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Florida Police Chief Sentenced to Three Years
Federal records show that one victim, identified only as “C.D.”, was wrongfully arrested in January 2013 by Officer Guillermo Ravelo under Atesiano’s direction. Ravelo falsely charged C.D. with burglary, despite having no probable cause, as part of the chief’s plan to artificially inflate the department’s success rate.
By Organic Products about 10 hours ago in Criminal
Ramadan Work Hours in UAE: Private Sector Rules, Exemptions and Overtime Explained. AI-Generated.
As the holy month of Ramadan begins, working hours across the United Arab Emirates are adjusted in line with federal labor regulations designed to support fasting employees while maintaining productivity in both public and private sectors. For private sector companies in particular, the rules surrounding reduced working hours, exemptions, and overtime often raise questions for employers and employees alike. Under UAE labor law, private sector employees are entitled to a reduction in daily working hours during Ramadan, regardless of whether they are fasting. This provision reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring worker welfare while respecting the religious significance of the month. Reduced Working Hours According to the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), the standard working day for private sector employees is reduced by two hours per day during Ramadan. This applies to all workers, including Muslim and non-Muslim employees, and is not limited only to those who are fasting. For example, if an employee normally works eight hours per day, their Ramadan schedule becomes six hours per day. Employers are free to decide how these reduced hours are structured, whether through earlier closing times, split shifts, or flexible scheduling, as long as the total daily working time does not exceed the adjusted limit. The regulation aims to strike a balance between religious observance and business continuity, particularly in sectors such as retail, logistics, and hospitality that experience fluctuating demand during the holy month. Exemptions and Special Sectors While the two-hour reduction is mandatory, certain categories of workers may be exempt due to the nature of their roles. These typically include: Security personnel Healthcare workers Public utility staff Hospitality and tourism employees Transport and logistics workers In these sectors, companies may continue to operate full shifts if required for operational reasons. However, employees working beyond the reduced Ramadan hours are entitled to overtime compensation in accordance with labor law. MOHRE has emphasized that any exemptions must still respect employee rights, including rest periods and overtime pay. Employers cannot use Ramadan exemptions as a reason to impose excessive working hours without compensation. Overtime Rules During Ramadan Overtime regulations remain in effect during Ramadan, just as they do throughout the rest of the year. If an employee works more than the reduced daily hours, that additional time qualifies as overtime and must be compensated accordingly. Under UAE labor law: Overtime pay must be at least 25% higher than the normal hourly wage. If overtime occurs between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., compensation must be increased by at least 50%, unless the employee works in shift-based roles such as hospitality or security. Employees cannot be required to work more than two extra hours per day, except in cases where preventing significant business loss is necessary. This ensures that workers who continue to operate critical services during Ramadan are fairly rewarded for the additional burden. Remote Work and Flexible Arrangements In recent years, many private companies have adopted flexible working arrangements during Ramadan, including remote work, hybrid schedules, and staggered shifts. While not legally required, these practices have become increasingly common and are encouraged by government authorities as a way to support work-life balance. Some employers allow staff to start earlier in the morning and leave before afternoon heat and traffic peak times, while others introduce split shifts that accommodate prayer times and Iftar preparation. Human resource specialists note that productivity often remains stable during Ramadan when flexible policies are applied thoughtfully. Reduced working hours combined with clear performance expectations can lead to higher morale and stronger employee loyalty. Penalties for Non-Compliance MOHRE has warned that companies failing to implement the reduced working hours or denying overtime compensation may face administrative penalties and inspections. Employees who believe their rights have been violated can file a complaint through MOHRE’s hotline or digital platforms. Authorities regularly conduct inspections during Ramadan to ensure that businesses adhere to labor regulations and that employee welfare is protected. Private Sector vs Public Sector It is important to distinguish between private and public sector rules. While both sectors benefit from reduced hours, government entities typically announce separate official working schedules that may include shorter daily hours or extended weekend breaks. Private sector companies must follow MOHRE guidelines rather than public sector announcements, which often leads to confusion among employees working for multinational firms. Cultural and Business Impact Ramadan brings significant changes to workplace culture across the UAE. Meetings are often scheduled earlier in the day, business lunches are replaced with evening gatherings, and productivity rhythms adjust to accommodate fasting and prayer. For many companies, Ramadan is also a period of increased corporate social responsibility, with initiatives such as charity drives, community iftars, and employee support programs becoming more visible. Looking Ahead As the UAE continues to modernize its labor framework, Ramadan working hour regulations remain a cornerstone of employee protection and religious accommodation. The two-hour reduction, combined with overtime safeguards and flexible work policies, reflects a legal system that balances economic activity with cultural respect. For employees, understanding these rules helps ensure fair treatment during the holy month. For employers, compliance is not only a legal requirement but also an opportunity to foster goodwill and maintain a motivated workforce. With proper planning and adherence to regulations, Ramadan in the UAE can remain a period of both productivity and reflection — a unique blend of professional responsibility and spiritual observance.
