At least 125 people were killed and 300 injured in an explosion at a fuel depot in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region late on Monday, Interfax Azerbaijan reported on Tuesday, quoting the Armenian Health Ministry.
The bodies of those killed in the blast, near Stepanakert, capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, have been sent to Armenia, it said.
Many people are still unaccounted for.
Separatist authorities earlier said most of the injured were in a "severe or extremely severe" condition.
"The medical capacities [of Nagorno-Karabakh] are not enough," said the region's rights ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan. He called for air ambulances to be allowed to land in the region.
Armenia's Health Ministry said it sent a team of doctors to the separatist stronghold of Stepanakert by helicopter.
Azerbaijan's presidency said Baku had also sent medicine to help those injured in the blast.
Thousands of people have since fled the enclave amid fears of ethnic cleansing.
Envoys from Baku and Yerevan are set to hold talks in Brussels on Tuesday after Azerbaijan's takeover of the majority ethnic Armenian enclave.
Most of the victims were stocking up on fuel for the trip down the so-called Lachin corridor, connecting the impoverished and historically disputed region with Armenia.
Armenians, mostly Christian, and Azeris, mostly Muslim, have fought two wars over the mountainous territory since the Soviet Union's 1991 collapse, which have claimed tens of thousands of lives.
The area is now populated by up to 120,000 ethnic Armenians but is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.
Envoys from Baku and Yerevan were in Brussels on Tuesday to pave the way for the first meeting between their leaders since last week's offensive.
Simon Mordue, chief diplomatic adviser to European Council President Charles Michel, will lead the talks, Mr Michel's spokeswoman said.
Azerbaijan and Armenia, along with EU heavyweights France and Germany, will be represented by their national security advisers.
A senior US aid official on Tuesday said the country would stand in solidarity with Armenia.
Samantha Power, head of the US Agency for International Development (USAid), said it was essential the international community gained access to Karabakh, amid reports of unknown numbers of people being injured and requiring evacuation, or lacking food and essentials.
She appealed to Azerbaijan to allow the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Armenian civilians in Karabakh, describing the situation there as "harrowing".
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said any international observer mission for the Nagorno-Karabakh region could take place only with the agreement of Azerbaijan.
'We lived through terrible days'
Armenia said on Tuesday afternoon more than 19,000 people had crossed into the country since Sunday.
The influx overwhelmed the border town of Goris, where many refugees are staying.
"We lived through terrible days," said Anabel Ghulasyan, 41, from the village of Rev, known as Shalva in Azeri.
She arrived in Goris with her family on a minibus.
Valentina Asryan, 54, fled to Goris with her grandchildren and said her brother-in-law was killed by Azeri gunfire.
"Who would have thought that the 'Turks' would come to this historic Armenian village? It's incredible," she said, referring to Azeri forces.
Many slept in their cars laden with luggage and on Tuesday formed long queues outside phone shops as they waited to buy Sim cards.
The stream of refugees continued on Tuesday, with hundreds of vehicles heading to Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Families piled their belongings on top of their cars and stopped for only a few seconds at the last Azeri checkpoint before entering Armenia along the Lachin corridor.
Azerbaijani border agents were looking for "war crime" suspects among the flood of refugees leaving its separatist enclave for Armenia, according to a government source.
"Azerbaijan intends to apply an amnesty to Armenian fighters who laid down their arms in Karabakh. But those who committed war crimes during the Karabakh wars must be handed over to us," the source said, explaining why men of fighting age were told to look into a camera at the last border checkpoint.
Last week, an offensive by Baku's forces established Azeri control over the breakaway region, forcing ethnic Armenian fighters to disarm.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday on a phone call, asking for his country to "refrain from further hostilities" in the region.
His spokesman Matthew Miller said Mr Blinken also called on Mr Aliyev to "provide assurances to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh that they can live secure in their homes and their rights will be protected".
Mr Miller said Mr Blinken requested that an international observer mission be allowed in.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Mr Aliyev on Monday, saying Baku's military victory opened a "window of opportunity" to normalise relations.
On Tuesday, a day after he met Azerbaijan's leader, Mr Erdogan said the Zangezur trade corridor passing through Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran must be completed.
Speaking to reporters on his return flight from the Azeri exclave of Nakhchivan, where he had met Mr Aliyev, Turkey's President said if Armenia did not allow the trade corridor to pass through its territory, then Iran was warm to the idea of allowing it.
The Zangezur corridor aims to give Baku unimpeded access to Nakhchivan through Armenia.
Two wars
Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars in the past three decades over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region within the internationally recognised border of Azerbaijan.
Turkey and Azerbaijan have been calling for the corridor to be introduced since the Second Karabakh War in 2020.
Azerbaijan's offensive began on September 19 and forced separatists to lay down their arms under the terms of a ceasefire agreed on the following day.
It followed a nine-month blockade of the region by Baku that caused shortages of key supplies.
The separatists have said 200 people were killed in last week's fighting.
Baku announced two of its soldiers also died when a mine exploded on Sunday.
Azerbaijan's state media reported that officials have held a second round of peace talks with Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian community aimed at "reintegrating" them.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
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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The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RIDE%20ON
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UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%0DMain%20Event%0D%3A%20Lightweight%20Title%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAmru%20Magomedov%20def%20Jakhongir%20Jumaev%20-%20Round%201%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-Main%20Event%0D%3A%20Bantamweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERany%20Saadeh%20def%20Genil%20Franciso%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20150%20lbs%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EWalter%20Cogliandro%20def%20Ali%20Al%20Qaisi%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERenat%20Khavalov%20def%20Hikaru%20Yoshino%20-%20Round%202%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EVictor%20Nunes%20def%20Nawras%20Abzakh%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EYamato%20Fujita%20def%20Sanzhar%20Adilov%20-%20Round%201%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELightweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAbdullo%20Khodzhaev%20def%20Petru%20Buzdugen%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20139%20lbs%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERazhabali%20Shaydullaev%20def%20Magomed%20Al-Abdullah%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ECong%20Wang%20def%20Amena%20Hadaya%20-%20Points%20(unanimous%20decision)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EKhabib%20Nabiev%20def%20Adis%20Taalaybek%20Uulu%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20Heavyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBartosz%20Szewczyk%20def%20Artem%20Zemlyakov%20-%20Round%202%20(TKO)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TOP 5 DRIVERS 2019
1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 10 wins 387 points
2 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 4 wins, 314 points
3 Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 3 wins, 260 points
4 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2 wins, 249 points
5 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1 win, 230 points
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2
Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')
Barcelona 0
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
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Young women have more “financial grit”, but fall behind on investing
In an October survey of young adults aged 16 to 25, Charles Schwab found young women are more driven to reach financial independence than young men (67 per cent versus. 58 per cent). They are more likely to take on extra work to make ends meet and see more value than men in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals. Yet, despite all these good ‘first’ measures, they are investing and saving less than young men – falling early into the financial gender gap.
While the women surveyed report spending 36 per cent less than men, they have far less savings than men ($1,267 versus $2,000) – a nearly 60 per cent difference.
In addition, twice as many young men as women say they would invest spare cash, and almost twice as many young men as women report having investment accounts (though most young adults do not invest at all).
“Despite their good intentions, young women start to fall behind their male counterparts in savings and investing early on in life,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president, Charles Schwab. “They start off showing a strong financial planning mindset, but there is still room for further education when it comes to managing their day-to-day finances.”
Ms Schwab-Pomerantz says parents should be conveying the same messages to boys and girls about money, but should tailor those conversations based on the individual and gender.
"Our study shows that while boys are spending more than girls, they also are saving more. Have open and honest conversations with your daughters about the wage and savings gap," she said. "Teach kids about the importance of investing – especially girls, who as we see in this study, aren’t investing as much. Part of being financially prepared is learning to make the most of your money, and that means investing early and consistently."
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
