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Arab Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Welcome the man of Syria who knows how to govern
HIS Excellency Syrian President Ahmed Al- Sharaa, welcome to Kuwait. We welcome this extraordinary political figure who, from the first moment, has known how to draw a roadmap for the renaissance of Syria, this great country whose people have always been known for their professionalism and honest pursuit of livelihood throughout the world. Everyone knows that Syria has no debts. When you came to power, you did not raise flimsy slogans that could tempt some and of no consequence, especially those raised by the previous regime such as 'Free Jerusalem' or 'Free World.' You did not say 'we would throw Israel into the sea or unite the Arab world.' From the beginning, you rather focused on the establishment of healthy and smooth relations with the whole world, because you practice 'realpolitik'. This is why we have witnessed the entire world's acceptance of the new Syrian government. Moreover, you intelligently and shrewdly dealt with Israel's aggressive practices. You put Tel Aviv in your 'box', because of your desire for just peace. All Arabs who love Syria will never forget that Ahmed Al-Sharaa cleansed Syria of groups seeking to change its cultural and social ideology. He also freed it from Iranian infl uence, which alienated the beating heart of Arabism from its surroundings. Dirty hands worked to divide its people into sectarian clans and denominational states. If we say that Syria was liberated from this, it was thanks to a man who viewed its people solely through a national lens, who did not favor any group, despise or marginalize another. Instead, he sought to unite his people on a common opinion, despite some of the frustrations caused by the remnants of the former ruling gangs. These remnants sabotaged the healthy relationships that existed before the previous regime rose to power, while spreading corruption until it became rampant and eroded the State's strength. Welcome to Kuwait. Kuwaiti people have known Syria throughout history and they love it deeply. They did not distance themselves from Syria, but the gangs of the former regime tried their best to isolate Syria from its Arab nation. Today, Syria reoccupied its rightful place among the Arab world, thanks to a man who knows how to govern and deal with various components of his people, without any fuss or creating crises; like those the former regime used to cover up conspiracies against Syrians, aimed at achieving personal interests or diverting attention from the corruption and problems that led to the impoverishment of the people. Undoubtedly, Syria will return to its former glory, thanks to its brave people who will not fail to reconstruct and develop their country armed by determination and strong will.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Once bubbly, the White House Correspondents' dinner goes flat
This year's White House Correspondents' weekend is shaping up to be a contrast moment ripe for tension and awkwardness. The press, somber and tentative after President Donald Trump and his administration have pulled access and sued outlets over coverage, has ditched the comedian at Saturday's annual dinner in what's been billed as a celebration of independence. Trump, a no-show for each of his previous four years in office, will be in Rome on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis. Trump's supporters have relished what they call the snub of the mainstream media as an opportunity to brandish his populist credentials — a gesture made all the more poignant by his attendance at a funeral for a renowned religious leader. But Trump's travels have their own complications. He'll be memorializing a liberal pontiff who made no secret of his disdain for Trump's harsh mass deportation agenda. And although he will dodge a press corps he views as hostile, Trump will share quarters for a few hours with a cadre of fellow world leaders reeling from his sweeping tariffs and bristling over his recent comments that 'Crimea will stay with Russia.' Trump's allies say his attendance at the funeral will give him a high-profile moment. 'The death of the pope, while coincidental timing, only allows Trump to elevate his disdain for the mainstream media,' said Eric Bolling, a longtime conservative pundit. Steve Bannon sees it as a study in contrasts: 'President Trump transformed from leader of the Free World to the leader of Christendom while media elites bore themselves at interminable parties.' Trump's relationship with the Correspondents' Dinner is fraught. In 2011, former President Barack Obama roasted Trump, saying he would 'bring some change to the White House' while displaying a tacky, Trump-branded casino to the raucous laughter of the Washington political establishment. It was a turning point for Trump, who was in the room, with his longtime political adviser Roger Stone telling PBS in 2016 that it was 'the night he resolves to run for president.' But during his first term and now his second, the distance between Trump and the dinner has echoed his relationship with the press. Although it is customary for the president, first lady and White House press secretary to join the White House Correspondents' Association board on the dais, Trump never attended the dinner during his first term. Some of his senior aides, notably press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, attended during the beginning of his presidency, and left the event scarred by the comedian's cutting satire. That distance will continue this year: Although Air Force One is scheduled to land stateside early Saturday evening, the president and first lady are planning to stay the night at Trump's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, before returning to Washington on Sunday. