Dubai residents have been booking Airbnbs in Ukraine, to help support civilians as the country’s humanitarian crisis continues to unfold.
"People are booking Airbnbs in Ukraine they don't intend to stay in, just to help hosts,” Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky wrote on Twitter.
“In 48 hours, 61,406 nights have been booked in Ukraine. That's $1.9 million going to hosts in need. Such a cool idea from our community. Thank you.”
In the UAE, a message has been circulating on Instagram, sharing the story of a woman who booked a room in Kyiv as a way to send funds to the property’s host.
“A woman on Facebook had a great idea and I just went on and did the same,” says the message, which is being shared via Instagram Stories. “She logged on to Airbnb and booked a few nights in a private apartment in Kyiv, and then sent a message to say she obviously would not be coming but she hopes the money helps in some way.
“I went through a load of apartments and just picked one that was run by a lady and it was clearly her home. Lots of good reviews about her, it was a simple one room in a home… for anyone thinking about doing it, you never know, it might just help someone directly. What I donated I would have spent on coffees this week. How lucky we are to have our freedom.”
Dubai residents Sarah Fulton and Alex McAlpine have both followed suit, with McAlpine booking a room in Kyiv in April for one week, at a cost of Dh364. The response from the host, Nataliya, came almost immediately: “Thank you so much! It means a lot now!”
McAlpine, who goes by @plantbasedmamadxb on Instagram, explained her reasoning to The National. “I've been struggling with a feeling of helplessness and we have been donating to the Red Cross, but I've felt a calling to share ideas with my Instagram community of how they can make small but impactful contributions.
“A friend told me about a movement to book Airbnb rooms in Ukraine and then send the owner a message letting them know you wouldn't be checking in but you were sending money and wishing for their safety. I went online, booked a one-week stay in Kyiv, messaged the owner and within an hour, I received a message from Nataliya saying thank you and that it was much needed.”
Airbnb has suspended operations in Russia and Belarus, and waived all its fees on properties in Ukraine, ensuring that its hosts in the country benefit fully from any bookings. “We are so humbled by the inspiring generosity of our community during this moment of crisis,” an official statement by the platform read. “Airbnb is temporarily waiving guest and host fees on bookings in Ukraine at this time.”
Airbnb and its charitable arm Airbnb.org have also announced that they will offer free, short-term housing for up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine. “We also encourage anyone interested in getting involved with Airbnb.org to go to airbnb.org/help-ukraine, and support Airbnb.org's initiative to provide housing to refugees fleeing Ukraine, by becoming a host or donating. To date, we have seen an overwhelming response to this effort, with more than 357,000 visitors to this page.”
In addition, Airbnb last week announced an initiative to provide housing to 21,300 Afghan refugees, with a further goal of providing free, temporary housing for another 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, among other regions.
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Company%20Profile
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Results
2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly
3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
More on Turkey's Syria offence
Community Shield info
Where, when and at what time Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday at 5pm (UAE time)
Arsenal line up (3-4-2-1) Petr Cech; Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal; Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck; Alexandre Lacazette
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Chelsea line up (3-4-2-1) Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Gary Cahill; Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso; Willian, Pedro; Michy Batshuayi
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
Referee Bobby Madley