By Fiaz Ahmed about 10 hours ago in The Swamp
8 Books About Happy Women With Happy Endings. AI-Generated.
What does it truly mean to be a happy woman—and why do stories with happy endings matter so much? In literature, happy endings are not about perfection or fairy-tale simplicity. They are about growth, resilience, self-knowledge, and choice. They remind us that fulfillment is possible, that women can overcome adversity, claim their agency, and build lives aligned with their values.
By Diana Merescabout 10 hours ago in BookClub
The City That Remembered Your Name
On a cold November evening, Elena boarded a train that did not appear on any timetable. She had spent the whole day wandering through the old central station of Valmere, a quiet European city tucked between mountains and sea. The station itself looked like a relic of another century—arched ceilings of stained glass, brass clocks ticking too loudly, and walls layered with the ghosts of old travel posters advertising destinations that no longer existed. Elena was not searching for adventure. She was running from it. Three weeks earlier, her brother Luca had vanished without explanation. No goodbye. No message. Just an abandoned apartment and a phone that rang into silence. The police had closed the case with careful words and tired eyes: People leave sometimes. But Elena knew Luca. He never left without telling her where he was going. That evening, while sitting on a wooden bench near Platform 9, she noticed a flicker of movement at the far end of the station. A train had arrived without sound. Its carriages were painted a deep, midnight blue, and its windows glowed faintly from within. Above it, a single sign blinked: Destination: NOMEVIA Elena had never heard of such a place. Neither had her phone. Before she could think, she stood up and walked toward the train. Something in her chest tightened, as if the air itself were calling her name. The doors slid open. Inside, the train was nearly empty. A single conductor stood near the entrance, dressed in an old-fashioned uniform with silver buttons and a hat tilted low over his eyes. “Ticket?” he asked. “I don’t have one,” Elena said. The conductor studied her face for a long moment, then reached into his pocket and handed her a thin paper slip. “You already paid,” he replied. “You just don’t remember when.” The doors closed. The train began to move. Subtitle 2: The City Without Maps Nomevia did not appear on any map. When the train stopped, Elena stepped into a city made of pale stone and soft light. Streets curved in impossible directions, and buildings seemed to lean inward, as if listening. The air smelled of rain and old books. People walked calmly through the streets, but something was strange about them. When Elena passed, they looked at her with recognition. “Welcome back,” a woman whispered. A child pointed at her. “That’s her.” Elena’s heart pounded. “Back from where?” She followed a narrow street into a wide square dominated by a clock tower. Its hands did not show time but names—thousands of names, engraved in gold, circling endlessly. At the base of the tower, someone stood waiting. “Luca,” Elena breathed. Her brother looked thinner, his hair longer, but his eyes were the same. Alive. Real. “You found it,” he said softly. “I hoped you would.” “Where are we?” she demanded. “Why did you disappear?” Luca glanced at the tower. “This is Nomevia. The city that remembers people the world forgets.” Elena stared at him. “That makes no sense.” “It does,” Luca said. “Think about it. Refugees with no papers. Artists whose work was burned. People erased by war, history, or fear. When no one speaks your name anymore, Nomevia does.” Elena felt cold. “And you?” “I wasn’t forgotten,” Luca said. “Not yet. But I was