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last month she also would not attend. Neither will many Republicans, who in the past saw the dinner as one of the hottest tickets in Washington but are now taking cues from Trump. 'This has nosedived real quick,' said Sean Spicer, who served as press secretary during Trump's first term. 'The president … didn't go for four years, so that's not a huge change. But any Republican will be few and far between.' (Spicer said he will not attend, though he has been spotted at a pre-party.) This year's dinner comes as Trump and his administration have shown open disdain for the White House press corps' norms. The White House has yanked power from WHCA, moving to unilaterally decide which outlets can cover the president and when. Trump, Leavitt and her press shop frequently refer to the media as 'fake news,' make ad hominem attacks against journalists and revoke access as punishment for critical coverage or, in the case of the Associated Press, for failing to change how it refers to the Gulf of Mexico in its influential style book. And Secretary of State Marco Rubio has moved to detain and deport noncitizen legal residents on the basis of anti-Israel speech. The WHCA is branding this year's dinner 'as a celebration of the foundational American value of a free and independent press,' it's president, former POLITICO journalist Eugene Daniels, said in an email to members last month. He added that he was 're-envisioning' the event and that the board had unanimously decided to no longer feature a comedic headliner after its initial pick, Amber Ruffin, joked the Trump administration is 'kind of a bunch of murderers.' 'This year is about creating a dinner that matches the mood of our members and changing a few traditions to do so,' Daniels said in an interview released Thursday with the journalist Oliver Darcy. 'We feel very good about the experience we're offering.' Still, WHCA must walk a tightrope, showing support for press freedom and celebrating reporters' work while recognizing that Trump and his allies are eager to capitalize on any misstep that might lend credence to their assertions of bias. 'If they get on their high horse about democracy being under attack, I think they're going to dig in deeper,' Spicer said. 'If they start to talk about Trump and attacks on their profession, it's just going to further divide.' The press corps itself also looks different this year, saturated with MAGA-friendly figures the White House has embraced with open arms. And there will be multiple alternative events on Saturday, including a 'new media party' hosted by Substack and a Bannon-hosted bash at MAGA mecca Butterworth's called 'the uninvited.' Trump, meanwhile, is trading one awkward venue for another. In Rome, he'll attend the funeral of a pope who once said the president is 'not Christian' and has been overtly critical of Trump's mass deportation plan. The pontiff's final public address on Easter slammed 'how much contempt is stirred up at times toward the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants.' Also attending the funeral are Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who stormed out of the White House in February after a heated Oval Office exchange, and former President Joe Biden, Trump's two-time presidential rival. The White House left the door open to Trump meeting with world leaders during his short stint in Rome, but has yet to announce anything official. Dasha Burns contributed to this report.
Politico
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Once bubbly, the White House Correspondents' dinner goes flat
This year's White House Correspondents' weekend is shaping up to be a contrast moment ripe for tension and awkwardness. The press, somber and tentative after President Donald Trump and his administration have pulled access and sued outlets over coverage, has ditched the comedian at Saturday's annual dinner in what's been billed as a celebration of independence. Trump, a no-show for each of his previous four years in office, will be in Rome on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis. Trump's supporters have relished what they call the snub of the mainstream media as an opportunity to brandish his populist credentials — a gesture made all the more poignant by his attendance at a funeral for a renowned religious leader. But Trump's travels have their own complications. He'll be memorializing a liberal pontiff who made no secret of his disdain for Trump's harsh mass deportation agenda. And although he will dodge a press corps he views as hostile, Trump will share quarters for a few hours with a cadre of fellow world leaders reeling from his sweeping tariffs and bristling over his recent comments that 'Crimea will stay with Russia.' Trump's allies say his attendance at the funeral will give him a high-profile moment. 'The death of the pope, while coincidental timing, only allows Trump to elevate his disdain for the mainstream media,' said Eric Bolling, a longtime conservative pundit. Steve Bannon sees it as a study in contrasts: 'President Trump transformed from leader of the Free World to the leader of Christendom while media elites bore themselves at interminable parties.' Trump's relationship with the Correspondents' Dinner is fraught. In 2011, former President Barack Obama roasted Trump , saying he would 'bring some change to the White House' while displaying a tacky, Trump-branded casino to the raucous laughter of the Washington political establishment. It was a turning point for Trump, who was in the room, with his longtime political adviser Roger Stone telling PBS in 2016 that it was 'the night he resolves to run for president.' But during his first term and now his second, the distance between Trump and the dinner has echoed his relationship with the press. Although it is customary for the president, first lady and White House press secretary to join the White House Correspondents' Association board on the dais, Trump never attended the dinner during his first term. Some of his senior aides, notably press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, attended during the beginning of his presidency, and left the event scarred by the comedian's cutting satire. That distance will continue this year: Although Air Force One is scheduled to land stateside early Saturday evening, the president and first lady are planning to stay the night at Trump's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, before returning to Washington on Sunday. