Syria on Friday welcomed Britain’s decision to lift sanctions on 24 entities, including the central bank and oil companies, that were imposed during Bashar Al Assad’s presidency.
The UK is the first country to ease restrictions on dealings with Syrian petroleum companies, banks and Syrian Airlines since the ousting of Mr Al Assad in December.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the UK’s move was a “positive step” that would contribute to Syria’s economic and political recovery and benefit its people.
Syria is looking forward to further "positive outcomes following the lifting of sanctions that harmed the population, despite the fact that it targeted the previous regime”, the ministry said in a statement. "We reiterate our call to end all economic restrictions that delay the country's economic and political recovery."
The Syrian Petroleum Company, Syria Trading Oil Company and Overseas Petroleum Trading were also among those delisted.
The interim administration of President Ahmad Al Shara, whose Hayat Tahrir Al Sham rebel group led the offensive that toppled Mr Al Assad after a 13-year civil war, is grappling with the fallout of Assad-era sanctions, corruption and looting of Syria's wealth, and the need to repair extensive damage from the war and restore services. It has called repeatedly for the lifting of western sanctions that were imposed during the brutal conflict.
The European Union last month suspended a range of punitive measures against Damascus, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction. The bloc still has sanctions in place targeting people and economic sectors in Syria.
It also lifted the frozen assets of five banks, eased restrictions on the Central Bank of Syria and indefinitely extended an exemption to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“We have spent the past two months engaging in discussions and diplomatic efforts to ease the unjust sanctions that have burdened our people,” Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani said on X last month.
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Naga
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Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
More on Quran memorisation:
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
MATCH INFO
World Cup 2022 qualifier
UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm
Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
