Stark warnings that a humanitarian catastrophe is under way in Syria's Idlib shook the UN on Tuesday, yet the US and other leading states seemed powerless to stop Bashar Al Assad's offensive.
An urgent meeting was called by Germany, Kuwait and Belgium five days after a proclaimed ceasefire, advocated by Russia, was broken by further deadly attacks on hospitals in the last rebel-held territory in Syria.
UN officials who briefed the Security Council indicated that attacks by the Assad regime, including barrel bombs, and Russian air strikes were breaking international law, with civilians dying in increasing numbers.
Russia and Syria said they were fighting the UN-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham.
Their ambassadors' remarks suggested that retaking the north-western province of Idlib was non-negotiable despite the complaints of council members.
The members have been repeatedly blocked by Russia's veto privileges.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appealed to Moscow and Turkey, which has long backed the rebels, to stabilise the situation.
Russia and Turkey are signatories to a September 2018 de-escalation pact in Idlib, which has unravelled under pressure from the Assad regime's need to retake Idlib.
Some have drawn the conclusion that hospital bombings are a deliberate tactic aimed at terrorising people
But Mark Lowcock, the UN's undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, said the agreement was being ignored by Russia and the Syrian regime, and that at least 230 people died in bombings in the past six weeks.
Since May 1, almost 330,000 people were forced to flee their homes, Mr Lowcock said, with about 10 per cent of the population under threat because of the offensive.
He implied that Russia had abused its access to the locations of hospitals, which were shared to stop them being bombed, by launching air attacks on the sites.
“We are faced with a humanitarian disaster unfolding before our eyes. There is no denying the facts,” Mr Lowcock said.
Since he last briefed the council last month, eight hospitals had been targeted by air strikes, adding to two dozen already bombed.
“It is appalling that these sites were hit in the first place,” Mr Lowcock said. “But hitting a facility whose co-ordinates were shared as part of the UN's de-confliction mechanism is intolerable.
"A number of parties now feel that supplying geographical co-ordinates to be given to the warring parties effectively paints a target on their backs.
“Some have drawn the conclusion that hospital bombings are a deliberate tactic aimed at terrorising people.”
Rosemary DiCarlo, UN undersecretary general for political and peace-building affairs, said any talk of a ceasefire was belied by military action.
“Our unflagging efforts to mediate a political solution that meets the legitimate interests of the Syrian people cannot move forward in an environment of open conflict,” Ms DiCarlo said.
“Air strikes continue, barrel bomb use and cluster munitions, exchanges of mortar and artillery fire are ongoing, resulting in civilian casualties and massive displacement.
“It is imperative that we address HTS without triggering the humanitarian catastrophe that we see unfolding before our eyes, with hundreds of thousands on the move being pushed closer to Turkey's border.”
Despite six weeks of Syrian and Russian military action, the front lines around Idlib have barely moved, Ms DiCarlo said.
“If so, it is plainly turning out to be a bloody and quite pointless stalemate with devastating humanitarian consequences that far outstrip any damage done to HTS.”
The fight against terrorism is not an excuse to target a school or a hospital
Turkey's observation posts had been shelled by regime forces, leading it to retaliate with heavy weapons, she said.
Members of the council said civilians were suffering while Russia and Syria openly contravened international law.
“The fight against terrorism is not an excuse to target a school or a hospital,” said Belgium's permanent representative to the UN, Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve.
Russia and Syria questioned the sources of the UN information, mainly quoted as World Health Organisation officials, yet failed to rebut the accusations against their military forces with any evidence.
Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, then delivered a stark warning that unnerved several members of the council.
Mr Nebenzia claimed the White Helmets, a civil defence force in rebel-held areas, was preparing “false flag” chemical weapons operations in Idlib to implicate the Assad regime.
In past attacks where the US and other governments have said Syria used chlorine to poison civilians, Russia has claimed that western countries were responsible.
It has often accused the White Helmets of terrorism, an allegation that has drawn condemnation from council members.
Britain in particular has hit out at Russia for making unfounded claims designed to smear a volunteer force acting on behalf of Syrians under fire.
The US, Britain and France have said that any chemical weapons attacks by the Syrian government would be met with a forceful response.
"Such claims about false flag operations are disconcerting," a western diplomat told The National, saying the Assad regime appeared willing to do anything to reclaim Idlib.
The continuing battle for Idlib comes despite efforts by UN special envoy Geir Pedersen to find a political solution to the war, in which more than half a million people are estimated to have been killed.
But Syria's permanent representative to the UN, Bashar Jaafari, indicated there would be no let-up in the military campaign in Idlib, despite western condemnation of barrel bombings and other indiscriminate tactics.
In a long and at times rambling speech, Mr Jaafari suggested there would be no compromises over territory yet to be reclaimed by the regime.
“The Syrian government will not succumb to the terrorist war imposed on it,” he said.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
HAJJAN
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
In 2018, the ICRC received 27,756 trace requests in the Middle East alone. The global total was 45,507.
There are 139,018 global trace requests that have not been resolved yet, 55,672 of these are in the Middle East region.
More than 540,000 individuals approached the ICRC in the Middle East asking to be reunited with missing loved ones in 2018.
The total figure for the entire world was 654,000 in 2018.
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Sour%20Grapes
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UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEquestrian%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Humaid%20Al%20Muhairi%2C%20Abdullah%20Al%20Marri%2C%20Omar%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Suwaidi%2C%20and%20Ali%20Al%20Karbi%20(four%20to%20be%20selected).%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EJudo%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Narmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20(66kg)%2C%20Nugzari%20Tatalashvili%20(81kg)%2C%20Aram%20Grigorian%20(90kg)%2C%20Dzhafar%20Kostoev%20(100kg)%2C%20Magomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20(%2B100kg)%3B%20women's%20Khorloodoi%20Bishrelt%20(52kg).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECycling%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESafia%20Al%20Sayegh%20(women's%20road%20race).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESwimming%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Yousef%20Rashid%20Al%20Matroushi%20(100m%20freestyle)%3B%20women%3A%20Maha%20Abdullah%20Al%20Shehi%20(200m%20freestyle).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAthletics%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMaryam%20Mohammed%20Al%20Farsi%20(women's%20100%20metres).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Quick%20facts
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStorstockholms%20Lokaltrafik%20(SL)%20offers%20free%20guided%20tours%20of%20art%20in%20the%20metro%20and%20at%20the%20stations%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20tours%20are%20free%20of%20charge%3B%20all%20you%20need%20is%20a%20valid%20SL%20ticket%2C%20for%20which%20a%20single%20journey%20(valid%20for%2075%20minutes)%20costs%2039%20Swedish%20krone%20(%243.75)%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETravel%20cards%20for%20unlimited%20journeys%20are%20priced%20at%20165%20Swedish%20krone%20for%2024%20hours%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAvoid%20rush%20hour%20%E2%80%93%20between%209.30%20am%20and%204.30%20pm%20%E2%80%93%20to%20explore%20the%20artwork%20at%20leisure%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
The biog
Favourite Quote: “Real victories are those that protect human life, not those that result from its destruction emerge from its ashes,” by The late king Hussain of Jordan.
Favourite Hobby: Writing and cooking
Favourite Book: The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
New Zealand squad
Tim Southee (capt), Trent Boult (games 4 and 5), Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (games 1-3), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner
