The Empire State Building in New York lights up with the colours of Ukraine in a show of solidarity. Photo: Empire State Building
The Empire State Building in New York lights up with the colours of Ukraine in a show of solidarity. Photo: Empire State Building
Zac Haycock stands in front of the Utah State Capitol, which is lit in blue and yellow in support of Ukraine. AP
Zac Haycock stands in front of the Utah State Capitol, which is lit in blue and yellow in support of Ukraine. AP
The I-35W Bridge glows blue and yellow in support of the people of Ukraine in Minneapolis, Minnesota. EPA
The I-35W Bridge glows blue and yellow in support of the people of Ukraine in Minneapolis, Minnesota. EPA
Demonstrators hold flags and a sign during a 'Stand with Ukraine' rally in front of the White House in Washington. Reuters
Demonstrators hold flags and a sign during a 'Stand with Ukraine' rally in front of the White House in Washington. Reuters
Protesters gather at Town Square in Jackson, Wyoming, to show solidarity with Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. Several of the protesters were native Ukrainians with family in the country. AP
Protesters gather at Town Square in Jackson, Wyoming, to show solidarity with Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. Several of the protesters were native Ukrainians with family in the country. AP
People protest outside the UN in New York against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
People protest outside the UN in New York against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
US first lady Jill Biden wears a mask with a sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine. AFP
US first lady Jill Biden wears a mask with a sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine. AFP
An American flag unfurls off a pedicab as it glides past the Denver City/County Building, which is illuminated in yellow and blue in support of Ukraine. AP
An American flag unfurls off a pedicab as it glides past the Denver City/County Building, which is illuminated in yellow and blue in support of Ukraine. AP
Kristina Ulyanenko protests the Russian attack on Ukraine at the state capitol in Austin, Texas. AP
Kristina Ulyanenko protests the Russian attack on Ukraine at the state capitol in Austin, Texas. AP
Flowers and messages are piled together outside the Ukrainian embassy in Washington. AP
Flowers and messages are piled together outside the Ukrainian embassy in Washington. AP
The Paramount Miami Worldcentre skyscraper in Florida lights up blue and yellow. Paramount Miami Worldcentre via AP
The Paramount Miami Worldcentre skyscraper in Florida lights up blue and yellow. Paramount Miami Worldcentre via AP
A store in Lewiston, Maine, programmed its 11-metre light tower to dance through a series of blinking yellow and blue lights that eventually come together to form the colors of the flag of Ukraine. AP
A store in Lewiston, Maine, programmed its 11-metre light tower to dance through a series of blinking yellow and blue lights that eventually come together to form the colors of the flag of Ukraine. AP
Joni Ernst, a Republican senator from Iowa, wears a brooch in the colours of Ukraine during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing at the US Capitol. EPA
Joni Ernst, a Republican senator from Iowa, wears a brooch in the colours of Ukraine during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing at the US Capitol. EPA
Protesters listen to speakers as they gather for a rally in support of Ukraine at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City. AP
Protesters listen to speakers as they gather for a rally in support of Ukraine at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City. AP
Dmytro Stasyshen of Ukraine holds a sign to protest the Russian invasion during a rally in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. AP
Dmytro Stasyshen of Ukraine holds a sign to protest the Russian invasion during a rally in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. AP
Evergy Plaza in Topeka, Kansas, will be lit in blue and yellow lights. AP
Evergy Plaza in Topeka, Kansas, will be lit in blue and yellow lights. AP
People dine inside Veselka restaurant where a Ukrainian flag hangs in the East Village in New York. AP
People dine inside Veselka restaurant where a Ukrainian flag hangs in the East Village in New York. AP

World

US

Activists use Google Maps to send messages to Russian people

Restaurant reviews on Google are becoming new modes of communication in Ukrainian war effort

Kyle Fitzgerald
Kyle Fitzgerald

March 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine

Social media activists are attempting to circumvent Russian censorship by using Google Maps to call for an end to the violence amid the invasion of Ukraine.

Activists are using the platform to find Russian cafes and restaurants and leave reviews to deliver anti-war messages to Russian citizens.

