DAMASCUS // Efforts by the Syrian authorities to quell an uprising in Deraa led to the sacking of the provincial governor yesterday, a step that meets one of the protesters' demands.
Despite that, unprecedented demonstrations continued, amid signs of public dissent spreading.
No announcement on the sacking was made, but anonymous Syrian officials were quoted by news outlets as confirming that Faisal Kalthoum was stripped yesterday of his governorship of Deraa, 100km south of Damascus.
There were also unconfirmed reports that senior local security officials, reviled by the city's residents, had been reassigned. A Baath party member from Deraa told The National that local heads of security had been "suspended".
The governor's apparent removal is the authorities' second concession to protesters since the uprising in Deraa began on Friday.
Fifteen schoolchildren who were arrested earlier this month for writing protest slogans on a wall were released on Sunday, meeting another of the protesters' demands.
A heavy police presence remained in Deraa yesterday, according to civil society activists, while hundreds of demonstrators gathered once again in the streets, chanting slogans calling for freedom.
"The situation is still tense, but there has been no new violence or problems," one activist said.
SANA, the state run news agency, reported that "normal life prevailed" across the governorate, with shops and government offices once again open for business. Deraa is the provincial capital.
In an outbreak of unprecedented public rebellion, thousands of demonstrators have clashed with security forces in the city since Friday. At the height of the unrest, riot police armed with assault rifles used tear gas and live ammunition against the crowds.
Six civilians were killed, including one 11 year-old boy.
The UN human rights office yesterday urged Syria to carry out an "independent, transparent and effective" investigation into the deaths. The Syrian government has launched an inquiry into the killings, promising those responsible would be held to account.
Those shootings stoked protesters anger and, on Sunday night, crowds in Deraa set fire to the courthouse, the ruling Baath party headquarters, and two branch offices of Syria's mobile phone operators - seen as symbols of corruption, nepotism and inequality.
Among a list of demands, the protesters called for the governor, in place since 2006, to be sacked and for the secret police apparatus to be dismantled, accusing them of heavy-handedness and graft.
While some of the demands have now been met, major points that go beyond local concern and involve controversial national issues, remain unresolved and continue to fuel protests elsewhere.
On Monday, some 200 people staged a demonstration in Hajar Aswad, a poor neighbourhood of Damascus, 6km from the city centre. Most residents are refugees from the Golan Heights, displaced by wars with Israel and unable to return to their homes.
"There was a large crowd, most of the protesters were displaced people from the Golan but there were also some new faces," a resident told The National, on condition of anonymity. "They marched and shouted in support of the protests in Deraa, they also shouted 'God, Syria, Freedom'."
That chant has been echoed in smaller protests across the country since first being heard at a brief demonstration in Damascus Old City, on 15 March.
According to the Hajar Aswad resident, riot police dispersed the marchers, arresting between 10 and 15 people.
Protests were also reported in Madaya, Saida Zeynab and Dumma, suburbs of the Syrian capital. Al Watan, a privately owned Syrian newspaper with close links to the government, referred to "small demonstrations" in those areas.
Protesters in Deraa and elsewhere have called for all political prisoners to be released and repressive emergency laws scrapped.
Syria has been ruled under martial law for 48 years, giving the authorities and security forces sweeping powers of arrest and detention, justified on the grounds that the country is at war with Israel.
Critics say the emergency laws are simply used for jailing the government's political opponents.
There are believed to be between 3,000 and 4,000 political prisoners in Syria, some of whom are on hunger strike. Ten women detained at a demonstration outside the interior ministry in Damascus last Wednesday are refusing food. One, Hervene Oce, a Kurdish activist, is also refusing water, and her health has "seriously deteriorated", according to Abdul Karim Rehawi, head of the Syrian League for Human Rights.
The unrest marks the most serious challenge to the leadership of Bashar al Assad, the Syrian president, since he inherited power from his father 11 years ago.
psands@thenational.ae
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Alnawar, Connor Beasley (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Raniah, Noel Garbutt, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Saarookh, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Rated Conditions Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: RB Torch, Tadhg O’Shea, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: MH Wari, Antonio Fresu, Elise Jeane
7.30pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m
Winner: Mailshot, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30:
- UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
- Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
- Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
Fast%20X
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Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The%20specs
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Lewis Hamilton in 2018
Australia 2nd; Bahrain 3rd; China 4th; Azerbaijan 1st; Spain 1st; Monaco 3rd; Canada 5th; France 1st; Austria DNF; Britain 2nd; Germany 1st; Hungary 1st; Belgium 2nd; Italy 1st; Singapore 1st; Russia 1st; Japan 1st; United States 3rd; Mexico 4th
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Company%C2%A0profile
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What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
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)
