An Emirati aid ship loaded with 7,000 tonnes of critical supplies for civilians in war-hit Gaza on Monday docked at Egypt's Al Arish port.
The Hamdan vessel had set sail from Abu Dhabi on August 30 in support of a major UAE humanitarian mission launched following the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023.
The vast ship was prepared and dispatched under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra and chairman of Emirates Red Crescent.
It carried 5,000 tonnes of food parcels, 1,900 tonnes of supplies for community kitchens, 100 tonnes of medical tents to enhance health services, in addition to five fully equipped ambulances.
It is the 20th such aid ship to be sent by the Emirates to help mitigate the impact of the raging conflict with Israel on Palestinians.
The UAE has delivered about 90,000 tonnes of aid, at a cost of $1.8 billion, to assist civilians bearing the brunt of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
At least 64,871 Palestinians have been killed and 164,610 wounded in Gaza since the war began, according to figures from the Gazan health ministry.
The Israeli military began its offensive after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel and killed 1,200 people.
In addition to providing crucial aid to Gaza, the UAE has reiterated the need for an end to hostilities to be secured, to bring peace and stability to the region.
President Sheikh Mohamed held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron last week to issue a renewed call for peace and to reject any plans by Israel to annex the occupied West Bank, parts of occupied Palestine or to forcibly displace Palestinians.
They said such actions would pose a serious threat to hopes of enacting a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The two leaders repeated that there is a need to intensify international efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state, based on the principles of the long-proposed two-state solution.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
GRAN%20TURISMO
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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 Voice of Hind Rajab
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Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
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