close.” Subtitle 3: The Price of Being Remembered They walked through streets lined with libraries instead of shops. Inside each building were shelves filled not with books, but with lives—photographs, letters, recordings of voices speaking in dozens of languages. “This is where names go when no one says them anymore,” Luca explained. Elena touched a dusty photograph of a young soldier. Beneath it was written: Marek Nowak, 1916–1939. Remembered by no one. Her chest tightened. “Why did you come here?” she asked. Luca hesitated. “I started hearing it in my dreams. The city. It called me. I thought… maybe I could help.” “Help how?” “By leaving the real world and staying here,” he said. “If I stay, someone else can return. Nomevia trades memory for presence.” Elena stopped walking. “You’re saying… you replace someone?” Luca nodded. “Someone who no longer has anyone left to remember them.” Elena’s voice trembled. “And if I take you back?” “Then someone else disappears into silence.” The tower chimed. A new name appeared on its face. ELENA MORO Her breath caught. “Why is my name there?” Luca’s face paled. “Because you found the city. It has noticed you.” Subtitle 4: The Choice The conductor appeared beside them, silent as a shadow. “Time is limited,” he said. “One of you must stay.” Elena felt her knees weaken. “That’s not a choice. That’s cruelty.” “Memory is never fair,” the conductor replied. “But it is necessary.” Elena looked at Luca. Her brother. The only family she had left. “You were going to give up your life for strangers,” she said. Luca smiled sadly. “Aren’t strangers just people waiting to be known?” Elena thought of the tower. The names. The forgotten faces. She made her decision. “I will stay,” she said. Luca grabbed her arm. “No.” “You brought me here,” she whispered. “So you could leave. I see it now. You wanted someone to remember you enough to replace you.” Luca’s eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t mean for it to be you.” “But it is,” Elena said. She turned to the conductor. “Take him home.” The conductor nodded. The city trembled. Light rose from the tower and wrapped around Luca. His voice echoed once: “I’ll remember you.” Then he was gone. Subtitle 5: The City That Knows Her Name Years passed in Nomevia. Elena became a keeper of names. She recorded stories, preserved memories, and whispered them into the tower at night so they would never vanish. Sometimes, trains arrived with new travelers. Some returned. Some stayed. And in the real world, Luca told people about a strange city that saved his life. He wrote about it. He spoke Elena’s name to anyone who would listen. Because of him, Elena’s name never disappeared from the tower. And because of her, thousands of forgotten lives were spoken again. In a city that remembered everyone, she learned the most powerful truth: As long as someone says your name, you are never truly lost.
By Iazaz hussainabout 10 hours ago in Fiction
The Legend of the Gilded Dust: Aladdin’s Journey
Part 1: The Ghost of the Market Square The city of Agrabah didn’t just sit on the sand; it breathed with it. Under a sky that burned like a copper coin, the marketplace was a riot of noise—merchants screaming prices, the smell of roasted cumin, and the rhythmic clatter of horse hooves on stone. In the middle of this chaos lived a shadow named Aladdin. To the guards, he was a nuisance; to the wealthy, he was invisible. But beneath his tattered vest beat the heart of a dreamer who looked at the palace spires and saw his destiny, not just a distant dream. He wasn't looking for a handout; he was waiting for the universe to crack open and show him a door.
By Abu Obaidaabout 10 hours ago in Horror
Can the U.S. Help Iran? What Iranians Say — Inside and Outside the Country. AI-Generated.
