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12 Apr 2022
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US unable to confirm Russia’s use of chemical weapons in Ukraine: Pentagon

April 12, 2022

The Pentagon said it could not confirm the use of chemical weapons by Russian forces in Ukraine “at this time,” a senior US defense official said Tuesday.“We’re looking at this as best we can, but we’re not in a position to confirm those reports,” the official said when asked about reports that Russia may have used chemical weapons in Ukraine’s Mariupol.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The biggest challenge is we’re not there, and we don’t know if anything was used. These are difficult things to prove even when you are more proximate,” the official added.The US official estimated that Russia now has “just above” 80 percent of the combat power it had assembled for its war on Ukraine.And Russian forces are now being forced to stay on paved roads with the spring weather instead of using frozen lakes or ponds.As for the nearly eight-mile-long Russian convoy near the Donbas, the official said it was now around 40 miles north of Izyum. “They are moving south. Now, whether Izyum is [where they are heading], I just don’t know,” the official said.Read more: Pentagon can’t ‘independently’ confirm images out of Ukraine’s Bucha: US official
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US unable to confirm Russia’s use of chemical weapons in Ukraine: Pentagon

13 Apr 2022
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Retiring early still an unreachable prospect for many in UAE, poll finds

April 13, 2022

Retiring early remains out of reach for many residents in the United Arab Emirates, a new poll has found, highlighting the need for financial preparation and professional advice on the matter.Friends Provident International (FPI) surveyed 1,000 individuals based in the UAE and found that 44 percent of the respondents expected to retire by the time they were 55 years old and that 63 percent of them before they reached the age of 60.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.FPI also found that almost half of the respondents (45 percent) have not started saving for retirement yet and that 11 percent declined to respond on the matter.“There appears to be a strong disconnect between the aspirations of many individuals in this survey in the UAE to retire early and the reality of how much they will need to save for retirement,” Stuart Shilcock, Head of Sales (Middle East) at FPI, said.Over half (53 percent) of the respondents who did have some savings set aside for their retirement said that these were in the form of general bank deposits. Nearly 40 percent said that they did not feel the need to plan far ahead for their retirement, saying that they would start saving within 10 years before they reach retirement.“It is essential for everyone to prepare early when thinking about retirement,” explained Shilcock, adding that there was compelling evidence that showed anyone who plans on retiring early will need to save more – and earlier – in their career.Over a quarter (27 percent) believed that they could retire on less than $2,500 a month, while a similar percentage of people said that $5,000 would be sufficient. Another 15 percent acknowledged that they did not know or were unsure of the amount required to retire.Shilcock added that younger people who took part in the survey had more realistic retirement expectations. More respondents in the 18 to 24-year-old age group said they would start saving between 15 and 20 years or 20 and 25 years before they reach retirement.Read more:Dubai-based experts debunk ADHD, Autism myths and misconceptionsRare 8,400 carat rough ruby lands in Dubai for auction, estimated at $120 millionDubai’s most expensive mega mansion sells for $76 million
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Retiring early still an unreachable prospect for many in UAE, poll finds