Syria rebels pull out of stronghold in Aleppo



Syrian rebels pulled out of the key Aleppo district of Salaheddin yesterday in the face of a massive regime bombardment.

State television claimed the regime's special forces had "cleansed Salaheddin district of terrorists" but the rebel Free Syria Army said it would regroup and open new fronts in the battle for the country's commercial capital.

"We have staged a tactical withdrawal from Salaheddin. The district is completely empty of rebel fighters. Regime forces are now advancing into Salaheddin," said Hossam Abu Mohammed, an FSA commander.

"The fighters are withdrawing to Sukari district, where they are preparing a counter-attack," he said.

Mr Abu Mohammed said there had been heavy shelling and accused the regime of using thermobaric "fuel-air" bombs, which throw out a wall of fire to incinerate targets in enclosed spaces.

The Local Coordination Committees and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said yesterday's shelling was most focused on Salaheddin, as well as a northeast district and areas in the city's southwest.

An Aleppo activist, Mohammad Saeed, also said the government was using warplanes and tanks to shell the towns of Hreitan and Tel Rifat, about 40 kilometres north of the city.

"They are trying to cut the lines from Tel Rifat to Aleppo," he said.

Mr Abu Mohammed said about 40 rebels were killed in Aleppo yesterday. Nationwide, the death toll reached 78 - 35 civilians, 25 soldiers and 18 rebels - the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Amid the violence, the president, Bashar Al Assad, named the health minister Wael Nader Al Halqi, a Sunni member of the ruling Baath party from Deraa, as the new prime minister.

He replaces Riad Hijab, who defected this week to Jordan.

* Agence France Presse and the Associated Press

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

The specs

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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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EXPATS
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush

Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”

A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.

“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”

liverpool youngsters

Ki-Jana Hoever

The only one of this squad to have scored for Liverpool, the versatile Dutchman impressed on his debut at Wolves in January. He can play right-back, centre-back or in midfield.

 

Herbie Kane

Not the most prominent H Kane in English football but a 21-year-old Bristolian who had a fine season on loan at Doncaster last year. He is an all-action midfielder.

 

Luis Longstaff

Signed from Newcastle but no relation to United’s brothers Sean and Matty, Luis is a winger. An England Under-16 international, he helped Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup last season.

 

Yasser Larouci

An 18-year-old Algerian-born winger who can also play as a left-back, Larouci did well on Liverpool’s pre-season tour until an awful tackle by a Sevilla player injured him.

 

Adam Lewis

Steven Gerrard is a fan of his fellow Scouser, who has been on Liverpool’s books since he was in the Under-6s, Lewis was a midfielder, but has been converted into a left-back.

MATCH INFO

Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)

Man of the match Harry Kane

Brief scores:

England: 290 & 346

Sri Lanka: 336 & 243

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

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