[YouTube]

We should call it from now on security and control-free area not duty-free area.

According to reports in the Arab country, a Lebanese company selling products at the Beirut International Airport is knowingly marketing goods and products originating in Israel, including lighters.

The report presented a form allegedly showing that certain goods arrived from Milan, but another form was discovered behind it. The second form stated that the goods had arrived in Milan from the Ben-Gurion Airport. [Source]

This is a the first video that was revealed of the world’s longest continuous drift, set by Lebanese driver Abdo Feghali using a Chevrolet Camaro SS. Abdo drifted for a duration of 14.18 minutes covering a distance 11,180 meters. [RedBull]

I will post the video as soon as I find one.

Lebanese driver Abdo Feghali, best known for being Red Bull’s frontman at drifting events, has apparently just set the world record for the longest continuous drift, as certified by the Guiness Book of Records.

As news trickles in from the record attempt today morning at the skidpad in Yas Marina Abu Dhabi, Abdo Feghali managed to double the previous record, with a distance of more than 11 km using a Chevrolet Camaro SS. We assume he was going around in a large-diameter circle to keep the drift going in an area no larger than a football pitch. While the car matters little in a stunt like this, we’d be more interested to know what tyres he used for this feat, if he made them last twice as long! [Source]

Picture from ChevroletArabia Page

“The Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders does not take direct account of the kind of political system but it is clear that democracies provide better protection for the freedom to produce and circulate accurate news and information than countries where human rights are flouted,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. “In dictatorships, news providers and their families are exposed to ruthless reprisals, while in democracies news providers have to cope with the media’s economic crises and conflicts of interest. While their situation is not always comparable, we should pay tribute to all those who resist pressure whether it is aggressively focused or diffuse.” [Source]

Kuwait leads the way in the Arab world, followed by Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Check out the full list [Here].

Carscoop posted pictures of the Lykan’s interior taken from a digital brochure they were able to get their hands on.

The Lykan has been launched for over a week now and according to W Motors CEO Ralph Debbas, they’ve received more than a hundred requests from around the world to buy one. Unfortunately and for some reason I can’t seem to understand, they only produced 7 out of which 1 was already sold.

A $200,000 limited edition Cyrus Klepcy watch comes as a gift to every buyer

You can check out more pictures [Here].

I read yesterday the below statement on Naharnet but don’t know the reason behind it nor if it’s official or not. Back in September 2012, rumors spread that Qatar halted visas for Lebanese Shiites due to Hezbollah’s stance but the Qatari PM quickly denied it.

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour to MTV: The Qatari decision of halting issuing visas to Lebanese citizens is temporary.

They are definitely doing a better job than our own Ministry of Tourism !

Sheikh Jawaan bin Hamad, one of the sons of Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, became the first owner of W Motors’ LykanHypersport 2013, the first hypercar designed in the Middle East. The development phase for this car lasted for six years and included companies like RUF Automobile, Viotti, Studiotorino, Magna Steyr Italia, and ID4MOTION. [Source]

Six more Lykans are left.

Picture from LorientLeJour

Lebanese Eli Khoury is the founder of Saatchi & Saatchi Levant in Beirut in 1992. The agency flourished, winning dozens of awards in Lebanon and the Middle East, setting new standards in
creative excellence and brand design across the region and becoming a key component of the Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide network. [Bio]

He is currently the Chairman and Chief executive of Saatchi & Saatchi Levant.

Eli Khoury, directeur général et président de M&C Saatchi MENA, a été désigné homme de l’année 2013 par le magazine Arab Ad pour ses nombreuses réalisations et son travail créatif dans le domaine de la publicité au Liban, dans la région et à travers le monde. « Khoury est un patriote réformiste qui aura risqué son affaire à plusieurs reprises au nom d’une idée brillante, toujours avec le courage propre à ces hommes qui croient réellement en leurs capacités à changer le monde », a souligné Walid Azzi, éditeur et rédacteur en chef du magazine. Le choix d’Arab Ad a par ailleurs été salué par de nombreuses personnalités, dont l’ex-directeur général du groupe Zain qui écrit : « Il est difficile d’exprimer toute la gratitude et le respect que je lui porte tant sur le plan professionnel que personnel. C’est quelqu’un pour qui j’ai la plus grande estime et je reste extrêmement fier d’avoir eu l’occasion de collaborer avec lui. [LorientLeJour]

All pictures taken from Biser3a.com

[YouTube]
This is the first peek at the first model of W Motors: The HyperSport Lykan – first seen on MotorvisionHD, on the 28th of January presented at Qatar Motor Show. The first Arabian Super Car!

The HyperSport Lykan, the world’s most exclusive supercar, will be launched today at the Qatar Motor Show 2013.

Picture via Benoit Fraylon – Brand Communications Director at W Motors

[YouTube]

While watching Red Bull’s last commercial for Middle East and Africa, I noticed they are starting a new campaign tomorrow to encourage Red Bull fans and consumers to share their own personal ‘Gives You Wings’ moments on the website. Basically what you need to do is go RedBullMEA.com/GivesYouWings then click on the “Share what inspires you” tab and upload a cool picture (No videos yet) of you doing a crazy ski jump or skydiving or any other activity with a short personal quote.

I think that’s a great idea and I hope to see many Lebanese posting cool pictures. I already know a couple of friends who would be more than delighted to have their pictures on Red Bull’s website. I also have a picture of myself that would be perfect for this campaign, but I will have to dig it out as it was taken back in 2003 or 2004 when I was on vacation in Turkey.

Check out Red Bull’s website for more info [Here].

[YouTube]

Since Haifa Wehbe is all over Lebanese TVs and billboards lately for some reason, here’s what Egyptian Lawyer Nabih el Wahsh had to say about her last week. I don’t know what’s the deal with this guy but he’s taking things way too personal.

Back in November 2012, Salah Abdel-Maksoud, Egypt’s Information Minister, had forbidden all Egyptian TVs from broadcasting any show including Haifa Wehbe or Elham Chahine. To be honest though, I don’t think anyone would want to be in Egypt these days.

Picture via LuxuryLaunches.com

The LykanHypersport is priced at 3,400,000 US dollars, making it the most exclusive and expensive sports car in the world, with only 7 units produced. I couldn’t find any news on the potential buyers but I am assuming the Qatari Emir already booked one to his name.

LykanHypersport 2013, the Arab world’s first high performance luxury sports car is all set to be introduced at the Qatar Motor Show, opening on the 29th January. Priced at $3.4 million, only seven units of the car will be produced making it the most exclusive sports car in the world. The salient features of the car are its uniqueness, high performance and luxury quotient. The car has the potential to go from 0 to 100 kms per hour in 2.8 seconds to reach the maximum speed of 390 kms per hour (242 mph), over 100 kmh (62 mph) faster than the take off speed of Airbus 380, the world’s largest commercial jet. [Source]

The exclusive car is the outcome of six years of hard work of distinguished names in the automotive industry including RUF automobile, Studiotorino, Viotti, Magna Steyr Italia and ID4MOTION; all of them Italy based, a land with the heritage of producing the most iconic sports cars. LykanHypersports 2013 by W Motors is said to make its first delivery in September this year and the seven lucky owners will be rewarded with a Special Edition Cyrus Klepcys watch, worth over $200,000. [Source]

via +961

[High-Res]
Graph via Executive-Magazine

Lebanon has the highest average price per minute for voice calls in the Arab world, followed by Morocco, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It’s probably that high because we also have the best network coverage in the Arab world.