Latest news with #Lebanese-American
L'Orient-Le Jour
3 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
After meeting Salam, Darrell Issa optimistic government will implement disarmament decision
BEIRUT — U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa (R-California) expressed his optimism on Friday that the Lebanese government will be able to implement the decisions taken in the context of Hezbollah's disarmament. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met on Friday morning with Issa at the Grand Serail, in the presence of U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson and Vice-Chair of the Task Force for Lebanon Nijad Fares, according to the state-run National News Agency. They discussed current developments and Lebanese-American relations. Following the meeting, Issa told reporters that they had a very productive meeting with Salam. "Frankly, this is a new day for Lebanon. Much progress has been made in recent days. We are talking about a new birth for Lebanon and about reconstruction and rebuilding, whether in the south or throughout Lebanon," he said. On Thursday, the government announced that it had approved the "objectives set out" by a U.S. proposal on how to achieve a monopoly on arms, which specifically centers around Hezbollah's disarmament. Two days earlier, Salam announced after a cabinet meeting that the ministers have tasked the Lebanese Army with drawing up a plan for the monopoly of weapons before the end of the year and submitting it to the Cabinet before the end of this month. Regarding Hezbollah's statement that it will not surrender its weapons, Issa said: "The Lebanese Cabinet has taken a decision on this matter .... The government's decision is based on an agreement signed in 1989, which stipulates that all militias must surrender their weapons. This is what the Lebanese Armed Forces are trying to do, and I believe that every loyal Lebanese citizen wants to see the weapons in the hands of the Lebanese state." "I expect the handover to be voluntary ... and I believe that the government is united on the need to implement it. We believe that the Lebanese army will do what is required of it at the end of August," he added. He noted that the meeting discussed the needs in various sectors, such as electricity and water, and how the United States, together with its partners in Europe and the Gulf, can work together quickly to achieve this. "We discussed the ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, the restructuring of banks, and many other issues, but none of this would have been possible without an effective and unified government," Issa added. When asked about his comment on Israel's decision to take control of Gaza, Issa replied: "We did not discuss any issues outside the Lebanese context. What distinguishes the situation of the Palestinians from that of Lebanon is that Lebanon has an effective government capable of governing and ensuring the safety of Lebanese citizens and security with regard to Israel." Finally, responding to whether he is optimistic about Lebanon's future, he said: "I am Lebanese, my friend Nijad is Lebanese, and we are also Americans. If you are Lebanese, you are optimistic ... and you know that we have been waiting for decades for the opportunities we enjoy now. Yes, I see a new birth for Lebanon, and that is why I came here today. The decisions that have been made now have not been made for decades, and I strongly believe that these decisions will be realized." During a meeting with President Joseph Aoun on Thursday, Issa promised that the United States would find a "solution" to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory in southern Lebanon. Despite a cease-fire reached on Nov. 27, 2024, between Israel and Hezbollah after more than a year of conflict, the Israeli army continues to occupy positions within Lebanese territories. Issa's Lebanese visit comes two weeks after that of U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, during which he admitted that no one could force Israel to do anything, that there were no guarantees, and that the Lebanese state had to take on the issue of Hezbollah's arms to ensure its monopoly.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jeanine Pirro's career trajectory: From law review to the capital's top prosecutor
Not every federal appointment stems from quiet merit; some are thunderous, drawing attention not just for who is chosen, but for what they represent. Jeanine Pirro's confirmation as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia is one such moment, an appointment steeped in controversy, allegiance, and ideology. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But beneath the headlines, behind the firebrand persona that once lit up cable news, lies a rigorous academic foundation that launched a lifelong legal career. Long before she was a Fox News icon or a trusted voice in Donald Trump's political orbit, Jeanine Ferris Pirro was a diligent student, a driven legal mind, and a woman determined to stand out in the male-dominated world of law. The formative years: Ambition at an early age Born on June 2, 1951, in Elmira, New York, to Lebanese-American parents, Pirro knew by the age of six that she wanted to be an attorney. It wasn't a childish whim but a guiding ambition that defined her academic path. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in just three years, a pace that foreshadowed the intensity she would later bring to her legal and media careers. While still in high school, she interned at the Chemung County District Attorney's Office, an unusually early exposure to criminal justice that would shape her approach to prosecution in years to come. Academic credentials: A career built on legal rigour Pirro pursued her undergraduate studies at the University at Buffalo, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. But it was at Albany Law School where she truly made her mark. There, she earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1975, graduating with distinction and serving as an editor of the Albany Law Review, a role reserved for top-performing students with proven analytical and writing skills. Her academic record at Albany positioned her for competitive roles in the legal field, and shortly after graduating, she joined the Westchester County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney, becoming one of the few women in that office during the mid-1970s. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Legal knowledge meets television stardom Pirro's legal scholarship didn't fade when she transitioned to television. Her commentary, while often polarizing, was informed by decades of experience and a deep understanding of the law. Whether as a legal analyst during the O.J. Simpson trial or later as host of Justice with Judge Jeanine, she deployed her academic foundation to connect legal principles with public discourse. Her seven published books, including Liars, Leakers, and Liberals, draw not only from political opinion but also legal argumentation and rhetorical structuring rooted in formal training. From education to execution: The D.C. appointment When Donald Trump named Pirro as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in May 2025 and saw her confirmed by the Senate on August 2, it wasn't just a political elevation. It marked the culmination of a career that began with careful study of case law and constitutional texts. The same woman who once edited scholarly legal articles will now oversee some of the most consequential federal prosecutions in the nation's capital. Critics argue that her Fox News rhetoric and allegiance to Trump overshadow her qualifications. But even her harshest detractors rarely question her academic record or her legal acumen. Her law school credentials, judicial experience, and prosecutorial background form a foundation that, at least on paper, supports the authority of her new post. A legacy rooted in law Jeanine Pirro's path to power has never been conventional. But while her media persona commands headlines, her ascent began with the quiet, disciplined work of legal education. From the halls of Albany Law School to the corridors of federal power, her story is one of ambition, academic rigor, and relentless pursuit. Whether her tenure in Washington serves justice or stirs controversy, one truth remains: it all started with a young woman who believed that the law was her calling—and had the academic record to prove it.
Libyan Express
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Meloni's Tunisia visit draws scrutiny amid shifting regional alliances
Geopolitics and migration at play in Meloni's sudden Tunisia visit Tunisian political activist and former member of parliament, Majdi Karbai, has raised serious concerns over the motives behind Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's recent visit to Tunisia, suggesting that the trip was driven by efforts to reconcile growing American pressure with broader European interests. The visit, announced at the last minute, has drawn considerable attention in both Tunisian and Italian political circles. According to Karbai, the timing and manner of the visit have triggered unease among Italian political figures and media commentators, who view it as more than a routine diplomatic engagement. The context surrounding the visit adds to its significance. Just days earlier, Massad Boulos — a Lebanese-American businessman closely associated with former US President Donald Trump — had travelled to Tunisia and reportedly conveyed strong concerns about what he described as Tunisia's increasing proximity to Iran. Karbai suggested that this development has sparked alarm in Washington and may have prompted European actors, particularly Italy, to re-engage more assertively with Tunis. Meloni's trip, therefore, appears to have been carefully calibrated to address these shifting dynamics. On the one hand, it serves to reassure American allies of Italy's role as a mediator and regional stabiliser. On the other, it reinforces Rome's direct interests in North Africa, particularly on the issue of migration — a key domestic concern for the Italian government. Tunisia remains a major transit point for irregular migrants attempting to reach European shores. Karbai believes the visit may have involved proposals for enhanced cooperation on migration control in exchange for economic or political support to President Kais Saied's administration. Such a deal, he argues, would fit within a pattern of short-term transactional diplomacy aimed at delivering immediate policy wins for both sides. Beyond the immediate implications, the visit may also signal a deeper strategic shift. Italy, under Meloni's leadership, appears intent on redefining its role in the southern Mediterranean, asserting itself more confidently amid an evolving regional landscape shaped by new alignments and great power competition. Karbai noted that Meloni's close ties with the American right — particularly figures associated with the Trump camp — may be influencing her foreign policy choices, as she seeks to position Italy as a key player between Washington and the Maghreb. Tunisia, caught in the middle of these intersecting agendas, finds itself increasingly central to wider geopolitical negotiations. The visit, in Karbai's view, should not be seen merely as a bilateral event, but rather as a reflection of the shifting balance of power across the Mediterranean. With migration, energy, and security concerns now tightly interwoven with global rivalries, Tunisia is emerging as a focal point in a rapidly changing regional equation.