Miguel Cerrillo, father of Miah Cerrillo, a grade four pupil at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, wipes away tears as he speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on gun violence on Capitol Hill in Washington. EPA
Miguel Cerrillo, father of Miah Cerrillo, a grade four pupil at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, wipes away tears as he speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on gun violence on Capitol Hill in Washington. EPA
Miah, who survived the mass shooting, appears on a screen during the hearing. The New York Times / AP
Miah, who survived the mass shooting, appears on a screen during the hearing. The New York Times / AP
Felix and Kimberly Rubio, parents of Lexi Rubio, 10, a victim of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, speak before the committee. The New York Times / AP
Felix and Kimberly Rubio, parents of Lexi Rubio, 10, a victim of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, speak before the committee. The New York Times / AP
Congressman Pete Aguilar speaks with reporters about Democratic efforts to curb gun violence following the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. AP
Congressman Pete Aguilar speaks with reporters about Democratic efforts to curb gun violence following the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. AP
Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries and Congresswoman Lucy McBath talk to reporters about Democratic efforts to curb gun violence. AP
Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries and Congresswoman Lucy McBath talk to reporters about Democratic efforts to curb gun violence. AP
Ms McBath's son, Jordan, was killed by gun violence in 2012. AP
Ms McBath's son, Jordan, was killed by gun violence in 2012. AP
Activists rally in Washington outside the US Capitol demanding action from Congress. AFP
Activists rally in Washington outside the US Capitol demanding action from Congress. AFP
Activists hold up a sign outside the US Capitol. AP
Activists hold up a sign outside the US Capitol. AP
Representative Carolyn Maloney speaks during the committee hearing. Reuters
Representative Carolyn Maloney speaks during the committee hearing. Reuters
Greg Jackson, executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund, speaks during the committee hearing. Reuters
Greg Jackson, executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund, speaks during the committee hearing. Reuters
Activists protest near Capitol Hill on Wednesday before the March for Our Lives demonstration, which will take place on Saturday. AFP
Activists protest near Capitol Hill on Wednesday before the March for Our Lives demonstration, which will take place on Saturday. AFP
Gun control activists hold up signs in Washington. AFP
Gun control activists hold up signs in Washington. AFP
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia speaks during the hearing. EPA
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia speaks during the hearing. EPA
National Education Association President Becky Pringle speaks during the hearing on gun violence. EPA
National Education Association President Becky Pringle speaks during the hearing on gun violence. EPA
Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, speaks before the committee. Reuters
Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, speaks before the committee. Reuters
Activists rally against gun violence on Wednesday in Washington. AFP
Activists rally against gun violence on Wednesday in Washington. AFP
Activists wear orange, a colour representing gun violence in the US. AFP
Activists wear orange, a colour representing gun violence in the US. AFP
New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears before the committee. EPA
New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears before the committee. EPA
Dr Roy Guerrero, a paediatrician from Uvalde, Texas, speaks before the committee. The New York Times / AP
Dr Roy Guerrero, a paediatrician from Uvalde, Texas, speaks before the committee. The New York Times / AP
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, second row right, listens to survivors of gun violence. EPA
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, second row right, listens to survivors of gun violence. EPA
Zeneta Everhart, mother of Zaire Goodman, who was injured in the Buffalo, New York, shooting, said that her son's leg is riddled with shrapnel. EPA
Zeneta Everhart, mother of Zaire Goodman, who was injured in the Buffalo, New York, shooting, said that her son's leg is riddled with shrapnel. EPA
Representative Robin Kelly tears up during the hearing on gun violence. EPA
Representative Robin Kelly tears up during the hearing on gun violence. EPA
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was one of many who became emotional during the hearing. EPA
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was one of many who became emotional during the hearing. EPA
Lucretia Hughes, of DC Project - Women for Gun Rights, becomes emotional during the hearing. AP
Lucretia Hughes, of DC Project - Women for Gun Rights, becomes emotional during the hearing. AP
Republicans Jim Jordan and James Comer confer during the hearing. Reuters
Republicans Jim Jordan and James Comer confer during the hearing. Reuters
Gabby Giffords, a former Democratic US representative, speaks during the opening of the Gun Violence Memorial on the National Mall in Washington on Tuesday. Ms Giffords was shot at a political rally in Tucson, Arizona, in 2011. AFP
Gabby Giffords, a former Democratic US representative, speaks during the opening of the Gun Violence Memorial on the National Mall in Washington on Tuesday. Ms Giffords was shot at a political rally in Tucson, Arizona, in 2011. AFP

