Source: Asharq Al-Awsat
The official website of the Kataeb Party leader
Security & Justice
State Action Signals Change in Tackling Longstanding Illegal Land Grabs in Jbeil District
For years, the serene villages of Jbeil's highlands have been far from peaceful. Ghabat, a Maronite village nestled between the predominantly Shiite towns of Afqa and Lassa, has become a focal point of growing tensions due to territorial disputes.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Mawlawi Ensures Strict Monitoring for Wanted Syrian Regime Figures at Beirut Airport
Caretaker Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi, conducted an inspection tour of Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut to review the security arrangements and measures implemented by the Airport Security Apparatus ahead of the holiday season.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Opinion
Lebanon After the Assads
The United States has important equities in Lebanon, including a desire for a generally friendly government’s economic and political stability; security cooperation; long-standing relations with the large Christian community in Lebanon and Lebanese diaspora in the United States; and ultimately peace between Israel and Lebanon within a broader regional settlement. Achieving these objectives will require navigating a tumultuous period in the country’s history following a war between Hezbollah and Israel that has devastated a large part of the country, exacerbating Lebanon’s already challenging economic conditions. But perhaps the most important dynamic will be how a likely Sunni-dominated state of uncertain composition in Syria will differ in its intentions toward Lebanon from the previous Alawite-led minoritarian Assad regime.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Europe’s Syrian Dilemma
The news of the sudden and unexpected demise of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has met a mixed response in Europe. The jubilation that a murderous dictator and close ally of Russia and Iran has fallen is not just good for the Syrian people but serves as a morale booster for Eastern Europeans wondering whether Russia can be defeated
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Unveils New Private Jet Worth $73 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the richest global athletes, has unveiled his upgraded private jet reportedly worth $73 million. With its top-notch design, exceptional speed and range of 7500 nautical miles, the Gulfstream G650 is among the fastest jets in the world.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Guardiola Accepts Man City May Need to Sign More Players to Cope with Schedule
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes he will need a bigger squad to handle soccer’s ever-expanding fixture schedule.
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Saturday 23 March 2024 11:32:22
Catching Red Bull in Short Term an Illusion, Mercedes Boss Wolff Says
Mercedes endured their worst qualifying session of the season at the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday, leaving seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton crushed and team boss Toto Wolff seeing no hope of catching Red Bull in the short term.
Hamilton was eliminated in Q2 to qualify 11th, his worst result at Albert Park since 2010, while George Russell qualified seventh for Sunday's race as the team's hopes of rebounding in Melbourne suffered a major blow.
Russell's fastest lap in Q3 was a gaping eight-tenths of a second shy of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen's best, the Dutchman taking his third pole of the season and fourth in succession.
Briton Hamilton said there was a shopping list of problems with his car, while Wolff gave a gloomy assessment of their situation.
"I think we have a car that's difficult and you can be narrowly in and out of the window," said Wolff.
"It's the whole interaction of aerodynamics and mechanical and the tires. It's never a single topic.
"But we are going to just keep our heads down and push through this.
"I think it's an illusion to go closer to Red Bull in the short term but I still have to believe that there is more in this car."
The day had started brightly for Mercedes, with Hamilton fourth quickest, and within a 10th of a second of Ferrari's pace-setter Charles Leclerc, in the final practice session (P3).
But the bubble burst in qualifying.
Hamilton said his car's inconsistency "messes with the mind".
"I think our car is on a bit of a knife edge," he added.
"This morning was nice with a calmer wind and then as soon as the wind picks up it gets a little bit less stable.
"I'm not sure why but it didn't feel the same in qualifying even though we had lighter fuel. It felt better in P3 so it's not a great feeling."
Russell was happier with his car but gave a dim preview of Mercedes' chances on Sunday.
"We will be in a much better place tomorrow when we have more fuel in the car and the pace is a little slower from everybody," he said.
"But this circuit is not playing to our strengths."