• A member of Afghan security forces near the scene of an explosion in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of Kabul. AFP
    A member of Afghan security forces near the scene of an explosion in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of Kabul. AFP
  • A Wangkang ship is set aflame in Malacca, Malaysia, during a ceremony to symbolically ensure collected spirits can sail into another realm. AP
    A Wangkang ship is set aflame in Malacca, Malaysia, during a ceremony to symbolically ensure collected spirits can sail into another realm. AP
  • Palestinians prepare graves near the Egyptian border in Rafah, southern Gaza, as the Israeli onslaught on the enclave continues. EPA
    Palestinians prepare graves near the Egyptian border in Rafah, southern Gaza, as the Israeli onslaught on the enclave continues. EPA
  • Soldiers patrol a commercial area in Quito, Ecuador, following a wave a violence that saw the storming of a TV station on-air and explosions around the country. Reuters
    Soldiers patrol a commercial area in Quito, Ecuador, following a wave a violence that saw the storming of a TV station on-air and explosions around the country. Reuters
  • Police sift through the ruins of a shopping area destroyed by fire in the western Japanese city of Wajima, following a recent 7.5 magnitude earthquake. AFP
    Police sift through the ruins of a shopping area destroyed by fire in the western Japanese city of Wajima, following a recent 7.5 magnitude earthquake. AFP
  • Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah pours scented oil on the hands of Prince Abdul Mateen at Istana Nurul Iman, ahead of his wedding to Anisha Rosnah, in Bandar Seri Begawan. Queen Pengiran Anak Saleha looks on. AFP
    Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah pours scented oil on the hands of Prince Abdul Mateen at Istana Nurul Iman, ahead of his wedding to Anisha Rosnah, in Bandar Seri Begawan. Queen Pengiran Anak Saleha looks on. AFP
  • Film director Bong Joon-ho at a press conference on the death of South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun in Seoul. The Oscar-winning Parasite filmmaker criticised South Korean police and media for their purported role in the actor's suicide. AFP
    Film director Bong Joon-ho at a press conference on the death of South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun in Seoul. The Oscar-winning Parasite filmmaker criticised South Korean police and media for their purported role in the actor's suicide. AFP
  • Installations by French artist Daniel Buren at an exhibition entitled Aux Beaux Carres, at the department store Le Bon Marche in Paris. AFP
    Installations by French artist Daniel Buren at an exhibition entitled Aux Beaux Carres, at the department store Le Bon Marche in Paris. AFP
  • A livestock vendor at a market in Shenyang, in north-east China's Liaoning province. AFP
    A livestock vendor at a market in Shenyang, in north-east China's Liaoning province. AFP
  • Former US president Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves New York State Supreme Court, in the final day of a civil fraud trial. Bloomberg
    Former US president Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves New York State Supreme Court, in the final day of a civil fraud trial. Bloomberg
  • Pupils are taught how to shoot by a Taiwanese military instructor at Kaohsiung Municipal Sanmin Senior High School in Kaohsiung. AFP
    Pupils are taught how to shoot by a Taiwanese military instructor at Kaohsiung Municipal Sanmin Senior High School in Kaohsiung. AFP

Today's best photos: From security personnel in Kabul to students in Taiwan


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More from The National:

Thursday's best photos: From the Australian Open to Alexei Navalny

Wednesday's best photos: From Iraq's Police Day to a rehearsal at Sydney Opera House

Tuesday's best photos: From a procession in Manila to a rally in Saudi Arabia

Monday's best photos: From a lunar mission to construction work in Hanoi

Sunday's best photos: From Colombia's White Day parade to Mexico's Three Wise Men event

Saturday's best photos: From illuminated ice sculptures to flooded fields in Nottinghamshire

Bangladesh tour of Pakistan

January 24 – First T20, Lahore

January 25 – Second T20, Lahore

January 27 – Third T20, Lahore

February 7-11 – First Test, Rawalpindi

April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi

April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi

The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Buy farm-fresh food

The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.

In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others. 

In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food. 

In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra. 

States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021

Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.

Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.

Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.

Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.

Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.

Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.

Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”

Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI. 

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
Updated: January 12, 2024, 11:00 AM