“Five thousand Russian soldiers died in Ukraine … Your president deceived you. There was no genocide in Ukraine. It was a pretext for attacking a sovereign and democratic Ukraine,” reads one translated review of a Starbucks in Moscow.

“[President Vladimir] Putin lied to you!!! He sent young boys to the war, who did not know that they were going to die there … Russian people, wake up!!!”

Users leave messages on Google Maps to communicate with the Russian people on the ongoing assault on Ukraine. Screengrab from Google Maps
Users leave messages on Google Maps to communicate with the Russian people on the ongoing assault on Ukraine. Screengrab from Google Maps

One user, leaving a review for Maestrello, a pizzeria, wrote: “Russia attacked Ukraine. Your soldiers are bombing my city. My country!”

Another added: “The pizza is the bomb!! Due to military sanctions, this restaurant will soon be closed! What a pity!”

Twitter and Facebook have both been restricted in Russia as the country attempts to limit the flow of information, with Russians telling The National they are unable to communicate through Facebook's Messenger app.

READ MORE

Google blocks Russian media channels from its ad platform

Is WW3 possible? Twitter gripped by fear amid Ukraine invasion

The Russian rouble plummeted on Monday, falling to a record low against the dollar, after the US and European nations placed a series of harsh sanctions on Moscow in response to the assault.

“Your government lies, you are bombing innocent people. Nobody want to attack Russia, we want peace. Your president is [a] war criminal,” a review of Boston Seafood & Bar, a restaurant in Moscow, said.

Russia on Sunday for the first time stated that some of its forces had been killed or wounded in Ukraine, though it did not provide any numbers.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday claimed 4,500 Russian troops have been killed.

