Syria in Total Blackout after Pipeline Gas Explosion

syria pipeline explosion

An Arab gas pipeline exploded between Al-Dumair and Adraa areas which caused a total blackout overnight in Syria.

According to state news agency SANA, Eng. Mohammad Zuhair Kharbutli, electricity minister, said an explosion on a pipeline in the Damascus area on Sunday night “led to an electricity blackout across Syria”.

Authorities mentioned that the cause of the explosion was due to a possible terrorist attack. But no further details was shared.

In recent reports from the state news, the fires have been extinguished, and the situation is set to return to normal.

Below are videos of the said explosion as shared by Syrian Arab News Agency

Below are posts on social media news and reports about the said blast:

 

 

Arabic Words and Phrases that Every Expat Should Know

arabic words and phrases

There are millions of people, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and other nationalities, who are living and working in different countries in the Middle East. Indeed, you can just imagine the diverse culture and language of major cities in the region!

Aside from the many nationalities currently based in the Middle East, did you know that the region is already linguistically diverse to begin with? In fact, there are more than 60 languages being used in the Middle East, including Arabic, Kurdish, and Greek. In today’s post, we are going to talk about Arabic, specifically Modern Standard Arabic.

arabic words and phrases

Arabic 101: Common Words and Phrases

If you are a newcomer to the Middle East, don’t worry because English is widely used. In some countries like Iraq, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, English is actually taught as a second language. Still, it would be a good idea to learn some Arabic words and phrases.

Arabic is native to the region and one of the most commonly used languages in the Middle East. If you are planning to live and work here for quite some time, learning the following words and phrases would definitely come in handy:

Greetings

Saying these Arabic greetings will surely be appreciated by the locals:

  • Hi – Salam
  • Welcome – Marhaba
  • Good morning – Sabah el kheer
  • Good evening – Masaa el kheer
  • Good night – Tosbeho ala khair
  • How are you? – Kaifa alhal?
  • I’m fine, thank you – Ana bekhair, shokran
  • And you? – Wa ant?
  • Thank you – Shukran
  • Peace be upon you – Salam alikom
  • Goodbye – Ma’a salama

Daily Phrases

Here are some more words and phrases that you can use:

  • What is your name? – Shoo esmek?
  • My name is… – Esmee…
  • Where are you from? – Min wain ent?
  • I’m from… – Ana min…
  • I’m a tourist – Ana sayeh
  • I’m a visitor – Ana zayer
  • Can you speak English? – Tigdar titkallam englizy?
  • I speak English only – Atkallam englizy
  • I know little bit of Arabic – Aref arabi eshway
  • I don’t understand what you say – Ma afham sho tgool?
  • Can I take picture here? – Mumken assawer hnee?
  • Can I take picture with you? – Mumken atsawwar wiyyak?
  • Yes – Heh
  • No – La
  • Maybe – Yemken
  • It’s a nice city – Madina helwa
  • It’s a nice country – Dawla helwa

Asking for Help and Directions

When traveling, these phrases would be of great help:

  • Can you help me? – Momkin mosa’adati?
  • I’m lost – Ada’tu tareeqi
  • Straight / left / right – Ala tool / yisar / yameen
  • Excuse me – Law samaht
  • How can I get a taxi? – Kaif atleb el taxi?
  • What’s the contact number of the police? – Kam raqam el shurta?
  • What’s the contact number of the ambulance? – Kam raqam el esaaf?
  • Where is the nearest police station? – Wain agrab markaz shurta?
  • Where is the nearest the hospital? – Wain agrab mustashfa?
  • Where is the nearest pharmacy? – Wain agrab saydaliyya

Places

If you are looking for a specific place, here are some common terms:

  • Airport – Mataar
  • Beach – Shatee
  • Building – Bnayah
  • Church – Kaneesah
  • Embassy – Safarah
  • Grocery – Baqqala
  • Hospital – Mostashfah
  • Hotel – Fenduq
  • Market – Soug
  • Mosque – Masjed
  • Restaurant – Matta’am
  • School – Madrasah
  • Shop – Mahal

