A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
Smoke billows from an area of a large explosion that rocked the harbour area of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
Smoke billows from an area of a large explosion that rocked the harbour area of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The scene of the explosion that rocked Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion that rocked Beirut. AFP
The harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of the explosion, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
The harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of the explosion, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
People gather near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
People gather near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the blast in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the blast in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
A wounded man is checked by a fireman near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
A wounded man is checked by a fireman near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
A resident stands in the street by a destroyed car, following the explosion near by at the port of Beirut. Bloomberg
A resident stands in the street by a destroyed car, following the explosion near by at the port of Beirut. Bloomberg
Lebanese Red Cross officers carry an injured woman following an explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
Lebanese Red Cross officers carry an injured woman following an explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP
Smoke rises after the explosion was heard in Beirut. Reuters
Smoke rises after the explosion was heard in Beirut. Reuters
Firefighters spray water at a blaze after the explosion in Beirut. Reuters
Firefighters spray water at a blaze after the explosion in Beirut. Reuters
People walk at scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
People walk at scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP
The blast at Beirut port. Twitter/ @borzou
The blast at Beirut port. Twitter/ @borzou
Army personnel around entrance to port.
Army personnel around entrance to port.
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National
Sailors leave their damaged ship near the explosion in Beirut. AP Photo
Sailors leave their damaged ship near the explosion in Beirut. AP Photo
A vehicle stands damaged on a road following a large explosion at the port area of Beirut. Bloomberg
A vehicle stands damaged on a road following a large explosion at the port area of Beirut. Bloomberg
Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut. EPA
Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut. EPA
People and journalists gather at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
People and journalists gather at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre on August 5, 2020. Reuters
An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre on August 5, 2020. Reuters
Men stand before wrecked buildings near the port. Getty Images
Men stand before wrecked buildings near the port. Getty Images
A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images
A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images
Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre. Reuters
Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre. Reuters
Injured people stand after the explosion. AP Photo
Injured people stand after the explosion. AP Photo
People gather by cars destroyed following an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
People gather by cars destroyed following an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP
Wounded people wait to receive treatment outside a hospital following an explosion near the Beirut port. AFP
Wounded people wait to receive treatment outside a hospital following an explosion near the Beirut port. AFP

French expert: Dangerous chemicals remain in Beirut port

Chemical experts and firefighters are working to secure at least 20 potentially dangerous chemical containers at the explosion-shattered port of Beirut

Associated Press

August 11, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Chemical experts and firefighters are working to secure at least 20 potentially dangerous chemical containers at the explosion-shattered port of Beirut, after finding one that was leaking, according to a member of a French cleanup team.

Some of the containers were punctured when last week’s deadly blast ripped through the port and the Lebanese capital, said Lt Anthony, a French chemical expert at the site who was not authorised to be identified by his full name.

French and Italian chemical experts working amid the remains of the port have so far identified more than 20 containers carrying dangerous chemicals, Lt Anthony said.

“We noted the presence of containers with the chemical danger symbol. And then noted that one of the containers was leaking,” he told the Associated Press in a TV interview on Monday.

The experts are working with Lebanese firefighters to secure all of the containers and analyse their contents, he said. “We need to clean everything and put all in security.”

He didn’t identify what chemicals were involved or provide further details. Lebanese officials have not commented on the potential chemical risks at the port.

“There are also other flammable liquids in other containers, there are also batteries, or other kinds of products which could increase the risk of potential explosion,” Lt Anthony said, describing huge containers tossed around the port by the powerful force of the blast.

Read More

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It is unclear whether there could be additional potentially dangerous containers in other zones of the port. The French and Italian experts were assigned to a specific zone to examine and secure that section, Lt Anthony said.

The explosion last Tuesday in the port killed at least 160 people and injured about 6,000 others. It is believed to have been caused by a fire that ignited a 2,750-tonne stockpile of highly volatile ammonium nitrate. The material had been stored at the port since 2013 with few safeguards despite numerous warnings of the danger.

The chemical experts are among scores of French emergency workers who arrived to help search for bodies, aid the sick and clean up after the blast. Nearly 50 French police are also in Beirut helping investigate what happened.

On Women's Day
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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

On Women's Day
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet

A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

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While you're here
While you're here
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

Takreem Awards winners 2021

Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)

Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)

Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)

Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)

Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)

Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)

Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.