• Piles of bread for sale in Midan, a district of Damascus renowned for its sweet delicacies. AFP
    Piles of bread for sale in Midan, a district of Damascus renowned for its sweet delicacies. AFP
  • Steep bread and diesel price hikes came into effect in government-held parts of Syria on Sunday, bringing more economic pain to war-weary civilians. AFP
    Steep bread and diesel price hikes came into effect in government-held parts of Syria on Sunday, bringing more economic pain to war-weary civilians. AFP
  • Syrians shop for vegetables at a market in Damascus on Sunday July 11, hours after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad issued a legislative decree granting civil servants and military members a 50 per cent pay rise. The decision comes a day after the government raised the price of fuel by more than 50 per cent for the third time this year. EPA
    Syrians shop for vegetables at a market in Damascus on Sunday July 11, hours after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad issued a legislative decree granting civil servants and military members a 50 per cent pay rise. The decision comes a day after the government raised the price of fuel by more than 50 per cent for the third time this year. EPA
  • Syrians shop for vegetables at a market in Damascus on Sunday July 11, hours after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad issued a legislative decree granting civil servants and military members a 50 per cent pay rise. The decision comes a day after the government raised the price of fuel by more than 50 per cent for the third time this year. EPA
    Syrians shop for vegetables at a market in Damascus on Sunday July 11, hours after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad issued a legislative decree granting civil servants and military members a 50 per cent pay rise. The decision comes a day after the government raised the price of fuel by more than 50 per cent for the third time this year. EPA
  • Syrians shop for vegetables at a market in Damascus on Sunday July 11, hours after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad issued a legislative decree granting civil servants and military members a 50 per cent pay rise. The decision comes a day after the government raised the price of fuel by more than 50 per cent for the third time this year. EPA
    Syrians shop for vegetables at a market in Damascus on Sunday July 11, hours after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad issued a legislative decree granting civil servants and military members a 50 per cent pay rise. The decision comes a day after the government raised the price of fuel by more than 50 per cent for the third time this year. EPA
  • Syrians shop for vegetables at a market in Damascus on Sunday July 11, hours after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad issued a legislative decree granting civil servants and military members a 50 per cent pay rise. The decision comes a day after the government raised the price of fuel by more than 50 per cent for the third time this year. EPA
    Syrians shop for vegetables at a market in Damascus on Sunday July 11, hours after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad issued a legislative decree granting civil servants and military members a 50 per cent pay rise. The decision comes a day after the government raised the price of fuel by more than 50 per cent for the third time this year. EPA
  • Syrians shop for vegetables at a market in Damascus on Sunday July 11, hours after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad issued a legislative decree granting civil servants and military members a 50 per cent pay rise. The decision comes a day after the government raised the price of fuel by more than 50 per cent for the third time this year. EPA
    Syrians shop for vegetables at a market in Damascus on Sunday July 11, hours after Syrian President Bashar Al Assad issued a legislative decree granting civil servants and military members a 50 per cent pay rise. The decision comes a day after the government raised the price of fuel by more than 50 per cent for the third time this year. EPA
  • Syrian President Bashar Al Assad waves at a polling station during the presidential elections in Douma, Syria, on May 26, 2021. President Assad issued a decree on Sunday, July 11, 2021, awarding a 50 per cent pay rise to hundreds of thousands of civil servants and military members. AP
    Syrian President Bashar Al Assad waves at a polling station during the presidential elections in Douma, Syria, on May 26, 2021. President Assad issued a decree on Sunday, July 11, 2021, awarding a 50 per cent pay rise to hundreds of thousands of civil servants and military members. AP

Syrian prime minister blames sanctions for price increases


Nada AlTaher
  • English
  • Arabic

Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous on Wednesday blamed international sanctions for the recent increase in the prices of bread and diesel.

"The economic blockade and unilateral coercive procedures have hindered the arrival of vital needs [to the people]," he said.

Mr Arnous called the Caesar Act illegal and singled out the US for waging an "economic war" on the country, including US-issued sanctions in 2019 known as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act against President Bashar Al Assad and his compatriots.

A series of economic sanctions on Syria have been imposed over the past decade by the European Union, the US, Canada, Australia, Switzerland and members of the Arab League in response to the regime's repression of civilians in the war.