Numbers

Learning Arabic numbers is easy. You can start by reading these:

  • 0 – Sefer
  • 1 – Wahed
  • 2 – Ethnain
  • 3 – Thalatha
  • 4 – Arbaah
  • 5 – Khamsa
  • 6 – Setta
  • 7 – Sabaa
  • 8 – Thamanyia
  • 9 – Tesah
  • 10 – Ashrah

Shopping and Haggling

Speaking of numbers, try using these phrases whenever you go shopping:

  • What do you sell? – Shu tebeea?
  • How much is this item? – Ebkam hatha?
  • I’d like to purchase this – Aba ashtree
  • Do you give discounts? – Endkom khasem?
  • Can i have a better price? – Atni se’ar ahsan?
  • Final price – Akhar kalam
  • Do you accept payments by cash? – Teqbaloon cash?
  • Do you accept dollars? – Teqbaloon bel dolar?
  • Do you accept payments by card? – Teqbaloon betiqaa?
  • Do you have change? – Endkom kherda?
  • Expensive – Ghali
  • Cheap – Rakees
  • Free – Majjanan
  • Good – Zain
  • Bad – Mob zain
  • Okay – Enzain
  • Where I can buy…? – Min wain agdar ashtree…?

Although English is widely used in the region, it still wouldn’t hurt to learn some common Arabic words and phrases, especially if you interact with the locals on a daily basis. Aside from the language, here are more things to know when visiting the Middle East.

4.9 Magnitude Earthquake in Algeria Causes Panic and Damages Homes

earthquake in algeria

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake caused panic and damaged homes in Mila, Algeria at 10:15am on a Friday – August 7, 2020. This occurred in Mila province (located on the northeastern side of the country).

The earthquake woke up many residents of nearby villages and towns, collapsing three houses, and damaging many others. The earthquake alarmed the residents who immediately headed to the streets.




Fortunately, no casualties were reported according to authorities.

The earthquake was followed by a 4.5 magnitude aftershock.

Back in 2003, a 6.8 Magnitude earthquake shocked the Boumerdès province in Algeria where 2000+ people died and left 10,000+ injured.




Below are images and video posts online about the earthquake:

Pray for Lebanon, Countries Light Up Lebanese Flag in Solidarity after Beirut Explosion

Pray for Lebanon, Countries Light Up Lebanese Flag in Solidarity after Beirut Explosion

Few hours after the massive blast at the port area of the Lebanese capital, the hashtags #PrayforLebanon and #PrayforBeirut trended on social media. 

And as people began to join forces together to voice out their support for the victims, and residents of Beirut and Lebanon, famous landmarks around the globe lit up with the flag of Lebanon in solidarity with the victims of the explosion.

Pray for Lebanon, Countries Light Up Lebanese Flag in Solidarity after Beirut Explosion
Credits: Twitter

Look: Famous Landmarks Light Up with Lebanese Flag in Solidarity after Beirut Blast

The blast, which obliterated almost the entire city’s port, is suspected to have been caused by seized explosives that were stored in a warehouse at the port.

The number of reported fatalities was close to 100, while around 4,000 people have been injured from the incident. And with hundreds more still missing, authorities expect that the number of fatalities and casualties will continue to rise in the following hours.

In lie with this, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared a national day of mourning and promised that those responsible for the “catastrophe” would be held accountable.

Iconic Monuments Light Up in Solidarity with the Victims of the Beirut Blast

Meanwhile, in Brazil, the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer was projected with the Lebanese flag in memory of those who lost their lives in the blast and show solidarity to the people in Beirut who are still suffering from its aftermath.

Few hours after the catastrophic event that hit Lebanon, the official Twitter account of Dubai’s iconic landmark, the Burj Khalifa, posted a photo as it was lit up with the colors of the Lebanese flag, captioned: “In solidarity with our brothers and sisters in #Lebanon”.

https://twitter.com/BurjKhalifa/status/1290739073359982594?s=20

On Tuesday night, the iconic pyramids of Giza in Egypt also shone bright with the colors of the Lebanon flag in solidarity with the victims of the tragic event. 

