Source: Los Angeles Times
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
Monday 16 September 2024 12:22:44
Trump Blasts Taylor Swift with 'Hate' Message on Truth Social
Evidently Donald Trump is not worried about losing the Swiftie vote.
On Sunday, five days after the world’s biggest pop star endorsed his 2024 opponent, Kamala Harris, the former president lashed out with a blunt, all-caps post on his Truth Social platform: “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”
The post seemed certain to alienate millions of the singer’s devoted fans less than eight weeks ahead of the presidential election.
On Tuesday, following the presidential debate, Swift announced that she plans to vote for Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, in November, adding that she wanted to clarify her position after Trump shared fake AI-generated images suggesting that she might support the Republican ticket. In an Instagram post, Swift said she was voting for Harris because “she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.”
“We can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift wrote, signing her post, “Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady,” in a jab at Trump’s VP pick, JD Vance.
Swift’s post included a link to register to vote in the election on Vote.gov, and in the subsequent 24 hours, about 406,000 people clicked on it, showing the star’s reach.
In an interview with Fox News following Swift’s endorsement, Trump suggested that the singer “will probably pay a price in the marketplace” for her position, adding that he was not a fan.
Days later, the Trump campaign began selling new shirts that appeared to be an imitation of the poster for Swift’s billion-dollar grossing “Eras” tour, hawking the merch as a “Trump Era Shirt.”
This is hardly the first time Trump has clashed with celebrities, but his direct attack on Swift adds a dramatic subplot to an already tumultuous election season. Swift has previously encouraged voter turnout and advocated for progressive policies but her endorsement of Harris marks her most high-profile political statement to date.
As the election draws closer, the fallout from the feud could further galvanize both Swift’s fans and Trump’s base, while forcing Trump supporters who are also Swifties into an impossible choice.
