Making a splash
South Korean Marine's amphibious assault vehicles sail to shore in a smoke screen for landing during media day for the 73rd anniversary of the Armed Forces Day. Reuters
Movie time
A man attends a free film screening in Singapore as restrictions on social gatherings are tightened following a surge in coronavirus case numbers. Reuters
Record speed
British cyclist Joscelin Lowden on her way to breaking the women's one-hour cycling world record at the velodrome Suisse in Grenchen, Switzerland. EPA
Off the dome
Uruguay's Penarol Walter Gargano heads the ball during the Copa Sudamericana semi-final second leg football match against Brazil's Athletico Paranaense in Curitiba, Brazil. AFP
Volcanic eruption
A cloud of gas rises as lava from a volcano reaches the sea on the Canary island of La Palma. The surface of the island continues growing as lava keeps flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. AP Photo
Blowing in the wind
A model wears a creation from Rick Owens' Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show in Paris. AP Photo
Waiting to be registered
A burqa-clad Afghan woman during a proof of registration drive at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office in Peshawar, Pakistan. Reuters
Expo Dubai 2020 opens
Expo 2020 Dubai opens – the largest event in the world since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP
Pandas in the zoo
Huan-Huan cuddles her cub, Fleur de Coton, after feeding her at Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France. AFP
Attempting to flee
Boshra Al-Moallem, bottom left, with her two sisters and brother-in-law at a refugee centre in Bialystok, Poland. AP Photo
Securing the area
Police on duty in the area where politicians will file their certificate of candidacy before the Commission on Elections in Manila, Philippines.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
