Awaiting an astronaut's return to Earth
With reference to Sarwat Nasir's piece Will Russia bring home American astronaut from International Space Station? (March 15): political differences should not be construed as hatred or animosity. The scientific exploration of space is for all on Earth. Let's hope the astronaut Mark Vande Hei lands back safely on the Soyuz spacecraft due on March 30.
Nazim Hasan Khan, Uttar Pradesh, India
A long overdue reunion and return home
With reference to the report by Laura O'Callaghan and Paul Peachey Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori reunited with families after return to UK (March 16): I feel so relieved and happy that Ms Zaghari and Mr Ashoori are finally reunited with their spouses and children. Their families have really fought hard and stood by their cause for all these long years. Both the British-Iranian dual citizens being released and on that flight back home was such heartening news.
Pauline Van Lelyveld, Blantyre, Malawi
How much do the UN's orders determine Russia's moves?
With reference to the report UN orders Russia to end Ukraine invasion (March 16): Sadly, the ruling doesn't mean much. Russia doesn't grant the ICJ jurisdiction over citizens of their country, the same as the US. Furthermore, the UN can't do much besides voice criticism. As a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia has full veto authority over any substantive UN action.
Rodney Edens, North Carolina, US
Tough choices for Ukrainians
With reference to Michael Young's op-ed Notes for Kyiv today, from Beirut in '82 (March 16): the Ukrainians should be encouraged to leave as soon as possible through the humanitarian corridors that have been set up. We have seen what is happening to the cities. Kyiv could become another Grozny and Aleppo. Nobody in Ukraine wants that.
Alii Rosanna, Dubai
I have a friend who just escaped from Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine. She has no family left so she is looking for places that she can emigrate to. But others have sick mothers and fathers and it is their home. She cries everyday for her friends that are stuck or fighting or hiding in bomb shelters. I think the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is doing what Ukranians want and doing it well. The memories of the west's invasions in the Middle East, the senseless killings by over a million combined, and what led up to that is still so fresh. I truly feel for the civilians in Ukraine. I hope peace prevails.
Bert Monroe, Washington, US
Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
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.
Afghanistan squad
Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
