New year brings a host of new destinations
Etihad Airways has announced that it will commence flights to Hong Kong on March 24 next year. The service will be operated by its codeshare partner Air Seychelles and will undertake three services per week from the UAE capital to the Asian economic hub. A return flight costs from Dh2,300 return, including taxes (www.etihadairways.com). Its local rival Emirates began flying a daily direct to Phuket this month, a favourite destination for UAE-based travellers, from Dh3,220 return, including taxes (www.emirates.com). Spring will also bring direct flights to Warsaw and Algiers. Expect a flurry of announcements from local and Middle Eastern carriers keen to expand their route networks in 2013.
An auction of vintage travel paraphernalia
Collecting vintage posters is an increasingly popular and lucrative pastime. Enthusiasts will be counting down to January 23 at 1pm when Christie’s will host its annual “Ski Sale” in South Kensington, London. The auction will sell more than 160 lots of early 20th century travel posters designed to promote ski resorts in the early 20th century. Designs
are estimated to fetch from £800 (Dh4,763) to £15,000 (Dh89,312) for very rare examples. Other items going under the hammer include antique Louis Vuitton travelling trunks and luggage. For more information and to register to bid online, visit www.christies.com.
Riders can enjoy the services of a horcierge
The Stafford Kempinski in London has launched a "horcierge" service to offer guests a choice of two horse-riding themed packages in conjunction with the Riding Club London. Guests can enjoy a morning ride in one of the royal parks, a trip with a personal shopper to help buying jodhpurs, a VIP tour of the British Military Stables, or even a side-saddle, polo or carriage driving lesson. A two-night stay including breakfast and a two-hour ride in Windsor Great Park costs £1,847 (Dh10,981), including taxes. A three-night stay, half-board, including taxes, shopping, museum tour, equestrian lesson and ride in Windsor Great Park costs £4,200 (Dh25,088). To book, visit www.kempinski.com.
Tiptoe across the Alps on a new walkway
Thrillseekers with a good head for heights will be pleased to know that the highest suspension bridge in Europe – just one metre wide and 100 metres long – is waiting in the ski resort of Titlis Engelberg in central Switzerland. More than 3,000 metres above sea level, the Titlis Cliff Walk, a pedestrian bridge, opened this week, and those who dare to cross will have a 500m view down to the valleys below, as well as wonderful views across Mount Titlis. The cost of crossing the bridge will be included in the local cable car ride. For more information, visit www.titlis.ch.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')
Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
Results
ATP Dubai Championships on Monday (x indicates seed):
First round
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 6-1, 7-6 (7/5)
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x4) 6-4, 6-1
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x7) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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.
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
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
