Singapore
Stay at the new and fabulous Marina Bay Sands with the hotel's "club and suite life" package. Costing 705 Singaporean dollars (Dh1,962) per night in an exclusive Club room and $1,005 (Dh2,800) in the glamorous Orchid Suite, the offer includes a bottle of bubbly, free entry to the luxury club lounge in the SkyPark on the 57th floor, an evening for two at a chocolate buffet, complimentary access to the Skypark's observation deck, which provides wrap-around panoramas of the city, a ride on the airport shuttle bus on arrival and $100 (Dh280) off on a minimum purchase of $1,000 (Dh2,800) at the 18 luxury stores within the complex. The offer is valid until December 29. For more information, visit www.marinabaysands.com.
Beijing
Hotel G Beijing, located in Sanlitun, the capital's glitzy entertainment district, has a Christmas and New Year celebration offer that costs from 1,596 yuan (Dh880) for a Great room (rooms range from "good" to "greatest") and includes a bottle of sparkling wine, breakfast, free Wi-Fi, local calls and soft drinks from the mini-bar. The offer is valid from December 24 to January 2. The hotel is also offering a "stay four pay three" package that costs from 4,444 yuan (Dh2,446) for a Great room. The price includes breakfast, Wi-Fi, soft drinks from the mini-bar, free local calls and a Nintendo Wii console and DVD player (available upon request). The offer is valid until February 28 for a minimum four-night consecutive stay. All prices include taxes. Visit www.hotel-g.com for more information.
Hong Kong
Book a pre-Christmas stay at the InterContinental Hong Kong for three nights and enjoy a surprise gift worth up to 2,000 Hong Kong dollars (Dh946). At check-in, guests will be invited to draw for a duty-free shopping voucher, a food and beverage voucher or a spa voucher. Rates start from $2,904 (Dh1,374), including taxes, for a Superior Plaza View room per night with breakfast. Gifts cannot be selected before arrival or exchanged after being drawn upon check-in. Spa and F&B vouchers are redeemable at InterContinental Hong Kong only. The "holiday surprise" package is valid for stays until December 23. For further information, call 00 852 2721 1211 or visit www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com.
Samui, Thailand
Spend a minimum of three nights in a pavilion pool villa at Langham Place Samui at Lamai Beach and enjoy breakfast for two at Cha Restaurant, round-trip airport transfers, a set dinner and a 60-minute spa treatment for each person. The "indulge me" package costs 12,133 Thai baht (Dh1,472) per night, including taxes, and is valid until December 23. For more information, visit kohsamui.langhamplacehotels.com.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Centara Boutique Collection has a two-night "boutique break" for guests staying at Away Suansawan Chiang Mai. Prices start from 3,999 baht (Dh485) for a double room and include breakfast, a late check-out and taxes. Two children under 12 years can stay gratis in their parents' room. The offer is valid until March 31 and requires a minimum two-week advance booking. For more information, call 00 662 101 1234 or visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.
Brisbane
Hilton Brisbane has launched a "shop till you drop" offer in collaboration with the David Jones QueensPlaza department store. The package includes one-night accommodation for two, breakfast at the Atrium restaurant and a David Jones gift card worth 50 Australian dollars (Dh180). Double rooms at the Hilton Brisbane cost from $295 (Dh1,045) per night, including taxes. Call 1300 445 866 or visit www.hilton.com/brisbaneoffers. Quote PR44ST when making a reservation.
ciyer@thenational.ae
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Company%20Profile
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Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
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'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs%20
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
MATCH INFO
Barcelona v Real Madrid, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
How it works
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Match statistics
Dubai Sports City Eagles 8 Dubai Exiles 85
Eagles
Try: Bailey
Pen: Carey
Exiles
Tries: Botes 3, Sackmann 2, Fourie 2, Penalty, Walsh, Gairn, Crossley, Stubbs
Cons: Gerber 7
Pens: Gerber 3
Man of the match: Tomas Sackmann (Exiles)