A sign sticks out above floodwaters at a carpark in Monmouth, south Wales after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP
A sign sticks out above floodwaters at a carpark in Monmouth, south Wales after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP
Nearby residents making their way through floodwater by boat in Monmouth, Wales. AP
Nearby residents making their way through floodwater by boat in Monmouth, Wales. AP
Homes are flooded on the banks of the River Seven following Storm Dennis in Ironbridge, England. Getty Images
Homes are flooded on the banks of the River Seven following Storm Dennis in Ironbridge, England. Getty Images
A flooded motorhome dealership is seen following Storm Dennis at Symonds Yat, Herefordshire, England. Getty Images
A flooded motorhome dealership is seen following Storm Dennis at Symonds Yat, Herefordshire, England. Getty Images
Temporary flood barriers hold back the river Severn that has broken its banks in Ironbridge, England, in the aftermath of Storm Dennis. AP
Temporary flood barriers hold back the river Severn that has broken its banks in Ironbridge, England, in the aftermath of Storm Dennis. AP
The abandoned 77-metre (250-feet) cargo ship MV Alta is pictured stuck on rocks near the village of Ballycotton south-east of Cork in Southern Ireland. AFP
The abandoned 77-metre (250-feet) cargo ship MV Alta is pictured stuck on rocks near the village of Ballycotton south-east of Cork in Southern Ireland. AFP
Flooded fields seen following Storm Dennis near Marden, Herefordshire, England. Getty Images
Flooded fields seen following Storm Dennis near Marden, Herefordshire, England. Getty Images
South Wales Fire and Rescue personnel fit an outboard motor to a Rigid Inflatable Boat (rib) in Monmouth, south Wales after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP
South Wales Fire and Rescue personnel fit an outboard motor to a Rigid Inflatable Boat (rib) in Monmouth, south Wales after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP
A local resident (C), rescued from floodwaters by emergency services speaks to members of the media in Monmouth, south Wales after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP
A local resident (C), rescued from floodwaters by emergency services speaks to members of the media in Monmouth, south Wales after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP
South Wales Fire and Rescue take a resident through floodwaters in Monmouth, south Wales after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP
South Wales Fire and Rescue take a resident through floodwaters in Monmouth, south Wales after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP
People are reunited after firefighters rescued staff and residents from a care home in the village of Whitchurch on the banks of the River Wye following flooding from Storm Dennis in Symonds Yat, England. Getty Images
People are reunited after firefighters rescued staff and residents from a care home in the village of Whitchurch on the banks of the River Wye following flooding from Storm Dennis in Symonds Yat, England. Getty Images
Floodwater surrounds the village of Hampton Bishop near Hereford, after the River Lugg burst its banks, Wales. AP
Floodwater surrounds the village of Hampton Bishop near Hereford, after the River Lugg burst its banks, Wales. AP

Europe

UK set for further disruptive weather after Storms Ciara and Dennis

Flight and rail delays possible with power cuts and flooding expected

The National

February 23, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The UK is braced for travel delays, flooding and power cuts on Monday as a storm bringing heavy rain, wind and snow moves in.

Britain’s national forecaster issued several travel warnings with Northern Ireland, northern and central England and Scotland expected to be particularly at risk of disruption.

The Met Office said there could be vehicles and passengers stranded on the roads and rail and air cancellations.

It also warned that driving conditions could become dangerous, mobile phone coverage affected and rural communities cut off. There have been no flight cancellations so far.

The storm has not been officially named but social media users have been calling it "Ellen".