In Canada, the CN Tower displayed the colors red, white, and green, in remembrance of the victims in Beirut.

Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv municipality building also joined the light-up in solidarity with the people of Lebanon.

In Iran, Tehran’s Azadi Tower projected the Lebanese flag on its facade.

Neighboring Gulf state, Kuwait Towers in the Ras Agouza area, also lit up with the colors of the Lebanese flag.

 

And as the other iconic landmarks across the world lit up in support of the people of Lebanon, France’s Eiffel Tower went dark to join Lebanon in mourning.

The hashtags #Lebanon and #Beirut trended all over social media with many saying the explosion appeared “apocalyptic”. People also shared images from before and after the explosion to show the massive scale of devastation.

https://twitter.com/Iiferelatable/status/1290863920639430658?s=20

https://twitter.com/hansoldvernon/status/1290814296641830913?s=20

https://twitter.com/JediQureshi/status/1290880973593358337?s=20

The catastrophe comes at a time as Lebanon’s economy struggles with a financial crisis as it attempts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

The nation has also witnessed increasing tensions between Israel and the militant Hezbollah group along Lebanon’s southern border.

ALSO READ: Bride’s Wedding Photoshoot in Beirut Captures Horrific Explosion

Air India Express Flight from Dubai-Kerala Crash, Plane Splits in Two as it Skids Off Runway in Kerala

air india express crash dubai to india

An Air India Express plane flight accident occurred on (Friday) August 7, 2020 when the plane skidded off a runway in Kerala’s Kozhikode.

The plane is reported to be a special repatriation flight from Dubai to Kerala.

Tragedy struck Air India Express Flight IX1344 as it crash-landed with at least 180 passengers. Photos posted online from reports show the plane had split into two.

Special Mission Flight from Dubai to Kerala Tragic Accident in India

The airline company, Air India Express, posted a Tweet confirming the said crash: “We regret that there has been an incident regarding our aircraft VT GHK, OPERATING IX 1344 DXB CCJ. We will update as we get the details.”

This is a developing news so please stay tuned for updates.

Below are some updates posted on social media regarding this tragic incident:

 

Bride’s Wedding Photoshoot in Beirut Captures Horrific Explosion

It was supposedly the happiest day of her life – until her entire world shook, literally. 

A happy couple in Beirut was spending a blissful moment recording their prenuptial photoshoot when all of a sudden a massive explosion, which now has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 130 people and left 5,000 injured with hundreds still missing, took place in a port at the Lebanon capital. 

Here is the video captured and posted by Mahmoud Nakib via his YouTube Channel:

[Watch] Bridal Photoshoot Interrupted by Horrific Beirut Blast

Dr. Israa Seblani and Ahmad Sbeih were on the streets of Beirut on Tuesday, with Seblani posing for the camera in a dramatic, white wedding gown. It was a day like any other in the city’s Saifi Village, the doctor recounts, with people out and about shopping and dining in restaurants. 

Then all of a sudden, a loud noise was heard from a distance, followed by a deafening blast that was captured on video by the couple’s wedding photographer, Mahmoud Nakib.

In an interview with CNN, Nakib said: “We were filming an outdoor photo session for the (Seblani and Sbeih) wedding, then we heard an explosion.” 

“That was the first explosion, we thought that it was far away, so we continued filming normally,” he added.

However, a few seconds after that, as we can see in the video, the entire situation changed.

Nakib shared, “In just one second, the sky turned black and we heard the second explosion.”

When the explosion went off, an intense gust of wind created by the explosion’s shockwave roared through the square, as seen in the video.

Seblani shared, “The area I was in — within a matter of seconds — it went from this beautiful place to a ghost town filled with dust, shattered glass and people yelling [and] bleeding. It was like a nightmare scene.”

Meanwhile, Nakib recounted that he was shaken by the shockwave, pushing him down the street nearly knocking him over. But his camera kept rolling, shakily documenting the chaotic scene for a few seconds longer.  

As this happened, Seblani, Nakib, and the rest of the wedding party headed inside as the blast echoed through the streets of Beirut. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident. 

Nakib shared that as he was running, he first thought about his wife and daughter back home. “I called her to let her know that I’m fine and do not go out. And I went live at Facebook to let people know what happened.“

The explosion at the Lebanese capital wiped out entire city streets, leaving hundreds of thousands of the city’s residents homeless and damaging structures as far as six miles away.

The blast was suspected to have come from a warehouse storing thousands of tons of an unsecured and volatile chemical compound, although investigations as to the cause of the incident are still ongoing as of this writing.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Hero Housemaid Saves Little Girl During Beirut Explosion

WATCH: Hero Housemaid Saves Little Girl During Beirut Explosion

migrant worker saves toddler from beirut blast

An unnamed female migrant worker has been labelled a hero online after her noble act of saving her ward during the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.

Also Read: Before and After Photos of Beirut Port from UAE Khalifa Satellite

As shown in a home camera footage, the housemaid instantly jumped into action and grabbed a child when the blast took place. The housemaid did not event hesitate and instantly grabbed the child to safety.

migrant worker saves toddler from beirut blast
Video screenshot: @evisionmn

VIDEO: Beirut Housemaid Swiftly Saves Toddler During Massive Blast

In the video which has now gone viral, the nanny could be seen cleaning the floor with a vacuum cleaner while the child was standing in the room. While continuing her work, she noticed the vibration and immediately grabbed the toddler and saved her from the shattered glass and windows.

Check out the video below:

The heroic act is very inspiring and showed the nanny’s instincts. Many netizens across various social media platforms have praised the nanny’s swift action. This truly shows the importance of migrant workers to families and it shows that we need to value these migrant workers and treat them better.

The explosion occurred at the port of port area of Lebanon’s capital city where tonnes of ammonium nitrate were reportedly stored.

According the World Health Organization, more than 5000 people were injured, over 130 admitted to intensive care units, and up to 300,000 people have been displaced from their homes and need urgent support for shelter and food assistance.

Hospitals are overwhelmed with the number of injured people and many buildings are destroyed. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing.

Below are some moving images after the blast as shared by netizens:

Huge Fire Breaks out in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

A large fire broke out Saudi Arabia. The fire erupted in makeshift offices in Haramain Sulaymaniyah district in Jeddah.

According to reports, Saudi Arabia Firefighters and civil defense teams were able to battle a large fire at a railway station in Al Sulaymaniyah, Saudi Arabia

After news in the Middle East where Beirut, Lebanon’s port experienced a massive explosion, massive fire in Ajman, UAE, and fire in Iraq, recently a train station in Jeddah in KSA caught fire.

Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported so far. Investigations are ongoing on the cause of the fire.

Below are some images and videos posted online:

Before and After Photos of Beirut Port from UAE Khalifa Satellite

beirut before and after photo map

Last August 4, Beirut, Lebanon suffered a massive explosion in the capital’s port area which left dozens dead and thousands injured. The said cause of the blast was due to ammonium nitrate found in the port area.

While investigations are ongoing below are some photos taken from the United Arab Emirate’s Khalifa satellite as shared by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre’s Twitter page.

The photos show a Before and After shot of Beirut’s port area.

Beirut before blast
Beirut’s port area before the blast. Image: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
Beirut's port area after the blast
Beirut’s port area after the blast. Image: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre

Below is a close-up and chilling video of the blast that left thousands injured and dozens killed.

BREAKING: Massive and Shocking Blast in Beirut, Lebanon Leaves City in Chaos

deadly explosion beirut lebanon

Lebanon’s capital city, Beirut, has been hit by a massive explosion that left the city in panic and chaos. According to reports, the explosion was equivalent to a 3.3 magnitude earthquake.

The explosion occurred at the city’s port area and according to latest updates, about 78 people have been killed and over 4000 people are wounded. Many people are missing and

Reports also mention that Ammonium nitrate was stored in the port which had caused the explosion. However, investigations are ongoing. As this is a breaking story, more updates are to follow.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Lebanon.

Below are some videos posted online regarding this shocking blast:

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lebanon.