentine's Day Amid Stink

Activists resort to unusual approaches to raise public awareness of country’s ongoing trash crisis

Ex-minister’s Trial Shines Spotlight on Lebanon's Military Court

Case against Michel Samaha questions role of tribunal, with its independence, transparency and reach under scrutiny

Anger, Rumors Spread as Aid Shifts for Palestinian Refugees

UNRWA’s Beirut headquarters were besieged Friday by demonstrators who believe that medical aid is set to be reduced, or wiped out entirely

Hip Hop Crew Builds Peace in Tripoli One Step at a Time

Music collective, One Voice, are arming themselves with spray cans and paintbrushes; pockmarked stairwells and bullet riddled buildings are painted with a purpose to bring hope to the community

Broken Link Threatens Identity of Syrian Refugee Children

With Syrian war now in its fifth year, a generation is growing up with no memory of its homeland

Syrians Determined to Reach Europe Despite Risks

Deal reached amid heightened security concerns after Paris terrorist attacks and subsequent Belgian lock down

Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Brace for Winter's Onslaught

Syrian refugees in Lebanon are dreading the coming winter; more than half have inadequate shelter, and many are in debt. Their only help comes from aid organizations that are trying to prepare them to cope with the freezing conditions that last year killed both Syrians and Lebanese. From the Bekaa Valley, VOA's John Owens reports.

Debt-ridden Refugees Await Onslaught of Lebanese Winter

Aid agencies are attempting to reduce potentially devastating consequences of freezing conditions and snowstorms that killed eight last year, including three Syrian refugees

Squabbling Politicians Find Unity in Wake of Beirut Bombings

One scholar senses 'new climate among the main protagonists within Lebanon' and says calls for unity may help build consensus on bigger issues

Lebanese Women Battle 'Sexist' Citizenship Rules

Century-old law prevents Lebanese women who marry foreigners from passing on citizenship to their children

Beirut Rocked by Double Suicide Bombing

Friday was declared a national day of mourning in Lebanon after blasts killed at least 46 people. Islamic State said it was responsible.

Rainy Season Accentuates Lebanon Trash Crisis

Onset of Lebanon’s rainy season has heightened fears that country's growing mountains of trash could spark public health crisis

Reborn Museum Stokes Thriving Lebanese Art Scene

After eight years and nearly $14 million in renovations, Beirut's iconic Sursock Museum reopens its doors

Reborn Museum Stokes Thriving Lebanese Art Scene

Lebanon's lavish Sursock Museum has re-opened after eight years and nearly $14 million of renovation. The museum was a prominent part of Beirut's vibrant cultural scene in the 1960s. Two other galleries are opening this month, and an international competition has begun to design a contemporary art museum slated to open in 2020. Amid this resurgence in the arts in Lebanon, John Owens visits the Sursock and looks at a Lebanese art scene that is once again gaining global attention.

Syrian Village Community Faces Double Displacement in Lebanon

Driven by war from their village in southwestern Syria, a group of families found shelter in Lebanon, resettling en masse in a half-built university to form one of the biggest settlements of its kind in Lebanon. Three years later, however, they now face being kicked out and dispersed in a country where finding shelter as a refugee can be especially tough. John Owens has more for VOA from the city of Saida, also known as Sidon.

Syrian Village Community Faces Double Displacement in Lebanon

Syrian Village Community Faces Double Displacement in Lebanon

Refugees from small Syrian village, living on site of half-built university, face eviction due to impending construction, non-payment of rent

Export Lifeline Gives Lebanon Farmers a Chance

Nassib land border, which gave Lebanon an overland link to Jordan through Syria, was overrun by rebel forces in April

Syrian Refugees Get New Chance at Education in Lebanon

Schooling hopes have been raised for hundreds of thousands of Syrian children, thanks to a major new $100M education drive launched in Lebanon

Lebanon's 'You Stink' Protests Descend Into Violence

Scores of people injured, many arrested - including hunger strikers - as hopes for peaceful demonstration demanding change in nation are dashed