I write to you in reference to Gillian Duncan and Shireena Al Nowais's story Coronavirus: How does Abu Dhabi's new border system work? (June 30): the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border temporary shutdown was a necessary measure undertaken by the UAE government to help contain the spread of Covid-19. It was also a significant act, unseen in the last 50 years of Emirati history. Not since December 2, 1971 has the border between the two emirates been restricted in such a manner.
There was a time, in the pre-union days, when one had to present a passport to enter Dubai from Abu Dhabi and vice versa. Modern day citizens and residents can still get a sense of this the next time they drive up or down the E11 motorway. A remnant of the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border still exists. It is a small green building on the coastal side of the motorway that today serves as the Saih Sheib Police Station.
The successful demarcation of Abu Dhabi and Dubai territory was one of the leading achievements led by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, and Sheikh Rashid.
Sheikh Zayed Road for example, Dubai’s most famous road, was named in honour of the then ruler of Abu Dhabi. This road actually begins at Abu Dhabi’s Corniche as Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (known more casually in Abu Dhabi as Airport Road).
The name changes from Sheikh Rashid Road to Sheikh Zayed Road the moment you cross the border from Abu Dhabi into Dubai. In naming their grandest streets after one another, the founders of the UAE enacted a symbolic gesture with a view to strengthen the union during its nascent days.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s current rulers have built on the foundations set by the UAE's Founding Fathers. The recently inaugurated E311 or Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed road now links the newer outer suburbs of Abu Dhabi with the new outer suburbs of Dubai and is a testament to the continued relevance and the enduring vision of the union. We will overcome the coronavirus crisis. But as we enter the 50th anniversary of the UAE, we need to maintain a historical perspective.
Ahmed Shubbar, Abu Dhabi
Plenty of trusted studies validated by doctors
With regard to the report WHO stops trials for drug Donald Trump promoted as a coronavirus remedy (July 4): the Lancet study was a scandal; even the journal admitted later that the study was based on fake data. However, there are a lot of trusted studies proving the efficacy of certain medicines when prescribed in the early stages – by doctors.
Lana L, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Percentage of coronavirus cases hasn't changed
With reference to Coronavirus: UAE records 716 new cases and three deaths as daily tests pass 70,000 (July 4): Look at the test numbers. Saturday's are based on 71,000 tests. The actual percentage of positive cases hasn't changed but the fact they are catching more at once now is a good thing. The more you catch those currently infected the faster we will get past this.
Suzanne Arruda, Dubai
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Brief scores:
QPR 0
Watford 1
Capoue 45' 1
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
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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War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
