Russian President Vladimir Putin signs documents recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent. AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin signs documents recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent. AFP
A Ukrainian soldier walks past fragments of a mortar shell amid fighting near the front line in Travneve, Donetsk region. Reuters
A Ukrainian soldier walks past fragments of a mortar shell amid fighting near the front line in Travneve, Donetsk region. Reuters
People wave Russian flags while celebrating Moscow's recognition of the self-proclaimed republic's independence, in Donetsk. AP
People wave Russian flags while celebrating Moscow's recognition of the self-proclaimed republic's independence, in Donetsk. AP
Protesters gather at the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry in Kiev, calling on the EU to impose additional sanctions against Russia. Getty Images
Protesters gather at the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry in Kiev, calling on the EU to impose additional sanctions against Russia. Getty Images
Members of the security forces walk in an underpass at a railway station in Kiev. Getty Images
Members of the security forces walk in an underpass at a railway station in Kiev. Getty Images
A Ukrainian soldier on the front line near the village of Travneve, in Donetsk. Reuters
A Ukrainian soldier on the front line near the village of Travneve, in Donetsk. Reuters
Alisa, 38, a media relations specialist, takes part in a combat skills training for civilians near Kiev. Reuters
Alisa, 38, a media relations specialist, takes part in a combat skills training for civilians near Kiev. Reuters
Alisa poses with a gun at her home near Kiev. Reuters
Alisa poses with a gun at her home near Kiev. Reuters
A young girl takes part in a rally in defence of 'Ukraine, Europe and democratic values', organised by the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal, outside the Russian Consulate in Porto, Portugal. EPA
A young girl takes part in a rally in defence of 'Ukraine, Europe and democratic values', organised by the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal, outside the Russian Consulate in Porto, Portugal. EPA
A Ukrainian soldier takes time out to play with dogs on the front line near the city of Novoluhanske, in Donetsk. Reuters
A Ukrainian soldier takes time out to play with dogs on the front line near the city of Novoluhanske, in Donetsk. Reuters
People gather under the Ukrainian flag for a Day of Solidarity with Ukraine at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. AFP
People gather under the Ukrainian flag for a Day of Solidarity with Ukraine at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. AFP
Residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic cross from Ukraine into Russia, after it was announced that women and children would be led to the Rostov region due to rising tension in the area. EPA
Residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic cross from Ukraine into Russia, after it was announced that women and children would be led to the Rostov region due to rising tension in the area. EPA
After the evacuation of separatist-controlled regions of eastern Ukraine, people complete documents in a temporary accommodation centre in Rostov, Russia. Reuters
After the evacuation of separatist-controlled regions of eastern Ukraine, people complete documents in a temporary accommodation centre in Rostov, Russia. Reuters
War veterans and volunteers train civilians in handling weapons on one of Kiev's city beaches. AFP
War veterans and volunteers train civilians in handling weapons on one of Kiev's city beaches. AFP
Russian and Belarusian helicopters taking part in a joint military exercise of the allied countries’ armed forces. EPA
Russian and Belarusian helicopters taking part in a joint military exercise of the allied countries’ armed forces. EPA
Ukrainian National Guard soldiers at a mobile checkpoint together with the Ukrainian Security Service agents and police officers during a joint operation in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
Ukrainian National Guard soldiers at a mobile checkpoint together with the Ukrainian Security Service agents and police officers during a joint operation in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
US President Joe Biden delivers a national update on the situation at the Russia-Ukraine border at the White House in Washington, DC. AFP
US President Joe Biden delivers a national update on the situation at the Russia-Ukraine border at the White House in Washington, DC. AFP
A Polish soldier uses his phone, as US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak visit the Air Base in Powidz, Poland. Reuters
A Polish soldier uses his phone, as US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak visit the Air Base in Powidz, Poland. Reuters
Mr Austin, left, addresses US troops stationed at the Powidz Air Base in Poland. AP Photo
Mr Austin, left, addresses US troops stationed at the Powidz Air Base in Poland. AP Photo
A woman walks to board a bus, arranged to evacuate local residents, in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine. Reuters
A woman walks to board a bus, arranged to evacuate local residents, in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine. Reuters
A satellite image shows an overview of helicopter deployments near Lake Donuzlav in Crimea, Ukraine. Reuters
A satellite image shows an overview of helicopter deployments near Lake Donuzlav in Crimea, Ukraine. Reuters
A Ukrainian Military Forces serviceman looks through a spyglass on the front line with Russia-backed separatists not far from Novolugansk in the Donetsk region. AFP
A Ukrainian Military Forces serviceman looks through a spyglass on the front line with Russia-backed separatists not far from Novolugansk in the Donetsk region. AFP
A serviceman keeps position on the front line. AFP
A serviceman keeps position on the front line. AFP
A Ukrainian frontier guard patrols along the border with Russia, some 40km from the city of Kharkiv. AFP
A Ukrainian frontier guard patrols along the border with Russia, some 40km from the city of Kharkiv. AFP
US President Joe Biden speaks to the media about Russia's buildup on the Ukrainian border as he leaves the White House in Washington. EPA
US President Joe Biden speaks to the media about Russia's buildup on the Ukrainian border as he leaves the White House in Washington. EPA
A Ukrainian frontier guard stands at a check point. AFP
A Ukrainian frontier guard stands at a check point. AFP
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio enter a hall during a meeting in Moscow. Reuters
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio enter a hall during a meeting in Moscow. Reuters
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses the United Nations Security Council. AP Photo
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses the United Nations Security Council. AP Photo
An elderly lady walks by as members of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination survey damage to a house from artillery shell that landed in Vrubivka, eastern Ukraine. AP Photo
An elderly lady walks by as members of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination survey damage to a house from artillery shell that landed in Vrubivka, eastern Ukraine. AP Photo
French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders to discuss Ukraine at the European Council building in Brussels. AP Photo
French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders to discuss Ukraine at the European Council building in Brussels. AP Photo
A local resident boards a train at a suburban area of Kiev. Reuters
A local resident boards a train at a suburban area of Kiev. Reuters
A woman stands among debris after the reported shelling of a nursery in the settlement of Stanytsia Luhanska, Ukraine. AFP
A woman stands among debris after the reported shelling of a nursery in the settlement of Stanytsia Luhanska, Ukraine. AFP
A protester shouts slogans during a demonstration outside the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev against high government taxes. AFP
A protester shouts slogans during a demonstration outside the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev against high government taxes. AFP
A member of the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army rests ahead of deployment to Poland from Fort Bragg in the US. AP Photo
A member of the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army rests ahead of deployment to Poland from Fort Bragg in the US. AP Photo
Members of the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army clean weaponry ahead of deployment to Poland. AP Photo
Members of the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army clean weaponry ahead of deployment to Poland. AP Photo

