A sixth Qatari flight took off on Wednesday from Kabul airport en route to Doha with more than 300 passengers on board.
The flight is the biggest since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August, Qatar’s Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah Al Khater said on Twitter.
The passengers included Afghan journalists and Afghanistan’s cricket team, as well as the citizens of several countries, including the UK, Germany, Canada and Japan.
The flight came two days after the arrival of more than 100 music students and teachers in Doha.
The musicians, who left amid a Taliban crackdown on music, are members of Afghanistan’s top musical institute.
“The group, about half of them women and girls, plan to fly to Portugal with the support of the government there,” Ahmad Sarmast, the institute’s principal told AFP.
With help from the Qatari embassy in Kabul, the musicians had been ferried in small groups to the city's airport, Mr Sarmast said.
In a first hurdle, Taliban militants guarding Kabul airport questioned their visas. But Qatari embassy officials managed to resolve the problem, he said.
The US army has organised an airlift of more than 120,000 people wishing to flee the Taliban regime before its complete pull-out.
The Taliban, who banned music during their brutal and oppressive rule from 1996 to 2001, swept back into power on August 15.
They have promised a more moderate brand of rule this time – though they have made clear that they will run Afghanistan within the restrictive limits of their interpretation the Sharia.
The US-led troops invaded Afghanistan in 2001 to dislodge Taliban after the 9/11 terrorist attacks claimed by Al Qaeda.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The%20specs
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The specs
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On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
!['This is my second flight under the flag of the [Islamic] Emirate,' said Bakhtar Afghan Airlines captain, Abdul Qader Alozay. Stefanie Glinski for The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/V6VUHRHSPZHNJLJUW7HYGHWMM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=93131112f021abdd3211a74fcd34da3640d5dce3272bc20abe9137de04ddcb9f&width=800&height=450)
