ABU DHABI // Saudi Arabia's cabinet has approved a law that for the first time criminalises abuse in the home and workplace and authorises law enforcement agencies to investigate alleged instances of mistreatment.
Those convicted of abuse could face up to a year in jail and between 5,000 and 50,000 Saudi Riyals (Dh4,900 to Dh49,000) in fines, local daily the Saudi Gazette reported.
The law, approved during a cabinet session chaired by deputy prime minister Prince Muqrin on August 26, calls for victims to receive "psychological, social and health shelter and care", state media reported.
The new cabinet order also mandates employers to report any allegations of abuse to the ministry of social affairs and protects the identity of those providing such information.
"It is not permissible to disclose the identity of the informer of a case of abuse without his consent," state media said.
The Saudi National Society for Human Rights, a government authorised watchdog, lauded the bill as an "important step" toward ending "the infringement and violation of rights to a broad category of society", according to a statement on Wednesday.
While applauding the new rules, rights groups warned that implementation will still be a challenge.
The new rules could be a watershed for cases of domestic abuse in the Kingdom.
Such ill-treatment has previously been considered a private affair, confined the home and to families and outside the purview of the courts. Court cases alleged domestic abuse are rarely brought.
Complicating such prosecutions, Saudi Arabia's guardianship system places children and women - who are often most vulnerable to abuse - legally under the protection of male family members. It can be socially difficult and even dangerous for victims to come forward about abuse by their guardians or family members.
The exact details of the new law have not been disclosed. The society urged authorities to spell them out as soon as possible.
edickinson@thenational.ae
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Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
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Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
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Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
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Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Europe’s rearming plan
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Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Company%20Profile
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The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh132,000 (Countryman)
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Stage seven
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24
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1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s
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THE BIG MATCH
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