World

Europe

Russia extends military exercises in Belarus near Ukraine border

US Secretary of State says Ukraine is ‘on the brink of an invasion’

Jamie Prentis
Jamie Prentis

February 20, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine

Russia has extended military exercises in Belarus near the Ukrainian border, as Kiev’s president called for a ceasefire in the east of the country amid intensified fighting between Ukraine’s military and pro-Russian separatists.

The presence of about 30,000 Russian soldiers in Belarus has raised fears in some western capitals that they could be used as part of a larger force to invade Ukraine. Russia denies any intention to do so.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “everything we’re seeing suggests that this is dead serious, that we are on the brink of an invasion”.

Belarus’s defence ministry said the extension of the drills, which were supposed to end on Sunday, was because of an “increase in military activity” near the Belarusian and Russian borders and the escalation of fighting in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.

More than 6,600 people have fled Donetsk, and about 25,000 people have left Luhansk, with 10,000 preparing to leave, separatist officials said on Saturday.

Russia, which has massed an estimated 150,000 soldiers, warplanes and equipment on the Ukrainian border, has been threatened by the West with heavy economic sanctions if it invades its neighbour.

Diplomatic efforts to find a way forward have so far yielded little. Mr Blinken told CNN on Sunday that US President Joe Biden was willing to meet Russia’s Vladimir Putin “at any time” to defuse tension.

French President Emmanuel Macron called Mr Putin on Sunday.

They spoke for 105 minutes, which the Elysee said represented “the final possible and necessary efforts to avoid a major conflict in Ukraine”. Mr Macron then spoke to Mr Zelenskyy.

A Kremlin readout of the call said Mr Putin blamed Ukrainian “provocations” for the escalation in tension but that “the presidents believe it is important to intensify efforts to find solutions through diplomatic means”.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the repeated warnings by the West that Russia was about to invade Ukraine were provocative.

“The fact is that this directly leads to an increase in tension. And when tension is escalated to the maximum, as it is now, for example, on the line of contact [in eastern Ukraine], then any spark, any unplanned incident or any minor planned provocation can lead to irreparable consequences,” Mr Peskov said.

“So all this has – may have – detrimental consequences. The daily exercise of announcing a date for Russia to invade Ukraine is a very bad practice.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country desired “intensifying the peace process” and talks with Russia.

European Council chief Charles Michel said that “the big question remains: does the Kremlin want dialogue?” He then referred to claims from Russia last week that it had withdrawn some troops from the Ukrainian border.

“A few days ago, their words offered a very, very small ray of hope, but their actions take the form of continued military build-up, with serious incidents in the Donbas, including today.”

“We cannot forever offer an olive branch while Russia conducts missile tests and continues to amass troops,” Mr Michel told the Munich Security Conference on Sunday.

“One thing is certain: if there is further military aggression, we will react with massive sanctions.”

Lidia, 92, a Ukrainian who has lived here during the time of the conflict, stands at the entrance to her house in the territory controlled by pro-Russian militants, near the front line with Ukrainian government forces in Luhansk, Ukraine. AP
Lidia, 92, a Ukrainian who has lived here during the time of the conflict, stands at the entrance to her house in the territory controlled by pro-Russian militants, near the front line with Ukrainian government forces in Luhansk, Ukraine. AP
Olga Matvienko, an inspector at the migration service office, in Donetsk, Ukraine, says the number of people applying for Russian passports has increased in recent weeks. AP
Olga Matvienko, an inspector at the migration service office, in Donetsk, Ukraine, says the number of people applying for Russian passports has increased in recent weeks. AP
Valentyna Konstantynovska, 79, is taught to use a weapon during training for civilians, organised by the Azov Special Forces Unit of Ukraine's National Guard, in Donetsk. AP
Valentyna Konstantynovska, 79, is taught to use a weapon during training for civilians, organised by the Azov Special Forces Unit of Ukraine's National Guard, in Donetsk. AP
Ukrainian pensioner Lidiya Silina, 87, at her house near the border between Belarus and Ukraine. Russia has stationed troops in Belarus in recent weeks. AFP
Ukrainian pensioner Lidiya Silina, 87, at her house near the border between Belarus and Ukraine. Russia has stationed troops in Belarus in recent weeks. AFP
Ukrainian teenagers dig trenches for soldiers facing off with Russian-backed separatists, in the Mariupol region. AFP
Ukrainian teenagers dig trenches for soldiers facing off with Russian-backed separatists, in the Mariupol region. AFP
A young woman handles a weapon during basic combat training for civilians, in Mariupol. AP
A young woman handles a weapon during basic combat training for civilians, in Mariupol. AP
A small child struggles to remove ammunition from a clip during a basic combat training for civilians, in Mariupol. AP
A small child struggles to remove ammunition from a clip during a basic combat training for civilians, in Mariupol. AP
Civilians are being trained in Mariupol, where President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to mark what he had declared Ukraine's 'Day of Unity'. AP
Civilians are being trained in Mariupol, where President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to mark what he had declared Ukraine's 'Day of Unity'. AP
A plane set as a monument to a former military base near the Three Sisters border crossing between, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, in Senkivka, Ukraine. Getty Images
A plane set as a monument to a former military base near the Three Sisters border crossing between, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, in Senkivka, Ukraine. Getty Images
A military instructor teaches a schoolboy to shoot with Kalashnikov rifles, during a training session in Lviv. AFP
A military instructor teaches a schoolboy to shoot with Kalashnikov rifles, during a training session in Lviv. AFP
A salesperson works in a grocery store in Orlivka. Tensions with Russia have hit the economy hard, Ukrainian authorities say. Getty Images
A salesperson works in a grocery store in Orlivka. Tensions with Russia have hit the economy hard, Ukrainian authorities say. Getty Images
A child on a swing with his grandmother in Prymorsk, Ukraine, as Russian forces conduct large-scale military exercises in Belarus, across the border. Getty Images
A child on a swing with his grandmother in Prymorsk, Ukraine, as Russian forces conduct large-scale military exercises in Belarus, across the border. Getty Images
Pensioner Viktor collects firewood in Novokostyantynivka. European natural gas prices surged as the US rejected Russia’s claims that it was pulling back troops. Getty Images
Pensioner Viktor collects firewood in Novokostyantynivka. European natural gas prices surged as the US rejected Russia’s claims that it was pulling back troops. Getty Images
A fisherman tests his new fishing rod on a beach in Prymorsk, Ukraine. Getty Images
A fisherman tests his new fishing rod on a beach in Prymorsk, Ukraine. Getty Images
A customer in a barber shop in Kiev. Bloomberg
A customer in a barber shop in Kiev. Bloomberg
Passengers travel on a train in Kiev. Ukrainians have gone back to work, but are “not naive to the fact of how serious the situation is”, reports say. Bloomberg
Passengers travel on a train in Kiev. Ukrainians have gone back to work, but are “not naive to the fact of how serious the situation is”, reports say. Bloomberg
Shoppers in a supermarket in Kiev. Bloomberg
Shoppers in a supermarket in Kiev. Bloomberg
A large street mural in Kiev. Getty Images
A large street mural in Kiev. Getty Images
A woman walks past a vendor on a street in the Ukrainian capital. Getty Images
A woman walks past a vendor on a street in the Ukrainian capital. Getty Images
Ania, 67, a Ukrainian, gestures on the pedestrian border cross in Medyka, south-east Poland. AFP
Ania, 67, a Ukrainian, gestures on the pedestrian border cross in Medyka, south-east Poland. AFP
A skateboarder performs a trick behind a mural of poet and activist Vasyl Stus, in Kiev. Getty Images
A skateboarder performs a trick behind a mural of poet and activist Vasyl Stus, in Kiev. Getty Images
A woman gets her hair done at a beauty salon in Kiev. Getty Images
A woman gets her hair done at a beauty salon in Kiev. Getty Images
A man works out at Kiev's popular outdoor gym. Getty Images
A man works out at Kiev's popular outdoor gym. Getty Images
A woman works in a gun shop in the capital. Getty Images
A woman works in a gun shop in the capital. Getty Images

