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US President Joe Biden arrives to speak on the latest developments in Syria, in Washington, on December 8. Bloomberg

US disarray on Syria policy leaves it a helpless spectator

Experts believe the 15 per cent corporate tax rate for large multinationals won't deter companies from setting up in the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National

New UAE tax: What it means for large companies

From left, portraits of pro-crypto personalities El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, US president-elect Donald Trump and Tesla Motors chief executive Elon Musk on the exhibition floor of the Bitcoin Mena conference in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

What happens if Donald Trump changes his mind on cryptocurrencies?

Jaguar chief executive Adrian Mardell at the Reimagined Jaguar launch. Getty Images/AFP

CommentJaguar bets all on a doubled-up reinvention to take on BMW and Porsche

(L-R) Lebanon's late Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, Syria's Bashar Al Assad and his Iranian counterpart at the time, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, at an official dinner in Damascus on February 25, 2010. AFP

CommentThe effect of Syrian events on Hezbollah

Sturgeon nitro tomato, horseradish cream and caviar. Photo: Smoked Room

Smoked Room review: What to expect at the Michelin-starred Dubai restaurant

Yuki Tsunoda during post-season testing for Red Bull at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Tsunoda excited to be behind wheel of Red Bull in Abu Dhabi testing

Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organisation and the son of US president-elect Donald Trump, at the Bitcoin Mena conference in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National

Eric Trump says Donald Trump will 'fight like hell' to protect Bitcoin

A woman reacts as people arrive at Al-Mujtahid Hospital to identify relatives among the bodies retrieved from Sednaya prison, Damascus, Syria, 10 December 2024. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), rescue teams have found the bodies of 15 people in Sednaya prison, as the Syrian Civil Defense group, the White Helmets, announced the conclusion of search operations for possible remaining detainees in potential undiscovered secret cells and basements within the prison 'without uncovering any unopened or hidden areas within the facility'. EPA / HASAN BELAL

Desperate families and tortured bodies at Damascus morgue

'The more people go back, the better': elated Syrian refugees at Turkey's border
Kurdish militia in Syria's Deir Ezzor retreats as rebels take over
Is HTS really 'Syria's Taliban'?

Sheikh Mohammed hails ‘year of unprecedented economic growth’

VARIOUS CITIES, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 11: Fans celebrate as Saudi Arabia is announced as the host nation for the FIFA World Cup 2023 Host on December 11, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Francois Nel / Getty Images for Saudi Arabian Football Federation)

Saudi Arabia wins hosting rights for 2034 Fifa World Cup

President Sheikh Mohamed stresses role of family as new minister sworn in

A Maxar Technologies satellite image taken on December 10 shows a Gorshkov-class frigate off the Syrian port city of Tartus. AFP

Satellite photos show Russian navy retreat from Syrian base

President Sheikh Mohamed discusses Syria situation with King of Jordan

Abu Dhabi joins Heathrow 'millionaire club' with record passengers

Syria crisis

An army plane was loaded with humanitarian aid to be sent to Syria through Marka Airport in Jordan, at Al-Udeid air base in Qatar. AFP

Qatar to reopen embassy in Damascus

Fawaz Akhras with his daughter Asma Al Assad. AFP

'In-law is not a political position', says Asma Al Assad's sanctioned father

Syrian opposition fighters at the Hama military airport. AP

Is UN Resolution 2254 still relevant in a post-Assad Syria?

Members of the Syrian National Army patrolling Syria's Tal Abyad district after it was cleared of Kurdish militias in Turkey's Operation Peace Spring offensive in October 2019. Getty Images

Syrian rebels advance on Kurds in post-Assad struggle for control

A group of people thought to be migrants, including young children, are brought to Dover, Kent. PA

Chronic uncertainty for Syrians as UK suspends its asylum decisions

December 9, 2024, the Abdel Reza family reunited in Ghouta, a town near Damascus after years of separation due to the Syrian civil war

'I had faith in God’: Syrian families return home after years of exile

An army plane was loaded with humanitarian aid to be sent to Syria through Marka Airport in Jordan, at Al-Udeid air base in Qatar. AFP

Qatar to reopen embassy in Damascus

Fawaz Akhras with his daughter Asma Al Assad. AFP

'In-law is not a political position', says Asma Al Assad's sanctioned father

Syrian opposition fighters at the Hama military airport. AP

Is UN Resolution 2254 still relevant in a post-Assad Syria?

