UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen speaks during a press conference at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. EPA
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen speaks during a press conference at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. EPA
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen speaks during a press conference at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. EPA
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen speaks during a press conference at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. EPA

UN envoy says earthquake aid agreement can set example for new Syria peace process


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The UN's special envoy for Syria reiterated calls on Wednesday for revived peace talks following the February 6 earthquake that killed at least 5,000 people in the northern part of the country and at least 45,000 in Turkey.

The aftermath of the earthquake has reignited a debate within the UN Security Council and among NGOs on the extent that aid can be delivered across Turkey’s border with Syria, where many areas are held by rebel militias.

Idlib, for example, a governorate in eastern Syria home to about 900,000 refugees, is controlled by militants formerly linked to Al Qaeda.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, UN Syria envoy Geir Pedersen called for the adoption of what he called a step-for-step approach that would allow all sides to present what they are prepared to concede to reach a possible settlement.

“There needs to be a genuine Syrian-led and owned political process facilitated by the United Nations,” Mr Pedersen said.

“There needs to be a co-ordinated international effort in support of this … [as the] status quo cannot be acceptable. We need to move forward.”

Damascus and its close ally Moscow have long insisted that aid being distributed to rebel-held areas violates Syria’s sovereignty. For years, however, Russia supported short-term access on a rolling basis through a single crossing at Bab Al Hawa.

Already bleak living conditions in the north of the country — where more than four million displaced Syrians have found refuge amid the 12-year-long civil war — have deteriorated even further following the earthquake.

Damaged roads along the Turkey-Syria border as well as disagreement over how many border crossings into the north of the country could be used left millions of people languishing without assistance in the critical hours and days following the quake.

An agreement was eventually reached to open more border crossing points for aid, but the distribution of humanitarian relief within the country remains contentious.

Mr Pedersen stressed that the warring sides and international players should approach peace efforts in the same way as they made concessions in response to the earthquakes.

“A month ago, there was no prospect of the opening of more border crossings, nor moves to ease sanctions in a concrete way,” he said, referring to measures adopted in response to the earthquakes.

“They need the same logic that was applied on the humanitarian front to now be applied on the political level.”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
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Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne

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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

 

 

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Healthy tips to remember

Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:

Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast

Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits

Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day

Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet

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Best Foreign Language Film nominees

Capernaum (Lebanon)

Cold War (Poland)

Never Look Away (Germany)

Roma (Mexico)

Shoplifters (Japan)

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Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

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Date of launch: November 2018

Founder: Monark Modi

Based: Business Bay, Dubai

Sector: Financial services

Size: Eight employees

Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings

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Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

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Updated: March 09, 2023, 9:34 AM`