politics
KAROLINE LEAVITT’S LIP FILLER CHANGED HER ENTIRE LOOK
A little filler can be transformative, which nobody knows better than Karoline Leavitt. The White House press secretary is almost unrecognizable in throwback pics, and while she’s certainly also made massive improvements to her eyebrow game over the years, there’s no question that having her lips done has played a major role in her transformation. Nowadays, Leavitt is one of President Donald Trump’s most valued staffers, but once upon a time, she was a young up-and-comer who looked remarkably different.
Of course, everyone’s face changes as they age, but what doesn’t typically happen over time is a fuller pout. Back when she first started working at the White House, Leavitt’s lips were very much on the thinner side, and when she smiled, even imperceptible. Now, the smile Leavitt flashes today generally reads less “I-am-genuinely-happy” and more “I-am-ready-to-spit-fire-at-any-given-moment,” but even in pics of her pouting back in the day, her pout was considerably less full. So, when did things change?
We first saw the beginnings of the government employee’s new look around November 2022. That said, things remained subtle for some time after that — we even caught ourselves wondering if we were imagining the changes. After all, Leavitt was over-lining her lips very obviously circa 2023, so there’s a possibility that played a role. By 2025, however, it was clear that she’d had a little something done. And, as you probably recall, even the president noticed. If you have a sick bag handy, now would be the time to take it out.
Karoline Leavitt’s lips made headlines in 2025
Just in case you forgot, or blocked it out (and we wouldn’t blame you), in October 2025, President Donald Trump went gaga over Karoline Leavitt’s lips, grossing everybody out in the process. During a press gaggle onboard Air Force One, he infamously enthused, “Those lips. They move like a machine gun, right?” (via YouTube). As if that wasn’t bad enough, the divisive politician clearly thought the line was enough of a standout to repeat it again in December – at a rally, no less. “She gets up there with that beautiful face and those lips that don’t stop, bop bop bop […] Like a little machine gun,” he proudly told the crowd (via X, formerly known as Twitter).
But, just a few days later, Leavitt’s rookie lip filler mistake was jarring in a Vanity Fair snap that instantly went viral. The outlet published a jaw-dropping, tell-all piece on the White House press secretary alongside several other prominent Trump staffers like Stephen Miller and Susie Wiles, but all eyes were on her lips. Leavitt slammed the up close look at her face in a petty Instagram Story, reposted from her hairstylist, who hyped her up as completely natural. The White House staffer also shared behind-the-scenes photos of her pouting into a TV camera to her IG feed.
Sadly, if Leavitt was trying to deny the fact that she’d had injectables, it had the opposite effect. Her fillers did look slightly better, though, so small wins. At the end of the day, if the press secretary feels more confident with plumper lips, so be it. However, there’s no denying there’s been a very big change, and that filler likely had a lot to do with it. Bop bop bop, and whatnot.
Nickiswift.com
politics
Drone strike hits US Embassy in Riyadh amid tensions
The United States Embassy in Riyadh was struck by two Iranian drones early Tuesday, sparking a small fire and causing minor damage, according to Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry. Images from the scene showed limited impact at the compound in the Saudi capital. The embassy announced it would remain closed on Tuesday and urged American citizens to avoid the area as a precaution.
The drone attack came amid escalating regional tensions, with Iran continuing strikes around the Middle East while the United States and Israel intensified air operations against Iranian targets. US President Donald Trump signalled that the campaign could extend for weeks.
The incident follows a separate security alert at the US Embassy in Kuwait, which has also been closed until further notice. The US State Department ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and families from Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Jordan.
Overnight, explosions were reported across Tehran, while Israeli forces expanded operations in Lebanon.
GN
politics
Iran warns it has yet to use advanced weapons
Iran struck the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital with a drone early Tuesday, as it continued to target areas around the region.
Tehran also warned on Tuesday that it has yet to deploy its most advanced weapons, saying it is prepared for a prolonged conflict and still retains its sophisticated military systems.
Across Iran’s capital, Tehran, explosions rang out overnight as the US and Israel pounded Iran with airstrikes since killing its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday. Iran and its allies have hit back against Israel, neighbouring Gulf states and targets critical to the world’s oil and natural gas production.
Airstrikes by the United States and Israel have killed at least 787 people in Iran since the start of the war, the Iranian Red Crescent Society said Tuesday.
Here are the latest developments on Tuesday:
Trump says ‘too late’ for Iran to seek talks: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that it was too late for talks with Iran even though Tehran wants them.
“Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and Leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said ‘Too Late!’” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, two days after saying he had agreed to talks, amid the joint Israeli-US bombardment of Iran.
Iran bans food exports: The Iranian government announced on Tuesday it was banning exports of all food and agricultural products.
“The export of all food and agricultural products has been banned until further notice,” Tasnim news agency said, citing a government statement. “The government has prioritised the supply of essential goods for the people,” it added.
Netanyahu: Continuing to strike ‘with force’: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel was continuing to pound Iran and vowed to hit Hezbollah with increasing force as the war in the Middle East raged for a fourth day.
“We continue to strike Iran with force. Our pilots are over the skies of Iran and Tehran, and also over the skies of Lebanon. Hezbollah made a very big mistake when it attacked us. We have already responded forcefully, and we will respond with even greater force,” Netanyahu said at an air force base in central Israel, according to a statement from his office.
Khamenei to be buried in Mashhad: Iranian media said the slain supreme leader will be laid to rest in Iran’s second-largest city; no burial date announced.
