A falcon receives medical treatment at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Reuters
A falcon receives medical treatment at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Reuters
Falcons wait to receive medical attention at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Reuters
Falcons wait to receive medical attention at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Reuters
A rhesus macaque eats watermelon during a hot day at the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden in Ahmedabad. AFP
A rhesus macaque eats watermelon during a hot day at the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden in Ahmedabad. AFP
An egret tends to her chicks at the Panbazar area on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati. Each year at a similar time, hundreds of egrets build their nests among trees in the populated area, a major business centre of the city. AFP
An egret tends to her chicks at the Panbazar area on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati. Each year at a similar time, hundreds of egrets build their nests among trees in the populated area, a major business centre of the city. AFP
A stork takes off from the cross on top of a Catholic church in the village of Kreva, some 100 km northwest of Minsk. AFP
A stork takes off from the cross on top of a Catholic church in the village of Kreva, some 100 km northwest of Minsk. AFP
Two Egyptian goslings walk along the river Main in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
Two Egyptian goslings walk along the river Main in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
A south American sea lion swims in his enclosure while enjoying the sun at the Hellabrunn zoo in Munich, Germany. Reuters
A south American sea lion swims in his enclosure while enjoying the sun at the Hellabrunn zoo in Munich, Germany. Reuters
A peacock displays his plumage as part of a courtship ritual to attract a mate during a sunny day at the Hellabrunn zoo in Munich, Germany. Reuters
A peacock displays his plumage as part of a courtship ritual to attract a mate during a sunny day at the Hellabrunn zoo in Munich, Germany. Reuters
An egret sits on a coconut tree as another flies on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in the Panbazar area of Guwahati. Each year at a similar time, hundreds of egrets build their nests among trees in the populated area, a major business centre of the city. AFP
An egret sits on a coconut tree as another flies on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in the Panbazar area of Guwahati. Each year at a similar time, hundreds of egrets build their nests among trees in the populated area, a major business centre of the city. AFP
A baboon yawns in his enclosure while sitting in the sun at the Hellabrunn zoo in Munich, Germany. Reuters
A baboon yawns in his enclosure while sitting in the sun at the Hellabrunn zoo in Munich, Germany. Reuters

World

This week in wildlife - the best pictures of animals around the world

Take a look at some of the best images of wildlife from the past week

The National

May 05, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

More environment stories from The National:

While you're here
Keane on …

Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”

Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”

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if you go

The flights

Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return. 

The trek

Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required. 

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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Third Test

Day 3, stumps

India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151

India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining

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.

While you're here
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe


Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km

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