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Push comes as Syria’s new de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met Bahraini, Libyan delegations in Damascus. Syria’s new administration is carrying out a security crackdown against what it has described as “remnants” of former President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, with operations under way in several parts of the country. The official Syrian news agency SANA reported on Saturday that authorities were conducting “a large-scale sweep operation” near the city of Latakia on Syria’s northwestern coast. The push — in an area where al-Assad enjoyed support from the Alawite community — came in response to “reports about [the] presence of elements linked to remnants of Assad’s militias”, SANA said in a post shared on social media. Reporting from the capital Damascus, Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra explained that the new administration said it is not targeting the Alawite community, from which al-Assad hailed. Instead, the authorities said the security operation has focused on soldiers and Syrian army officials associated with al-Assad and his brother, Maher al-Assad, a powerful former military commander. “They say that [they’ve] issued an ultimatum to those people to hand over weapons to the new administration,” Ahelbarra reported, adding that operations also were being carried out in Homs, Aleppo and on the outskirts of Damascus. The push comes days after 14 police officers were killed in what the authorities said was an “ambush” by forces loyal to al-Assad in the Tartous governorate, another area on Syria’s western coast. Interior Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman had promised on Thursday to crack down on “anyone who dares to undermine Syria’s security or endanger the lives of its citizens”. Syrian opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of the country earlier this month after a rapid offensive that ousted al-Assad after more than two decades in power. A political transition is under way, with Syria’s new de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa – who headed HTS and previously had ties to al-Qaeda – holding talks with a number of Arab and Western diplomats in recent days. Several countries have urged al-Sharaa to ensure that religious and ethnic minorities will be protected amid some recent tensions and fears that any unrest could negatively affect Syria and the wider region. “What happens next in Syria will not only have an impact on the Syrians themselves, but it could spread beyond the country,” said Al Jazeera’s Ahelbarra. “This is why people are concerned about what happens next.” Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, met with a Bahraini delegation in Damascus on Saturday, as well as with a senior official from Libya’s United Nations-recognised government. “We expressed our full support for the Syrian authorities in the success of the important transitional phase,” Libyan Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs Walid Ellafi told reporters after the meeting. “We emphasised the importance of coordination and cooperation ... particularly on security and military issues,” Ellafi said, while the pair also discussed cooperation “related to energy and trade” and “illegal immigration”. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials and a war monitor said Lebanon expelled approximately 70 Syrian officers and soldiers on Saturday, returning them to Syria after they crossed into the country illegally via informal routes. Many senior Syrian officials and people close to the al-Assad family fled the country to neighbouring Lebanon after al-Assad was toppled on December 8. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based monitor, said Syrian military personnel of various ranks had been sent back via Lebanon’s northern Arida crossing. SOHR and a Lebanese security official told the Reuters news agency that the returnees were detained by the new Syrian authorities after crossing the border.
Learning a new language has never been easier. We rely on technology so much these days, so why not use it to pick up a new skill? If learning a new language has been on your to-do list, this list covers some of the best apps and services to help you get started, whether your desired language is widely spoken or more exotic. Good to know : check out the best free online translation tools to make sense of a foreign language. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Web , Android , iOS Easily the most popular language-learning app out there, Duolingo has set the tone for many other programs with its exercise-based lessons, light gamification, and freemium learning model. It’s the best place to get started with an online language-learning app, as it’s easy to dive in to see how well it works for you without having to worry about trials or subscriptions. I’ve been using this app for over a year now, and I’ve acquired a pretty large vocabulary so far, just by using the free version. Duolingo has a large selection of languages, ranging from the ever-popular Spanish to the fictional Klingon, and all of the core content is freely accessible. You can also learn two languages at the same time. Although the constant repetition can feel monotonous at times, it remains an effective technique for solidifying what you’ve learned. Duolingo does have a reputation for slightly odd sentences, though, so be prepared to learn phrases like, “The cows enjoy watching funny movies” in Spanish. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Web , Android , iOS Busuu is an app structured in the same way as Duolingo. It follows the same chapter structure for lessons and includes daily challenges and streaks to keep you engaged. But Busuu has fewer languages and feels a bit more like a traditional language-learning course, putting you through several structured units, with specific grammar and vocabulary focuses. The app’s approach to lessons is very different, however. Each unit includes short videos that allow you to listen to real people speaking the language in natural contexts. Afterward, answer questions to test your understanding of the content. What makes this app particularly valuable for me is its emphasis on speaking practice. You can have live chats with AI about everyday topics, like ordering food or discussing hobbies. With Busuu, you can review errors and strengthen your weaker spots through flash and translation exercises. While the app is mostly free to use, occasional ads may appear to unlock certain features. Premium users gain access to additional perks, such as detailed grammar explanations. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Web , Android , iOS Another giant in the world of language-learning apps, Memrise takes a similar approach to Busuu, featuring lessons with videos of people actually talking in the language you’re learning. It’s a great way to beef up your vocabulary, learn a new alphabet, or get comfortable using phrases. I’m a big fan of the app’s interface – it’s incredibly user-friendly and has a gamified feel that makes learning enjoyable. It comes with a few unique language options, such as Incelandic, Persian, and Welsh (South). It’s also great for those looking to learn Asian languages, like Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, or Indonesian. With Memrise, you can chat in real time with AI and immerse yourself in life-like conversations and practice scenarios. Paying for a premium account will get you features like chatbots for grammar, role-play, etc., videos, additional exercises, and personalized learning that adapts to your progress. Tip : ever wanted to learn Morse code ? Check these websites that can help you with that. