With regards your online op-ed Our obsession with political scandals is detracting from real burning issues (Jun e24), Boris Johnson is a popinjay who could precipitate a general election within a week of becoming British prime minister. He has difficulty speaking or writing plain English without inserting a Latin phrase to indicate that he once attended Eton College. However, his primary claim to notoriety stems from his abysmal tenure as foreign secretary, before being obliged to resign. This is the ex-foreign secretary who helped Iran convict a British citizen and mother because he was too lazy to read his own brief; a man who collects parking tickets like a foreign tourist in the belief that the law is not applicable to himself.
This is the politician who cannot be trusted to tell the truth and is considered by many within his own party to constitute a security risk; a man whose colourful personal life unfortunately leaves him susceptible to blackmail by a foreign state or by criminals. This is a man whose ambitions far exceed his personal abilities and his own integrity to achieve such goals. A man more suited to leading a stag party in Amsterdam rather than being the leader of the Conservative party or the UK prime minister. This is a man who, if elected by grassroots Conservatives to succeed Theresa May, would precipitate a general election and an almost certain Labour government. Of course, if that’s what you really want, then of course you must vote in this less-than-capable, unreliable politician – for a week. But it is as well to remember that it is by no means unknown for an attractive wrapper to hide a worm-ridden fruit.
Although Jeremy Hunt might not be as colourful as Boris Johnson, sometimes a man of integrity with a solid record of quiet responsibility and achievement is by far the wiser choice.
Hans Stehling, London
Space is the frontier that continues to challenge us
I write in reference to your article UAE space programme set to enter a new orbit (June 24). It is really important now to be in the race for space exploration and create an impact there. Space is the frontier that continues to challenge us. The UAE, with resources and talent, can take the first step with confidence. Great attention is needed for research and development.
Nazim Hasan Khan, India
Saudi airport attack adds fuel to dangerous situation
I write in reference to your online article UAE condemns deadly Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia's Abha airport (June 24). The recent terror attack that killed a Syrian expatriate and wounded seven innocent people has rightly been condemned across the globe. This is a sad and worrying state of affairs indeed.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKenneth%20W%20Harl%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHanover%20Square%20Press%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E576%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
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)
Labour dispute
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
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEric%20Barbier%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYoussef%20Hajdi%2C%20Nadia%20Benzakour%2C%20Yasser%20Drief%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.
Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The%20specs
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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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.
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
