LONDON // Prime minister David Cameron and his Downing Street staff were having to face up to the harsh reality yesterday that Larry the cat might not be up to scratch.
Larry was brought in to No 10 last month to sort out a rodent problem bedevilling the rsidence of the prime minister' of the UK.
The problem had come to the nation's attention in January when a rat could be seen in the background, scooting along the railings of No 10, as a BBC political reporter held forth in the foreground on the great issues of the day.
But, since being re-homed from a south London sanctuary for stray cats, Larry has appeared more interested in catnapping than in rat catching.
Indeed, while mice and rats have escaped unscathed, the only things he appears intent on doing serious damage to are members of Mr Cameron's staff, several of whom have suffered unpleasant pangs when he has sunk his claws into their calf muscles, according to the Independent on Sunday newspaper.
"He has shown no interest in the many mice in Downing Street," one recent visitor told the newspaper. "There is a distinct lack of killer instinct."
The four-year-old tabby should hang his head in shame as previous Downing Street cats have, like their political masters, shown a real instinct for going for the jugular.
Most famous of them all was Humphrey, a stray who wandered in to Downing Street during Margaret Thatcher's term in 1989 and stayed until six months after Tony Blair had been elected in 1997.
Humphrey was forced into early retirement, just as many other civil servants are being forced at the moment, apparently because Cherie Blair did not care for him.
When Mr Cameron became prime minister in May, he turned down his children's pleadings for some feline company. As recently as last month, after the rodent problem had come to the nation's attention, a Downing Street spokesman insisted that there were "no plans" to get a new cat.
But U-turns are nothing new in politics and, on this occasion, the Camerons' young children prevailed. Three weeks ago, Larry arrived. "There was a group of people within Downing Street who thought getting a cat was a good idea. They have won," said the spokesman resignedly.
A spokesman for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where Larry came from, said on Sunday that, as it was recommended that re-homed cats were not allowed outside for eight weeks, Larry had probably not had the opportunity to get to grips with the rodent problem yet.
He has, however, tried to get out. Last week, a Downing Street staffer was seen making a grab for the animal as it made a dash for freedom as Mr Cameron greeted actor Kevin Spacey at the Downing Street front door.
dsapsted@thenational.ae
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
