• Mohammed El-Dahshan, 38-year-old "Mesaharati," or dawn caller, accompanies his donkey wrapped with colored led lights to wake Muslims up for a meal before sunrise, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in the Delta city of Dikernis, about 93 miles (150 km) North of Cairo, Egypt early Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Each night, El-Dahshan, sets out after midnight with his donkey banging his drum, chanting traditional religious phrases and calling out on residents by name to wake them in time for the vital pre-dawn meal known as "Suhour". (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)
    Mohammed El-Dahshan, 38-year-old "Mesaharati," or dawn caller, accompanies his donkey wrapped with colored led lights to wake Muslims up for a meal before sunrise, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in the Delta city of Dikernis, about 93 miles (150 km) North of Cairo, Egypt early Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Each night, El-Dahshan, sets out after midnight with his donkey banging his drum, chanting traditional religious phrases and calling out on residents by name to wake them in time for the vital pre-dawn meal known as "Suhour". (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)
  • Martin Luther King is reflected in Justin Pearson's glasses on a march in Memphis, Tennessee. AP
    Martin Luther King is reflected in Justin Pearson's glasses on a march in Memphis, Tennessee. AP
  • Migrants are identified with a picture by Italian authorities in the Sicilian port of Catania. AP
    Migrants are identified with a picture by Italian authorities in the Sicilian port of Catania. AP
  • Activists gather bins and light flares during a protest in Paris. EPA
    Activists gather bins and light flares during a protest in Paris. EPA
  • A Kashmiri Muslim boy stands with elders during special prayers at Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir. AP Photo
    A Kashmiri Muslim boy stands with elders during special prayers at Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir. AP Photo
  • Waves break over Newhaven Lighthouse as Storm Noa batters the south coast of England. AFP
    Waves break over Newhaven Lighthouse as Storm Noa batters the south coast of England. AFP
  • Migrants trying to reach the US sit in an abandoned building in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Reuters
    Migrants trying to reach the US sit in an abandoned building in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Reuters
  • Donald Trump impersonator Neil Greenfield waits outside Trump Tower in New York. AFP
    Donald Trump impersonator Neil Greenfield waits outside Trump Tower in New York. AFP
  • Pigeons perch on the bullet-riddled roof of the unfinished 'Egg' theatre building in Beirut. AFP
    Pigeons perch on the bullet-riddled roof of the unfinished 'Egg' theatre building in Beirut. AFP
  • Ukrainian service personnel have hippotherapy at the Spirit rehabilitation centre in Kyiv. EPA
    Ukrainian service personnel have hippotherapy at the Spirit rehabilitation centre in Kyiv. EPA

World

Today's best photos: from a disco donkey to a therapeutic horse

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

April 13, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National

Wednesday's best photos: from Westminster Abbey to the Faisal Mosque

Tuesday's best photos: from a squirrel stuck in a manhole cover to a grand slam ball

Monday's best photos: from a mass wedding in South Africa to cycling in northern France

Sunday's best photos: from a stylish pooch in Tokyo to a goal at Old Trafford

Saturday's best photos: from a firebreather in Tunis to a beached whale in Bali

Friday's best photos: from Ramadan to Good Friday

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.

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Palestine and Israel

Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari

A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

Updated: April 13, 2023, 12:59 PM
Photography