World

US

Uvalde shooting survivor, 11, describes massacre to US Congress

Impassioned family members, victims and firearms advocates appear before politicians, who continue to bicker over bipartisan deal on gun-control laws

Kyle Fitzgerald
Kyle Fitzgerald

June 08, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The 11-year-old school pupil who survived the Uvalde mass shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers has recounted the horror she faced before US Congress as politicians try to find a compromise over gun-control legislation.

Miah Cerrillo said she is scared that gun violence could break out at her school again.

"[The gunman] told my teacher 'goodnight' and shot her in the head," Ms Cerrillo said in pre-recorded testimony.

"And then he shot some of my classmates and the white board.

"He shot my friend that was next to me ... and I thought he was going to come back to the room. I got the blood and put it all on me."

The killings at Robb Elementary School last month were part of a string of mass shootings in the US that has prompted bipartisan talks, though a deeply divided Senate will likely prevent any sweeping gun-control measures proposed by President Joe Biden.

A bipartisan group of senators is negotiating more modest proposals, including a "red flag" law that would keep firearms away from people who could do harm.

The parents of Lexi Rubio, one of the students killed, called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines but were less than hopeful that politicians would take any such actions.

Kimberly Rubio said: "We understand that for some reason, for some people — people with money to people who fund political campaigns — that guns are more important than children."

The parents also called on Congress to raise the age to buy weapons to 21, enact stronger background checks and cease firearms manufacturers' liability.

Republicans have long opposed proposals that would limit the sale of assault-style weapons, the type of firearm used in Uvalde and at a Buffalo supermarket in New York that killed 10 people in a racially inspired attack.

The mother of a survivor of the Buffalo shooting told Congress of how she felt the shrapnel inside her son while cleaning his wounds.

"Shrapnel will be left inside of his body for the rest of his life," said Zeneta Everhart, the mother of Zaire Goodman. "Now I want you to picture that exact scenario for one of your children.

"As an elected official it is your duty to draft legislation that protects right here and all of the children and citizens in this country. Common-sense gun laws are not about your personal feelings or beliefs."

Democrats have indicated that Republicans would be willing to support narrow gun legislation focusing on "red flag" laws, bolstering school security and providing greater access to mental health services.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would give negotiators more time to strike a deal before putting up a vote on a sweeping Democratic-led bill.

