Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday congratulated the top high school pupils in the Emirates.
For public education, he commended Mouza Saif Abdullah Mohammed Al Mahrazi, of Al Dhahrah School in Dubai, Mohannad Hani Nabawi Mohammed, of Al Falah School in Abu Dhabi, and Mahra Abdullah Mohammed Alhamr Al Ali of Al Dhait Third Cycle Girls School in Ras Al Khaimah.
For private education, Abdullah Samer Omar Hamadeh of Al Manhal International Private School in Abu Dhabi was praised, alongside Habiba Yasir Qudaih of Al Shorouq Private School in Dubai.
While for applied technology high schools, it was Rawdha Yaqoub Salem Ahmed Al Mansouri of the Applied Technology High School in Al Ain, Abdullah Salem Ali Arhama Al Shamsi of the Applied Technology High School in Ajman and Humaid Adel Mohammed Abdullah Obaid of the Applied Technology High School in Sharjah.
“We congratulate our top high school students at the national level for their excellence,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X. “Mouza, Muhannad, Mahra, Abdullah, Habiba, Rawdha, Abdullah and Humaid. They deserve to have their names mentioned because we are proud of them.
“And we congratulate their families, and we congratulate and take pride in all high school graduates in the United Arab Emirates, and we congratulate their families, fathers, and mothers.
“And we say to them; a bright future, God willing, awaits you in a glorious country that loves its children and delights in them.”
Sheikh Mohammed added that the country’s future is shaped by President Sheikh Mohamed and also acknowledged Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed for their work in the Education Council.
Sheikh Mohammed also praised all teachers, administrators and educators across the Emirates and wished everyone a happy and relaxing summer holiday.
Sheikh Abdullah said: “We congratulate our sons and daughters, the students, on the occasion of the end of the academic year for their efforts, perseverance, and sincere desire to learn and develop. We also congratulate the top-ranked and outstanding students on their outstanding results, which reflect the extent of their diligence and ambition.
“We are proud of all our dear students, and we urge them to continue striving to achieve the highest results year after year,” he added. “The learning journey never stops, and ambition knows no bounds.”
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
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.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
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