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rony Seikaly reflects on how players treated Magic after HIV diagnosis: "Watching all the players kind of distance themselves was really not something that I was very proud of"
Rony Seikaly reflects on how players treated Magic after HIV diagnosis: "Watching all the players kind of distance themselves was really not something that I was very proud of" originally appeared on Basketball Network. When Earvin Magic Johnson announced his retirement in November 1991 after testing positive for HIV, the basketball world was rocked deeply. Looking back from today's standpoint, we have to understand that it was a time when the disease was largely misunderstood and cloaked in fear and misinformation. As for the guys in the best basketball league in the world, the NBA, the reaction was mixed. Plenty of shock, a touch of sympathy among fellow players and, quite understandably, distance from many of them. Those afraid, uncertain about how HIV spread, instinctively pushed Magic away, avoiding all contact by any means necessary. Ron Seikaly, the Lebanese-American big man who was a walking double-double at the time of his peak, didn't shy away from admitting his disappointment at how the Los Angeles Lakers legend was treated. "So, basically, when Magic retired because of HIV, a lot of the players and a lot of the people didn't understand the disease and stuff like that. Everybody just didn't want to be around Magic. Nobody knew how you would get infected. So, all the players kinda pushed away. For me growing up, Magic Johnson was the NBA. Him and Larry Bird. Watching all the players kind of distance themselves from Magic Johnson was really not something that I was very proud of," Ron said about the unknown situation at the time. Seikaly went on to support his idol Ron's respect for Magic ran very deep, and it passed the lines of pure basketball competitiveness. Johnson was his idol, so Seikaly recalled how, before a game, he approached Magic with nothing but respect and compassion, despite the tension and fear hanging in the air around the diagnosis. "I remember before one of the games, I wanted to go up to Magic and just give him a hug. He was still working out, still giving his all, despite everything. It was not something that he chose. The reaction to it was very bad," Seikaly explained. This human approach was rare in a league where the unknown ruled all the time. Seikaly acknowledged that while players were pushing away physically, he wanted to break through that barrier, showing that beyond the disease, Magic was still a competitor, a peer and most importantly, a person deserving of respect for everything that he did for the Association during the 1980s, alongside Larry Bird, of almost missed his last ASG Even as Magic returned for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, in a moment that was meant to be a fitting tribute for the end of his legendary career, the unease around him hadn't completely faded. Not only that, but some players still questioned if he should be out there at all, which only goes to show the unwillingness of competitors to go full strength at him. "Some guys came out and said, 'I don't want to play against the guy if I have a chance to get sick.' I'm not going to name any names," the Western Conference starting guard Clyde Drexler stated at the time. That's where Seikaly's perspective stood out. Instead of retreating like so many others, he offered to bring back that physicality through the simple hug. He saw Magic as more than just a "walking diagnosis." That reaction from the towering big man aged far better than the fear-driven reactions of the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
L'Orient-Le Jour
24-07-2025
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Peter Rahal's protein bar business now valued at $725 million
At the end of May, Lebanese-American entrepreneur Peter Rahal's company David — named after Michelangelo's masterpiece — which specializes in protein bar production, announced it had raised $75 million, valuing the business at $725 million after only nine months on the brings the total funding since its September 2024 launch to $85 million, as the New York-based company is poised to reach $100 million in revenue during its first year of years after making a joint investment of $10,000 with a childhood friend, the Chicago-born American of Lebanese origin now finds himself at the helm of a company he hopes soon to take public and value at several billion dollars. Lebanese entrepreneurs Naya raises $195 million to expand Lebanese food chain across the US This is just another step in an...