A monitor displays a projectile striking the regional state administration building in Kharkiv, as the Russian invasion continues. Reuters
A monitor displays a projectile striking the regional state administration building in Kharkiv, as the Russian invasion continues. Reuters
People help a wounded woman in the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kharkiv. EPA
People help a wounded woman in the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kharkiv. EPA
Ukrainian emergency service personnel carry the body of a victim following shelling in Kharkiv. AP
Ukrainian emergency service personnel carry the body of a victim following shelling in Kharkiv. AP
Students who fled the conflict rest in a refugee camp in Voluntari, Romania. AP
Students who fled the conflict rest in a refugee camp in Voluntari, Romania. AP
Members of an Ukrainian civil defence unit pass new assault rifles to the opposite side of a blown-up bridge on Kiev’s northern front. AFP
Members of an Ukrainian civil defence unit pass new assault rifles to the opposite side of a blown-up bridge on Kiev’s northern front. AFP
Civilians cross a river on Kiev's northern front. AFP
Civilians cross a river on Kiev's northern front. AFP
A woman takes photos of a destroyed accommodation building near a checkpoint in Brovary, outside Kiev. AP
A woman takes photos of a destroyed accommodation building near a checkpoint in Brovary, outside Kiev. AP
The city hall of Kharkiv, damaged by Russian shelling. AFP
The city hall of Kharkiv, damaged by Russian shelling. AFP
Debris litters the square outside the damaged Kharkiv city hall. AFP
Debris litters the square outside the damaged Kharkiv city hall. AFP
A Ukrainian woman sleeps on the floor of the railway station in Zahonyi close to the Hungary/Ukraine border. AFP
A Ukrainian woman sleeps on the floor of the railway station in Zahonyi close to the Hungary/Ukraine border. AFP
A medical worker attends to wounded man at a hospital in Brovary, outside Kiev. AP
A medical worker attends to wounded man at a hospital in Brovary, outside Kiev. AP
Refugees from Ukraine in a tent at the Medyka border crossing, Poland. AP
Refugees from Ukraine in a tent at the Medyka border crossing, Poland. AP
Debris outside the regional administration building, which city officials said was hit by a missile, in Kharkiv. Reuters
Debris outside the regional administration building, which city officials said was hit by a missile, in Kharkiv. Reuters
A student evacuated from Ukraine is embraced by her family after arriving at Tunis-Carthage International Airport in Tunisia. AFP
A student evacuated from Ukraine is embraced by her family after arriving at Tunis-Carthage International Airport in Tunisia. AFP
Rescuers in a building damaged by a missile in central Kharkiv. Reuters
Rescuers in a building damaged by a missile in central Kharkiv. Reuters
An ambulance is visible through the damaged window of a vehicle hit by bullets in Kiev, Ukraine. Reuters
An ambulance is visible through the damaged window of a vehicle hit by bullets in Kiev, Ukraine. Reuters
Territorial defence members prepare to head out on patrol in Kiev. EPA
Territorial defence members prepare to head out on patrol in Kiev. EPA
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres delivers a speech on screen during the opening of the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. AP
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres delivers a speech on screen during the opening of the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. AP
A policeman detains a young demonstrator during a protest against Russia's attack on Ukraine in St Petersburg, Russia. AP
A policeman detains a young demonstrator during a protest against Russia's attack on Ukraine in St Petersburg, Russia. AP
Local residents in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, prepare Molotov cocktails. Reuters
Local residents in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, prepare Molotov cocktails. Reuters
Residents clean a bomb shelter under an out-of-service cinema in central Zhytomyr. Reuters
Residents clean a bomb shelter under an out-of-service cinema in central Zhytomyr. Reuters
Ukrainian volunteers tear cloth into strips to make camouflage nets in Lviv, western Ukraine. AP
Ukrainian volunteers tear cloth into strips to make camouflage nets in Lviv, western Ukraine. AP
Part of the military convoy north-west of Invankiv, Ukraine. AP
Part of the military convoy north-west of Invankiv, Ukraine. AP
Mark Goncharuk, a young boy from Kiev, leaves his father behind as he travels with the rest of his family towards the border. Reuters
Mark Goncharuk, a young boy from Kiev, leaves his father behind as he travels with the rest of his family towards the border. Reuters
People hold an anti-war protest outside the Russian Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico. Reuters
People hold an anti-war protest outside the Russian Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico. Reuters
A crater caused by shelling on the outskirts of Kiev. AFP
A crater caused by shelling on the outskirts of Kiev. AFP
People queue outside a grocery store in the Ukrainian capital. EPA
People queue outside a grocery store in the Ukrainian capital. EPA
Ukrainian soldiers stand at Maidan Nezalezhnosti, or Independence Square, in Kiev. EPA
Ukrainian soldiers stand at Maidan Nezalezhnosti, or Independence Square, in Kiev. EPA
Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, second left, and Davyd Arakhamia, faction leader of the Servant of the People party in the Ukrainian Parliament, third right, attend the peace talks in the Gomel region of Belarus. AP
Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, second left, and Davyd Arakhamia, faction leader of the Servant of the People party in the Ukrainian Parliament, third right, attend the peace talks in the Gomel region of Belarus. AP
People who have fled the Russian invasion in Ukraine, clamour to board a bus bound for a refugee centre established in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters
People who have fled the Russian invasion in Ukraine, clamour to board a bus bound for a refugee centre established in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters
Hanna Pavlovna Lukasz, from Mirhord, Ukraine, said her sons, aged 12 and 8, and her 66-year-old mother had been waiting on the Ukrainian side of the border crossing with Medyka, Poland, for four days. AP
Hanna Pavlovna Lukasz, from Mirhord, Ukraine, said her sons, aged 12 and 8, and her 66-year-old mother had been waiting on the Ukrainian side of the border crossing with Medyka, Poland, for four days. AP
A volunteer from Kiev prepares a rear post with trenches in the city. AFP
A volunteer from Kiev prepares a rear post with trenches in the city. AFP
A child being treated for cancer rests in the bomb shelter of the oncology ward at a hospital in Kiev. Getty
A child being treated for cancer rests in the bomb shelter of the oncology ward at a hospital in Kiev. Getty
Police officers check occupants of a suspicious car in Kiev, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues. Reuters
Police officers check occupants of a suspicious car in Kiev, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues. Reuters
A woman from Ukraine uses a phone to listen to a speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a refugee shelter in Beregsurany, Hungary. Reuters
A woman from Ukraine uses a phone to listen to a speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a refugee shelter in Beregsurany, Hungary. Reuters
Shelves empty of bread after a curfew was lifted as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kiev. Reuters
Shelves empty of bread after a curfew was lifted as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kiev. Reuters
Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, left, and President Zelenskyy. AFP
Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, left, and President Zelenskyy. AFP
Snow-covered shoes donated for those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the border crossing in Medyka, Poland. Reuters
Snow-covered shoes donated for those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the border crossing in Medyka, Poland. Reuters
People who have fled Ukraine wait for a bus to transport them away from the border crossing in Medyka. Reuters
People who have fled Ukraine wait for a bus to transport them away from the border crossing in Medyka. Reuters
Norwegian soldiers of the Nato-enhanced forward presence battalion pose at a military plane as they arrive at an airport in Kaunas, Lithuania. AP
Norwegian soldiers of the Nato-enhanced forward presence battalion pose at a military plane as they arrive at an airport in Kaunas, Lithuania. AP
A person fleeing Ukraine sits during snowfall at a temporary camp in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters
A person fleeing Ukraine sits during snowfall at a temporary camp in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters
Footage reportedly of Russian Buk missile system vehicles on a road before a drone strike near Malyn, Ukraine. Reuters
Footage reportedly of Russian Buk missile system vehicles on a road before a drone strike near Malyn, Ukraine. Reuters
An explosion after what are said to be Russian Buk missile system vehicles on a road are struck by a drone. Reuters
An explosion after what are said to be Russian Buk missile system vehicles on a road are struck by a drone. Reuters
The monument to Russian troops from the Second World War, after the figures’ hands were painted red, at the Red Army memorial in Sofia, Bulgaria. EPA
The monument to Russian troops from the Second World War, after the figures’ hands were painted red, at the Red Army memorial in Sofia, Bulgaria. EPA
The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, is lit up with the colours of Ukraine’s national flag in a show of support. AP
The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, is lit up with the colours of Ukraine’s national flag in a show of support. AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the construction site of the National Space Agency on the premises of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Centre, in Moscow. EPA
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the construction site of the National Space Agency on the premises of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Centre, in Moscow. EPA
A man looks out from a train, at the railway station in Lviv, Ukraine. The UN has estimated the conflict could produce as many as four million refugees. AP
A man looks out from a train, at the railway station in Lviv, Ukraine. The UN has estimated the conflict could produce as many as four million refugees. AP
A Ukrainian boy waits for his mother after passing the border crossing point in Siret, northern Romania. EPA
A Ukrainian boy waits for his mother after passing the border crossing point in Siret, northern Romania. EPA
Russian policemen detain a demonstrator in St Petersburg, during a protest against the country's military actions in Ukraine. EPA
Russian policemen detain a demonstrator in St Petersburg, during a protest against the country's military actions in Ukraine. EPA
Ukrainian soldiers at a check point in the city of Zhytomyr. Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers at a check point in the city of Zhytomyr. Reuters
Residents prepare petrol bombs to defend the city, in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. Reuters
Residents prepare petrol bombs to defend the city, in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. Reuters
A pro-Russian fighter sits inside a tank in the separatist self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, in the Luhansk region, Ukraine. Reuters
A pro-Russian fighter sits inside a tank in the separatist self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, in the Luhansk region, Ukraine. Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, second left, and Head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Defence Minister Valery Gerasimov, left, during their meeting in Moscow. AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, second left, and Head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Defence Minister Valery Gerasimov, left, during their meeting in Moscow. AP
Ukrainians and supporters gather during a demonstration in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens against the Russian military's operation in Ukraine. AFP
Ukrainians and supporters gather during a demonstration in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens against the Russian military's operation in Ukraine. AFP
Ukrainian Territorial Defence fighters test an automatic grenade launcher taken from a destroyed Russian infantry mobility vehicla after a battle in Kharkiv. AFP
Ukrainian Territorial Defence fighters test an automatic grenade launcher taken from a destroyed Russian infantry mobility vehicla after a battle in Kharkiv. AFP
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
On Women's Day
The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Power: 640hp

Torque: 760nm

On sale: 2026

Price: Not announced yet

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Getting there

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.

The stay

Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.

Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34

Match info

Uefa Nations League A Group 4

England 2 (Lingard 78', Kane 85')
Croatia 1 (Kramaric 57')

Man of the match: Harry Kane (England)

Captain Marvel

Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law,  Ben Mendelsohn

4/5 stars

Updated: March 02, 2022, 12:27 AM`
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