The Yemen government has called for international pressure on Houthi rebels in strategic areas such as the port city of Hodeidah. Reuters
The Yemen government has called for international pressure on Houthi rebels in strategic areas such as the port city of Hodeidah. Reuters
The Yemen government has called for international pressure on Houthi rebels in strategic areas such as the port city of Hodeidah. Reuters
The Yemen government has called for international pressure on Houthi rebels in strategic areas such as the port city of Hodeidah. Reuters

Houthi rebels using human shields south of Hodeidah


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  • Arabic

Houthi rebels are stopping residents of Al Duraihimi, a district south of the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, from leaving before an offensive by pro-government troops.

The rebels have been using military vehicles to block routes out of the city, residents told The National on Monday, and some are demanding ransom from civilians to allow safe passage.

Zakaria Al Kurashi, from Al Duraihimi, said pro-government forces had been using loudhailers to announce an advance towards Hodeidah, urging people to leave.

But the Houthis then sealed off routes out of villages.

"We tried to flee out of the area but the Houthis refused to let us go. They have been trying to blackmail us. If you want to take your family out of the clashes area you must pay 100,000 Yemen rials [$400]," he said.

Sources said coalition forces were stationed near the centre of Al Duraihimi.
Conditions for residents are poor.

"We are suffering very much, with no water, no gas, our children are starving, and we keep struggling most of the day to bring a 20 litre bottle of water to drink because the rebels pounded the only water storage that was feeding the villages in the north of Al Duraihimi," Mr Al Kurashi said.

Fighting in Hodeidah province has killed dozens of rebels and pro-government forces in recent days, with Yemeni officials and witnesses putting the toll at 80.

The Yemen government of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi last week called for more political pressure to be applied on Houthi rebels before peace talks being convened by the UN special envoy next month.

Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, Yemen's permanent representative to the UN, told the Security Council on Thursday that more was needed to stop the Houthis launching attacks on international shipping.

He cited the rebels' attacks last week on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea as examples, as well as the laying of hundreds of seamines targeting Yemeni ships and fishermen.

The Saudi-led Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government said those attacks were launched from Hodeidah.

The UN special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, had urged the council to do more to “keep the Red Sea out of the conflict” as he unveiled plans to begin a first round of peace negotiations in Geneva on September 6.

A coalition-led offensive to retake Hodeidah was suspended early last month to assist mediation efforts by Mr Griffiths.

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Read more:

Yemen calls for sustained political pressure on Houthis before proposed Geneva talks

Yemeni blacksmiths beat shrapnel into daggers

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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.

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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What is graphene?

Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.

It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.

It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.

It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.

Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.

The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.

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COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
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CREW
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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900