Live updates: Follow the latest on the Syrian rebel advance
President Joe Biden on Sunday said the collapse of the Assad regime was a “fundamental act of justice” and that the US will work with all in the country, including the US-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, as Syria's next chapter is written.
In his first comments since rebels seized Damascus and president Bashar Al Assad fled to Moscow, Mr Biden described a moment of “considerable risk and uncertainty” for Syria. “But I also believe it’s the best opportunity in generations for Syrians to forge their own future,” he said from the White House.
The US has about 900 troops in Syria, most of them in the north-east, where they have been based for nearly a decade to help Kurdish forces fight ISIS. Mr Biden said he is “clear-eyed” that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to re-establish itself or create a safe haven.
“We will not let that happen,” he said, noting that US forces on Sunday had conducted dozens of air strikes in Syria on ISIS camps and operatives. The operation struck more than 75 targets using US Air Force planes including B-52s, F-15s and A-10s, US Central Command said.
The US “will support Syria's neighbours, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel, should any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition,” Mr Biden said. He said he will speak to regional leaders in the coming days.
A senior US administration official on Sunday said Washington is in contact with all Syrian groups, including Hayat Tahrir, which the UN has also designated as a terrorist group.
“It’s safe to say there’s contact with all Syrian groups as we work to do whatever we can to support the Syrians through the transition,” the official told reporters.
Hayat Tahrir leaders are "saying the right things so far, doing the right thing … we will intend to engage with them appropriately and with US interests in mind," the official added.
The group's leader, Abu Mohammed Al Jawlani – who has dropped his nom de guerre for his original name, Ahmad Al Shara – has sought to project a moderate stance and distance himself from his extremist past that includes fighting for an Al Qaeda affiliate.
The Biden administration, which ends with president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, had until now maintained a cautious stance on its Syria messaging as Hayat Tahrir swept across Syria.
Mr Biden said the US would engage with "all Syrian groups … to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward an independent … and sovereign Syria with a new constitution, and a new government that serves all Syrians".
ISIS threat
He said Mr Al Assad's fall from power was a direct result of Israel's attacks on Hezbollah and Iranian interests, and Ukraine's fight against Russia, both of which have been pressed with the “unflagging support of the United States”.
Mr Trump at the weekend gave early indications about his Syria policy, reflecting his “America First” stance.
He said on Truth Social on Saturday that the US should stay out of Syria’s conflict, and should have “nothing to do with” what comes next. He tried to withdraw US troops from Syria during his first term but military officials convinced him to let them stay, as they were crucial in preventing a resurgence of ISIS.
Frank McKenzie, a retired general and the former head of Centcom, said Mr Trump would have to take a "good, hard look" at his Syria policy when he takes office.
"Our interest in Syria is probably preventing violent extremist groups from being able to plan and execute attacks against our homeland and the homeland of our friends and partners abroad," Mr McKenzie told ABC.
Colin Clarke, a Syria expert and senior research fellow at The Soufan Centre, warned of the risks Syria faces as external and internal interests vie for influence.
Mr Al Shara is saying the "right thing" by promising not to allow Syria to be turned into a launch pad for terrorist groups.
But "are they going to be able to exercise a monopoly on the use of force over the entire country? I doubt it," Mr Clarke told The National. "There's other groups operating on Syrian soil. I would just urge caution that we're not really out of the woods here."
He said that Mr Biden's influence in the region is perceived as weak, so all eyes are on Mr Trump's administration, particularly in terms of negotiations with Turkey. Ankara wants the US out of north-east Syria and to stop backing the Kurds there.
Congressman French Hill, the Republican co-chair of the Syria Caucus, said: “Since the start of the war, we have only heard the demands of 'Assad or we burn the country'. Today, the country finally may have stopped burning.”
Mr Hill said that moving forward, Washington will “need to work with our regional partners to pursue the merits of UN Security Council Resolution 2254," which calls for a free and democratic Syria.
Gerry Connelly, a senior Democratic congressman, warned on Sunday that “revolutions often end with disappointment and suppression".
“There is a window to build a democratic Syria. But it is fragile,” he added.
Mouaz Moustafa, the executive director of the Washington-based Syrian Emergency Task Force who has lobbied forcefully for Syrian democracy, told The National he “doesn’t have the words to describe how he feels".
“The Syrians have their country back and the Syrians can finally build a democracy. True hope now is blooming in Syria.”
Mike McCaul, Republican chairman of the House foreign affairs committee, said: "There must be accountability for the egregious crimes committed by the Assad regime, Russia, Iran and Hezbollah against the Syrian people."
Austin Tice
Mr Biden also said the US believes journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing since his 2012 abduction in Syria, is thought to still be alive.
“We believe he is alive. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct arrangements to that yet,” he said. Earlier, Tice’s mother expressed optimism her son would be coming home, telling journalists he would need lots of “care and attention” when he is freed.
The US is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading directly to Tice's safe location and return.
At the UN, Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for international support to ensure that any political transition in Syria is “inclusive and comprehensive”.
"After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future,” Mr Guterres said in a statement. “Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity must be restored.
Ellie Sennett and Adla Massoud contributed to this report from Washington and New York
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Company%20profile
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Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Match on Bein Sports
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
FINAL LEADERBOARD
1. Jordan Spieth (USA) 65 69 65 69 - 12-under-par
2. Matt Kuchar (USA) 65 71 66 69 - 9-under
3. Li Haotong (CHN) 69 73 69 63 - 6-under
T4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71 68 69 67 - 5-under
T4. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 67 73 67 68 - 5-under
T6. Marc Leishman (AUS) 69 76 66 65 - 4-under
T6. Matthew Southgate (ENG) 72 72 67 65 - 4-under
T6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 65 72 68 71 - 4-under
T6. Branden Grace (RSA) 70 74 62 70 - 4-under
T6. Alexander Noren (SWE) 68 72 69 67 - 4-under
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
SCHEDULE
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm:Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
Amith's predicted winners:
6.30pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.05pm: Etisalat
7.40pm: Mulfit
8.15pm: Pennsylvania Dutch
8.50pm: Mudallel
9.25pm: Midnight Sands
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
SPECS
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Uefa Nations League
League A:
Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Croatia, Netherlands
League B:
Austria, Wales, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey
League C:
Hungary, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Montenegro, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania
League D:
Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino, Gibraltar
Playing records of the top 10 in 2017
How many games the top 10 have undertaken in the 2017 ATP season
1. Rafael Nadal 58 (49-9)
2. Andy Murray 35 (25-10)
3. Roger Federer 38 (35-3)
4. Stan Wawrinka 37 (26-11)
5. Novak Djokovic 40 (32-8)
6. Alexander Zverev 60 (46-14)
7. Marin Cilic 43 (29-14)
8. Dominic Thiem 60 (41-19)
9. Grigor Dimitrov 48 (34-14)
10. Kei Nishikori 43 (30-13)
Funk Wav Bounces Vol.1
Calvin Harris
Columbia
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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