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Items included gold jewellery and gems and glass dating from 15th century BCE to the 19th century.

DAMASCUS: Syrian President Bashar Assad has decreed a 100-percent pay rise for civil servants and pensioners while fuel subsidies were lifted in a country ravaged by 12 years of war. The Syrian economy has been battered by the conflict that has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions since it began in 2011. In two decrees issued late Tuesday, Assad doubled the salaries and pensions of those currently and formerly employed in the civil service and military, as well as contract workers.

The cause of the deadly explosion remains unknown, though officials have vowed to pursue accountability in the case.

Fighting between rival groups began on Monday night in Tripoli, and ended after the release of a commander on Tuesday.

The church says it filed the case after it was approached by mine workers for help.

BEIRUT: TransOcean Barents drilling rig arrived in Lebanon’s Block 9 on Wednesday to begin exploration activities, Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamie, posted on Twitter, following a landmark US-brokered agreement last year that delineated the contentious maritime border between Lebanon and Israel to the south. The consortium drilling in Block 9 is led by France’s TotalEnergies and includes Italian oil giant ENI and state-owned QatarEnergy.

DUBAI: Sustainability remains at the heart of the UAE’s support for global climate action, the country’s president said on Tuesday. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also emphasised the need to enhance international solidarity and cooperation in pursuit of practical solutions to climate challenges, Emirates News Agency reported. The president received the team overseeing COP28 at Qasr Al-Bahr Majlis about preparations for the conference and the four pillars of its action agenda.