After a deeply worrying few hours for his country, Jordan's prime minister, Bisher Al Khasawneh, announced on Tuesday that the southern city of Aqaba had become "totally safe", after a chlorine gas explosion at its port killed 13 people and injured 250.
This is a significant announcement, and will bring some relief to Jordanians although there are hundreds injured or devastated by the blast. Video footage of the moment the accident took place led to intense concern. It shows a large tank of chlorine gas falling from a crane on to the deck of a vessel in the city's port. The subsequent explosion releases a large amount of yellow smoke. Fearing the effects of toxic gas, authorities closed beaches and told people to keep windows shut.
Getting the port back up and running is key, as it will reassure those living and working nearby. Aqaba is crucial for Jordan. It is the country's only port, and plays a key role in the infrastructure of the country, particularly in today's times when a food crisis is hitting the Middle East particularly badly. Symbolically, it is a key part of the wider Red Sea region, a tourism and ecological treasure for countries in the region.
By swiftly getting emergency services to the area and declaring the situation safe mere hours after the explosion, it appears Jordan has succeeded in this mission.
Such success requires vigilance, readiness and effective training. It is never guaranteed, a fact with which the Middle East is familiar. Footage of the dramatic plume of smoke and workers fleeing the scene has been beamed the world over. Many of those watching, particularly in the region, will have immediately thought back to August 2020 when an explosion at Beirut's port led to one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history, killing more than 200 people and injuring 6,000.
As Lebanon came to terms with the scale of the loss, attention quickly turned to asking how such a disaster could have happened. It is little surprise that corruption, mismanagement and a lack of accountability were quickly cited. The country has suffered from these in all quarters for decades.
Almost two years on, however raw feelings might still be, it is clear that the explosion at Aqaba is far from the same level of devastation, both in terms of the number of casualties and the way authorities have responded.
After all, in Lebanon, some politicians who may have the answers the public needs continue to obstruct the course of investigations. Ghazi Zeaiter and Ali Hassan Khalil, two MPs charged in connection with the disaster, have even been re-elected to parliament. Victims not only still have few answers, but also have to contend with harsh realities such as these.
In some ways, then, it appears Jordan is already further ahead than Lebanon when it comes to taking the initiative to respond. Many images already show protective gear-clad emergency workers surveying the damage, and despite concerning warnings to stay indoors, it is hugely welcome that the Prime Minister has declared the situation safe and that air quality is at normal levels.
Beyond Jordan and the Middle East, the quick response of authorities, however early investigations might be, is a reminder of the fragility of our infrastructure and the danger with which many of its workers contend. In shipping, an industry that carries about 80 per cent of global trade by volume, tragically, accidents are bound to happen. What is important is how authorities the world over respond to them, and, further down the line, what they learn from them to make everyone safer.
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The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
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The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
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The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
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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.
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“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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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
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British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
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The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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