Bushehr airport damaged: Iranian media reported US-Israeli strikes hit Bushehr airport, damaging aircraft and the terminal.
Strike hits Kataeb Hezbollah base in Iraq: An air strike targeted the Jurf al-Nasr base housing the Iran-backed militia group in southern Iraq.
Trump claims potential successors killed: Trump said most figures he had considered possible new Iranian leaders were killed in two waves of strikes.
EU and Gulf ministers to meet: European Union and Gulf foreign ministers will hold emergency talks by videolink on Thursday.
Russia urges de-escalation: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for de-escalation in talks with Iran’s top diplomat.
UK dispatches warship to Cyprus: Britain announced it will send a warship and anti-drone helicopters after a UK base in Cyprus was struck.
Iran threatens regional economic centres: An IRGC general warned Tehran could target “all economic centres” in the Middle East if attacks continue.
Israel targets missile production sites: The Israeli military said it struck Iranian industrial facilities used to produce ballistic missiles.
Mehrabad airport targeted: Tehran’s domestic airport was hit in fresh strikes, Iranian media reported.
Assembly of Experts building hit: Israeli and US strikes targeted the Tehran building of the Assembly of Experts, the body tasked with choosing Iran’s next supreme leader.
Ninth wave of Tehran strikes: Israel said it launched a large-scale ninth wave of airstrikes on what it described as regime infrastructure in the capital.
Israeli commander strike claim: Israel said it targeted a high-ranking Iranian commander in Tehran following fresh explosions.
Iran appeals to UN Security Council: Tehran urged the Security Council to intervene, saying there was no legal barrier to action.
Nuclear sites targeted: Iran said strikes hit facilities including Natanz; the UN nuclear watchdog reported some damage but no radiological consequence expected.
Oil jumps above $85: Brent crude surged past $85 a barrel as fears mounted over disruption to Gulf energy supplies.
Israel urges countries to cut Iran ties: Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called on governments worldwide to sever diplomatic relations with Tehran.
China urges Strait calm: Beijing called for immediate de-escalation and warned against threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
30,000 displaced in Lebanon: The UN refugee agency said escalating hostilities have forced at least 30,000 people from their homes.
Regional strikes intensify: New Israeli air strikes hit Lebanon and Tehran, while Iran launched fresh missile and drone attacks across Israel and Gulf states as the war entered its fourth day.
Explosions in Doha and Manama: Blasts and air raid sirens were reported in Qatar and Bahrain as Iranian attacks on Gulf targets continued.
US embassy in Riyadh hit: Two drones struck the US embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital, causing minor damage and a fire; the mission closed temporarily.
US embassy in Kuwait closed: The embassy shut indefinitely after Iranian attacks, with Washington evacuating non-essential personnel from several regional countries.
Israeli incursion in Lebanon: Israeli forces advanced into border areas of southern Lebanon, describing it as a “forward defence” move against Hezbollah positions.
Blasts in Jerusalem: Overhead explosions were heard after the Israeli military said it was intercepting fresh missiles launched from Iran.
Explosions in Tehran: Loud blasts rocked northern Tehran and nearby cities as Israel said it struck leadership and security sites.
Iran Red Crescent toll rises: Iran’s Red Crescent said at least 787 people have been killed nationwide since US-Israeli strikes began; AFP could not independently verify the figure.
Casualties across region: At least 11 people were killed in Israel, 52 in Lebanon and several in Gulf states; six US service members were confirmed dead in Kuwait.
Gas and oil prices surge: European gas prices jumped sharply while Brent crude climbed above $81 per barrel amid fears of wider disruption.
Energy and shipping under threat: Iran struck energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and attacked ships near the Strait of Hormuz, rattling global markets.
China urges Hormuz safety: Beijing called for an immediate halt to military operations and warned against disrupting the vital oil shipping route.
US urges citizens to leave region: The State Department advised Americans to depart multiple Middle Eastern countries due to escalating security risks.
Displacement in Lebanon: The UN said at least 30,000 people have been displaced as hostilities intensify.
Conflict widens with proxies: Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at Israel, while Israeli forces struck targets in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Strait of Hormuz warning: An Iranian Revolutionary Guard adviser declared the strategic waterway “closed,” threatening ships attempting to transit.
GN
politics
UAE intercepts 9 ballistic missiles, 6 cruise missiles and 148 drones
The UAE Ministry of Defence said on Monday that the country’s air defence systems had successfully intercepted and destroyed nine ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles and 148 drones during attacks launched by Iran.
In a detailed update, the ministry said that since the beginning of the assault, a total of 174 ballistic missiles had been detected heading towards the country.
Of these, 161 were intercepted and destroyed, while 13 fell into the sea. It added that 689 Iranian drones had also been tracked, with 645 intercepted and 44 falling within the UAE.
The ministry said eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed, noting that some caused limited collateral damage. The attacks resulted in three deaths and 68 minor injuries.
It said the sounds heard in different parts of the country were the result of interceptions carried out by air defence systems against ballistic missiles, as well as by fighter aircraft targeting drones and cruise missiles. These operations, it said, led to minor to moderate material damage to a number of civilian sites.
The ministry strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as a blatant act of aggression and a serious violation of national sovereignty and international law.
It said the UAE reserves the full right to respond to the escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, safeguard its security and stability, and defend its national interests.
The ministry added that it remains on high alert and fully prepared to address any threats, stressing that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority.
It also urged the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports.
GN
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