I write in reference to Tim Stickings' article Eastern Europe swings behind Ukraine's EU membership bid (March 2): western incompetence has helped exacerbate yet another conflict in the world, this time in Ukraine. While it is comforting to hear that the US will fight to protect fellow Nato member states, but why not help friends who may not be treaty allies – such as Ukraine – as well?
Less than a year after the Biden administration made a mess of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan, its inaction in Eastern Europe is just as troubling.
The West sold Ukraine false dreams about EU inclusion and Nato membership, both of which scared Russia, given the historical, cultural and political ties between these two neighbours. After all the intelligence it had gathered over the past few months, Washington could have sent a peacekeeping force to Ukraine in anticipation of the war.
Sadly, it seems, Ukraine is paying the price for its misplaced trust in the West.
Christopher-Michael Mansour, Barrie, Canada
Indian student's death is a tragedy
I write in reference to Leen Alfaisal's video Indian student killed in Ukraine shelling and 16000 remain trapped (March 2): it is always depressing to learn about the lives lost in conflict. It is one thing for soldiers to go into battle knowing they may never return. It is entirely another for civilians to get caught in a crossfire, or worse, be targeted by enemy forces.
Why do they have to die? What have they done to deserve death? Can there be no way to protect them better? These are some of the questions that occurred to me when I learned about the death of an Indian medical student in Ukraine.
Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagoudar was only 21 years old. Had it not been for the war, he may well have become a medical practitioner one day, perhaps saving the lives of others. Instead, his life was cruelly snatched for no fault of his.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
A global government, anyone?
I write in reference to James Reinl's article UN assembly condemns Russian aggression in Ukraine (March 2): it may be time for all the world's leaders, as well as the UN, to think seriously about forming a global government, which all the nations of the world can have a stake in.
This government will have no jurisdiction over the internal affairs and administration of any country, but it will have the remit to resolve global issues. Perhaps, such a force might be more effective in keeping the peace throughout the world.
Raj Kishore Panda, Jajpur, India
The truth about war
I write in reference to the editorial The only way to end Ukraine bloodshed is through direct dialogue (February 27): war is destructive and very unfortunate. It does not differentiate between enemy and friend. It kills and/or maims both.
Nazim Hasan Khan, Dubai
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines
Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications
Company%20Profile
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hoopla%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jacqueline%20Perrottet%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20required%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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.
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
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The%20Specs
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The biog
Born: near Sialkot, Pakistan, 1981
Profession: Driver
Family: wife, son (11), daughter (8)
Favourite drink: chai karak
Favourite place in Dubai: The neighbourhood of Khawaneej. “When I see the old houses over there, near the date palms, I can be reminded of my old times. If I don’t go down I cannot recall my old times.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.