Joseph Aoun, Lebanon's army chief, has been elected as president, ending a two-year political vacuum. Backed by the US and Saudi Arabia, Aoun is seen as crucial to stabilising Lebanon amidst a financial crisis. His presidency faces significant challenges, including economic recovery and managing relations with Hezbollah.
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Democrat Senator Gary Peters announced he won't run for the 2026 midterms from Michigan, a battleground state. His decision opens opportunities for Republicans in a state President Trump won in the presidential election. Former transport secretary Pete Buttigieg may consider running for the seat. Peters' retirement could impact the Democrats' efforts to regain the Senate majority.
MAGA and the technocrats have been fighting over the issue of the H-1B as Vivek Ramaswamy lectured Americans about the lack in their culture. Right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk said that all this is an op as any smart leftist would try to create a rift between the MAGA and the technocrats who fought the election making Trump triumphant.
Taiwan has bolstered its defense with the arrival of 38 American M1A2T Abrams tanks, the first such delivery in over two decades. This shipment is part of a larger order, enhancing Taiwan's military capabilities amid escalating tensions with China.
Former congressman Matt Gaetz appeared on his talk show with makeup that invited online jokes, seeking advice from George Santos. Santos, a former drag queen, criticized Gaetz’s use of highlighter and suggested he use a more suitable foundation. Gaetz is also embroiled in serious sex scandal accusations.
Top federal prosecutor Danielle Sassoon resigned after refusing to drop a corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, despite a Trump administration directive. Sassoon alleged political motivations behind the decision and claimed Adams' lawyers offered a quid pro quo for cooperation with Trump's immigration policies.
A hidden note of encouragement was found in the socks of Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The court filing also revealed another message addressed to 'Joan,' while Mangione's supporters wore green in solidarity at the hearing. Mangione faces multiple charges both in state and federal courts.
Prince Harry reveals his emotional experience of contacting his late mother, Princess Diana, through a psychic in his memoir, Spare. Diana reassured Harry that he was living the life she wanted for him. The memoir also shares an anecdote involving his son's mishap with a Christmas ornament and a symbolic encounter with a leopard during a trip to Botswana.
Iraq's President Abdul Latif Rashid has sued Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Finance Minister Taif Sami over unpaid salaries for civil servants in Kurdistan. The lawsuit highlights ongoing financial disputes between Baghdad and the autonomous region, exacerbating tensions within Iraq's leadership.
A lawsuit accusing Jay-Z and Sean 'Diddy' Combs of raping a woman when she was 13 has been withdrawn. The allegations, which Jay-Z termed 'fictitious,' involved an incident in 2000 after an MTV Video Music Awards after-party. Combs' lawyers also denied the claims, labeling them as baseless. Both artists criticized lawyer Tony Buzbee, suggesting the lawsuits were financially motivated.
Belarus faces severe criticism for its crackdown on journalists, with Ksenia Lutskina, a former prisoner, highlighting the life-threatening risks. Scores of journalists endure imprisonment, beatings, and restricted access to legal and familial support, drawing comparisons to Soviet-era prisons. Amidst this, independent media struggles with dwindling US aid, while Lukashenko's regime intensifies repression, leading to widespread arrests and exile.