Listen to the latest podcast on the Beirut blast here
As Lebanon prepares to mark the first anniversary of the devastating Beirut port explosion, many residents are choosing to avoid being online on August 4.
Mental health advocates are calling for a social media blackout to avoid triggering pictures, videos and stories from that fateful day.
Being off social media will make it easier for me to deal with this doomsday.
Rabie Ibrahim,
31, business development specialist
“I am taking a detox because I have been replaying and reliving every moment of that day in my head,” said Rima Rassi, 35, a PhD student and researcher. "I feel that doing that a year to the day of the blast will be far too difficult to bear."
Ms Rassi escaped the Beirut port explosion by “sheer luck” when she drove through the port road, a part of her regular commute, an hour before the blast.
It was not until she reached Keserwan, a district north-east of Beirut, that she heard and felt the impact of the blast that killed at least 214 people and injured thousands more.
Ms Rassi is not alone in her decision to disconnect.
“I’m not ready to see videos of the explosion,” said Yara Arkadan, 23, a content writer. “I’m trying to protect my mental health.”
Ms Arkadan was on her way to Beirut when she heard the two blasts that ripped the city apart. Only when she later saw the footage online did she realise the damage.
Like Ms Arkadan, Rabie Ibrahim, 31, a business development specialist, is also looking out for his own emotional welfare by deciding to log off on Wednesday.
“I really want to protect my sanity,” Mr Ibrahim told The National. “Being off social media will make it easier for me to deal with this doomsday.”
Mental health experts are supporting the social media blackout, given the significance of the explosion’s “first anniversary”.
I encourage people to take a few days off if possible to avoid being triggered.
Dr Joseph Khoury,
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the American University of Beirut
Anniversaries tend to be symbolic and can trigger more intrusive memories than any other day, said Dr Joseph Khoury, assistant professor of psychiatry at the American University of Beirut.
“I expect everyone will be talking about it,” he told The National. “I encourage people to take a few days off if possible to avoid being triggered.”
Healthy and helpful coping mechanisms can include an exchange of experiences with the online community, but sharing videos of the explosion “has no real therapeutic value”, he said.
“It is simply for sensational purposes,” Dr Khoury said.
Detox
That is one main reason why Danny Hajjar opted for a social media detox.
“I’m very concerned about people with big following sharing sensational content,” the 30-year-old media relations professional and activist told The National. “I don’t want to be around that.”
Instead, Mr Hajjar will be taking the time to offer offline support to his family, friends and those who were affected by the explosion, as well as to process his own thoughts and feelings.
“People cope differently,” said Hanane Khatib, 27, a research assistant. She will avoid social media platforms on the day.
“I noticed that the continuous exposure to images and stories of the blast and its aftermath contribute significantly to increasing my anxiety and distress,” Ms Khatib told The National. “It's like forcing us survivors to relive those horrifying moments over and over again, I find myself trapped in an ever-renewing present of existential horror.”
Although many will be offline on Wednesday, the gesture is not enough to keep their minds off the disaster that changed the course of so many lives last year.
“The pain will be with me on August 4, with or without a social media detox,” Ms Rassi told The National. “The pain is unbearable and it will never go away.”
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Australia World Cup squad
Aaron Finch (capt), Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
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.
Saturday's results
West Ham 2-3 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton
Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
Brighton 0-2 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Everton 0-2 Norwich City
Watford 0-3 Burnley
Manchester City v Chelsea, 9.30pm
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Ballon d’Or shortlists
Men
Sadio Mane (Senegal/Liverpool), Sergio Aguero (Aregentina/Manchester City), Frenkie de Jong (Netherlans/Barcelona), Hugo Lloris (France/Tottenham), Dusan Tadic (Serbia/Ajax), Kylian Mbappe (France/PSG), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England/Liverpool), Donny van de Beek (Netherlands/Ajax), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon/Arsenal), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany/Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Juventus), Alisson (Brazil/Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands/Juventus), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands/Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands/Liverpool), Bernardo Silva (Portugal/Manchester City), Son Heung-min (South Korea/Tottenham), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich), Roberto Firmino (Brazil/Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria/Manchester City), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Napoli), Antoine Griezmann (France/Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Eden Hazard (BEL/Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Brazil/Paris-SG), Raheem Sterling (Eengland/Manchester City), Joao Félix(Portugal/Atletico Madrid)
Women
Sam Kerr (Austria/Chelsea), Ellen White (England/Manchester City), Nilla Fischer (Sweden/Linkopings), Amandine Henry (France/Lyon), Lucy Bronze(England/Lyon), Alex Morgan (USA/Orlando Pride), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands/Arsenal), Dzsenifer Marozsan (Germany/Lyon), Pernille Harder (Denmark/Wolfsburg), Sarah Bouhaddi (France/Lyon), Megan Rapinoe (USA/Reign FC), Lieke Martens (Netherlands/Barcelona), Sari van Veenendal (Netherlands/Atletico Madrid), Wendie Renard (France/Lyon), Rose Lavelle(USA/Washington Spirit), Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride), Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Lyon), Kosovare Asllani (Sweden/CD Tacon), Sofia Jakobsson (Sweden/CD Tacon), Tobin Heath (USA/Portland Thorns)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
