{"id":172536,"date":"2025-12-07T20:27:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T20:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/172536\/"},"modified":"2025-12-07T20:27:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T20:27:20","slug":"visa-returns-to-syria-as-damascus-seeks-access-to-global-financial-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/172536\/","title":{"rendered":"Visa returns to Syria as Damascus seeks access to global financial system"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Drivers\u2019 championship standings after Singapore:<\/p>\n

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes – 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari – 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes – 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull – 162
5.\u00a0Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari – 138
6.\u00a0Sergio Perez, Force India – 68<\/p>\n

Lexus LX700h specs<\/p>\n

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor<\/p>\n

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm<\/p>\n

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm<\/p>\n

Transmission: 10-speed auto<\/p>\n

Fuel consumption: 11.7L\/100km<\/p>\n

On sale: Now<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh590,000<\/p>\n

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES<\/p>\n

All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated<\/p>\n

Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid<\/p>\n

Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona<\/p>\n

Smart words at Make Smart Cool<\/p>\n

Make Smart Cool is not your usual festival. Dubbed \u201cedutainment\u201d by organisers Najahi Events, Make Smart Cool aims to inspire its youthful target audience through a mix of interactive presentation by social media influencers and a concert finale featuring Example with DJ Wire. Here are some of the speakers sharing their inspiration and experiences on the night.
Prince Ea
With his social media videos accumulating more half a billion views, the American motivational speaker is hot on the college circuit in the US, with talks that focus on the many ways to generate passion and motivation when it comes to learning.
Khalid Al Ameri
The Emirati columnist and presenter is much loved by local youth, with writings and presentations about education, entrepreneurship and family balance. His lectures on career and personal development are sought after by the education and business sector.
Ben Ouattara
Born to an Ivorian father and German mother, the Dubai-based fitness instructor and motivational speaker is all about conquering fears and insecurities. His talk focuses on the need to gain emotional and physical fitness when facing life\u2019s challenges. As well managing his film production company, Ouattara is one of the official ambassadors of Dubai Expo2020.<\/p>\n

Temple numbers<\/p>\n

Expected completion: 2022<\/p>\n

Height: 24 meters<\/p>\n

Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres\u00a0to accommodate about 750 people<\/p>\n

Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres\u00a0for up to 200 people<\/p>\n

First floor main Prayer Hall: 465\u00a0square metres\u00a0to hold 1,500 people at a time<\/p>\n

First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square\u00a0metres\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres<\/p>\n

Structure\u00a0includes two\u00a0basements, ground and first floor\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray\u00a0<\/p>\n

The specs: 2018 Renault Megane<\/p>\n

Price, base \/ as tested Dh52,900 \/ Dh59,200<\/p>\n

Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder<\/p>\n

Transmission Continuously variable transmission<\/p>\n

Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm<\/p>\n

Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm<\/p>\n

Fuel economy, combined 6.6L \/ 100km<\/p>\n

How to donate<\/p>\n

Send \u201cthenational\u201d to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 \u2013 Dh10
2252 \u2013 Dh 50
6025 \u2013 Dh20
6027 \u2013 Dh 100
6026 \u2013 Dh 200<\/p>\n

What you as a drone operator need to know<\/p>\n

A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.<\/p>\n

Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate\u2019s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.<\/p>\n

It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are teaching people how to fly in accordance with the laws of the UAE,\u201d said Ahmad Al Hamadi, a trainer at Sanad.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.<\/p>\n

\u201cPilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can\u2019t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.<\/p>\n

The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,\u201d said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.<\/p>\n

\u201cOperators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.<\/p>\n

\u201cDubai\u2019s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.\u201d<\/p>\n

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsThe specs: 2018 Audi Q5\/SQ5<\/p>\n

Price, base:\u00a0Dh183,900 \/ Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder \/\u00a0 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic \/\u00a0Eight-speed automatic
Power:\u00a0252hp @ 5,000rpm \/ 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque:\u00a0370Nm @ 1,600rpm \/ 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L \/ 100km \/ 8.3L \/ 100km<\/p>\n

((Disclaimer))<\/p>\n

The Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG (\u201cBank\u201d) assumes no liability or guarantee for the accuracy, balance, or completeness of the information in this publication. The content may change at any time due to given circumstances, and the Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG is under no obligation to update information once it has been published. This publication is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, a recommendation or an invitation by, or on behalf of, Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch), Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG, or any of its group affiliates to make any investments or obtain services. This publication has not been reviewed, disapproved or approved by the United Arab Emirates (\u201cUAE\u201d) Central Bank, Dubai Financial Services Authority (\u201cDFSA\u201d) or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE. It may not be relied upon by or distributed to retail clients. Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch) is regulated by the DFSA and this advertorial is intended for Professional Clients (as defined by the DFSA) who have sufficient financial experience and understanding of financial markets, products or transactions and any associated risks.<\/p>\n

