Source: BBC
Security & Justice
State Action Signals Change in Tackling Longstanding Illegal Land Grabs in Jbeil District
For years, the serene villages of Jbeil's highlands have been far from peaceful. Ghabat, a Maronite village nestled between the predominantly Shiite towns of Afqa and Lassa, has become a focal point of growing tensions due to territorial disputes.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Mawlawi Ensures Strict Monitoring for Wanted Syrian Regime Figures at Beirut Airport
Caretaker Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi, conducted an inspection tour of Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut to review the security arrangements and measures implemented by the Airport Security Apparatus ahead of the holiday season.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Opinion
Lebanon After the Assads
The United States has important equities in Lebanon, including a desire for a generally friendly government’s economic and political stability; security cooperation; long-standing relations with the large Christian community in Lebanon and Lebanese diaspora in the United States; and ultimately peace between Israel and Lebanon within a broader regional settlement. Achieving these objectives will require navigating a tumultuous period in the country’s history following a war between Hezbollah and Israel that has devastated a large part of the country, exacerbating Lebanon’s already challenging economic conditions. But perhaps the most important dynamic will be how a likely Sunni-dominated state of uncertain composition in Syria will differ in its intentions toward Lebanon from the previous Alawite-led minoritarian Assad regime.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Europe’s Syrian Dilemma
The news of the sudden and unexpected demise of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has met a mixed response in Europe. The jubilation that a murderous dictator and close ally of Russia and Iran has fallen is not just good for the Syrian people but serves as a morale booster for Eastern Europeans wondering whether Russia can be defeated
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Unveils New Private Jet Worth $73 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the richest global athletes, has unveiled his upgraded private jet reportedly worth $73 million. With its top-notch design, exceptional speed and range of 7500 nautical miles, the Gulfstream G650 is among the fastest jets in the world.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Guardiola Accepts Man City May Need to Sign More Players to Cope with Schedule
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes he will need a bigger squad to handle soccer’s ever-expanding fixture schedule.
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Tuesday 23 May 2023 12:35:47
Ray Stevenson: Thor, Volstagg and Star Wars Actor Dies Aged 58
The actor Ray Stevenson, who appeared in major TV shows such as Rome, Vikings and Dexter, has died aged 58.
He was known for roles in the Thor films and the Divergent series, as well as several UK TV shows like Band of Gold, Peak Practice and Murphy's Law.
His US-based publicist firm, Viewpoint, confirmed his death to the BBC but did not provide any further details.
No cause of death has been revealed but he was reportedly hospitalised during filming on the Italian island Ischia.
At the time of his death, he was working on an action movie, Cassino in Ischia.
His death was announced four days before his 59th birthday.
Stevenson was born in Northern Ireland but moved to England when he was eight years old.
His father was stationed with the Royal Air Force (RAF) near Lisburn, County Antrim, at the time of his birth in 1964.
His family relocated to Newcastle upon Tyne and he spent much of his childhood in England.
Stevenson was inspired to become an actor after seeing John Malkovich in a play at a West End theatre in London.
He studied acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and one of his first TV roles was in the Catherine Cookson drama The Dwelling Place.
He later appeared in a wide range of British TV shows including Waking the Dead, Dalziel and Pascoe and At Home with the Braithwaites.
In 2004, he played a knight in the big-budget Hollywood film, King Arthur, which starred Keira Knightley.
More recently, Stevenson secured roles in successful US-made TV shows and movies, taking the role of Volstagg in the Thor trilogy and Titus Pullo in HBO's historical drama series Rome.
He will star as Baylan Skoll in the upcoming Disney+ series Star Wars: Ashoka.
'Larger than life'
Stevenson's co-stars have been paying tribute to the late actor on social media.
English actor James Purefoy, who starred alongside Stevenson in Rome, described him as a "brilliant, gutsy, larger-than-life actor who filled every part he played right up to the brim".
Rosario Dawson - who will appear in the Ashoka series alongside Stevenson - posted on Instagram to say her co-star was a "giant of a man" whose death left her "stunned and reeling".
Meanwhile director James Gunn, who was involved in the production of the second Thor film, wrote that the late actor had been a "joy to work with."
Bear McCreary, the composer who soundtracked the Black Sails TV series, saluted Stevenson's "mesmerisingly unforgettable" turn as Blackbeard in the programme.
And actor Scott Adkins, who starred alongside Stevenson in Accident Man, sad he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic news", adding: "I will miss you, Big Ray!"