Ever since the Syrian president Bashar Al Assad trapped the majority of the Syrian armed opposition groups in the final rebel-held enclave of Idlib, the world has feared a full-scale assault. With three million stranded there, the death toll would be colossal.
But following two months of air and ground assault from Syrian government forces and their Russian allies, the Assad regime is no closer to regaining the province. On average, more than a dozen regime fighters have died every day, while at least 629 civilians have been killed and 330,000 displaced since April, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Idlib is under siege, but it has demonstrated the limits of Syrian and Russian airpower.
The faltering offensive could now draw Turkey into the fray. Ankara, which supports rebels in Idlib, signed a ceasefire with Moscow last year, which collapsed in April after violations on both sides. After repeated setbacks in its regional policies and particularly in Syria, Turkey is now keen to set the agenda. And while Ankara’s policy in Syria is complex – Turkey enjoys close ties with Russia and Iran, has sought the downfall of the Syrian president and sees the Kurds as its main threat – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has yet to clarify what his overall strategy is in Syria. Ankara will host the leaders of Tehran and Moscow in August, in an effort to influence the next phase of the war.
There is reason to fear Turkey's plans. Having, controversially, taken delivery this week of the Russian S-400 missile defence system, which could attract fresh US sanctions, Ankara is flexing its muscles.
In recent days, the Turkish army has amassed troops and heavy weapons along the Syrian border. While any operation would likely target Syrian Kurdish forces – which Ankara regards as terrorists– the fighting could spill over into Idlib. The US military is keeping a close eye on its Turkish counterparts.
Once again, Idlib is at the centre of a tug of war. Although many extremists dwell there, so too do many millions of innocent Syrians. They urgently need an end to the violence but will not feel safe placing their lives in Mr Erdogan’s hands.
Age 26
Born May 17, 1991
Height 1.80 metres
Birthplace Sydney, Australia
Residence Eastbourne, England
Plays Right-handed
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$5,761,870 (Dh21,162,343.75)
Wins / losses 312 / 181
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The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
