Two people were killed and several others wounded in a car bomb and shellfire in Syria’s capital Damascus on Wednesday, state television said.
“Two killed and 14 injured in terrorist attacks on Damascus Tower and Maysat Square,” it reported.
They struck at the tower in the central Marjeh Square district, and the car bomb went off in the northeast of the city.
Images of security forces gathered around a burnt-out skeleton of a car in Maysat Square were broadcast on state television.
The blast came as regime forces battle to flush out ISIS from the southern districts of the capital, including Yarmouk and the adjacent Hajar Al Aswad neighbourhood.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, says ISIS fighters have previously targeted the capital in recent weeks.
"ISIS in southern Damascus has fired rockets intermittently on the capital" since April 19 when pro-government forces ramped up their fight against the extremists, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.
The Damascus regime set its sights on Yarmouk and nearby areas after retaking the former rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta east of the capital last month.
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Fresh Israel missile attack targets Iran base in Syria
Israeli minister threatens Assad over any Iranian attacks from Syria
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Meanwhile, at least 15 people were killed in a suspected Israeli attack on Iranian military facilities in south of Damascus on Tuesday, the Observatory said.
“The number increased to at least 15, including at least eight Iranian, killed by the missile strikes,” it said on Wednesday.
The strikes hit an arms depot of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards in the Kiswa area late on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin and discuss military co-ordination amid the new strikes.
"The meetings between us are always important and this one is especially so," Mr Netanyahu said ahead of his departure. "In light of what is currently happening in Syria, it is necessary to ensure the continued co-ordination" between the two militaries. He made no mention of the overnight strikes.
Israeli officials have repeatedly said that they were concerned over Iran’s presence in Syria, where, like Moscow, Tehran backs President Bashar Al Assad.
Israel has in the past been accused of carrying out deadly strikes in Syria, with reports of Iranian forces killed but has not acknowledged those strikes. It has, however, admitted to carrying out dozens of raids in Syria to allegedly stop deliveries of arms to the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militia, which is also fighting alongside the Assad forces.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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