With regard to the report Coronavirus latest: UAE reports new daily high of 3,362 cases (January 13): despite the increase, the UAE is obviously doing something right as the situation is much better than in the rest of the world. We have to keep helping each other, respecting members of the healthcare community, isolating, staying safe and counting our blessings. Let's continue to appreciate all that we have, care for one other and respect one another.
Gillian Prestwood, Abu Dhabi
Countries can vaccinate at shopping malls if need be
With reference to the report Pope Francis calls opposition to Covid vaccines 'suicidal denial' (January 10): every segment of society across the world should contribute to the vaccination drive. The roll-out of the vaccines in various countries is an opportunity to the retail trade to contribute to the marathon task of vaccinating millions of citizens. If space is a problem in some of the more densely populated cities, shopping malls can be converted into health centres. There is ample space in food courts and play areas. These can be used to set up inoculation kiosks. It will be possible to maintain social distancing while waiting for the jabs. The faster the world gets vaccinated, the more rapidly we can return to normality.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Restaurants feel the pinch of the dip in fish supply
Regarding Simon Rushton's report Trawler that catches one tenth of Britain's chip-shop fish excluded from richest waters (January 12): as the one of the owners of the fish and chips shop The Chippy, we can tell you that it's not easy to maintain the supply at present.
Robert Bradley, Abu Dhabi
May Joe Biden's inauguration go off smoothly
With reference to Hussein Ibish's op-ed US Capitol fiasco raises serious questions about Trump's collusion (January 10): the attack last week on the US Capitol was shocking. Despite people who say it should have been no surprise and Americans could have seen it coming, nobody could have anticipated this kind of chaos in Washington. The supporters of Donald Trump who stormed the building made a mockery of democracy and that was sad to watch. Let's hope the January 20 inauguration goes off smoothly and the new administration is sworn in without incident. Joe Biden's team has a lot on its plate and must urgently address the multiple crises facing Americans, mainly the pandemic and the economy, but also bringing to book the perpetuators of the Capitol violence. Donald Trump must pave the way for a smooth handover of power.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
SPEC%20SHEET
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MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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)
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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
The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
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.
The five pillars of Islam
Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
