A Palestinian protester carries a wounded comrade during the clashes near the maritime border between Israel and Gaza Strip. EPA
A Palestinian protester carries a wounded comrade during the clashes near the maritime border between Israel and Gaza Strip. EPA
People feed seagulls as they stand at the back of Kadikoy ferry crossing the Bosphorus in Istanbul. AFP
People feed seagulls as they stand at the back of Kadikoy ferry crossing the Bosphorus in Istanbul. AFP
Saudi prisoner Musa al-Awaji lies in a stretcher as members of the International Committee of the Red Cross prepare him to board a plane at Sanaa airport following his release by Yemen's Houthi rebels. AFP
Saudi prisoner Musa al-Awaji lies in a stretcher as members of the International Committee of the Red Cross prepare him to board a plane at Sanaa airport following his release by Yemen's Houthi rebels. AFP
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, centre, arrives for a meeting with Houthi-appointed local officials in the embattled Yemeni Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. AFP
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, centre, arrives for a meeting with Houthi-appointed local officials in the embattled Yemeni Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. AFP
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, left, receives Sheikh Nasser bin Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Kuwait. Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, left, receives Sheikh Nasser bin Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Kuwait. Ministry of Presidential Affairs
People walk in front of the Tunis Palace of Justice in Tunis. More than 40 people have been summoned to face trial over Tunisia's deadliest attack in a Mediterranean resort in 2015. The trial reopened on Tuesday in Tunis, more than three-and-a-half years after the attack on the Imperial Hotel in the beach resort of Sousse left 38 people dead, mostly British tourists. AP
People walk in front of the Tunis Palace of Justice in Tunis. More than 40 people have been summoned to face trial over Tunisia's deadliest attack in a Mediterranean resort in 2015. The trial reopened on Tuesday in Tunis, more than three-and-a-half years after the attack on the Imperial Hotel in the beach resort of Sousse left 38 people dead, mostly British tourists. AP
French President Emmanuel Macron, centre, and his wife Brigitte Macron, right, laying a wreath at the St Peter and St Paul's Church, that was targeted by an attack in 2016, during his visit at the Coptic Cathedral complex in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron, centre, and his wife Brigitte Macron, right, laying a wreath at the St Peter and St Paul's Church, that was targeted by an attack in 2016, during his visit at the Coptic Cathedral complex in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
Al Qaeda-linked fighters driving their vehicles during a military drill in northern Syria. It took the Al Qaeda-linked militants only few days to capture more than two dozen towns and villages in and around Idlib province, cementing the group’s control over an area in northwestern Syria. AP
Al Qaeda-linked fighters driving their vehicles during a military drill in northern Syria. It took the Al Qaeda-linked militants only few days to capture more than two dozen towns and villages in and around Idlib province, cementing the group’s control over an area in northwestern Syria. AP
Iraqis tour a contemporary art exhibition at one of the halls of the national museum of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. AFP
Iraqis tour a contemporary art exhibition at one of the halls of the national museum of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. AFP
Members of an Italian restoration team work at the Church of Nativity, accepted by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. The church, one of the world's oldest, is still undergoing massive reconstruction work, and is covered in white plastic sheets and scaffolding. EPA
Members of an Italian restoration team work at the Church of Nativity, accepted by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. The church, one of the world's oldest, is still undergoing massive reconstruction work, and is covered in white plastic sheets and scaffolding. EPA

The Middle East Framed - regional photography for January 30, 2019

We bring you the best pictures from the Middle East and North Africa

The National

January 30, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

More galleries from The National:

US blasted by life-threatening polar vortex chill

Bangkok toxic smog forces hundreds of schools to close

Mosul Museum reopens with contemporary art display

Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

While you're here
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.

The biog

From: Ras Al Khaimah

Age: 50

Profession: Electronic engineer, worked with Etisalat for the past 20 years

Hobbies: 'Anything that involves exploration, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, the sea, hiking, scuba diving, and adventure sports'

Favourite quote: 'Life is so simple, enjoy it'

More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Middle East and North AfricaWorld