Payments company Visa is set to restart operations in Syria after more than a decade after signing an agreement with the country\u2019s central bank. <\/p>\n
Visa will work with the central bank to \u201cimplement a strategic roadmap designed to help Syria rapidly integrate into the modern global digital economy,\u201d the company said in a statement on Friday. <\/p>\n
Following the downfall of the Bashar Al Assad regime a year ago, Syria has since begun to accelerate the reintegration<\/a> of its economy under the new government led by President Ahmad Al Shara. <\/p>\n In June, the country completed its first electronic transfer via the Swift system, from which it had been excluded for 14 years during the civil war. <\/p>\n Visa\u2019s re-entry also follows the partial lifting of US sanctions on Syria following Mr Al Shara\u2019s meeting<\/a> with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC last month. <\/p>\n The company, which has its headquarters in San Francisco, said its immediate priority in Syria would be to help \u201clicensed financial institutions to develop a robust and secure payments foundation\u201d. <\/p>\n This would include \u201cissuing payment cards and enabling digital wallets using global standards like EMV chips and tokenisation\u201d, it added. <\/p>\n Syrian Central Bank governor Abdulkader Husrieh called the partnership \u201ca new chapter of hope and opportunity for the Syrian economy\u201d. <\/p>\n Damascus has looked to overhaul its financial system to attract investment and also restore confidence<\/a> in the severely undervalued pound. <\/p>\n In August, the Central Bank removed two zeroes from its currency to shore up its purchasing power after it collapsed to record lows under the previous government. <\/p>\n The pound lost more than 99 per cent of its value since 2011, with the exchange rate now at around 11,000 pounds to the US dollar, compared to 50 before the civil war. <\/p>\n However, the partial lifting of sanctions and the government\u2019s attempts to bring investment back has proven successful<\/a>. <\/p>\n Earlier this week Syria held<\/a> its first major international oil and gas exhibition since the fall of the former regime amid growing interest from international oil companies in rehabilitating Syria. <\/p>\n So far, Damascus has signed a number of agreements in the energy sector, including with US companies ConocoPhillips and Novaterra, the UAE\u2019s Dana Gas, and Qatar\u2019s UCC Holding.<\/p>\n If you go<\/p>\n The flights Indian origin executives leading top technology firms<\/p>\n Sundar Pichai <\/p>\n Chief executive, Google and Alphabet<\/p>\n Satya Nadella <\/p>\n Chief executive, Microsoft<\/p>\n Ajaypal Singh Banga <\/p>\n President and chief executive, Mastercard<\/p>\n Shantanu Narayen <\/p>\n Chief executive, chairman, and president, Adobe<\/p>\n Indra Nooyi \u00a0<\/p>\n Board of directors, Amazon and former chief executive, PepsiCo<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Nepotism is the name of the game<\/p>\n Salman Khan\u2019s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood\u2019s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry\u2019s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed\u00a0duo also created the persona of the \u201cangry young man\u201d for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man\u2019s \u201chero\u201d as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father\u2019s oeuvre. Thanks dad.\u00a0<\/p>\n EA Sports FC 26<\/p>\n Publisher: EA Sports<\/p>\n Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4\/5, Xbox Series X\/S<\/p>\n Rating: 3\/5<\/p>\n The%20specs<\/p>\n %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.9-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E536hp%20(including%20138hp%20e-motor)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E750Nm%20(including%20400Nm%20e-motor)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C380%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n Groom and Two Brides<\/p>\n Director: Elie Semaan<\/p>\n Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla<\/p>\n Rating: 3\/5<\/p>\n Afro%20salons<\/p>\n %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFor%20women%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESisu%20Hair%20Salon%2C%20Jumeirah%201%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EBoho%20Salon%2C%20Al%20Barsha%20South%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EMoonlight%2C%20Al%20Falah%20Street%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFor%20men%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMK%20Barbershop%2C%20Dar%20Al%20Wasl%20Mall%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3ERegency%20Saloon%2C%20Al%20Zahiyah%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EUptown%20Barbershop%2C%20Al%20Nasseriya%2C%20Sharjah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n 11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi<\/p>\n Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy\u2019s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)<\/p>\n Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)<\/p>\n Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)<\/p>\n Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews \u2013 key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).<\/p>\n Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)<\/p>\n Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)<\/p>\n Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)<\/p>\n Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)<\/p>\n Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia<\/p>\n Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)<\/p>\n Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)<\/p>\n Silent Hill f <\/p>\n Publisher: Konami<\/p>\n Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X\/S, PC<\/p>\n Rating: 4.5\/5<\/p>\n The specs<\/p>\n Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery<\/p>\n Transmission: Single-speed automatic<\/p>\n Max touring range: 620km \/ 590km<\/p>\n Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)<\/p>\n Infiniti QX80 specs<\/p>\n Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6<\/p>\n Power: 450hp<\/p>\n Torque: 700Nm<\/p>\n Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000<\/p>\n Available: Now<\/p>\n What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE<\/p>\n Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood. Wicked: For Good<\/p>\n Director: Jon M Chu<\/p>\n Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater<\/p>\n Rating: 4\/5<\/p>\n The bio<\/p>\n Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.<\/p>\n Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.<\/p>\n Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.<\/p>\n Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.<\/p>\n French business<\/p>\n
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you\u2019re staying at.\u00a0
Flydubai<\/a>\u00a0flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation<\/a> from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways<\/a>, Emirates<\/a>\u00a0and Etihad<\/a>\u00a0offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA\/DHA):\u00a0Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.<\/p>\n