Source: BBC Sport
Security & Justice
Lebanon’s Border Villages Face Renewed Devastation Amid Israeli Withdrawal
The Israeli army withdrew from the southern Lebanese village of Bani Hayyan on Friday morning, two days after entering the area in the Marjayoun district. According to local reports, Israeli forces demolished multiple homes as they retreated.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Interview Set to Shed Light on Mossad’s Decade-Long Covert Operation Against Hezbollah
In a highly anticipated episode of CBS’s 60 Minutes, recently retired Mossad agents provide unprecedented insights into a decade-long covert operation targeting Hezbollah. The agents, whose identities remain concealed with masks and altered voices, share with journalist Lesley Stahl the intricate details of their mission to sabotage Hezbollah’s communications network.
Friday, December 20, 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
Monday 27 May 2024 10:22:08
Nadal Sets Aside Retirement Talk to Face Zverev
Rafael Nadal returns to action at his favorite tournament on Monday - but he faces his trickiest French Open opener for many years.
The Spanish great, a record 14-time champion at Roland Garros, faces fourth seed Alexander Zverev at about 14:00 BST.
It had seemed like this would be the 37-year-old's final French Open appearance but he said earlier this week he would not "close the door" on extending his career.
Consequently, a planned farewell ceremony has been scrapped by tournament organizers.
Women's top seed and three-time champion Iga Swiatek is also in action as she looks to continue her recent Roland Garros dominance.
Meanwhile, British number one Cameron Norrie begins his tournament against Pavel Kotov, while Harriet Dart takes on Linda Noskova.
Nadal has won the French Open more than any other major, with his most recent victory coming in 2022.
Given his success at Roland Garros, tournament organizers are keen to mark his final appearance.
Nadal was widely believed to be retiring at the end of the season, but French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo says Nadal told her he is yet to make up his mind.
She said: "As you can imagine, we had something planned for him.
"He wants to leave the door open for him maybe to come back next year as a player. So we're not going to push him obviously to do anything.
"It's his decision when he wants to have a proper ceremony. So we're not going to do it this year."
Injuries have hampered Nadal in recent years and he returns to Paris ranked 275th.
Despite his past success, it is a tough first round for him against Italian Open champion Zverev, who many expect to challenge for the title.
British duo look to make the second week for the first time
History suggests that Norrie should get through his opening match.
He has reached the third round at Roland Garros for the past two years but is yet to go further.
British number two Dart begins against Czech 27th seed Noskova, looking to win a game in the main draw of the French Open for the first time.
She has had a difficult start to the year - the 27-year-old contracted food poisoning on her way to Australia and has since had to contend with a number of small injuries.
She put that behind her to reach her first WTA Tour semi-finals in February, losing to former world number one Karolina Pliskova at the Transylvania Open.
"This year’s been challenging," she said.
“I have goals to be top 50 by the end of the year. I just need to keep working on my game and the results will take care of themselves."
Swiatek begins bid to defend title
Poland's Swiatek, 22, begins her bid for a fourth French Open title in five years against French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean.
She heads into the tournament in fine form, after securing back-to-back titles in Madrid and Rome this year.
Swiatek boasts an impressive French Open record, having won 28 of her 30 matches there.
She is bidding to become the first woman to win three consecutive Roland Garros titles since Justine Henin, in 2007.