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, while stating that sanctions would hit Russia “very, very hard,” conceded the threat may not be enough.

“We have to accept at the moment that Vladimir Putin is possibly thinking illogically about this and doesn’t see the disaster ahead,” he told the BBC on Sunday.

Referring to the Russian troop build-up, Mr Johnson said the “plan that we are seeing is for something that could be really the biggest war in Europe since 1945 just in terms of sheer scale”.

Mr Johnson said US President Joe Biden had briefed allies on Friday about the potential plans Russia had for an invasion.

“You’re looking at not just an invasion through the east, through the Donbas, but according to the intelligence that we’re seeing, coming down from the north, down from Belarus, and actually encircling Kiev itself, as Joe Biden explained to a lot of us,” he said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the West should impose some of the sanctions now, rather than waiting for an invasion.

“Russia has to be stopped right now. We see how events are unfolding,” he said.

The focus in recent days has been on the chunk of eastern Ukraine that Russian-backed rebels seized in 2014, the year Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine.

More than 14,000 people have been killed in the conflict in the east since then.

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

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December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%

April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.

July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.

March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.

April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.

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The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

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How green is the expo nursery?

Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery

An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo

Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery

Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape

The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides

All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality

Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country

Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow

Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site

Green waste is recycled as compost

Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs

Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers

About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer

Main themes of expo is  ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.

Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months

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Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
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L - Tottenham, 2-1

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THE BIO

Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place

Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai

First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group

Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business

Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne

Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia

Family: Six sisters

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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On Women's Day
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
While you're here
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Jawab Iteiqal
Director: Mohamed Sammy
Starring: Mohamed Ramadan, Ayad Nasaar, Mohamed Adel and Sabry Fawaz
2 stars

Simran

Director Hansal Mehta

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey

Three stars

Concrete and Gold
Foo Fighters
RCA records

Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

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1888

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Director: Clint Eastwood

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Rating:**

HOW TO WATCH

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Dr Graham's three goals

Short term

Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines


Intermediate term

Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations


Long term

A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness  

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While you're here
Updated: February 21, 2022, 11:22 AM`