Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus. AP
Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus. AP
Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus. AP
Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus. AP

15 Syrian security members injured in blast


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Fifteen members of Syrian internal security forces were injured after an explosive device detonated aboard a bus they were traveling in on the Damascus-Daraa highway, state news reported on Monday.

The Interior Ministry said the personnel were "on duty in Daraa and returning to Damascus" when "terrorists" targeted the bus they were on near the Kherbet Ghazaleh bridge.

"This led to injuries of varying degrees, including seven who are seriously wounded," the ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency Sana.

No group has been blamed for the attack.

Last month, at least 10 people were killed in an attack on three vehicles transporting oil field workers in Deir Ezzor province.

The government blamed "the US occupation and its elements and terrorist groups" without going into further detail.

Syria has also blamed Israel for targeting its airport in Damascus, while Israel has confirmed hitting Iranian targets in the country.

Over the weekend, a drone attack on a convoy entering Syria from Iran was struck, killing seven people. No group has claimed responsibilty.

Now in its 12th year of war, Syrians have fled their country pouring into nearby states like Turkey and Jordan.

Turkey has a population of around four million refugees and has stood adamantly against the Syrian president's regime. However, rapprochement between Bashar Al Assad and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is being seen after high-level meetings took place between the two countries, under Russian mediation.

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1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

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Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group H

Manchester United v Young Boys, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
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Director: S Shankar

Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films

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Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Rainbow

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(Kemosabe)

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How to improve Arabic reading in early years

One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient

The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers

Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades

Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic

First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations

Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades

Improve the appearance of textbooks

Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings

Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught

Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar

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How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

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Business Insights
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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Updated: January 30, 2023, 6:02 PM`