Live updates: Follow the latest on Syria
Iran and its alliance in the Middle East has not been weakened despite the toppling of its ally Bashar Al Assad in Syria, the country's supreme leader Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday,
Mr Khamenei said that the US and Israel were behind Mr Al Assad's deposing in Syria, which has struck a blow to Iran's influence in the area, especially after its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah, reached a ceasefire deal with Israel last month.
“The more pressure you exert, the stronger the resistance becomes. The more crimes you commit, the more determined it becomes. The more you fight against it, the more it expands,” Mr Khamenei said in a speech reported by Iranian state media.
“Iran is strong and powerful – and will become even stronger.”
The fall of Mr Al Assad, a staunch Iranian ally, is widely seen as a significant blow for Tehran and its so-called Axis of Resistance, an informal alliance stringing together Syria and militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, that opposes Israel and US influence in the Middle East.
Iran spent billions of dollars supporting Mr Al Assad during the civil war and sent its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to Syria to keep its ally in power. Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters also played a major role in helping the deposed Syrian dictator crush rebel forces during the civil war.
But as soon as the rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, took over Damascus and announced the fall of the regime on Sunday, the Iranian embassy in Damascus was vandalised.
Meanwhile, Nato member Turkey, which is fighting the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, has been a major backer of opposition groups aiming to overthrow Assad since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011.
Soon after the fall of Mr Al Assad, Iran hinted that it was willing to establish normal relations with Syria’s new government based on a “far-sighted and wise approach.” The Iranian leadership has also called on the rebel forces to establish an inclusive government representing all segments of Syrian society.
In his speech, Mr Khamenei said the swift offensive which led to Mr Al Assad fleeing Syria was “mainly planned in the command rooms of America and Israel. We have evidence of this”.
He said one of Syria’s neighbouring governments, which has supported and armed anti-Assad regime rebels, was involved, in an apparent reference to Turkey.
“The neighbour had a “clear role and continues to do so,” he said.
Neighbourhood Watch
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
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The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Towering concerns
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
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Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
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Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
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BABYLON
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
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Plastic tipping point
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
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- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
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The biog
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While you're here
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
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The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
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Tomorrow 2021
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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