Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine
On a grey Thursday morning, people trudge into the Astrodome Events Centre building behind the golden-domed Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma, Ohio, to buy "pirohi", a popular dumpling dish.
Inside at a small canteen, all are in shock over the news of the Russian invasion of their homeland.
“Everyone’s upset,” says Linda Lishchuk Hupert, a Ukrainian-American artist who has family in western Ukraine and the southern city of Odessa.
Ms Lishchuk Hupert most recently spoke to a cousin living near Kolomyya, in the west of the country, earlier this week.
“She said then that she’s just waiting [for an attack],” she says. “She would like to go to her two sons who are in Poland but she needs a visa.”
Parma, a city comprised largely of single-family homes, small shops and strip malls, is twinned with Lviv in western Ukraine. It has the largest Ukrainian-American population in Ohio, with more than 4,000 of the 79,000 or so residents of Ukrainian descent.
A credit union called Ukrainian Federal and a host of Ukrainian-owned and themed shops, beauty salons and bakeries dot the streets.
Outside a bank on state Road 94, two men run the yellow-and-blue Ukrainian flag up a pole. Heroes from Ukrainian history are depicted on lampposts around the area as locals react with horror to the events unfolding across the Atlantic.
A short drive north of the church, Ukrainian-speaking shoppers have gathered inside the Lviv International Food Market to discuss the news that came in overnight.
For Maria Lutsishim, a pensioner who moved from Staryi Sambir in western Ukraine to Cleveland 27 years ago, fear for her loved ones back home is rising.
“I spoke to my cousin,” Ms Lutsishim says. “She’s staying at home, hiding in her basement. But this morning my daughter-in-law tried calling her cousins in Kiev several times. There was no answer. She couldn’t get through.”
Ms Lutsishim, who was a cleaner in Cleveland before suffering a stroke years ago, says she is surprised by the speed of events.
“President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy has been telling people to be calm, he didn’t want to speak about a war,” she says. “Then we woke up to this news this morning.”
While community members say a public protest has yet to be organised, prayer services have been planned at churches across the district for Thursday evening.
Rallies are expected to be held in the coming days.
Ukrainian immigrants moved to Cleveland to work in the city’s huge steel mills in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
They established a bustling community, first in the district of Tremont, south of downtown Cleveland.
By the 1950s, the Ukrainian Museum-Archives was established in Tremont by scholars who fled Nazi terror squads in Ukraine a decade earlier.
Later waves of immigrants settled in Parma, a suburban area 12 kilometres to the south.
Today, about 80,000 Ukrainians call Ohio home, with close to half in Parma and other districts in and around Cleveland.
Sergiy Vashchenko, an insurance agent, wears a worried and worn look having ducked outside his office in north-east Parma for a cigarette.
From the doorway of his office, he says he has hardly slept, having failed to reach relatives in Kiev by phone since the Russian invasion.
“First of all [we need] real weapons — Patriot systems,” he says when asked how the West should respond.
Mr Vashchenko, who came to the US 24 years ago, believes there is little President Joe Biden will do to stop a takeover of Ukraine.
“Sanctions? That’s not enough. They only work in the long term,” he says. “Putin sees that nobody can stop him and he will go as far as he is allowed to go.”
Mr Vashchenko says Ukrainians in the area are gathering money and aid to be sent home as the prospect of a refugee crisis on Europe’s borderlands and an entrenched conflict begin to unfold.
Many Ukrainian Americans in Parma are not fans of Mr Biden, with a majority voting for Donald Trump in the past two presidential elections.
Ohio’s Ukrainian community has historically voted Republican, unnerved by the historical legacy of the socialist Soviet Union and the Democratic Party’s real or perceived leftist tendencies.
Rob Portman, a Republican senator and co-chairman of the Ukrainian Senate Caucus, led a delegation of US politicians to Ukraine last month and enjoys considerable visibility among Ukrainian Americans here.
Ms Lishchuk Hupert says she finds it difficult to believe that many Ukrainian Americans support Donald Trump or would vote Republican.
“I mean, he praised Putin [for invading Ukraine],” she says, after pausing to allow a group of fellow Ukrainian Americans to walk out of earshot.
“Trump has just as much of an ego as Putin.”
Despite the territorial gains Russian forces have made in such a short time, Ms Lishchuk Hupert believes Ukrainians are far from a spent force.
“Ukrainians are prepared this time. They’ve had years of training,” she says. “I think Putin is going to be surprised.”
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Sour%20Grapes
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The specs: 2019 Lincoln MKC
Price, base / as tested: Dh169,995 / Dh192,045
Engine: Turbocharged, 2.0-litre, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 253hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 389Nm @ 2,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.7L / 100km
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.
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
Race card
1.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
3pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1.950m
3.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
PSL FINAL
Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi
8pm, Thursday
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
PAKISTAN SQUAD
Abid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (test captain), Babar Azam (T20 captain), Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz, Imad Wasim, Kashif Bhatti, Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah.
RESULT
Norway 1 Spain 1
Norway: King (90 4')
Spain: Niguez (47')
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
