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President Sheikh Mohamed and the head of the UN World Food Programme have discussed co-operation between UAE entities and the WFP to deliver relief to the Gaza Strip, given the worsening humanitarian conditions in the area.
Sheikh Mohamed on Thursday received Cindy McCain, executive director at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed emphasised the urgent need to secure humanitarian corridors which would allow regional and international organisations to provide aid.
The meeting also outlined co-operation between the UAE and WFP in addressing food security challenges and ensuring food provision for those in need in impoverished regions, disaster-affected areas and zones experiencing conflict and crises.
Sheikh Mohamed stressed the UAE's commitment to supporting the WFP's global work.
He also highlighted the significance of improving co-operation around the world when addressing global food crises, given their close link to international peace and security.
Ms McCain expressed her thanks to the UAE for its co-operation with the WFP, particularly in supporting those affected in conflict and disaster zones.
She also praised the UAE's initiatives in addressing global food security challenges and its strategies to promote sustainable food security solutions.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for International Co-operation, Reem Al Hashimy.
This week, Sheikh Mohamed held talks with global leaders on the Israel-Gaza war, during which he called for civilian lives to be protected and for crucial humanitarian aid to be delivered.
He underlined the need to halt violence in Gaza during calls with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, state news agency Wam reported on Monday.
On Wednesday, he discussed the worsening humanitarian crisis with UN Secretary General António Guterres.
During the call, he emphasised the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to open critical humanitarian corridors and establish a ceasefire to enable the delivery of relief and medical aid.
On Thursday, an Egyptian television network closely connected to the government, AlQahera News, said lorries loaded with humanitarian aid will move into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing in Egypt on Friday.
It said around 20 lorries carrying food, water and medical supplies are set to move into Gaza.
The lorries are part of some 100 that have been queuing on the Egyptian side of the crossing for about a week.
News of aid moving into Gaza comes as the number of Palestinian deaths reaches 3,785. The number of Israelis killed is about 1,400.
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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HAJJAN
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
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- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
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The five pillars of Islam
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Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
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RESULTS
2.15pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Shawall, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer)
2.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Anna Bella Aa, Fabrice Veron, Abdelkhir Adam
3.15pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
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Winner Taajer, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
4.15pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 (D) 1,700m
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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