Three-year-old Alexandra Naggear was one of the youngest victims of the enormous blast that ripped through Beirut’s port and nearby neighbourhoods in August 2020. Two-hundred and fourteen others were killed, and 7,000 people were injured. Tens of thousands of lives were effected as homes and businesses were destroyed. The explosion, from a stockpile of irresponsibly stored ammonium nitrate that caught fire, was, in fact, the largest non-nuclear explosion in history.
The past three years in Lebanon have seen a harrowing quest for justice for the survivors and families of victims, among them Alexandra's parents. Others who sought some sort of redress in court include Paul and Tracy Naggear, Elie Malahi, the father of Ralf Malahi, one of 10 firefighters who died in the blast, and Inaam Al Kayal, who lost sight in one eye and partial sight in the other, with her face permanently scarred.
Justice had altogether eluded the families until a favourable ruling in February, though it was not in Lebanon, but rather London. The UK High Court of Justice ruled against Savaro Ltd, a company registered in the UK, that had imported the 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate to Beirut. Back in Lebanon, however, as a result of blocked investigations, stalled judicial probes, and a shameful dodging of culpability, no senior official has yet been held accountable.
In what can then perhaps only be seen as a bitter victory for the families, Savaro Ltd has been found liable for the Beirut explosion and the British court has ordered it to pay $1 million as compensation to families of the victims.
Whether Savaro – which is seemingly a mere shell corporation, as The National has reported – actually pays this unexceptional sum in damages is a separate question, however, and one that could herald another long ordeal for survivors and families.
Accountability for the port blast risks becoming just one among several issues that Lebanon’s ailing government clearly needs to address. The country’s older crises have not been resolved and it is already steeped in newer ones – not least of all, a seven-month long presidential vacuum, which may have finally narrowed. A parliamentary session today is expected to select a president, although indicators show that it may not be conclusive.
Before the port explosion, Lebanon had already been a nation rapidly declining. Shortages of food and fuel caused public anger to spill out on the streets in October 2019, as people blamed the political elite for bringing ruin on to the country. Lebanese were forced to line up for hours at bakeries that were running desperately short of bread.
With a currency in free fall, much of the population has been plunged into poverty. Clean water, electricity and medicines are hard to come by and people's life savings are trapped in the banks amid informal capital controls.
The extent of Lebanon's unresolved economic and political dysfunction has only added to the woes of survivors and families of the blast victims. Besides living with their grief and trauma, they have had to encounter the country's systemic problems, and the failings of many senior officials. The blast was regarded as a symptom of decades of corruption and mismanagement by Lebanon’s ruling elite. It should not take further decades before those who've lost so much are finally delivered justice – not in foreign courts, but in Lebanon.
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UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
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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
RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Najem Al Rwasi, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Fandim, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Harbh, Pat Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
4pm: Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
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8.50pm: Calandogan
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5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
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7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
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How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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BMW M5 specs
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
