Russia on Thursday proposed a draft UN Security Council resolution to extend cross-border aid deliveries into Syria by half a year after rejecting plans from the US and others for a much bigger humanitarian operation.
A draft text submitted by Russia calls for aid to continue flowing from Turkey across the Bab Al Hawa checkpoint for six months and that the mandate could be extended further, after receiving feedback from UN officials.
Russia’s offer falls far short of calls from the US and others for the reopening of other checkpoints that were shuttered last year, but the veto right held by Moscow grants permanent council members considerable power.
A vote on the Russian draft and a competing document drafted by Ireland and Norway that would keep Bab Al Hawa open for another year could come as soon as Friday — one day before the mandate expires.
The row is seen as a test for US-Russia ties after the summit between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on June 16 in Geneva, where the two leaders failed to make headway on Syria aid convoys.
The UN council first authorised cross-border aid operations into Syria in 2014 at four points — Bab Al Hawa between Turkey and Syria’s Idlib region, Bab Al Salam between Turkey and northern Syria, Al Ramtha near the Jordanian border and Al Yaroubia on the north-east frontier with Iraq.
Last year, the council cut that access back to only Bab Al Hawa due to opposition from Russia and China.
The US and others have pushed for Bab Al Hawa to stay open and for aid lorries to enter Syria at Bab Al Salam and Al Yaroubia.
Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, says aid should be administered from the capital, Damascus, passing across front lines into the north-west, and that western countries were politicising the issue.
A resolution to extend the mandate needs nine votes in favour and no veto by any of the permanent members: Russia, China, the US, Britain and France.
The north-western Idlib region, accessible, via Bab Al Hawa is the last remaining rebel stronghold against Mr Al Assad's government, which has largely regained control of Syria after a decade of civil war that has left the country in ruins.
The president of the Turkish Red Crescent, Kerem Kinik, on Thursday said the looming closure of Bab Al Hawa was “inhuman”.
“The fate of millions of people in need is likely to be affected negatively by a veto … Such a decision will be unfair and inhuman,” Mr Kinik said.
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The specs
A4 35 TFSI
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed S-tronic automatic
Power: 150bhp
Torque: 270Nm
Price: Dh150,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
A4 S4 TDI
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 350bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh165,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
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)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Wonka
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
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The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
The five pillars of Islam
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