Lebanese protesters gather next to burning trash bins amid overnight confrontations with army soldiers in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli. AFP
Lebanese protesters gather next to burning trash bins amid overnight confrontations with army soldiers in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli. AFP
Lebanese protesters gather next to burning trash bins amid overnight confrontations with army soldiers in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli. AFP
Lebanese protesters gather next to burning trash bins amid overnight confrontations with army soldiers in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli. AFP

World

From riots to Qaddafi: the non-coronavirus news you may have missed

Many were killed in an explosion in north-eastern Syria and the son of Middle East immigrants may run for US president

The National

April 30, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

At least 40 killed in Afrin bomb

A tanker bombing in a market in northern Syria killed at least 46 people including Turkish-backed rebel fighters on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The blast in Afrin, a city controlled by Ankara's proxies, came as people went shopping in preparation to break the Ramadan fast, according to the US State Department, which condemned the attack as a "cowardly act of evil".

Lebanon’s protesters say they're ready for a fight

Violence between protesters and security forces in Lebanon erupted again on Tuesday evening following the death of 26-year old mechanic Fawaz Fouad Al Samman during clashes with the army in the northern city of Tripoli on Monday.

Attacks on banks started on Saturday evening in Saida and Tyre and turned into a riot in Tripoli on Monday before clashes with security forces spread across the country.

Facebook takes down Saif Qaddafi pages

Facebook has removed 18 community pages that violated its terms by spreading co-ordinated inauthentic posts to create the impression that a large number of Libyans yearned for the return of the Qaddafi family, Stanford University researchers claim.

The accounts were removed for violating the platform's terms of service by amplifying their message through the use of inauthentic accounts.

Volunteers wear masks as they pack meals to be distributed for Iftar during the month of Ramadan at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The Islamic center had to handout meals to people as they drove by to help keep crowds down and keep volunteers safe because of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
Volunteers wear masks as they pack meals to be distributed for Iftar during the month of Ramadan at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The Islamic center had to handout meals to people as they drove by to help keep crowds down and keep volunteers safe because of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
Halal food boxes are distributed to those in need during Ramadan in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Food banks around the nation have witnessed a surge in clients as millions of Americans have either lost jobs or seen a decline in income due to the continued closure of businesses and economic life because of the coronavirus pandemic. Getty
Halal food boxes are distributed to those in need during Ramadan in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Food banks around the nation have witnessed a surge in clients as millions of Americans have either lost jobs or seen a decline in income due to the continued closure of businesses and economic life because of the coronavirus pandemic. Getty
Volunteers and security guards wear masks as they distribute meals for Iftar during the month of Ramadan at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The Islamic center had to handout meals to people as they drove by to help keep crowds down and keep volunteers safe because of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
Volunteers and security guards wear masks as they distribute meals for Iftar during the month of Ramadan at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The Islamic center had to handout meals to people as they drove by to help keep crowds down and keep volunteers safe because of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
Yusuf Kamel, 2, pulls on his traditional kufi hat as his mother, Nadia Chaouch, reads to him as they wait to break the Ramadan daily fast with an iftar meal just after sunset in their home during the coronavirus outbreak in Seattle. The family, as with most Muslims during the ongoing pandemic, are celebrating the Ramadan month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayer and reflection from their home, rather than in community gatherings and mosques. AP
Yusuf Kamel, 2, pulls on his traditional kufi hat as his mother, Nadia Chaouch, reads to him as they wait to break the Ramadan daily fast with an iftar meal just after sunset in their home during the coronavirus outbreak in Seattle. The family, as with most Muslims during the ongoing pandemic, are celebrating the Ramadan month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayer and reflection from their home, rather than in community gatherings and mosques. AP
A man buys food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid a lockdown of the Punjab province due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, in Lahore, Pakistan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
A man buys food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid a lockdown of the Punjab province due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, in Lahore, Pakistan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
Muslims gather at a street to buy food for breaking fast during their holy month of Ramadan near the Jama Masjid mosque under a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the old quarter of New Delhi. AFP
Muslims gather at a street to buy food for breaking fast during their holy month of Ramadan near the Jama Masjid mosque under a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the old quarter of New Delhi. AFP
In this Tuesday, April 28, 2020, photo made through glass window, Muslim women attend a Ramadan evening prayer at a mosque in Lhokseumawe, in Indonesia’s Aceh province. Muslim leaders in the province that practices Shariah law are allowing mass prayers in mosques if certain health protocols are in place. AP
In this Tuesday, April 28, 2020, photo made through glass window, Muslim women attend a Ramadan evening prayer at a mosque in Lhokseumawe, in Indonesia’s Aceh province. Muslim leaders in the province that practices Shariah law are allowing mass prayers in mosques if certain health protocols are in place. AP
A migrant worker prays during the holy month of Ramadan inside his dormitory, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore. REUTERS
A migrant worker prays during the holy month of Ramadan inside his dormitory, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore. REUTERS
An online Ramadan bazaar trader wraps "Popiah" spring rolls at his home, during the movement control order due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia. REUTERS
An online Ramadan bazaar trader wraps "Popiah" spring rolls at his home, during the movement control order due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia. REUTERS
A Thai Muslim family pray after breaking fast at the living room of their house as a food-delivery man rides past in Bangkok, Thailand. Most places of worship, including mosques remain closed to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus as Muslims across the world began marking the holy month of Ramadan under unprecedented coronavirus lockdowns. AP Photo
A Thai Muslim family pray after breaking fast at the living room of their house as a food-delivery man rides past in Bangkok, Thailand. Most places of worship, including mosques remain closed to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus as Muslims across the world began marking the holy month of Ramadan under unprecedented coronavirus lockdowns. AP Photo
A notice advices the Lakemba mosque closer due to coronavirus hang on a fence on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Sydney. Authorities have continued lockdown that prevent group gatherings and prayers in mosques despite their success in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. AFP
A notice advices the Lakemba mosque closer due to coronavirus hang on a fence on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Sydney. Authorities have continued lockdown that prevent group gatherings and prayers in mosques despite their success in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. AFP
An Algerian man wearing an Algerian national soccer team yersey walks next to an Arabic butcher shop in Arabic markets in Porte de Montreuil area in Paris, France. The majority of the residents around Porte de Montreuil area in Paris are Arab Muslims from North Africa. Adherents of Islam across France were unable to take part in the habitual collective prayers this year, as mosques have closed down due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and engaging in sexual acts between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in the Koran occurred during its last 10 nights. EPA
An Algerian man wearing an Algerian national soccer team yersey walks next to an Arabic butcher shop in Arabic markets in Porte de Montreuil area in Paris, France. The majority of the residents around Porte de Montreuil area in Paris are Arab Muslims from North Africa. Adherents of Islam across France were unable to take part in the habitual collective prayers this year, as mosques have closed down due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and engaging in sexual acts between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in the Koran occurred during its last 10 nights. EPA

Iraq needs independent government, says senior US diplomat

The US is urging the formation of "a credible government" in Iraq, a senior US diplomat said on Wednesday, as pro-Iranian players threaten to oust a prime minister-designate close to Washington.

Assistant State Department Secretary David Schenker told Al Arabiya Television that the next government in Baghdad should observe “the interest of Iraq as far as bilateral issues and respond to the demands and needs of the Iraqi people.”

Son of Middle Eastern migrants explores run for US President

Independent Congressman Justin Amash is exploring a third-party run for president in 2020 if the Libertarian party nominates him for its candidacy at the end of next month.

The congressman for a Michigan district is the son of immigrants. His father, Atallah, immigrated to US as a Christian Palestinian refugee, while his mother, Mimi, hails from Syria.

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

While you're here

From Conquest to Deportation

Jeronim Perovic, Hurst

Avatar%3A%20The%20Way%20of%20Water
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
While you're here
The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

UPI facts

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

Sunday:
GP3 race: 12:10pm
Formula 2 race: 1:35pm
Formula 1 race: 5:10pm
Performance: Guns N' Roses

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees

Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme

Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks

Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Company profile

Name: Infinite8

Based: Dubai

Launch year: 2017

Number of employees: 90

Sector: Online gaming industry

Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor

The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet

Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

World