Members of the Syrian National Army patrolling Syria's Tal Abyad district after it was cleared of Kurdish militias in Turkey's Operation Peace Spring offensive in October 2019. Getty Images

Syrian rebels advance on Kurds in post-Assad struggle for control

A group of people thought to be migrants, including young children, are brought to Dover, Kent. PA

Chronic uncertainty for Syrians as UK suspends its asylum decisions

December 9, 2024, the Abdel Reza family reunited in Ghouta, a town near Damascus after years of separation due to the Syrian civil war

'I had faith in God’: Syrian families return home after years of exile

An army plane was loaded with humanitarian aid to be sent to Syria through Marka Airport in Jordan, at Al-Udeid air base in Qatar. AFP

Qatar to reopen embassy in Damascus

Fawaz Akhras with his daughter Asma Al Assad. AFP

'In-law is not a political position', says Asma Al Assad's sanctioned father

Syrian opposition fighters at the Hama military airport. AP

Is UN Resolution 2254 still relevant in a post-Assad Syria?

Members of the Syrian National Army patrolling Syria's Tal Abyad district after it was cleared of Kurdish militias in Turkey's Operation Peace Spring offensive in October 2019. Getty Images

Syrian rebels advance on Kurds in post-Assad struggle for control

Video

Syrians search for loved ones in Sednaya prison

With infamous 'human slaughterhouse' liberated, people flood in looking for family members

Syrian port of Latakia hit by air strike

Syrian port of Latakia hit by air strike

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Abu Dhabi

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Abu Dhabi

Flamingos migrate from Europe to Egypt for the winter

Flamingos migrate from Europe to Egypt for the winter

Syrians across Europe celebrate Assad's fall

Syrians across Europe celebrate Assad's fall

In focus

Nayla Al Khaja is an Emirati screenwriter, producer and director. Photo: Nayla Al Khaja Films

One Last Thing: Nayla Al Khaja on her favourite book and the music she can't stand

The Dresdner Striezelmarkt in Dresden, eastern Germany, attracts about three million visitors a year. AFP

Christmas attractions worth travelling for, from Germany to Denmark

Planting mangroves on Sir Bani Yas Island in Al Gharbia. Photo: The National

Appliance of science: Turning the tide on success of mangrove projects

People pose for selfies backdropped by the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. EPA

CommentNotre Dame's restoration should cheer us up

This chart highlights the critical role countries play in providing safety and support to refugees. Data sourced from UNHCR

Chart of the weekCountries hosting the largest Syrian refugee populations

People cross the destroyed Arida border between Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

After months of war with Israel, Lebanon watches fall of Syrian regime with cautious hope

Gemini is designed to support users in various tasks, from conversational interactions to creative projects. Bloomberg

Google launches Gemini 2.0, its 'most capable' AI model

Astro Bot was one of the surprises of the year, contending with established titles and remaining one of the most beloved games. Photo: Team Asobi

The seven best video games of 2024, from Astro Bot to Call of Duty

Nayla Al Khaja is an Emirati screenwriter, producer and director. Photo: Nayla Al Khaja Films

One Last Thing: Nayla Al Khaja on her favourite book and the music she can't stand

The Dresdner Striezelmarkt in Dresden, eastern Germany, attracts about three million visitors a year. AFP

Christmas attractions worth travelling for, from Germany to Denmark

Planting mangroves on Sir Bani Yas Island in Al Gharbia. Photo: The National

Appliance of science: Turning the tide on success of mangrove projects

People pose for selfies backdropped by the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. EPA

CommentNotre Dame's restoration should cheer us up

This chart highlights the critical role countries play in providing safety and support to refugees. Data sourced from UNHCR

Chart of the weekCountries hosting the largest Syrian refugee populations

People cross the destroyed Arida border between Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

After months of war with Israel, Lebanon watches fall of Syrian regime with cautious hope

Gemini is designed to support users in various tasks, from conversational interactions to creative projects. Bloomberg

Google launches Gemini 2.0, its 'most capable' AI model

Astro Bot was one of the surprises of the year, contending with established titles and remaining one of the most beloved games. Photo: Team Asobi

The seven best video games of 2024, from Astro Bot to Call of Duty

Nayla Al Khaja is an Emirati screenwriter, producer and director. Photo: Nayla Al Khaja Films

One Last Thing: Nayla Al Khaja on her favourite book and the music she can't stand

The Dresdner Striezelmarkt in Dresden, eastern Germany, attracts about three million visitors a year. AFP

Christmas attractions worth travelling for, from Germany to Denmark

Planting mangroves on Sir Bani Yas Island in Al Gharbia. Photo: The National

Appliance of science: Turning the tide on success of mangrove projects

People pose for selfies backdropped by the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. EPA

CommentNotre Dame's restoration should cheer us up

Palestinians mourn relatives killed in an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 11, 2024. REUTERS / Abd Elhkeem Khaled

Latest updatesAt least 35 killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza since dawn

Woman and two children reportedly among dead after attack near hospital in Beit Lahia early on Wednesday

