The torture and heartbreak in Syria
With reference to Nada Homsi's report Desperate families and tortured bodies at Damascus morgue (December 11): A once beautiful country with such great history was destroyed by a government that was adamant about staying in power. The past decade will go down in history for all the wrong reasons. The new Syria deserves better. Bury your dead but never forget what caused their deaths.
Roger Sutton, Sydney, Australia
The prospect of a new start for Syrians
With regard to The National editorial Syria's new reality must be reckoned with (December 8): This touched on some important points about Syria's current reality and its future prospects. It’s clear that while the fall of Al Assad is a hopeful sign, rebuilding Syria is a daunting challenge.
The task ahead is not just about dismantling the old system, but also about creating a new vision for Syria's future.
The new leadership must focus on several key aspects for Syria to move forwards. Security and stability will be the big challenge. Decades of conflict have left many regions unstable, with various factions vying for control.
To create a better future, effort will be required to restore basic services, rebuild key industries, and create jobs for Syrians. Employment helps secure long-term peace, as it helps to address poverty and instability.
The new administration must ensure that all Syrian citizens, regardless of ethnic, religious, or political background, feel included and are included in the rebuilding process.
Syria must also engage positively with its neighbours and the international community. A new Syria should demonstrate that it can be a peaceful and reliable partner in the region. Will this happen? It’s hard to say for certain.
However, success will depend on the willingness of both internal and external actors to support Syria’s transition and overcome the hurdles that remain. While the path ahead is difficult, with the right leadership and international co-operation, it is possible that Syria could become a stable, prosperous and peaceful country.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
We can all balance work and fitness
I am a dedicated marathon runner. On Saturday, December 14, I will participate in the Adnoc Marathon in Abu Dhabi, running the full 42.2km dressed in a complete business suit. I want to convey an important message to corporate employees: fitness is essential, no matter how busy life gets. Many professionals prioritise work over health, leaving no time for exercise. My aim is to demonstrate that balancing work and fitness is possible, and if seeing me run a marathon in a suit inspires even one person, I will consider my mission a success.
In the 2022 Adnoc marathon, I ran in a full PPE coverall and helmet to highlight the importance of health, safety, and environment (HSE) in the workplace. This earned me recognition in the India Book of Records. My goal remains the same: to inspire others to prioritise their health and well-being, proving that with determination, nothing is impossible.
Sadique Ahamed, Abu Dhabi
Episode list:
Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery
Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges
Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic
Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks
Ep5: Travel and tourism
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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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.
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE SPECS
Engine: 3-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 424hp
Torque: 580 Nm
Price: From Dh399,000
On sale: Now
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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