As tensions between the United States and Iran remain high in early 2026, a central question looms over both domestic and international discourse: can the U.S. help Iran — and if so, how? Iranians inside the country, protesters demanding change, and members of the diaspora offer a complex mix of hope, skepticism, and caution about Washington’s ability to influence their future. The backdrop to these views includes renewed diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Iran over nuclear issues, ongoing violent protests within Iran, and repeated statements from U.S. leaders about “help” that have often gone unfulfilled. Recent indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran in Oman were described as a “good start” by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but both sides remain far apart on core issues such as Iran’s nuclear program and missile development. theguardian.com Inside Iran: Cautious Hope and Deep Skepticism Inside Iran, attitudes toward potential U.S. influence are mixed and deeply shaped by lived experience. Many Iranians have watched their economy deteriorate under decades of international sanctions — sanctions largely driven by Washington — which have contributed to inflation, shortages, and hardship among ordinary families. This historical context shapes how many Iranians view the idea of “help” from the U.S. even as they endure brutal crackdowns on protests. � nz.news.yahoo.com Some young protesters have expressed hope that international intervention — including from the U.S. — might change the status quo. In rare communications during even limited internet access, a protester in Tehran told foreign media that Iranians were “waiting for America to intervene,” reflecting desperation amid violence and “brutal repression.” abc.net.au However, other voices express profound wariness. Many remember that foreign intervention historically often brought more suffering than relief. Analysts have warned that military action — even if intended to protect civilians — could escalate conflict, leading to regional violence that would worsen life inside Iran rather than alleviate iran International There is also a healthy strain of realism among Iranians who argue that real change must come from within. They believe that internal unity and sustained public mobilisation, not external force, hold the key to democracy and reform. One Iranian living in the U.S. said that regime change should “come from within,” emphasizing that foreign power can’t substitute for indigenous political momentum. nz.news.yahoo.com Diaspora Views: Hope, Frustration, and Debate Iranian expatriates — particularly in Western countries — also express a range of opinions. Some feel abandoned by promises of U.S. assistance, recalling past statements by U.S. leaders encouraging protests without substantive follow-through. This perceived gap has bred frustration, especially among communities whose relatives face danger back home. TIME Others in the diaspora actively call for more robust American support. Some have even publicly spray-painted graffiti in Iranian cities urging President Trump to help overthrow the clerical regime. A woman in central Iran described Washington as “our only hope” to oust the current government. abc.net.au Yet there are also diaspora voices warning against overestimating Washington’s willingness or capacity to intervene. Some point to historical foreign involvement in Iran — such as the CIA-backed overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953 — to argue that U.S. interests have not always aligned with Iranian welfare. These critics stress that relying on American intervention could backfire or undermine Iranian sovereignty. Reddit U.S. Policy: Mixed Signals and Strategic Limits From a policy standpoint, U.S. actions toward Iran are often contradictory. On one hand, American officials have reaffirmed support for the Iranian people and included “all options” on the table, including diplomatic and military avenues. On the other, Washington has implemented aggressive sanctions and avoided deep engagement on humanitarian concerns, leaving many Iranians questioning the sincerity and effectiveness of U.S. aid. nypost.com Efforts to resume nuclear talks, while welcomed by some Iranian officials, have so far produced limited results and avoided broader issues such as human rights or missile programs. Tehran’s insistence on sovereign decision-making and refusal to negotiate under threat further complicates matters. theguardian.com Experts suggest that the most viable forms of U.S. help would likely be non-military and human-centred — such as support for independent media, internet freedom, and civil society programs that empower citizens without direct intervention in Iran’s internal politics. Policy proposals from think tanks have emphasized these softer tools as a way to balance pressure on the regime with support for Iranian agency. americafirstpolicy.com The Iranian Perspective: Not One Monolith Ultimately, there is no single Iranian position on whether the U.S. can help. Iranians inside Iran tend to be more cautious, wary of foreign intervention’s costs even as they endure severe repression. Iranians abroad often mix hope with frustration, demanding more action while remembering past geopolitical grievances. Together, these perspectives illustrate a broader truth: help from the U.S. — if possible at all — must be carefully calibrated, respectful of Iranian agency, and grounded in long-term humanitarian and democratic goals rather than short-term strategic gains. Whether American support ultimately empowers Iranian citizens or deepens geopolitical tensions will depend on a delicate balance of diplomatic skill, genuine engagement, and respect for the voices of Iranians themselves.Start writing...
By Fiaz Ahmed about 10 hours ago in The Swamp
Best 3 Cybersecurity Certifications for Mid-Level Professionals in 2026
Skills, knowledge, experience, and a solid grasp of cybersecurity concepts are non-negotiable for those aspiring to accelerate their cybersecurity careers in 2026. But chasing all these together can be overwhelming. Watching YouTube videos, unstructured blog posts and forums, and numerous courses without any real value all lead to learning fatigue with no result. This is where cybersecurity certifications become the absolute weapon to master all.
By Pradip Mohapatraabout 10 hours ago in Education
