US President Joe Biden said "we'll see" if Russia follows through on its promise to reduce its military forces in Ukraine. AP
US President Joe Biden said "we'll see" if Russia follows through on its promise to reduce its military forces in Ukraine. AP
US President Joe Biden said "we'll see" if Russia follows through on its promise to reduce its military forces in Ukraine. AP
US President Joe Biden said "we'll see" if Russia follows through on its promise to reduce its military forces in Ukraine. AP

'We'll see' if Russia follows through on vow to pull forces from Kyiv, Biden says


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US President Joe Biden has expressed scepticism on a promise made by Moscow that Russia would reduce its military forces around Kyiv and in the north of Ukraine.

"We'll see. I don't read anything into it until I see what their actions are," Mr Biden told reporters during a joint statement with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday when pressed on the matter.

"We'll see if they follow through on what they're suggesting."

Russia has started moving very small numbers of troops away from positions around Ukraine's capital Kyiv, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, adding it was more of a repositioning than a retreat or a withdrawal from the war.

"Has there been some movement by some Russian units away from Kyiv in the last day or so? Yes, we think so. Small numbers," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told a news briefing.

"But we believe that this is a repositioning, not a real withdrawal, and that we all should be prepared to watch for a major offensive against other areas of Ukraine."

Mr Kirby said the threat to Kyiv is not over, but any redeployment from the capital marks a major Russian setback.

"They failed to take Kiev, and we believe that Kiev was a key objective for them," he said.

Russia's deputy defence minister earlier on Tuesday said Moscow would drastically cut its military activity focused on Kyiv and Chernihiv in Ukraine after talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams in Istanbul.

Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin said the promise to scale back fighting around Kyiv was meant to create mutual trust and the necessary conditions for more talks to take place.

Mr Biden on Tuesday spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other western leaders to reaffirm their commitment to supporting Ukraine.

In a call with other members of “the Quint” — France, Germany and Italy — they stressed the need to “reshape the international energy architecture” and reduce dependence on Russian hydrocarbons, Downing Street said.

“[Russian President Vladimir] Putin is twisting the knife in the open wound of Ukraine in an attempt to force the country and its allies to capitulate,” a spokesman for No 10 said.

“[The Quint leaders] agreed there could be no relaxation of western resolve until the horror inflicted on Ukraine has ended.”

In a statement, the White House said the leaders affirmed their determination in continuing to punish Russia for its invasion, as well as reviewing efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to those inside of Ukraine and those seeking refuge in other countries.

Agencies contributed to this report.

match info

Union Berlin 0

Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski 40' pen, Pavard 80')

Man of the Match: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

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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.

ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures

October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA

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."
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)

2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)

2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)

2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)

2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)

2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)

2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)

2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)

 

The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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List of officials:

Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.

Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.

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Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Updated: March 29, 2022, 7:54 PM`