UFC president Dana White was on Friday presented with a UAE golden visa by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi.
The American, who has overseen the burgeoning relationship between the capital and the world’s lead mixed martial arts organisation, was given the distinction backstage at Etihad Arena before the ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 267, which takes place on Saturday. The fight night features two title bouts.
The UFC has expanded its footprint in Abu Dhabi markedly during the past three years in particular having first staged an event there in 2010. In 2019, the same year the 10-year golden visa was introduced, the promotion signed a five-year partnership with DCT-Abu Dhabi designed initially to hold one major event in the capital each year through to 2023.
However, last year Abu Dhabi provided the setting for the inaugural UFC Fight Island, created by White to allow the promotion's international athletes to compete during the coronavirus pandemic. There have since been two more Fight Island residencies, most recently in January. In all, the entire series has comprised 12 events.
The UAE’s golden visa is a government scheme initiated two years ago by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. The visa offers 10-year residency on a renewable basis.
THE%20SPECS
The specs
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
SPEC%20SHEET
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
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On sale: Now
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Specs
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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Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
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Genesis G80 2020 5.0-litre Royal Specs
Engine: 5-litre V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 505Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L/100km
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EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
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7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
