Former Lebanese glamor model-turned-sports pundit Mia Khalifa loves Lebanon, but does it love her back?

Mia Khalifa (Instagram)
Updated 23 November 2017
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Former Lebanese glamor model-turned-sports pundit Mia Khalifa loves Lebanon, but does it love her back?

DUBAI: A Lebanese-American former glamor model has caused a social media stir after she posted a message on Twitter that proclaimed her love for Lebanon, but added that she did not believe her feelings were reciprocated.
In a celebration of Lebanon’s Independence Day, Mia Khalifa tweeted: “Happy Independence Day to the country I love, but doesn’t really love me back.”
Boasting a staggering 2.02 million followers on her Twitter account, it was inevitable that such a comment would likely draw at least a few responses.
And it was somewhat of a mixed bag in terms of the nature of the views. Some were reassuring, telling her she was much preferred to the people running the country.
“definitely more than our politicians who brought nothing but shame and corruption to the country,” @G_azzi tweeted.

And @leithfadel wrote: “Lebanon loves you more than Hariri.”

There was the suggestion that maybe she was wrong. @sparty_vz suggested: “i am sure they love you, but just are playing hard to get.”

Meanwhile @MoeAlayan showed he was a man of few words, simply responding: “Queen of Lebanon.”

But @SalamElDibs wanted to test Khalifa’s claim of love for the Middle East nation, asking: “Did u register yourself for the elections?”



Meanwhile @jpkintana wanted to show Khalifa that there was a hard truth in life: “Sometimes love is not a two way street.”

And some suggested that maybe she should step up and make things better for the troubled country: “mia khalifa for president,” wrote @WissamKoleilat.

And that was not the only call for her to run for office: “Believe me, if you’d run for president, I’d vote for you,” @Alxhabr tweeted.

There were more reassuring messages of affection from the likes of @AhmadHuda11: “no we do love you backk habibty.”

And if all else failed, there is always Mexico where @jaarteag tweeted: “Mmmm...in Mexico, you are welcome.!!!!”


DCO and Arab News partner to combat digital misinformation, explore AI’s impact on media

Updated 06 February 2026
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DCO and Arab News partner to combat digital misinformation, explore AI’s impact on media

KUWAIT CITY: The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and the international Saudi newspaper Arab News have signed a Letter of Engagement aimed at strengthening knowledge and expertise exchange on the impact of artificial intelligence in the media sector, as well as leveraging expert insights to develop best practices to combat online misinformation amid accelerating technological advancements.

DCO said this step aligned with its efforts to strengthen collaboration with international media institutions to support responsible dialogue around digital transformation and contribute to building a more reliable, inclusive, and sustainable digital media environment.

Commenting on the agreement, Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, said: “At a moment when AI is reshaping how truth is produced, distributed, and trusted, partnership with credible media institutions is essential.”

She added that “working with Arab News allows us to bridge technology and journalism in a way that protects integrity, strengthens public trust, and elevates responsible innovation. This collaboration is about equipping media ecosystems with the tools, insight, and ethical grounding needed to navigate AI’s impact, while ensuring digital transformation serves people and their prosperity.”

Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, emphasized that the partnership enhances media institutions’ ability to keep pace with technological shifts, noting that engagement with representatives of DCO Member States enables deeper understanding of emerging technologies and regulatory developments in the digital space.

He added: “DCO’s commitment to initiatives addressing online content integrity reflects a clear dedication to supporting a responsible digital environment that serves societies and strengthens trust in the digital ecosystem.”

The Letter of agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Fifth DCO General Assembly held in Kuwait City under the theme “Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI”, alongside the second edition of the International Digital Cooperation Forum, held from 4–5 February, which brought together ministers, policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and civil society representatives from more than 60 countries to strengthen international cooperation toward a human-centric, inclusive, and sustainable digital economy.