Chinese pianist Lang Lang plays a showcase surrounded by the peaks of Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau and the Aletsch glacier on the Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Lang Lang visited the Top of Europe and uncovered an ice statue in the ice cave. (Peter Klaunzer / Keystone via AP)
Chinese pianist Lang Lang plays a showcase surrounded by the peaks of Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau and the Aletsch glacier on the Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Lang Lang visited the Top of Europe and uncovered an ice statue in the ice cave. (Peter Klaunzer / Keystone via AP)
Visitors to Jurassic Empire drive past 30 animatronic dinosaurs in the car park at the Westminster Mall in California, April 9, 2022. AP
Visitors to Jurassic Empire drive past 30 animatronic dinosaurs in the car park at the Westminster Mall in California, April 9, 2022. AP
Medical workers wave to Changchun residents during a farewell ceremony before returning to Meihekou, from where they were sent to help contain the Covid-19 outbreak in Jilin province, China, April 12, 2022. Reuters
Medical workers wave to Changchun residents during a farewell ceremony before returning to Meihekou, from where they were sent to help contain the Covid-19 outbreak in Jilin province, China, April 12, 2022. Reuters
People search for items they can salvage on the beach after heavy rains caused flooding in Durban, South Africa, April 12, 2022. Reuters
People search for items they can salvage on the beach after heavy rains caused flooding in Durban, South Africa, April 12, 2022. Reuters
Tightrope walker Tatiana-Mosio Bongonga crosses the market square in the Swiss town of Vevey on a 180-metre cable during the Ligne Ouverte show, April 9, 2022. AP
Tightrope walker Tatiana-Mosio Bongonga crosses the market square in the Swiss town of Vevey on a 180-metre cable during the Ligne Ouverte show, April 9, 2022. AP
Isha prayers at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on the 10th day of Ramadan, April 12, 2022. Victor Besa / The National
Isha prayers at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on the 10th day of Ramadan, April 12, 2022. Victor Besa / The National
Several 'costaleros' – participants carrying floats with religious sculptures – take a break during the 'Estrella de la Semana Santa de Avila' procession in northern Spain, April 12, 2022. EPA
Several 'costaleros' – participants carrying floats with religious sculptures – take a break during the 'Estrella de la Semana Santa de Avila' procession in northern Spain, April 12, 2022. EPA
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey attempts to stroke Mikee the cat after speaking to resident Kate Allden while canvassing before local elections in England, April 12, 2022. Getty Images
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey attempts to stroke Mikee the cat after speaking to resident Kate Allden while canvassing before local elections in England, April 12, 2022. Getty Images
Pupls enjoying the return to classes at British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi, April 11, 2022 Victor Besa / The National
Pupls enjoying the return to classes at British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi, April 11, 2022 Victor Besa / The National
A mosque welcomes Ramadan worshippers in Syria's northern city of Raqa, April 9, 2022. AFP
A mosque welcomes Ramadan worshippers in Syria's northern city of Raqa, April 9, 2022. AFP
A worshipper at Friday prayers at the Kashmiri Masjid in Kathmandu, Nepal, April 9, 2022. EPA
A worshipper at Friday prayers at the Kashmiri Masjid in Kathmandu, Nepal, April 9, 2022. EPA
Stunt performer Ravi Kumar reaches out to receive money from a spectator at Maut ka Kuan, or the Wall of Death, at a fair in the north Indian city of Dharamshala, April 9, 2022. AP
Stunt performer Ravi Kumar reaches out to receive money from a spectator at Maut ka Kuan, or the Wall of Death, at a fair in the north Indian city of Dharamshala, April 9, 2022. AP
Worshippers pray at the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Saudi Arabia has said it will allow a million Muslims to participate in Hajj this year, April 9, 2022. AFP
Worshippers pray at the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Saudi Arabia has said it will allow a million Muslims to participate in Hajj this year, April 9, 2022. AFP
Muslims in Mahboula, south of Kuwait City, queue for iftar meals donated by a charity, April 10, 2022. AFP
Muslims in Mahboula, south of Kuwait City, queue for iftar meals donated by a charity, April 10, 2022. AFP
A Muslim boatman performs an evening prayer after breaking his fast during Ramadan in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 11, 2022. Reuters
A Muslim boatman performs an evening prayer after breaking his fast during Ramadan in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 11, 2022. Reuters
A landslide that hit the village of Kantagnos in Baybay town in the Philippines, after heavy rains brought about by tropical storm Megi, April 13, 2022. AFP
A landslide that hit the village of Kantagnos in Baybay town in the Philippines, after heavy rains brought about by tropical storm Megi, April 13, 2022. AFP
Boys play football during Ramadan in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2022. Reuters
Boys play football during Ramadan in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2022. Reuters
Danyk Rak, 12, in the ruins of his house, which was destroyed by Russian shelling in the outskirts of Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. Danyk's mother Liudmila Koval had to have her leg amputated after the attack in which she also suffered abdominal injuries. She is still waiting for proper medical treatment. AP
Danyk Rak, 12, in the ruins of his house, which was destroyed by Russian shelling in the outskirts of Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. Danyk's mother Liudmila Koval had to have her leg amputated after the attack in which she also suffered abdominal injuries. She is still waiting for proper medical treatment. AP
A procession of clerics on Thursday during the Catholic Washing of the Feet ceremony next to the tomb of Jesus at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, April 14, 2022. EPA