Spec%20sheet<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7%22%20Retina%20HD%2C%201334%20x%20750%2C%20625%20nits%2C%201400%3A1%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EChip%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20A15%20Bionic%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%204-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%2C%20f%2F1.8%2C%205x%20digital%20zoom%2C%20Smart%20HDR%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%2B%40%2024%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full%20HD%2B%40%2030%2F60fps%2C%20HD%2B%40%2030%20fps%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFront%20camera%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7MP%2C%20f%2F2.2%2C%20Smart%20HDR%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%3B%20HD%20video%2B%40%2030fps%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%2015%20hours%20video%2C%2050%20hours%20audio%3B%2050%25%20fast%20charge%20in%2030%20minutes%20with%2020W%20charger%3B%20wireless%20charging%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Touch%20ID%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP67%2C%20dust%2C%20water%20resistant%20up%20to%201m%20for%2030%20minutes%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1%2C849%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

F1 The Movie<\/p>\n

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem<\/p>\n

Director: Joseph Kosinski<\/p>\n

Rating: 4\/5<\/p>\n

Getting%20there<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3EGiven%20its%20remote%20location%2C%20getting%20to%20Borneo%20can%20feel%20daunting%20even%20for%20the%20most%20seasoned%20traveller.%20But%20you%20can%20fly%20directly%20from%20Kuala%20Lumpur%20to%20Sandakan%20and%20Sepilok%20is%20only%20half%20an%20hour%20away%20by%20taxi.%20Sandakan%20has%20plenty%20of%20accommodation%20options%2C%20while%20Sepilok%20has%20a%20few%20nature%20lodges%20close%20to%20the%20main%20attractions.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

Company Profile<\/p>\n

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million <\/p>\n

Overall standings<\/p>\n

1. Christopher Froome (GBR\/Sky) 68hr 18min 36sec,<\/p>\n

2. Fabio Aru (ITA\/AST) at 0:18.<\/p>\n

3. Romain Bardet (FRA\/ALM) 0:23.<\/p>\n

4. Rigoberto Uran (COL\/CAN) 0:29.<\/p>\n

5. Mikel Landa (ESP\/SKY) 1:17.<\/p>\n

Company profile<\/p>\n

Name: Fruitful Day<\/p>\n

Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie<\/p>\n

Based: Dubai, UAE<\/p>\n

Founded: 2015<\/p>\n

Number of employees: 30<\/p>\n

Sector: F&B<\/p>\n

Funding so far: Dh3 million<\/p>\n

Future funding plans: None at present<\/p>\n

Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries<\/p>\n

The\u00a0specs<\/p>\n

Engine: 2.0-litre\u00a0four-cylinder\u00a0turbo<\/p>\n

Power:\u00a0268hp\u00a0at\u00a05,600rpm<\/p>\n

Torque:\u00a0380Nm\u00a0at\u00a04,800rpm<\/p>\n

Transmission: CVT\u00a0auto<\/p>\n

Fuel\u00a0consumption:\u00a09.5L\/100km<\/p>\n

On\u00a0sale:\u00a0now<\/p>\n

Price:\u00a0from\u00a0Dh195,000\u00a0<\/p>\n

England’s lowest Test innings<\/p>\n

– 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887<\/p>\n

– 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994<\/p>\n

– 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009<\/p>\n

– 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948<\/p>\n

– 53 v Australia at Lord’s, July 16, 1888<\/p>\n

– 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018<\/p>\n

COMPANY%20PROFILE<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Vault%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBilal%20Abou-Diab%20and%20Sami%20Abdul%20Hadi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELicensed%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EInvestment%20and%20wealth%20advisory%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOutliers%20VC%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E14%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

List of UAE medal winners<\/p>\n

Gold
Faisal Al Ketbi (Open weight and 94kg)
Talib Al Kirbi (69kg)
Omar Al Fadhli (56kg)<\/p>\n

Silver
Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Khalfan Belhol (85kg)
Zayed Al Mansoori (62kg)
Mouza Al Shamsi (49kg women)<\/p>\n

Bronze
Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi (Open and 94kg)
Saood Al Hammadi (77kg)
Said Al Mazroui (62kg)
Obaid Al Nuaimi (56kg)
Bashayer Al Matrooshi (62kg women)
Reem Abdulkareem (45kg women)<\/p>\n

Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance<\/p>\n

Moment of the day\u00a0Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination \u2013 Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip \u2013 combined again to send Aslam back.<\/p>\n

Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.<\/p>\n

The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka\u2019s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Payments company Visa is set to restart operations in Syria after more than a decade after signing an…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":172537,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[916,138,11721,219,111,139,69,1177,427,64150],"class_list":{"0":"post-172536","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-economy","8":"tag-banking","9":"tag-business","10":"tag-business-team","11":"tag-economy","12":"tag-new-zealand","13":"tag-newzealand","14":"tag-nz","15":"tag-standard","16":"tag-story","17":"tag-syria"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172536"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172536\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=172536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}