An aerial view of the Welsh village of Crickhowell which has been cut off as the river Usk bursts its banks at Crickhowell bridge near the Bridge End Inn in Crickhowell, Wales. Getty Images
An aerial view of the Welsh village of Crickhowell which has been cut off as the river Usk bursts its banks at Crickhowell bridge near the Bridge End Inn in Crickhowell, Wales. Getty Images
Damaged cars as a tree fell down after being hit by strong winds in Caen, after storm Dennis swept accross northwestern France, leaving around 18.500 houses without electricity. AFP
Damaged cars as a tree fell down after being hit by strong winds in Caen, after storm Dennis swept accross northwestern France, leaving around 18.500 houses without electricity. AFP
A man wades through in flood water as he passes houses in Church Street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP
A man wades through in flood water as he passes houses in Church Street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. AFP
Employees of York City Council use sand bags to increase flood defences as the River Ouse in York continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images
Employees of York City Council use sand bags to increase flood defences as the River Ouse in York continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images
A lorry loaded with heavy duty sand bags waits to be unloaded as flood defences are prepared on the River Ouse in York as it continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images
A lorry loaded with heavy duty sand bags waits to be unloaded as flood defences are prepared on the River Ouse in York as it continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images
A rescue boat is lifted from the water by Mountain Rescue crews after a river patrol on the River Ouse in York as it continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images
A rescue boat is lifted from the water by Mountain Rescue crews after a river patrol on the River Ouse in York as it continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images
Vehicles make their way through flooding at Dumbarton Quay during storm Dennis in Dumbarton, Scotland. Getty Images
Vehicles make their way through flooding at Dumbarton Quay during storm Dennis in Dumbarton, Scotland. Getty Images
A river rescue boat patrols the River Ouse as it continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images
A river rescue boat patrols the River Ouse as it continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country in York, United Kingdom. Getty Images
Flood water surrounds grave stones in a graveyard in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP
Flood water surrounds grave stones in a graveyard in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP
A swan passes a car abandoned in flood water in a car park after the River Trent burst its banks, in Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire, in central England. AFP
A swan passes a car abandoned in flood water in a car park after the River Trent burst its banks, in Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire, in central England. AFP
Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP
Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP
A man rescues a floating plant pot from flood water, outside of a flood-bound house in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP
A man rescues a floating plant pot from flood water, outside of a flood-bound house in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP
Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP
Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP
Items float in flood water inside a flooded charity shop in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP
Items float in flood water inside a flooded charity shop in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England. AFP

It comes after a volatile February in which the UK was lashed with heavy rain, with flights and football matches cancelled and dozens of flood warnings issued after Storms Dennis and Ciara battered Europe.

The UK's Environment Agency said England had already received 141 per cent of its average February rainfall with some areas experiencing a month’s worth in 24 hours.

“Further spells of rain in northern England throughout the weekend, which are also expected into next week, could cause further flooding, particularly across the Pennines and parts of northern England, York and the Midlands,” said the agency's Caroline Douglass.

“River levels remain high and ongoing river flooding remains probable for the River Severn next week as it responds to heavy rainfall.

“This will be the third weekend of exceptional river levels and stormy weather. With the effects of climate change, we need to prepare for more frequent periods of extreme weather like this."

The stormy weather has also affected Germany, with carnival parades cancelled at short notice in the east because of high winds and heavy rain.

On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Transgender report
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

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.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPayal%20Kapadia%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kani%20Kusruti%2C%20Divya%20Prabha%2C%20Chhaya%20Kadam%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
About Proto21

Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3E5pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAl%20Hazeez%2C%20Saif%20Al%20Balushi%20(jockey)%2C%20Khalifa%20Al%20Neyadi%20(trainer)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E5.30pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EShams%20Gate%20Tower%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20ES%20Sudani%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Hamad%20Al%20Marar%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Al%20Bahr%20Towers%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AF%20Musannef%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6.30pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Capital%20Gate%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shugga'A%20Baynounah%2C%20Dane%20O%E2%80%99Neill%2C%20Nisren%20Mahgoub%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEtihad%20Towers%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAF%20Maqam%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7.30pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fairmont%20Marina%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETempesta%20D'Oro%2C%20Xavier%20Ziani%2C%20Salem%20bin%20Ghadayer%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tomorrow 2021
Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history

- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon

- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.

- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater

- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.  

- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.

- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.

-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.

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

The%20Letter%20Writer
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Layla%20Kaylif%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eslam%20Al%20Kawarit%2C%20Rosy%20McEwen%2C%20Muhammad%20Amir%20Nawaz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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

On Women's Day
What went into the film

25 visual effects (VFX) studios

2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots

1,000 VFX artists

3,000 technicians

10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers

New sound technology, named 4D SRL

 

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE cricketers abroad

Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.

Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.

Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGrowdash%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESean%20Trevaskis%20and%20Enver%20Sorkun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERestaurant%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Plus%20VC%2C%20Judah%20VC%2C%20TPN%20Investments%20and%20angel%20investors%2C%20including%20former%20Talabat%20chief%20executive%20Abdulhamid%20Alomar%2C%20and%20entrepreneur%20Zeid%20Husban%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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

While you're here
UKEurope