Tents housing displaced Syrians are damaged by a severe snowstorm that struck the Afrin area of Aleppo. All photos: Moawia Atrash for The National
Tents housing displaced Syrians are damaged by a severe snowstorm that struck the Afrin area of Aleppo. All photos: Moawia Atrash for The National
A man shovels snow from the front of his tent in northern Syria
A man shovels snow from the front of his tent in northern Syria
A child braves the cold in a camp for the displaced
A child braves the cold in a camp for the displaced
About eight camps were severely damaged, with some access roads cut off because of deep snow
About eight camps were severely damaged, with some access roads cut off because of deep snow
A child in the snow lacks waterproof shoes in Afrin, Aleppo
A child in the snow lacks waterproof shoes in Afrin, Aleppo
A displaced Syrian woman collects firewood and transports it to her tent for heating
A displaced Syrian woman collects firewood and transports it to her tent for heating
The temperature dropped to minus 3°C in camps north of Aleppo
The temperature dropped to minus 3°C in camps north of Aleppo
An aerial view of snow in Aleppo
An aerial view of snow in Aleppo
A displaced child walks among snow-covered tents
A displaced child walks among snow-covered tents
The stadium camp near the town of Bulbul was covered in snow
The stadium camp near the town of Bulbul was covered in snow
A fire is lit on a cooking stove
A fire is lit on a cooking stove
Jamila Al Hadi, 65, says 'when snow falls, our suffering increases even more, as the tents fall over our heads and we have to shovel the snow from the edges of the tents'
Jamila Al Hadi, 65, says 'when snow falls, our suffering increases even more, as the tents fall over our heads and we have to shovel the snow from the edges of the tents'
A displaced girl in the village of Bulbul, surrounded by tents flattened in the snowstorm
A displaced girl in the village of Bulbul, surrounded by tents flattened in the snowstorm

MENA

Displaced in Aleppo deal with snowstorm - in pictures

Temperatures reached minus 3°C

The National

February 05, 2023

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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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Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Iran v Uzbekistan, 8pm
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How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

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The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

The other virus: bigotry
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Company Profile

Name: JustClean

Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries

Launch year: 2016

Number of employees: 130

Sector: online laundry service

Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.3-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E299hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E420Nm%20at%202%2C750rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12.4L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh157%2C395%20(XLS)%3B%20Dh199%2C395%20(Limited)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Need to know

The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours. 

The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.

When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend  are  January-February and September-October.  Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.

Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.

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Updated: February 05, 2023, 12:31 PM`
Syria