US designates three Syrian officials over use of ‘chemical weapons against civilians’

The US State Department has designated three high-ranking Syrian military officials over their alleged involvement in gas attacks in Ghouta in 2013.

In August of that year, the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad launched a series of chemical attacks on the densely populated Damascus suburb, killing at least 1,400 people, the State Department said.

“The United States remembers and honours the victims and survivors of the Ghouta massacre and the victims of the many other chemical attacks that we assess the Assad regime has launched,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The State Department has banned Brig Gen Adnan Abou Hilweh, Maj Gen Ghassan Ahmed Ghannam and Maj Gen Jawdat Saleebi Mawas and their families from entering the US.

The US alleges that the three military officials were involved in the air strikes on Ghouta as well as in “gross violations of human rights, namely the flagrant denial of the right to life of at least 1,400 people in Ghouta”.

A child receives oxygen through a respirator following an alleged poison gas attack in the rebel-held town of Douma, near Damascus, in April 2018. AP

A UN team looking into the August 2013 attack found “clear and convincing evidence” that sarin gas, a highly toxic chemical, was used against civilians.

The Syrian civil war has stretched on for more than a decade. Roughly 13 million Syrians have been displaced and about six million have fled the country.

The UN estimates that more than 306,000 people have been killed during the ongoing conflict.

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)

Engine 5.2-litre V10

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch

Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm

Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)

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Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes

Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.

Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri

Rating: 1/5

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Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills