United Nations // The UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously adopted a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and restart peace negotiations.
The resolution also called for the “rapid, safe and unhindered” delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria, and anticipated a meeting of Syrian government and opposition representatives in Kazakhstan later this month.
Turkey and Russia say the Astana talks will supplement, not replace, UN-backed peace efforts, including talks set for February in Geneva.
The final text dropped an endorsement of the ceasefire deal that came into effect on Friday, as western members of the council sought changes to the draft resolution to clarify the UN’s role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.
The ceasefire deal was the third attempt at a truce in 2016, but the first not to involve the United States or the United Nations. As with previous ceasefire agreements, it excludes the extremist groups ISIL and former Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat Fatah Al Sham.
The UN resolution came as moderate Syrian rebel groups threatened to abandon the truce because of continuing violations. Although the level of violence dropped since it took effect on Friday, firefights, air strikes and shelling have continued in some areas.
Factions belonging to the Free Syrian Army (FSA), a loose alliance of moderate rebel groups, said government forces had been trying to push rebels back in Wadi Barada, north-west of Damascus.
They said the government forces were massing for an attack on the area, which is the primary source of water for the capital and its surrounding region. The government assault has coincided with a severe water shortage in Damascus since December 22. Images from the valley indicate its Ain Al Fijeh spring and water processing facility were destroyed in air strikes. The government says rebels polluted the water source with diesel, forcing it to cut supplies to the capital.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group confirmed clashes in the Barada valley on Saturday, and said there had also been government shelling in the southern provinces of Quneitra and Deraa.
The FSA also accused the government of signing a different version of the truce agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital Ankara. It said one of the versions was missing “a number of key and essential points that are non-negotiable”, but did not say what those were.
* Agencies
Company%20Profile
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
The%20specs
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Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Jawan
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KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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LOVE%20AGAIN
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5