Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine
On the outskirts of Kyiv, a group of conservationists and zoologists are in a race against time.
Late on Monday night and throughout Tuesday, Dr Maryna Shkvyria and her colleagues at the White Rock Bear Shelter have been moving tigers, lions and other animals from rescue shelters.
“We transferred — they are still on the road — four lions, four tigers, an African wild dog, two caracals and a monkey,” Dr Shkvyria said. “There are several big cats and other species left.” They include seven huge bears.
“It was a long day and night.”
With Russian forces bombarding dozens of sites in and around Kyiv and across Ukraine, the evacuation effort is fraught with danger on the seven-to-eight-hour drive to the Polish border.
The Ukrainian capital has been under attack from Russian forces by land and air since last week as part of Russia's incursion.
Dr Shkvyria, chief zoologist at the Kyiv Zoological Park of National Importance, the city’s main zoo, has been sheltering at a bear sanctuary outside Kyiv.
She and her husband moved there with their dogs and cats to care for the animals shortly before the Russian assault started.
“The animals are nervous and sometimes there are anti-aircraft systems going off,” Dr Shkvyria said.
Last Friday, on the second day of the incursion, she said it was too dangerous to turn on any lights because she heard shouting and gunfire in the area.
“We don’t have a final decision about evacuating [the bears] but we are working on this plan in case the roads are safe,” Dr Shkvyria told The National.
The bears had been rescued by the shelter from several desperate situations.
One, called Synochok, was forced to spend eight years performing in a circus. Others have been rescued from menageries and private zoos across Ukraine
Most of the animals at the sanctuary, which is about two hectares in size, are brown bears but one, named Malvina, is of the smaller Himalayan species.
While attempts to save human lives and repel Russian attacks have taken centre stage in the crisis, broader efforts are under way to care for vulnerable animals across Ukraine.
In a region of western Ukraine that has so far largely escaped the violence, a Vienna-based organisation called Four Paws International runs a shelter for 29 bears.
The organisation has been working to keep abreast of security problems that other large-animal facilities may be facing.
“We are closely monitoring the situation of zoos and other facilities that keep and care for wild animals,” said Michael Kellner of Four Paws International.
“We are in close contact with our partners who also run wild animal sanctuaries in the country to evaluate their needs and what support we might be able to provide them with.
“We are also reaching out to our partner organisations in the countries bordering with Ukraine, where Ukrainian refugees are fleeing with their dogs, cats and other pet animals, to assess their needs and ways to support them.”
While much of the fighting and rocket attacks by Russian forces have so far been concentrated on the western and northern parts of Kyiv, reports suggest the invading forces now may be setting up for a siege of the capital, which is home to about three million people.
And with human life taking priority as the battles continue, animals such as those being cared for by Dr Shkvyria, who has also been researching wolf packs in the Chernobyl exclusion zone north of Kyiv, and her colleagues are also at significant risk.
“We need to feed them and provide safety,” she said.
Dr Shkvyria also fears for the safety of family members elsewhere in Kyiv, and in Odesa to the south and Irpin, a city west of the capital.
Russian forces “try to attack from different sides. In all of these cities there are active military activities”, she said.
But for the moment at least, Dr Shkvyria is upbeat.
“We believe in our people. Everything will be fine,” she said. “At least, that’s what I want to believe.”
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
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On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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SQUAD
Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammed Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Saeed Ahmed, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Muhammed Jumah, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
