Top US politicians on Monday urged all nations to shun Syrian President Bashar Al Assad ahead of a new law to imposes sanctions over atrocities.
The Caesar Act, which takes effect next week, penalises any companies worldwide that deal with Mr Al Assad and blocks any US reconstruction aid until perpetrators of abuses in Syria's civil war are brought to justice.
The top Democrats and Republicans in charge of foreign affairs in the Senate and House of Representatives said the law sent a message that "Assad remains a pariah."
"He will never regain standing as a legitimate leader," said the statement from representatives Eliot Engel and Mike McCaul, and senators Jim Risch and Bob Menendez.
"We strongly urge all members of the international community against commercial or diplomatic engagement with the murderous Assad regime or engaging in sanctionable behaviour."
The law is named after Caesar, a former Syrian military photographer who fled at great personal risk in 2014 with 55,000 images of brutality in Mr Al Assad's jails.
Caesar, disguised, first testified before Congress in 2014 but the law did not pass until late last year as part of a giant defence spending bill.
The impending law already sent the Syrian pound tumbling to record lows against the dollar this weekend.
The Syrian government last week condemned the law, saying that the US will "bear the main responsibility for the suffering of the Syrian people."
Mr Al Assad crushed protests that erupted in 2011, with the country descending into a war that has killed more than 380,000 people, displaced millions and saw the rise of ISIS extremists.
With Russian support, Mr Al Assad has largely retaken the country, but policymakers in the West are adamant never to formally recognise him, even if he stays in power.
Amnesty International said in 2017 that as many as 13,000 people were hanged in one military-run prison near Damascus, with the US saying authorities built a crematorium to cover up evidence.
Two Syrians went on trial in April in Germany in the first case worldwide over state-sponsored torture by the Assad regime. The trial is continuing.
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- New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
- William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
- Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
- Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
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335 million people positively impacted by projects
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
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