Last Thursday, the world was relieved to hear of the release of 344 schoolboys kidnapped in northern Nigeria. Boko Haram, the terrorist group which haunts that area, claimed the attack as one of their own. Although some now believe the incident was carried out by bandits, the kidnapping drew inevitable comparisons to a similar outrage in 2014, when Boko Haram abducted 276 female pupils in the Nigerian town of Chibok.
Why would such a group be so keen to conduct and claim school kidnappings? The very fact the story received so much global media attention is one clue; many terrorist attacks are barely reported, particularly if they take place outside the West.
It is depressing but important to recognise that extremists know an atrocity is more likely to attract the attention of the world if it targets the young. This was also the case in the 2014 Taliban murder of 157 people, most of whom were children, at a school in Peshawar, Pakistan. This horrific attack received more media attention in 2014 than any other terrorist atrocity in the country, in a year when a total of 1,760 Pakistanis were killed by extremists according to the 2015 Global Terrorism Index.
Terrorism is the willingness to give up so many elements of one's humanity, for the single-minded pursuit of a twisted ideology.
Terrorists shock us into paying attention not just by targeting children, but also by exploiting them in propaganda. This was never more true than with ISIS. Alongside the brutality of its crimes, the group was also remarkable in the history of terrorism for its slick media operation, which disseminated its rapid rise to global notoriety. Some of the most shocking images broadcast by the group – and there are many to choose from – depicted toddlers touting pistols and, on one occasion, even a video of a seemingly apathetic young Kazakhstani boy executing two alleged Russian informants. ISIS viewed the children as a crucial pillar in plans to guarantee the future of the organisation. Child soldiers were grotesquely labelled "cubs of the caliphate". It is a perhaps difficult fact to stomach, but one the international community must recognise, that extremists are increasingly prepared to corrupt young people and deny them a childhood, if it suits their ideological ends.Despite what they might say, terrorists rarely operate for ideological reasons alone. Their brazen and violent tactics also reveal a desire for infamy. Brenton Tarrant, the far-right terrorist who killed 51 worshippers in a New Zealand mosque in 2019, was not satisfied with the physical act of his massacre. He also livestreamed the attack, which turned out to be part of his strategy to leave a permanent record of his atrocity in the dark recesses of like-minded message boards. He even announced his intentions on one such forum just before his rampage.
Mohammed Bello, one of the Nigerian students recently rescued from kidnappers, is carried by his father as relatives celebrate his return. Reuters
In the violent extremist narratives that inspire Islamic terrorists today, there is an emphasis on a jihadist's true mission to speed up the inevitable triumph of a misinformed and false brand of Islam, over non-believers. Or, as some British ISIS fighters put it, a desire to raise the ISIS flag over Buckingham Palace, the UK monarch's palace in London.
For others, terrorism is a means of preventing what is perceived to be the impending doom of their cause. In 2011 Anders Breivik, a far-right Norwegian terrorist, massacred 77 people, 69 of whom were at a summer gathering for children. Breivik believed in a future where white Europeans and their culture – he thought both superior to others – would be overrun by Muslim migrants. He targeted the summer camp because it was organised by the Workers' Youth League, a Norwegian political association for young people interested in the country's Labour Party. Breivik described the atrocity as "cruel but necessary", believing that by targeting the next generation of Norwegian social democrats – in his words, "state traitors" – he was ridding his country of those supposedly committed to erasing the national culture.
At one point during his subsequent trial, Breivik broke down in tears. His display of emotion was not a result of being confronted with the many families devastated by his actions. It was because the court played a 12-minute, anti-Muslim propaganda video he had posted online the day of the attack and which he apparently still found to be very moving. This unshakeable commitment to hate and death over human decency gives us an idea of how insidious the descent into terrorism is. It is not just an extreme shift of political beliefs. It is the willingness to give up so many elements of one's humanity, for the single-minded pursuit of a twisted ideology.
During recent years, it has felt as if terrorists are trying to outdo one another's brutality, whether by joking over footage of massacres, or by filming the immolation of people in cages. Targeting children, who by their nature are innocent and entirely vulnerable, could be one of the last badges of baleful honour on an extremist's road to total nihilism.
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize
This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.
From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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.
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
