Voting has opened in four occupied areas of Ukraine in referendums on joining Russia, officials backed by Moscow have said.
The polls, which have been denounced as a sham by the West, are expected to lead to the Russian annexation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
“We cannot — we will not — allow President Putin to get away with it,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a UN Security Council session on Thursday.
“The very international order we've gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes … [Defending Ukraine] is about protecting an international order where no nation can redraw the borders of another by force.”
The polls are reminiscent of one in 2014 that led to Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula being annexed by Russia and was denounced as fraudulent in the West.
Balloting in the four areas will continue for the next five days, through to Tuesday.
Russian-installed officials said during the first four days ballots will be brought to people’s homes. People can also vote at makeshift polling stations near residential areas, they said. On the fifth day, Tuesday, voters will be invited to regular polls.
In the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which were already recognised as independent by Mr Putin before he launched the invasion in February, residents are answering if they support their “republic's entry into Russia”, according to Russian news agency Tass.
Ballots in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions have the question: “Are you in favour of secession from Ukraine, formation of an independent state by the region and its joining the Russian Federation as a subject of the Russian Federation?”
Russian news agencies reported that the voting process, which is using traditional paper ballots, began on Friday morning.
Denis Pushilin, separatist leader of Moscow-backed authorities in the Donetsk region, called the referendum on Friday “a historical milestone”.
But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the polls as a “farce”, and praised Western allies' condemnation of moves by Russia.
“I am grateful to everyone in the world who supported us, who clearly condemned another Russian lie,” he said during his daily address on Thursday.
The votes are all but certain to go Russia’s way, giving it the pretext to claim Ukrainian attempts to take back the areas are an attack on Russia itself.
They follow Mr Putin’s announcement of the partial mobilisation of 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine.
Western leaders unanimously denounced the referendums and call-up during meetings at the UN headquarters in New York this week.
French President Macron told the UN General Assembly that the referendums were a “travesty”.
Videos shared on social media purported to show hundreds of Russian citizens across the country responding to the military summons, while the Russian military claimed at least 10,000 people had volunteered to fight in 24 hours since the order.
But men were also leaving Russia in droves before they were made to join. Across Russia on Wednesday, more than 1,300 people were arrested during protests, a monitoring group reported.
Flights to neighbouring countries, mainly former Soviet republics that allow Russians visa-free entry, are nearly entirely booked and prices have shot up, pointing to an exodus of Russians wanting to avoid going to war.
Mr Putin has said Moscow will use “all means” to protect its territory. Former Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev said on social media that this statement meant “strategic nuclear weapons” would be included.
Mr Medvedev also predicted the voting regions “will integrate into Russia”.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
Red Joan
Director: Trevor Nunn
Starring: Judi Dench, Sophie Cookson, Tereza Srbova
Rating: 3/5 stars
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
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 family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The%20specs
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At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
