Thank you for your online World in Focus picture gallery (May 2) featuring one of the 33 circus lions that have been rescued from Peru and Colombia and will be resettled at a privately owned wildlife reserve in Johannesburg.
I am so glad that these lions can come home to Africa where they belong after the disgusting way they were treated.
I might go and visit them in a year when they are settled. Paul Bruwer, Dubai
Teachers should meet high standards
Having a standard licence for all teachers is a great idea (UAE-wide teacher licensing scheme to begin in 2017, minister says, May 2).
Some schools hire teachers with no background in education for the sole reason that they are native English speakers. They often get better salary packages and benefits than their colleagues.
This new licensing scheme will ensure that the person teaching your children is qualified to do so.
Hind Saoud, Abu Dhabi
Marriage can be a challenge
Marriage isn't just about getting a licence (Marriage might be the best way to beat depression, May 1).
Marriage is an ongoing process. No marriage is perfect. It’s how you get along and get accustomed to one another.
If you can’t stick to your commitments that’s where the problems start to arise. It is your personal choice whether you want to remain single for the rest of your life.
As for happiness, who is happy? I have been married for five years but have no children. I should be gloomy about that, but I believe that there is a time for everything. In relationships, patience is a virtue.
Don’t marry simply to please someone else, impress society or for the sake of it. Do it from your heart. Otherwise, stay single.
Matthew Litty, Dubai
Marriage was never meant to be easy. It is emotionally difficult work, but it is worth it.
Zvezda Ivanova, Dubai
Being married or single is a personal choice and has absolutely nothing to do with how happy or depressed an individual may be. To associate marriage with happiness seems illogical to me.
People these days are delaying marriage, not because they enjoy being single but because they are becoming increasingly competitive and career-orientated. This is true for both men and women.
In the process of becoming successful and independent, many people remain unmarried. Meanwhile, countless marriages fail for the same reason. Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
Shawarma is a healthy option
It was interesting to read your editorial about how people defeated moves in Moscow to close down shops selling one of the UAE's favourite foods (A war on shawarma, May 1).
Shawarma is a staple food in the Middle East. It is difficult to imagine life without these delicious wraps filled with chicken or other meat.
I’d rather support a ban on sugar than this simple snack that is a favourite worldwide.
Name withheld by request
There are more important issues to unite people.
If this happened because of shawarma, why doesn’t it happen for serious issues?
Kristina Margit, Dubai
As long as they are not thinking of banning shawarma in the UAE, I’m good. I have no plans to go to Russia.
Jeff Aboularage, Dubai
I think we should focus on banning unhealthy types of fast food.
Name withheld by request
A way to make signage better
I refer to the news item New street names represent UAE culture and values (May 1).
It would be great if the authorities could add a small plaque to each sign with an explanation of the name, honoured person or event referenced.
We expatriates might still struggle with the pronunciation, but at least we would learn something about the UAE.
They do this in some German cities and visitors love it.
Wiltrud Matthes, Dubai
I agree that the street names can be difficult for expatriates, but that is our challenge.
Chris Reid, Dubai
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
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.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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.
