Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, Syria’s state news agency reported.
This is his first visit to the country that was an ally of former leader Bashar Al Assad, who Mr Al Shara’s forces helped topple last year.
Moscow was due to host a Russian-Arab summit this week, but Mr Putin announced it would be postponed due to pressing developments as a ceasefire in Gaza came into effect. Pro-government Syria TV had said that Mr Al Shara would go ahead with his visit despite the summit being delayed.
The leaders will discuss regional and international developments and ways that Syria and Russia can co-operate, Sana reported, citing the Syrian president’s office media department.
But Russia’s bases in Syria and Moscow hosting the Assad family are expected to also top the agenda.
Russia was the most powerful supporter of Assad who fled to Moscow after being ousted in December, and has significant military interests in Syria.
The Russian military maintains a naval base at Tartous and an airbase outside Latakia in Hmeimim. Both are critical for Moscow’s regional and expeditionary operations, including in Africa.
After Mr Assad’s departure, securing those bases has become a central objective of Russia’s strategy in Syria. In January, the Russian Foreign Ministry suggested transforming them into “humanitarian hubs”.
Moscow has sought to preserve its ties with Syria’s new authorities, despite Mr Al Shara being at the forefront of a rebel offensive that toppled the Assad regime.
Russia was quick to reach out to the new Syrian authorities, including offering Damascus diplomatic support over Israeli strikes on Syria and internal sectarian strife.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday said Moscow was interested in maintaining its bases in Syria. “It appears that the Syrian government, along with a number of regional states, has an interest in maintaining our presence there,” he said, cited by Russian state media.
Mr Lavrov noted that the role needed to be “reconfigured” as Russia no longer needed to provide military support against opposition.
Another key issue remains Mr Assad’s presence in Russia. Syrian authorities have issued an arrest warrant for him on murder and torture charges, the first legal action against him by the country he ruled for 24 years. However, doubts are being cast about its efficacy.
In the past months, the new government has captured hundreds of former officials and security operatives, but not the top echelons of the former regime, most of whom are in Russia.
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
Mohammed bin Zayed MajlisSPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20TV%204K%20(THIRD%20GENERATION)
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The National’s picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Company%20profile
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EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order
How will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums … a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniElectric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniSpecs
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)
The five pillars of IslamSilent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
More on Quran memorisation:More from Neighbourhood WatchDengue%20fever%20symptoms
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid