Since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Ukrainians have feared that their country’s Independence Day, on August 24, would be marked with the entirety of their territory under Russian occupation.
And yet, it is not. Simultaneously, however resilient Ukraine's forces have proven to be, driving Russian tanks back across the countries’ internationally recognised border remains an immense challenge.
At the moment, the prospects for a ceasefire are bleak. Gennady Gatilov, Russia's envoy to the UN in Geneva, has said his country sees little chance of a negotiated peace with Kyiv.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he will not engage in negotiations if Ukrainian troops captured by Russia during its campaign on the city of Mariupol are put on trial, something that could well happen.
Ending fighting as quickly as possible must be the priority of both sides and the international community. At the moment, it is killing hundreds of troops and civilians on a daily basis, both on and behind the front lines. A potential disaster at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is now under Russian control, could threaten even more people, although French President Emmanuel Macron’s office has now said that an independent team of inspectors will be allowed to visit the facility.
As deaths mount, tensions are only rising. Mr Zelenskyy has warned of the possibility of a “particularly nasty and cruel” attack on Independence Day. On the weekend, a car bomb in Moscow killed the daughter of an important ally of President Putin. Ukraine has denied allegations it was behind the attack, while some say it is the work of a Russian dissident group.
It is one of the more dramatic attacks with possible links to the conflict to have taken place in Russian territory, but others have sown uncertainty, too. Russian military facilities near the border with Ukraine have been hit on a number of occasions. Crimea, which Moscow claims is its territory, has been struck, too. Again, it has proven hard to attribute responsibility. At points, Russia has said human error is to blame. Ukrainian officials have given mixed messages, likely in a bid to throw strategic ambiguity into the mix.
These twists and turns are generating a great deal of conversation about tactics, hardware, morale and upcoming battles. In an academic sense, the first interstate conflict to take place in Europe since the Second World War is understandably interesting to many. It feels, however, that discussions about securing peace are getting less attention.
In June, former German chancellor Angela Merkel gave her first interview since the war began. She, along with her predecessors, has received a great deal of criticism for what many in the West view as an approach to Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union that was permissive and naive. She, however, was unapologetic: "It’s a great shame that it didn’t succeed, but I don’t blame myself for having tried ... I don't see that I should now say it was wrong, and I won't apologise."
Many will disagree, but a voice for peace, particularly from such a distinguished politician, must be reflected on tomorrow. Six months from the beginning of the conflict, if the situation is to be any better this time next year, difficult conversations about compromise and co-operation will have to come to the fore.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
More on animal trafficking
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
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