Alanna De Leon writes the name of her friend, Annabelle Rodriguez, who died in the shooting. AFP
Alanna De Leon writes the name of her friend, Annabelle Rodriguez, who died in the shooting. AFP
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Amerie Jo Garza into Sacred Heart Catholic Church. AP
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Amerie Jo Garza into Sacred Heart Catholic Church. AP
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Amerie Jo Garza, who died in the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. AFP
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Amerie Jo Garza, who died in the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. AFP
A memorial in Town Square, Uvalde, Texas, for victims of the Robb Elementary school shooting. Reuters
A memorial in Town Square, Uvalde, Texas, for victims of the Robb Elementary school shooting. Reuters
A woman places a rose on Layla Salazar’s memorial cross, who was one of the victims that died in the shooting. Reuters
A woman places a rose on Layla Salazar’s memorial cross, who was one of the victims that died in the shooting. Reuters
Bags with brisket sandwiches and a snack that will be sold at a fundraiser for families of the victims. Reuters
Bags with brisket sandwiches and a snack that will be sold at a fundraiser for families of the victims. Reuters
Ashtyn Leigh, 18, hands a man a brisket meal. Reuters
Ashtyn Leigh, 18, hands a man a brisket meal. Reuters
A choir sings in front of the memorial. Reuters
A choir sings in front of the memorial. Reuters
People pray in front of memorial crosses. Reuters
People pray in front of memorial crosses. Reuters
Nineteen children and two adults were killed in the shooting. AFP
Nineteen children and two adults were killed in the shooting. AFP
People visit a memorial for the victims. AFP
People visit a memorial for the victims. AFP
Flowers are left outside the school. AFP
Flowers are left outside the school. AFP
Twenty-one empty chairs are seen outside of a daycare center as a memorial for the victims. AP Photo
Twenty-one empty chairs are seen outside of a daycare center as a memorial for the victims. AP Photo
Football teammates of Tess Mata, who died in the Texas school shooting, cry as they visit a makeshift memorial outside the Uvalde County Courthouse. AFP
Football teammates of Tess Mata, who died in the Texas school shooting, cry as they visit a makeshift memorial outside the Uvalde County Courthouse. AFP
A football teammate of shooting victim Tess Mata cries, supported by her mother. AFP
A football teammate of shooting victim Tess Mata cries, supported by her mother. AFP
Texas police faced angry questions over why it took an hour to stop the gunman who murdered 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, as video emerged of desperate parents begging officers to storm the school. AFP
Texas police faced angry questions over why it took an hour to stop the gunman who murdered 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, as video emerged of desperate parents begging officers to storm the school. AFP
Activists join Senate Democrats outside the Capitol, in Washington, to demand action on gun control legislation after the killings at the Texas elementary school this week. AP
Activists join Senate Democrats outside the Capitol, in Washington, to demand action on gun control legislation after the killings at the Texas elementary school this week. AP
The George R Brown Convention Centre, site of the National Rifle Association annual convention. Days after the deadliest mass school shooting in Texas history, the gun lobbyist group is meeting in Houston, from Friday until Sunday. Reuters
The George R Brown Convention Centre, site of the National Rifle Association annual convention. Days after the deadliest mass school shooting in Texas history, the gun lobbyist group is meeting in Houston, from Friday until Sunday. Reuters
Pastor Carlos Contreras preaches to his congregation as photos of some of the children killed in the mass shooting at Robb Elementary flash on the screen at Primera Iglesia Bautista, in Uvalde. Reuters
Pastor Carlos Contreras preaches to his congregation as photos of some of the children killed in the mass shooting at Robb Elementary flash on the screen at Primera Iglesia Bautista, in Uvalde. Reuters
People march after a vigil held to stand with the Uvalde families and demand an end to gun violence in Newtown, Connecticut. AP
People march after a vigil held to stand with the Uvalde families and demand an end to gun violence in Newtown, Connecticut. AP
A woman holds up a banner at the end of the vigil in Newtown, Connecticut. AP
A woman holds up a banner at the end of the vigil in Newtown, Connecticut. AP
Newtown was the scene of the 2012 attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School, when 20 pupils and six teachers were killed by a gunman. AP
Newtown was the scene of the 2012 attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School, when 20 pupils and six teachers were killed by a gunman. AP
Candles are lit for each victim as people pray at St Philip's Episcopal Church. EPA
Candles are lit for each victim as people pray at St Philip's Episcopal Church. EPA
A makeshift memorial in front of Robb Elementary School. AFP
A makeshift memorial in front of Robb Elementary School. AFP
Omahar Padillo with his son Omahar Jr, 12, during a community prayer, in Pharr, Texas, for the shooting victims at Robb Elementary School. AP
Omahar Padillo with his son Omahar Jr, 12, during a community prayer, in Pharr, Texas, for the shooting victims at Robb Elementary School. AP
Omahar Padillo Jr, 12, and his sister Samantha, 9, with their mother, Silvia Padillo, write messages in support of the victims at Robb Elementary School. AP
Omahar Padillo Jr, 12, and his sister Samantha, 9, with their mother, Silvia Padillo, write messages in support of the victims at Robb Elementary School. AP
A vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. AFP
A vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. AFP
A young mourner at the vigil in Uvalde, Texas. AFP
A young mourner at the vigil in Uvalde, Texas. AFP
Families at the vigil. AFP
Families at the vigil. AFP
A woman holds a photo of Nevaeh Bravo, who was killed in the mass shooting, during a vigil for the victims of the massacre in Uvalde, Texas. AFP
A woman holds a photo of Nevaeh Bravo, who was killed in the mass shooting, during a vigil for the victims of the massacre in Uvalde, Texas. AFP
Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco is comforted by Senator Ted Cruz during a vigil at the Uvalde County Fairplex Arena. AP
Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco is comforted by Senator Ted Cruz during a vigil at the Uvalde County Fairplex Arena. AP
Diana Karau of Uvalde with a therapy dog named Tritan before a vigil to honour those killed at Robb Elementary. AP
Diana Karau of Uvalde with a therapy dog named Tritan before a vigil to honour those killed at Robb Elementary. AP
Gun-control advocates Dana Cibulski, left, and Judi Giannini attend a vigil outside the National Rifle Association headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia after the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. AFP
Gun-control advocates Dana Cibulski, left, and Judi Giannini attend a vigil outside the National Rifle Association headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia after the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. AFP
Uziyah Garcia, 8, was among those killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. AP
Uziyah Garcia, 8, was among those killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. AP
Pastor Jaime Cabralez, the uncle of shooting victim 10-year-old Eliahana Cruz Torres, is surrounded in prayer at his church in Uvalde, Texas on Wednesday. Reuters
Pastor Jaime Cabralez, the uncle of shooting victim 10-year-old Eliahana Cruz Torres, is surrounded in prayer at his church in Uvalde, Texas on Wednesday. Reuters
A woman embraces a child outside Willie de Leon Civic Centre, in Uvalde, where pupils were taken after the school shooting. Bloomberg
A woman embraces a child outside Willie de Leon Civic Centre, in Uvalde, where pupils were taken after the school shooting. Bloomberg
Gun-control advocates hold a vigil outside the National Rifle Association (NRA) headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia. AFP
Gun-control advocates hold a vigil outside the National Rifle Association (NRA) headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia. AFP
A woman and child leave the Civic Centre. Reuters
A woman and child leave the Civic Centre. Reuters
Results for Stage 2

Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race

Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)

Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)

The Saga Continues

Wu-Tang Clan

(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)

While you're here
RESULT

Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1 
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’

The biog

Name: Younis Al Balooshi

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn

Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design

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.

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

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
One in four Americans don't plan to retire

Nearly a quarter of Americans say they never plan to retire, according to a poll that suggests a disconnection between individuals' retirement plans and the realities of ageing in the workforce.

Experts say illness, injury, layoffs and caregiving responsibilities often force older workers to leave their jobs sooner than they'd like.

According to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research, 23 per cent of workers, including nearly two in 10 of those over 50, don't expect to stop working. Roughly another quarter of Americans say they will continue working beyond their 65th birthday.

According to government data, about one in five people 65 and older was working or actively looking for a job in June. The study surveyed 1,423 adults in February this year.

For many, money has a lot to do with the decision to keep working.

"The average retirement age that we see in the data has gone up a little bit, but it hasn't gone up that much," says Anqi Chen, assistant director of savings research at the Centre for Retirement Research at Boston College. "So people have to live in retirement much longer, and they may not have enough assets to support themselves in retirement."

When asked how financially comfortable they feel about retirement, 14 per cent of Americans under the age of 50 and 29 per cent over 50 say they feel extremely or very prepared, according to the poll. About another four in 10 older adults say they do feel somewhat prepared, while just about one-third feel unprepared. 

"One of the things about thinking about never retiring is that you didn't save a whole lot of money," says Ronni Bennett, 78, who was pushed out of her job as a New York City-based website editor at 63.

She searched for work in the immediate aftermath of her layoff, a process she describes as akin to "banging my head against a wall." Finding Manhattan too expensive without a steady stream of income, she eventually moved to Portland, Maine. A few years later, she moved again, to Lake Oswego, Oregon. "Sometimes I fantasise that if I win the lottery, I'd go back to New York," says Ms Bennett.

 

U19 World Cup in South Africa

Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka

Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies

Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe

Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE

UAE fixtures

Saturday, January 18, v Canada

Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan

Saturday, January 25, v South Africa

UAE squad

Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
On Women's Day
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Malcolm & Marie

Directed by: Sam Levinson

Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya

Three stars

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The%20specs
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Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 1

Mata 11'

Chelsea 1

Alonso 43'

Why seagrass matters
  • Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
  • Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
  • Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
  • Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Updated: June 08, 2022, 7:50 PM`
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