Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met citizens of the country freed by Hamas from captivity in Gaza and said Moscow's long-standing ties with Palestinians helped secure their freedom.
“The fact that you are now free is a result of Russia's many years of stable relations with the Palestinian people, with the representatives of different organisations,” Russian news agencies quoted Mr Putin as saying to former hostage Alexander Trufanov and members of his family.
Russia would do whatever was necessary to ensure those still in captivity are freed, Mr Putin said in a late-night meeting on Wednesday at the Kremlin.
Mr Trufanov was released in February after about 500 days in captivity as part of talks that led to a Gaza ceasefire. He thanked Mr Putin for helping secure his release and said he viewed the hostages remaining in the enclave “like brothers”.
Mr Putin also presented flowers to Mr Trufanov's mother, Elena Trufanova, and his fiancee, Sapir Cohen, who were also among 240 hostages seized by Hamas during its attack against Israel on October 7, 2023. The pair were released later that year, as was Mr Trufanov's grandmother. Mr Trufanov's father was killed in the violence on October 7.
Russia's chief rabbi and the head of the Federation of Russian Jewish Communities was also at the meeting.
Moscow has sought to maintain good ties with both sides in the Gaza conflict, but has said a settlement in the Middle East is only possible based on a two-state solution.
“Here we have to offer a word of gratitude to the leadership and to the political wing of Hamas for a gesture made to us in carrying out this humanitarian act,” Mr Putin said of the hostage release.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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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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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request