What lies ahead for Ukraine?
I write in reference to Joyce Karam's article US intel chiefs expect Putin to 'double down' in Ukraine with 'no sustainable end goal' (March 8): I appeal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to announce that his country will remain neutral – neither aligned to Russia nor Nato. This may be the one agreeable way he can avoid further bloodshed. The primary reason for the war is Ukraine's dalliance with the western alliance that Moscow has always been suspicious of.
By joining Nato, and perhaps even the EU, Ukraine would benefit in a number of ways – a free trade agreement with many of its fellow European nations, as well as employment opportunities and unrestricted travel on the continent for its citizens. However, if Ukraine joins Nato, western-allied troops and arsenal will be positioned inside that country, and from Russia's point of view, within just a few hundred kilometres from Moscow.
For Mr Zelenskyy to assuage Russian fears and end this war, he needs to give up his aspirations of joining forces with the West. He must realise that Ukraine can be neutral and at the same time, rich and prosperous. Ukraine has the resources it needs to transform itself into an economic powerhouse at the heart of Europe. Ukrainians will thank the President for making what would be a mature and pragmatic decision in the best interest of their nation.
Rajendra Aneja, Mumbai, India
Does the higher earner call the shots at home?
With reference to the article How single-income couples can remain financial equals (March 1): these tips would be great, but often the reality is that the person who makes the money has more control than the person who doesn’t – in many such households, there is no equality. That’s the way our world works and it trickles into the home.
Megan Christine, Florida, US
Tragedy in Kerala
I write in reference to Taniya Dutta's article House fire kills five family members in Kerala (March 8): it was sad to read about the recent fire accident in the southern Indian state of Kerala. While this is not a strike against Kerala itself, I wonder whether the country has experienced one too many fire accidents in recent months. While even one accident is one too many, it has become a regular fixture in the national news lately. The main problem is poor implementation of the necessary safety standards. Is there apathy among builders, contractors, authorities and the public at large? Not everyone can be painted with the same brush, but surely it exists among some of them. This needs to stop.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
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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
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RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
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Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Al Jazira's foreign quartet for 2017/18
Romarinho, Brazil
Lassana Diarra, France
Sardor Rashidov, Uzbekistan
Mbark Boussoufa, Morocco
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
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.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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