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At least nine people were killed as Israel carried out shelling and air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and Lebanon's south on Sunday, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned he would exact a “heavy price” for a drone attack on his home.
Two people were killed in an attack on a house in the southern town of Burj Rahhal, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported, with another two people killed in a strike on Deir Qanoun Ras Al Ain, near Tyre. A further five people died in the nearby towns of Srifa and Kafr Dunin.
Strikes and shelling were reported across the south and on Beirut's southern suburbs, where several attacks took place near a hospital and mosque in the Haret Hreik neighbourhood. The Israeli army issued a displacement order for Haret Hreik residents at about 4am local time, ordering people in the area and the Al Hadath neighbourhood to leave “immediately”. The military claimed it had targeted a Hezbollah intelligence headquarters and underground weapons store.
Israeli attacks have now killed 2,448 people and wounded 11,471 across Lebanon since cross-border fighting began in October last year, caused by the war in Gaza. Most have been killed since Israel launched an all-out war on Lebanon last month and a ground invasion on October 1.
Thirty people were killed in 82 different attacks across Lebanon on Saturday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Sunday morning. The latest assault comes a day after a drone was launched at Mr Netanyahu's private home in the coastal town of Caesarea, in what he later described as a Hezbollah assassination plot. Mr Netanyahu and his family were not home at the time.
“The attempt by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake,” Mr Netanyahu wrote on X. “I say to Iran and its proxies in its axis of evil: Anyone who tries to harm Israel’s citizens will pay a heavy price.”
While the militant group has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, Iran's mission to the UN denied Tehran was behind it and said it was carried out by Hezbollah.
The drone was one of three launched from Lebanon. Two were intercepted but the other made it through Israel’s sophisticated air defence systems without activating alarms. The house, in the affluent town of Caesarea, sustained superficial damage, according to media reports. Israel’s military censor initially placed reporting restrictions on the incident and some details remained unclear.
Officials blamed Iran for the strike and said the attack constituted a significant escalation. Gideon Sa’ar, a member of Mr Netanyahu's security cabinet, also pointed the finger at Lebanon. “The fact these attacks were carried out by an Iranian proxy – Hezbollah – does not absolve Lebanon of responsibility,” he said.
Members of Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party accused political opponents of not condemning the strike. “More than 24 hours have passed since the Iranian assassination attempt on the Prime Minister of Israel, and the heads of the opposition, Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, have not published a single word of condemnation against our enemies,” a spokesman for the party said. Mr Gantz said the criticism was “petty politics”.
The drone attack came a week after four soldiers were killed and 58 wounded in another Hezbollah drone strike on a military base in northern Israel.
Sirens sounded across northern Israel on Sunday morning, including in the northern city of Haifa, which has previously been targeted by Hezbollah rocket fire. One rocket was intercepted from Lebanon, the Israeli army said, with two more landing in an open area shortly afterwards.
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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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Norway: King (90 4')
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Neighbourhood Watch
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
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- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
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Key facilities
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- 600-seat auditorium
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Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
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4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
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The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
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Tomorrow 2021
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Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
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Palestine and Israel
Michael Young: Israel's 'iron wall' is sealing the country off from peace
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Results
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Mudaarab, Jim Crowley (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Hassan Al Hammadi.
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Salima Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Bainoona, Ricardo Iacopini, Eric Lemartinel.
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
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8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1 Dh5,000,000 1,600m
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The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams