Source: Al Arabiya
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
Tuesday 31 October 2023 10:33:17
Photos: Lionel Messi Wins Record Eighth Ballon d’Or for World’s Best Footballer
Argentina’s Lionel Messi won a record eighth Ballon d’Or trophy for the best footballer in the world on Monday.
The 36-year-old Messi beat Norway’s Erling Haaland and former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, who were also in the running for the prestigious award.
“Tonight, I’m enjoying myself. It’s a pleasure that will never leave me, and I hope to be able to enjoy it for many years to come,” Messi said through a translator. “Becoming world champion was the title we were missing. I’d like to thank everyone who helped make Argentina the world champion team,” he added.
“This title and this trophy, I share with you and all our Argentina comrades,” the star striker said.
Messi is the only footballer in the world to have won more than five Ballon d’Or awards. Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo has won it five times, while Frenchman Michel Platini and Dutch Johan Cruff and Marco van Basten have won the coveted title three times each.
Messi, who plays for American football club Inter Miami, had last won the award in 2021.
In 2022, the Argentinian had missed out on being shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or. However, he redeemed himself by winning Argentina their first World Cup in 36 years in Qatar last year.
Messi scored seven goals for Argentina and assisted in three during the showpiece, scoring twice in a tumultuous final against France.
Norway’s Haaland and France’s Mbappe were among the top three players in the running for the award. Haaland was earlier named UEFA Player of the Year.