Source: BBC Sport
Security & Justice
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
Hezbollah Faces Internal Criticism Over Missing Fighters and Captured Prisoners
Hezbollah is grappling with increasing internal and external pressure as the fate of over 1,000 of its fighters remains uncertain following the recent war with Israel, Asharq al-Awsat newspaper revealed.
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
Wednesday 21 August 2024 14:57:55
Atletico Madrid Sign Gallagher from Chelsea
Atletico Madrid have signed England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea for a fee believed to be in the region of £33m.
The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish top-flight club.
Gallagher joined Chelsea at the age of six and went on to make 90 appearances, scoring 10 goals.
He had entered the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge so Chelsea wanted to sell now to avoid losing him on a free transfer next summer.
"To everyone at Chelsea, thank you for making my dreams come true," Gallagher wrote on Instagram. "It's been an absolute honor every time I put on the shirt, and it was a dream come true to captain the team on many occasions.
"I loved every moment. These memories will last forever. I appreciate all the love and support from the fans."
Atletico forward Joao Felix, also 24, is set to move in the other direction after Chelsea agreed a fee in principle for the Portugal international.
Felix scored four goals in 20 appearances during a loan spell in west London in 2023.
The collapse of Chelsea's talks to sign Atletico striker Samu Omorodion had delayed Gallagher's move to Spain, but the Felix deal frees up the required funds for Atletico to complete the transfer.
Gallagher spent five days in a hotel in Madrid earlier this month expecting a deal before flying back to London when the move stalled.
Gallagher had loan spells at Charlton, Swansea, West Brom, and Crystal Palace before breaking into the Chelsea first team at the start of the 2022-23 season.
He has won 18 England caps since making his debut in 2021 and was part of the Three Lions squads for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.
'Positive end to strange transfer saga' - analysis
Nizaar Kinsella, BBC Sport football news reporter
Conor Gallagher's exit will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of some match-going Chelsea supporters who adored him.
They held up a banner in the match against Tottenham, a club many thought he might join, in May in protest of his expected departure.
That exit has happened, but a crumb of comfort is that Chelsea have sold him outside the Premier League to Atletico Madrid in Spain, avoiding the kind of pain some fans still feel when watching Mason Mount line up for Manchester United.
Chelsea have also handled his departure well by putting together an emotive video package that highlights his bond with the club and wishing him well for the future on all their channels.
It reads and feels like a celebration of the career of the boyhood Chelsea fan, who has been with the club since the age of six, as he departs for Wanda Metropolitano.
It's a positive end to a strange transfer saga that saw Gallagher training alone at Cobham in limbo as the two clubs tried to pull off a bizarre swap deal.
Gallagher will again be able to focus on his football and could be a good fit for Diego Simeone's dogged, high energy and physical style of play.