Leading companies in running to build UAE's airlock on Gateway space station

Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, says the UAE's success is 'stronger than any slogans or ideologies'. Photo: Wam

UAE's Gargash says nation presents 'regional model to be emulated'

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid hails winners of Government Excellence Award

International collaboration puts treasured art in Louvre Abu Dhabi spotlight

International collaboration puts treasured art in Louvre Abu Dhabi spotlight

Opec cuts 2024 oil demand forecast amid weaker quarterly data

Attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans motivated by Gaza war and not anti-Semitic, prosecutors say

Dubai authorities urge residents to report inflated health insurance policy prices

UK police investigating death of Dubai chef Mussie Imnetu seek two possible witnesses

Business

Culture

Mubadala, which invests on behalf of the Abu Dhabi government, is expanding its portfolio in various sectors. Bloomberg

Mubadala and Carlyle's AlpInvest launch global financing partnership

Binance and Circle partner on USDC stablecoin to incorporate in products

UAE and China bilateral trade rises 7% in first nine months of 2024

Culture

The Sand Castle review: A frustrating but beautiful family drama

The arts agency aiming to discover new talent in UAE and Gulf

Perfumed With Mint by Muhammed Hamdy has been nominated for the Golden Star at the Marrakech International Film Festival. Photo: Reason8

Perfumed with Mint is a surrealist tale of disillusionment in Egypt

Beyond the Headlines

Beyond the Headlines

Delve deeper into the biggest stories from the Middle East and around the world

Culture Bites

Culture Bites

Your guide to the arts and culture scene in the UAE

Business Extra

Business Extra

The stories, companies, trends, tech, Innovation and leaders shaping your world

Trending Middle East

Trending Middle East

What’s trending today? We bring you the latest social media trends from the Middle East and around the world

Pictures of the Day

Tractors line up near Westminster during an RIP British Farming protest in London against changes to inheritance tax regulations announced in the government's recent budget. Getty Images

Firefighters climb a ridge on a burning mountainside during the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, on December 10, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate one of the most sought-after areas in the US. AFP

Supporters of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro mark the 165th anniversary of the Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas on December 10. AFP

Members of the Colombian Ballet Company rehearse the Nutcracker in Cali, Colombia. The company offers academic and artistic opportunities to underprivileged children who want to become professional dancers. AFP

Cars set on fire by armed gangs litter the Poste Marchand neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on December 10. AP

A demonstrator wears a gas mask to protest against air pollution and demand immediate action from the government in Skopje, the North Macedonian capital, on December 10. AFP

Pilgrims walk toward the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico, on Tuesday, December 10. The annual pilgrimage expects to draw more than 12 million visitors on the Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated on December 12. EPA

A man plays cricket against a background of grey skies in Kolkata, India, on December 11. The state of Bengal is to implement Graded Response Action Plan in six cities, including Kolkata, to battle the effect of air pollution. EPA

Traffic at Umayyad Square in Damascus, Syria, on December 10. AFP

Tractors line up near Westminster during an RIP British Farming protest in London against changes to inheritance tax regulations announced in the government's recent budget. Getty Images

Firefighters climb a ridge on a burning mountainside during the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, on December 10, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate one of the most sought-after areas in the US. AFP

Supporters of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro mark the 165th anniversary of the Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas on December 10. AFP

Members of the Colombian Ballet Company rehearse the Nutcracker in Cali, Colombia. The company offers academic and artistic opportunities to underprivileged children who want to become professional dancers. AFP

Cars set on fire by armed gangs litter the Poste Marchand neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on December 10. AP

A demonstrator wears a gas mask to protest against air pollution and demand immediate action from the government in Skopje, the North Macedonian capital, on December 10. AFP

Pilgrims walk toward the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico, on Tuesday, December 10. The annual pilgrimage expects to draw more than 12 million visitors on the Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated on December 12. EPA

A man plays cricket against a background of grey skies in Kolkata, India, on December 11. The state of Bengal is to implement Graded Response Action Plan in six cities, including Kolkata, to battle the effect of air pollution. EPA

Traffic at Umayyad Square in Damascus, Syria, on December 10. AFP

Tractors line up near Westminster during an RIP British Farming protest in London against changes to inheritance tax regulations announced in the government's recent budget. Getty Images

Latest

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Blinken draws bipartisan anger at final congressional hearing

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Meta responds amid Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Threads connection issues

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Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Threads down: Meta responds to social platform issues

My Own Home: Couple buy the Dh6 million four-bedroom Al Furjan villa they’ve been renting for six years

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UAE to introduce 15% tax on large multinational companies

Syrians search for loved ones in Sednaya prison

Syrians search for loved ones in Sednaya prison

Syrians across Europe celebrate Assad's fall

Syrians across Europe celebrate Assad's fall

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