Mr Arnous said that government subsidies would not be completely lifted but might be restructured for the benefit of the country's collapsing economy, without elaborating on the methodology.

“The government subsidises bread daily with five to six billion Syrian pounds (about $2 million), and it will never lift this subsidy but will restructure it to reach the segments that deserve it,” he said.

He said the government's Sunday decision to raise the price of bread by 50 per cent and fuel by 25 per cent was difficult and was made after a long period of study.

“We all know that a package of bread today costs the State 1,200 Syrian pounds ($0.47) and a litre of diesel costs SYP 1,967 ($0.78). Therefore, the package of bread continues to be subsidised by 1,000 pounds ($0.39) and the litre of fuel by about 1,500 Syrian pounds ($0.59)”, he said.

The Syrian Prime minister said that "pre-war oil production was at 365,000 barrels per day.. of which 180,000 were consumed domestically."

"But today, due to the control of criminal gangs and the US occupation of oil fields, the state produces in the areas under its control about 18,000 barrels," he said, which puts an additional financial burden on the Syrian government.

Observers have repeatedly said that those affected most by these measures are Syrian civilians, who fear further price increases in food and medicine.

"Rising fuel and bread prices will only deepen the suffering of everyday Syrians. Syria is already witnessing record levels of food insecurity and these latest price hikes will further exacerbate the crisis," said Mona Yacoubian, Middle East conflict analysis and prevention expert at the US Institute of Peace.

Coinciding with the price increases, a presidential decree on Sunday raised public sector salaries by 50 per cent, placing the minimum wage at 71,515 Syrian pounds ($28), up from 47,000 pounds ($18).

In a second decree, Mr Al Assad raised public sector and military pensions by 40 per cent, according to Sana.

As of July 14, one US dollar is equal to 2,525 Syrian pounds according to the Syrian Central Bank.

- With additional reporting from Dahlia Nehme and AFP

Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?

Some facts about bees:

The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer

The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days

A queen bee lives for 3-5 years

This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony

About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive

Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.

Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen 

Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids

Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments

Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive,  protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts

Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain

Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities

The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes

Is beekeeping dangerous?

As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.

“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”

 

 

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Power: 190bhp

Torque: 300Nm

Price: Dh169,900

On sale: now 

WHY%20AAYAN%20IS%20'PERFECT%20EXAMPLE'
%3Cp%3EDavid%20White%20might%20be%20new%20to%20the%20country%2C%20but%20he%20has%20clearly%20already%20built%20up%20an%20affinity%20with%20the%20place.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20the%20UAE%20shocked%20Pakistan%20in%20the%20semi-final%20of%20the%20Under%2019%20Asia%20Cup%20last%20month%2C%20White%20was%20hugged%20on%20the%20field%20by%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20the%20team%E2%80%99s%20captain.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWhite%20suggests%20that%20was%20more%20a%20sign%20of%20Aayan%E2%80%99s%20amiability%20than%20anything%20else.%20But%20he%20believes%20the%20young%20all-rounder%2C%20who%20was%20part%20of%20the%20winning%20Gulf%20Giants%20team%20last%20year%2C%20is%20just%20the%20sort%20of%20player%20the%20country%20should%20be%20seeking%20to%20produce%20via%20the%20ILT20.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20is%20a%20delightful%20young%20man%2C%E2%80%9D%20White%20said.%20%E2%80%9CHe%20played%20in%20the%20competition%20last%20year%20at%2017%2C%20and%20look%20at%20his%20development%20from%20there%20till%20now%2C%20and%20where%20he%20is%20representing%20the%20UAE.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20was%20influential%20in%20the%20U19%20team%20which%20beat%20Pakistan.%20He%20is%20the%20perfect%20example%20of%20what%20we%20are%20all%20trying%20to%20achieve%20here.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20about%20the%20development%20of%20players%20who%20are%20going%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE%20and%20go%20on%20to%20help%20make%20UAE%20a%20force%20in%20world%20cricket.%E2%80%9D%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80

Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km

How will Gen Alpha invest?

Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.

“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.

Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.

He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.

Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”

UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Profile

Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

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

The Gentlemen

Director: Guy Ritchie

Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant 

Three out of five stars

Itcan profile

Founders: Mansour Althani and Abdullah Althani

Based: Business Bay, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India

Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce

Size: 70 employees 

Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch

Funding: Self-funded to date

 

Updated: July 14, 2021, 2:05 PM