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last month she also would not attend. Neither will many Republicans, who in the past saw the dinner as one of the hottest tickets in Washington but are now taking cues from Trump. 'This has nosedived real quick,' said Sean Spicer, who served as press secretary during Trump's first term. 'The president … didn't go for four years, so that's not a huge change. But any Republican will be few and far between.' (Spicer said he will not attend, though he has been spotted at a pre-party.) This year's dinner comes as Trump and his administration have shown open disdain for the White House press corps' norms. The White House has yanked power from WHCA, moving to unilaterally decide which outlets can cover the president and when. Trump, Leavitt and her press shop frequently refer to the media as 'fake news,' make ad hominem attacks against journalists and revoke access as punishment for critical coverage or, in the case of the Associated Press, for failing to change how it refers to the Gulf of Mexico in its influential style book. And Secretary of State Marco Rubio has moved to detain and deport noncitizen legal residents on the basis of anti-Israel speech. The WHCA is branding this year's dinner 'as a celebration of the foundational American value of a free and independent press,' it's president, former POLITICO journalist Eugene Daniels, said in an email to members last month. He added that he was 're-envisioning' the event and that the board had unanimously decided to no longer feature a comedic headliner after its initial pick, Amber Ruffin, joked the Trump administration is 'kind of a bunch of murderers.' 'This year is about creating a dinner that matches the mood of our members and changing a few traditions to do so,' Daniels said in an interview released Thursday with the journalist Oliver Darcy. 'We feel very good about the experience we're offering.' Still, WHCA must walk a tightrope, showing support for press freedom and celebrating reporters' work while recognizing that Trump and his allies are eager to capitalize on any misstep that might lend credence to their assertions of bias. 'If they get on their high horse about democracy being under attack, I think they're going to dig in deeper,' Spicer said. 'If they start to talk about Trump and attacks on their profession, it's just going to further divide.' The press corps itself also looks different this year, saturated with MAGA-friendly figures the White House has embraced with open arms. And there will be multiple alternative events on Saturday, including a 'new media party' hosted by Substack and a Bannon-hosted bash at MAGA mecca Butterworth's called 'the uninvited.' Trump, meanwhile, is trading one awkward venue for another. In Rome, he'll attend the funeral of a pope who once said the president is 'not Christian' and has been overtly critical of Trump's mass deportation plan . The pontiff's final public address on Easter slammed 'how much contempt is stirred up at times toward the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants.' Also attending the funeral are Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who stormed out of the White House in February after a heated Oval Office exchange , and former President Joe Biden, Trump's two-time presidential rival. The White House left the door open to Trump meeting with world leaders during his short stint in Rome, but has yet to announce anything official. Dasha Burns contributed to this report.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Readers sound off on lawmakers' money, a roof disaster vigil and stamp prices
Stamford, Conn.: Your April 8 editorial 'Tariff Man vs. the world' does a fine job of illustrating the lunacy of President Trump's ridiculous tariff war. It is the product of a man who does an impeccable job of combining ignorance and arrogance. It's truly stunning that the leader of the Free World is incapable of grasping fundamental economic concepts that are easily learned on day one of a high school introduction to economics class. There exists only one bulwark that can ultimately protect the U.S. from complete financial carnage. When members of Congress begin to panic because of the erosion of their own financial security, they will turn on Trump like rabid dogs. It has been made absolutely clear that MAGA Republican lawmakers like House Speaker Mike Johnson and his allies have no concern for their constituents. They slavishly appear before cameras expressing confidence in a ham-handed tariff policy that is as indefensible as it is incomprehensible. But rest assured that when the impact of this chaos hits the lawmakers in their own pockets, that's when we'll see meaningful pushback. Trump's enablers have shown repeatedly that they put their own power and greed above all else. They are unwilling to resist the grip of an overbearing bully because to do so would jeopardize their own self-interests. But when those self-interests collide with the MAGA agenda, their instincts for self-preservation will prevail. Lawmakers will rethink their fealty for their wretched leader and will band together to withdraw their support for this idiotic and mindless trade policy. Peter Janoff Valley Stream, L.I.: Trump proudly claimed that last week would be 'Liberation Day'! His tariffs were going to solve all the economic problems of the United States. Unfortunately for most Americans and many who are close to retirement, it was Separation Day — the day many Americans were separated from their hard-earned money in 401(k)s and investments. It is unfathomable to believe that a so-called businessman with so many declared bankruptcies against him was somehow elected to run the largest nation in the world. Pathetic. Vince Sgroi Belfast, Maine: In regard to the recent wild gyrations in the stock market driven by Trump's frequent and dramatic changes in trade policy, what if Trump is dumping stock every time he announces new tariffs and buying stock every time he announces a pause in recently announced tariffs? I don't know that Trump is doing that, but he'd sure make a killing if he were. Lawrence Reichard Greenburgh, N.Y.: Every time Trump says tariffs, the stock market takes a nose dive. And every time he orders a pause on tariffs, the stocks go up. There is a need to make sure the president's family, cabinet members, appointees and members of Congress don't profit from insider trading. How about requiring more disclosure about their stock market investments during the Trump presidency? We need stronger laws to prevent any kind of insider trading. Trump has the ability to make his inner circle very rich by his actions. Are the president's uncertain and erratic decisions just stock market manipulation to help his friends? Paul Feiner Brooklyn: To Voicer David Goldstein: Your letter on Trump profiting from the stock market crash caused by him is not paranoid. I had started a letter the same as yours but went further. When Trump was running for office the first time, he bragged about how much money he made in the 2008 financial crisis by buying up devalued properties. The crisis saw losers like homeowners facing foreclosure, everyday investors losing money and low-skilled workers struggling with unemployment, while some winners included large banks that received bailouts and certain hedge funds that profited from the crisis. It caused a recession that lasted six years. Looks like history will repeat itself. And to Mayor Adams, who said he does not understand, tariffs: Resign now, since you are obviously too uneducated to be mayor. Greg Ahl Bethlehem, Pa.: Adams declaring that he spent the weekend reading up on tariffs and still doesn't understand them should be everything anyone needs to know about this joker. That's the mayor of New York City! A mind is a terrible thing to develop without help. Chris Broubalow Monroe, N.J.: How great is it that the current mayor running for reelection 'doesn't understand tariff wars'? Considering that NYC is the center of finance, global products transportation and tourism, we would think he would take a crash course in tariffs, maybe at Trump University. One more way to avoid confrontation with Trump and accept the carrots offered to him. So, who is independent? Katherine A. Moloney Beechhurst: It's nice to see that the Daily News has weighed in on these senseless attacks on Tesla dealerships and cars owned by private citizens ('Go after Musk, not Tesla,' editorial, April 6). But this calculated (and politically motivated) destruction of private property should be called out for what it is: domestic terrorism. And the fact that the Democratic Party writ large has stayed mum on this mayhem is another reflection on how the Dems remain out of sync with average Americans. James Hyland Staten Island: To Voicer Chuck Shannon: Yes, by all means, let's investigate why tourism is down in NYC (and the rest of the U.S.). Do you not think gun violence has anything to do with it? The MAGA party wants everyone in the country to carry a gun. Maybe people are afraid of being shot. Do you not think that the lack of universal health care has an impact? After you've been shot, you can't afford to go to a hospital. Perhaps that tilts things one way or the other? Do you not think that overt racism and homophobia tend to make for an uncomfortable atmosphere? Do you not think that the orange felon's ridiculous tariffs cause tourists to shy away? Can they afford to visit? Could having your visa suddenly revoked and having the chance of being deported to a Salvadoran dungeon without due process have anything to do with it? Victor R. Stanwick Kew Gardens Hills: I am beginning to think New York's very restrictive gun control measures are working. More and more victims are being stabbed to death. Barry Koppel Manhattan: We are deeply saddened to share that more than 200 lives were tragically lost when the roof of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed early on Tuesday morning. This devastating incident has left countless families grieving, and our hearts go out to all those affected. In response to this heartbreaking tragedy, we are organizing a gathering to unite our community in support. We call upon community leaders, elected officials, representatives and every member of our city to come together in this moment of mourning and solidarity. Please join us today at 7 p.m. at Quisqueya Plaza, 247 Dyckman St., in Manhattan, or in the event of rain, Alianza Dominicana at 530 W. 166 St. Let us come together in love, prayer and strength to offer support to the families and friends affected by this unimaginable loss. Alejandro Zayas Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J.: Re 'It's a class-size act' (March 10): Where in hell will NYC find 3,700 new teachers willing to work in such a rotten educational system? Or crazy enough? Robert Stiloski Brooklyn: I recommend that your readers use color-coding labels to mark each page of a book with a sticker after they have finished reading it to make it easier and more enjoyable to keep track of their reading progress. Shlomo Klein Brooklyn: The USPS has been increasing postal rates a few cents at a time every year for the past several years. This summer, the price of a stamp is expected to jump 5 cents. I think these increases have the opposite effect of generating revenue. The higher the price of stamps, the less mail people send. And there are alternatives for sending packages. L. Veneroni