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Web , Android , iOS Not a fan of exercise-based language apps? Rather than a series of vocabulary and grammar exercises, LingQ is structured around stories and articles that you read and translate at the same time. What I like best about this app is that it asks you about your favorite topics, to serve up stories that you actually want to read. If you don’t know a word when viewing a story, tap it to see the definition and have it added it to your study list. In the Web version, you can install the LingQ extension that can transform any YouTube/Netflix video into a text-based lesson. Although the selection of languages is more limited, it does include some unique options, like Catalan and Cantonese. You can learn multiple languages at the same time, too. The app is free to use just briefly, after which you will have to upgrade to a paid tier to keep using it. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Android , iOS Beelinguapp shares similarities with LingQ but goes a step further. Its primary focus is on text-based learning, as reading is one of the most effective ways to immerse yourself in a new language. I believe this app is great if you’ve found you made some progress in your learning but are not yet ready to jump into reading full-fledged novels. Beelinguapp offers access to short and long stories, as well as news articles from areas you’re interested in. You have a pretty great selection of topics, too. The app displays both the text in your native language and the language you’re trying to learn. You can have the app read out the text for you and modify the text size or speed to suit your preferences. As you progress through the stories, you’ll have the opportunity to strengthen your understanding with interactive games of vocabulary, pronunciation, and listening. Unsurprisingly, this is a paid app, so if you want to be able to access all its features in full, you’ll need to upgrade. Price : Free with premium features Platforms : Web , Android , iOS Prefer learning with a tutor’s help? Babbel has you covered with its extensive lineup of live classes, led by knowledgeable tutors eager to assist with your questions. While some classes are free, the majority require a premium subscription. The same applies to lessons: after completing the introductory one, you’ll be prompted to upgrade right away. Beyond tutor support, the app boasts a user-friendly interface, opportunities to hone your speaking skills, and access to podcast episodes and audio tracks. Naturally, Babbel includes options for reviewing the material you’ve already covered. If you decide to subscribe, you’ll gain access to some entertaining language games as well. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Web , Android , iOS LingoPie offers an approach to language learning that you might have used in your youth. I, for example, picked up quite a bit of Italian by watching TV shows and cartoons on Italian channels when I was young. With LingoPie, you can select a language you wish to learn, and start watching videos in that language. Of course, LingoPie puts a few tools at your disposal to facilitate learning, such as subtitles in both your native tongue and the language you’re learning and the ability to slow the video feed down to your level of comprehension. Even better, LingoPie lets you learn through music. The app breaks down songs’ lyrics, helping you finally understand what your favorite artists are singing about. There’s also a kids section. For those who prefer to use LingoPie on PC, you can also install a Chrome extension and access Netflix powered by Lingopie. The app has some features that aren’t accessible in the free version, such as flashcards, and you only get 10 minutes of watch time per day. Tip : take a look at the reasons you need to learn Linux . Price : Free with premium features Platforms : Android , iOS Drops is a unique language-learning app that uses pictograms to introduce new vocabulary. Its gamified design makes it engaging and a great choice for children. Many exercises in Drops involve matching terms to pictograms, but there are also mini-games, like spotting words in a grid of letters. If you’re feeling competitive, the app’s multiplayer feature lets you challenge others learning the same language – a rare option I haven’t seen in other apps. Like the other language apps mentioned here, Drops has a premium tier. Upgrading may be necessary for quicker progress, given the long waits between lessons in the free plan. The paid version also grants access to challenges and comprehensive progress review tools. If you’re comfortable with the languages you know but want to expand your skills in another direction, learn how to cook with these apps . If you want your child to learn something new, programming with Scratch is an interesting option. Image credit: Unsplash . All screenshots by Alexandra Arici. Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.Authorities found Haddon, 76, dead in a second-floor bedroom on Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the house in Solebury Township, Pennsylvania. A 76-year-old man police later identified as Walter J Blucas, of Erie, was hospitalised in critical condition. Responders detected a high level of carbon monoxide in the property and township police said on Saturday that investigators determined that “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system caused the carbon monoxide leak”. Two medics were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure and a police officer was treated at the scene. As a model, Haddon appeared on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also appeared in about two dozen films from the 1970s to 1990s, according to IMDb, including 1994’s Bullets Over Broadway, starring John Cusack. Haddon left modelling after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan, in the mid-1970s, but then had to re-enter the workforce after her husband’s 1991 death. This time, she found the modelling industry far less friendly: “They said to me, ‘At 38, you’re not viable,'” Haddon told The New York Times in 2003. Working a menial job at an advertising agency, Haddon began reaching out to cosmetic companies, telling them there was a growing market to sell beauty products to aging baby boomers. She eventually landed a contract with Clairol, followed by Estee Lauder and then L’Oreal, for which she promoted the company’s anti-aging products for more than a decade. She also hosted beauty segments for CBS’s The Early Show. “I kept modelling, but in a different way,” she told The Times, “I became a spokesperson for my age.” In 2008, Haddon founded WomenOne, an organisation aimed at advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in marginalised communities, including Rwanda, Haiti and Jordan. Haddon was born in Toronto and began modelling as a teenager to pay for ballet classes – she began her career with the Canadian ballet company, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, according to her website. Haddon’s daughter, Ryan, said in a social media post that her mother was “everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many”. “A pure heart. A rich inner life. Touching so many lives. A life well lived. Rest in Light, Mom,” she said.
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