The UAE's search and rescue mission in Turkey has ended, officials announced on Monday.
After fourteen consecutive days of digging through rubble to find survivors in Kahramanmaras, Emirati rescuers are the last internationally classified team to leave Turkey, said news agency Wam.
The team rescued 10 people and recovered 26 bodies.
The decision to leave was made after the Turkish Emergency and Disaster Organisation announced the end of search and rescue operations in the country.
The Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence launched Operation Gallant Knight/2 after the earthquake struck Turkey and neighbouring Syria on February 6.
As part of the operation, the UAE has continued to send aid to affected areas in both countries for eleven days, with the latest consignment leaving the Emirates on Sunday night.
A total of 76 cargo planes delivering 2,535 tonnes of relief products have flown to Syria, while 42 planes carrying 840 tonnes of aid have arrived in Turkey.
In total, 118 flights carrying 3,375 tonnes of food, medical supplies and shelter tents, have been sent as part of the operation.
On Saturday, the UAE's second field hospital in Turkey was set up after a 50-bed hospital was opened at Gaziantep Airport last week.
The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Field Hospital in the Reyhanli district of Hatay is a 200-bed site with 20 intensive care beds, two operating rooms with full medical equipment, two intensive care units, a laboratory and a pharmacy.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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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.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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