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
5 best Anthony Mackie movies, ranked
Anthony Mackie has always been a glue guy. Backed by an infectious smile and a charming persona, Mackie always brings an enjoyable presence to his roles. At the beginning of his career, Mackie made memorable supporting appearances in 8 Mile, Million Dollar Baby, Half Nelson, and We Are Marshall. His first true spotlight role came in 2009's The Hurt Locker. A few years later, Mackie entered the MCU and became a household name. 11 years after his MCU debut, Mackie headlines Captain America: Brave New World. Sam Wilson is now Captain America, and in his first mission, he becomes involved in an international incident that could have serious global implications. In honor of Brave New World, here is a list of Mackie's five best movies. Mackie made his feature film debut in 8 Mile, Curtis Hanson's drama starring Eminem. Jimmy Smith Jr. (Eminem) works at a car factory by day and is an aspiring rapper named B-Rabbit at night. Jimmy dreams of becoming a successful rapper and hopes to move out of a Detroit trailer park with his mom (Kim Basinger) and young sister (Chloe Greenfield). B-Rabbit has the skills of a top MC. However, his stage fright constantly gets the better of him. Jimmy quickly rises within the underground battle rap scene, but standing in his way at the top is Papa Doc (Mackie), the leader of the Free World gang. I don't care who you are. If you're flipping on the channels and see that B-Rabbit is battling Lyckety-Splyt, you're watching the rest of the movie. You might even put your hands up for the 313. Stream 8 Mile on Peacock. Synchronic is a unique sci-fi mystery from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. New Orleans paramedics Steve (Anthony Mackie) and Dennis (Jamie Dornan) have begun noticing a series of weird deaths linked to a new drug called Synchronic. Through his investigation, Steve learns that Synchronic makes time travel possible. While adults are ghosts in the past, children can experience time travel fully. After his daughter goes missing, Dennis spirals out of control and ends his friendship with Steve. Knowing the truth about Synchronic, Steve experiments with the drug and goes back in time to try and find Dennis' daughter. Synchronic puts a new, intriguing spin on time travel that makes for a fun mystery. Stream Synchronic on Prime Video. Mackie needs to do more comedies like The Night Before. Best friends Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen), and Chris (Anthony Mackie) have hung out every Christmas Eve for over a decade. However, the trio are getting older and agree to hang out for one last Christmas Eve. If this is the last dance, the boys decide to go big or go home. With recreational drugs in their pockets, the trio hit the streets of New York for a night of debauchery. However, they are determined to find entrance into the Nutcracker Ball, the most secretive part of the holiday. The Night Before provides many laugh-out-loud moments and some surprisingly effective musical renditions that will leave you impressed. Stream The Night Before on Starz. For many, including this writer, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the best MCU movie. It's a 1970s-inspired political thriller with superheroes. Need I say more? After the events of The Avengers, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) finds himself working in Washington, D.C., for S.H.I.E.L.D. After Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is ambushed, Steve learns that S.H.I.E.L.D. has been compromised. Forced on the run, Steve teams with Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) to find the mole and expose the conspiracy. Along the way, Steve must face his former best friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian), who has been brainwashed and turned into Hydra's killing machine, the Winter Soldier. The Winter Soldier feels like a throwback to old-school action movies. Considering Marvel's new addition to CGI, fans would kill for another Winter Soldier. Stream Captain America: The Winter Soldier on Disney+. There is no specific set of rules when it comes to lists. However, if you star in a movie that wins Best Picture, it's hard to deny that picture the top spot. Enter The Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow's visceral Iraq War movie that won Best Picture at the 2010 Oscars. Set during the early days of the Iraq War, Sergeant JT Sanborn (Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty) are working for the U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team when their leader dies on the job. Staff Sergeant William James replaces the team's deceased leader and immediately causes problems with Sanborn and Eldridge. While James is the best at diffusing bombs, his lone-ranger attitude could get someone killed. The Hurt Locker will emotionally drain you with its depiction of the Iraq War. It's harrowing, exhausting, and exhilarating all at once, making it a worthy Best Picture recipient. Stream The Hurt Locker on Prime Video.
