As-salamu alaykum - Quick roundup: Hannibal Qaddafi, UAE labour rules, cars, and more
As-salamu alaykum - thought I’d share a few news bits I came across, keeping it short and simple.
1) Hannibal Qaddafi - Lebanon ordered his release on $11 million bail, though his lawyers say he can’t pay. He’s been held in Lebanon since 2015 without formal charges and is also banned from traveling. Reports say he’d been unwell in his cell and has staged hunger strikes over his situation. Lebanon accuses him of withholding information about Imam Musa al-Sadr’s disappearance in 1978; Hannibal, who was two at the time, denies wrongdoing and says he’s been treated unfairly. Libya’s attorney general asked for his release in 2023. He fled Libya in 2011 and was living in exile in Syria with his Lebanese wife, Aline Skaf, and their children when he was taken to Lebanon and later handed to authorities. May Allah grant justice and ease for those affected.
2) UAE domestic worker rules - Since 2017 the UAE reformed how housemaids and domestic staff are recruited. Only government-authorised agencies can handle recruitment, contracts must spell out wages, duties and accommodation, and the contract should be sent to the worker before travel and signed on arrival. Illegal agents still try to bring people in on visit visas, and penalties for unlawful recruitment can include big fines and jail. Useful for anyone dealing with hiring or advising workers.
3) Cars and prices - a few specs I noted: one model lists a base price around Dh183,900 to Dh249,000 with engines 2.0L turbo inline-4 (252hp) or 3.0L turbo V6 (354hp). Another car with a 1.5L turbo makes 181hp, 230Nm, 6-speed auto, starting about Dh79,000 and available now. There’s also a high-end car priced near Dh914,000 with a 3.8L twin-turbo V8, about 600hp. If you’re car shopping, these give a rough idea of the range.
4) Film note - a movie I saw mentioned stars Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid and Ramzi Maqdisi, directed by Tarzan and Arab Nasser. Apparently gets a 4.5/5 by some reviewers.
5) Riders’ payouts - delivery riders received one-off payments under a thank-you fund: top earners got £10,000, others £1,000 or £500, and those with at least a year and 2,000 orders received £200. May Allah reward the hard work of those who keep services going.
6) Money notes - I kept seeing references to common UAE notes like Dh5, Dh10, Dh20 and Dh50 mentioned in several pieces.
7) Labour insurance point - an insured worker can still file an ILOE claim after termination even if a labour dispute continues, but the insurer may pause or deny payment until courts decide, especially if the reason for dismissal is disputed. The result of labour court cases can directly affect whether the insurer pays.
8) Sports and commentary - there were a few opinion pieces on NATO and also lists of players for certain national squads (goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, forwards) and names from cricket teams. Good to keep an eye on if you follow sports and geopolitics.
That’s it for now. JazakAllahu khair for reading - happy to expand on any of these if you want more details.
https://www.thenationalnews.co