A procession of clerics on Thursday during the Catholic Washing of the Feet ceremony next to the tomb of Jesus at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, April 14, 2022. EPA
Students protesting against the price increase of basic commodities outside the regional parliament building in Surabaya, Indonesia on April 14, 2022. AFP
Students protesting against the price increase of basic commodities outside the regional parliament building in Surabaya, Indonesia on April 14, 2022. AFP
Sports fields under water on April 15, 2022, days after heavy rains in Durban, South Africa. The death toll from the flooding climbed to 341 on Thursday. Some residents have been without power or water for four days. AFP
Sports fields under water on April 15, 2022, days after heavy rains in Durban, South Africa. The death toll from the flooding climbed to 341 on Thursday. Some residents have been without power or water for four days. AFP
A girl admires two-metre Easter eggs painted in the traditional naive art style in Koprivnica, Croatia, April 14, 2022. The project started 15 years ago and involves painters decorating giant eggs, which are then sent to cities in the country and abroad to be displayed in public squares in time for Easter festivities. Reuters
A girl admires two-metre Easter eggs painted in the traditional naive art style in Koprivnica, Croatia, April 14, 2022. The project started 15 years ago and involves painters decorating giant eggs, which are then sent to cities in the country and abroad to be displayed in public squares in time for Easter festivities. Reuters
A Nepalese boy watches the Biska Jatra festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on Thursday, April 14, 2022. During this festival, also regarded as Nepalese New Year, images of Hindu god Bhairava and his female counterpart Bhadrakali are placed in two large chariots and pulled to an open square where rituals and festivities are performed. AP Photo
A Nepalese boy watches the Biska Jatra festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on Thursday, April 14, 2022. During this festival, also regarded as Nepalese New Year, images of Hindu god Bhairava and his female counterpart Bhadrakali are placed in two large chariots and pulled to an open square where rituals and festivities are performed. AP Photo
Israeli security forces during clashes with Palestinian protesters at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City. April 15, 2022. Reuters
Israeli security forces during clashes with Palestinian protesters at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City. April 15, 2022. Reuters
Players during the Dubai City versus Pumas Unam match at the Mina Cup 2022 youth football tournament in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Players during the Dubai City versus Pumas Unam match at the Mina Cup 2022 youth football tournament in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A young couple during a video and photography session at Galata bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. April 11, 2022. AP Photo
A young couple during a video and photography session at Galata bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. April 11, 2022. AP Photo
People wait for food handouts outside the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, on Good Friday in Kolkata, India, April 15, 2022. Good Friday is a religious holiday observed by Christians in commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. EPA
People wait for food handouts outside the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, on Good Friday in Kolkata, India, April 15, 2022. Good Friday is a religious holiday observed by Christians in commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. EPA
Americans Sebastian Korda and Taylor Fritz in action on day five of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco on April 14, 2022. Getty Images
Americans Sebastian Korda and Taylor Fritz in action on day five of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco on April 14, 2022. Getty Images
Vermicelli, used to make a traditional sweet dish popular during Ramadan, drying in Lahore on April 12, 2022. AFP
Vermicelli, used to make a traditional sweet dish popular during Ramadan, drying in Lahore on April 12, 2022. AFP
Mourners attend a memorial service for serviceman officer Taras Bobanych from the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps, who died during the conflict with Russia. The service was at the Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on April 13, 2022. AFP
Mourners attend a memorial service for serviceman officer Taras Bobanych from the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps, who died during the conflict with Russia. The service was at the Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on April 13, 2022. AFP

Weekend

The best photos of the week: from a mountaintop recital to a high-wire act

The most striking pictures from around the world

Tim Knowles
Tim Knowles

April 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National

Friday's best photos: from Nepalese new year to British beetroot

Thursday's best photos: from a piano on a mountain peak to a street party protest

Wednesday's best photos: from beach salvaging to a petrol queue

Tuesday's best photos: from a tropical storm in the Philippines to Ramadan in Bangladesh

Monday's best photos: from Imran Khan supporters to little Bolivian dancers

Sunday's best photos: from tightrope walking to free birds

Saturday's best photos: from animatronic dinosaurs in California to the Australian Grand Prix

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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)

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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October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA

While you're here
On Women's Day
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Tomorrow 2021
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Updated: April 15, 2022, 6:01 PM`
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