Dual citizen safe in Jordan plans return to Ukraine to fight


Amy McConaghy
  • English
  • Arabic

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In the early hours of February 24, Karim was woken by his father in the northern Jordanian city of Irbid to learn that Russia had invaded Ukraine.

Karim, whose father is Jordanian and mother is Ukrainian, was on a break from his first-year studies at Lutsk Technical University. He is now trying to travel back to Europe to join the effort to defend Ukraine.

“These are dark times. One day, one hour, changed everything,” he said. “I want to be part of the process. I am figuring out a way, like through Poland.”

“It is one thing is to message my friends on the internet and ask if they are safe and another thing is to help them.”

Helplessly witnessing destruction

Jordan joined 141 countries at the 193-member United Nations General Assembly on March 2 in a vote to condemn the invasion and call for a halt to hostilities.

Ties between the countries are forged by Jordanian students studying abroad and Ukraine's role as a major foodstuff exporter to the kingdom.

Since the end of February, Jordan has waived visa requirements for Ukrainians who have relatives there.

“If the same situation happens in Jordan I would come to help. It is about the memories and the friends,” Karim, who is 18, said.

“You would not like to see the place where you had so many cool memories get destroyed.”

His friends in Lutsk have been digging fortifications and “organising well”, he said.

“It is the hardest time in the history of Ukraine, and we discovered that we are brothers,” he said. “There is lot of work to do.”

He said one of his Russian friends wrote to him to say that he would prefer to join the effort to defend Ukraine rather than enlist in the Russian military.

“I feel really sorry for those Russians who do not want the war,” he said. “They are not many, but they are there.”

A family reunited

When the Russian attack started, Karim's mother, Tetyana Kulish, was in Lutsk with Karim's younger brother.

She was woken in the middle of the night by the sound of explosions in the distance.

As she sat in front of her computer, looking for news, Lutsk quickly became one of the first targets of Russian bombardment.

“I panicked. I packed quickly – money and documents – and took my son from his bed and ran,” Ms Kulish said.

She said she called her father and sister, who live next to the long-closed Lutsk airport, and they were unharmed.

“They did not want to leave. I decided I had to take my son,” she said.

Russia’s attack forced her and her youngest son, who is 6, on a journey of more than 3,000 kilometres, first by car through a war zone and then by plane.

They waited nine hours at the Polish border for their turn to cross. On the other side, a Polish family they did not know waited for them. Like thousands of others, the family gave shelter to fleeing Ukrainians before the journey to Warsaw.

“People in Poland were so helpful, you cannot imagine,” Ms Kulish said. “Every day, they became more organised with their assistance. People were helping with accommodation, food, clothes, and everything necessary.”

Jordanains return home

Days after they had fled Lutsk, Ms Kulish and her son flew from Warsaw to Jordan, her husband’s homeland, and on to Irbid. There, she was reunited with her husband and Karim.

Ms Kulish and her youngest son are two of the hundreds of people who fled Ukraine through Eastern Europe to Jordan.

Many of the 5,000 Jordanians in Ukraine when the war started – mostly in blue-collar jobs or studying – were among those returning home.

Ms Kulish said many of their fellow passengers on the plane from Warsaw to Amman were Jordanians, Syrians and other Arabs who had been living in Ukraine.

“I was listening to them. They were saying we also have problems and military conflict in our area but no one is supporting us,” said Ms Kulish, who speaks Arabic and worked as a language teacher of German and Ukrainian in Lutsk.

She said only one of her Arab students sent her a message asking about her since the Russian assault.

In Jordan, Ms Kulish and other Ukrainians have not had much sympathy and support, although she said she does not need help.

“I think a lot of people politically support Ukraine but they cannot show it because they [the government] are keeping neutral,” she said.

Ms Kulish said she supports Karim's decision to go back to Ukraine, adding that 50 members of her family have joined the Ukrainian Army since the war began.

She said her heart did not leave Ukraine and she firmly believes her compatriots “will never give up” because they tasted freedom after the collapse of the Soviet Union three decades ago.

“I feel sorry for the Russian people … You cannot imagine the smell of freedom.”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Racecard

6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m

8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

The National selections

6.30pm: Chaddad

7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou

7.40pm: Mass Media

8.15pm: Rafal

8.50pm: Yulong Warrior

9.25pm: Chiefdom

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
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The specs

BMW M8 Competition Coupe

Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8

Power 625hp at 6,000rpm

Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm

Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto

Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec

Top speed 305kph

Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km

Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)

On sale Jan/Feb 2020
 

MATCH INFO

Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2', 3'; Fernandes 20', 70' pen; Lindelof 37'; James 65')

Leeds United 2 (Cooper 41'; Dallas 73')

Man of the match: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)

FINAL LEADERBOARD

1. Jordan Spieth (USA) 65 69 65 69 - 12-under-par
2. Matt Kuchar (USA) 65 71 66 69 - 9-under
3. Li Haotong (CHN) 69 73 69 63 - 6-under
T4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71 68 69 67 - 5-under
T4. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 67 73 67 68 - 5-under
T6. Marc Leishman (AUS) 69 76 66 65 - 4-under
T6. Matthew Southgate (ENG) 72 72 67 65 - 4-under
T6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 65 72 68 71 - 4-under
T6. Branden Grace (RSA) 70 74 62 70 - 4-under
T6. Alexander Noren (SWE)  68 72 69 67 - 4-under

THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5

The Penguin

Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz

Creator: Lauren LeFranc

Rating: 4/5

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

While you're here
The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo

Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Price: from Dh498,542

On sale: now

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

Remaining fixtures

Third-place-play-off: Portugal v Mexico, 4pm on Sunday

Final: Chile v Germany, 10pm on Sunday

No more lice

Defining head lice

Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars

ABU DHABI ORDER OF PLAY

Starting at 10am:

Daria Kasatkina v Qiang Wang

Veronika Kudermetova v Annet Kontaveit (10)

Maria Sakkari (9) v Anastasia Potapova

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Ons Jabeur (15)

Donna Vekic (16) v Bernarda Pera 

Ekaterina Alexandrova v Zarina Diyas

What is type-1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.

It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.

Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.

Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.

Her most famous song

Aghadan Alqak (Would I Ever Find You Again)?

Would I ever find you again
You, the heaven of my love, my yearning and madness;
You, the kiss to my soul, my cheer and
sadness?
Would your lights ever break the night of my eyes again?
Would I ever find you again?
This world is volume and you're the notion,
This world is night and you're the lifetime,
This world is eyes and you're the vision,
This world is sky and you're the moon time,
Have mercy on the heart that belongs to you.

Lyrics: Al Hadi Adam; Composer: Mohammed Abdel Wahab

Updated: March 23, 2022, 6:26 AM`