The UAE has become the top choice for content creators in the MENA region, with 45% favoring it due to its creative opportunities and photogenic environment. The GCC region is experiencing strong growth in travel and tourism, driving momentum in the content creation space. Influencers are increasingly adopting AI tools and focusing on authenticity and community-building.
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Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls in Texas Hill Country, reported 23 missing girls after torrential rainfall caused catastrophic flash floods. The Guadalupe River surged, isolating the camp due to washed-out roads and communication breakdowns. Rescue operations are underway, facing logistical challenges as the search for survivors continues amidst rising water levels and damaged infrastructure.
Thousands of Afghans are returning from Iran due to an order. The UN reports an emergency at border crossings. Many Afghans are crossing into Herat province. A large number of returnees are children. The UN is providing aid like water and sanitation. The UN urges countries not to force Afghans to return. Afghanistan struggles with poverty and unemployment.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced he will not seek reelection after opposing President Trump's tax and spending proposal. This decision opens up a competitive Senate seat in 2026, offering Democrats an opportunity to gain ground. Tillis, known for occasional bipartisanship, faced criticism from his own party and Trump, who publicly attacked him and celebrated his retirement.
Escalating tensions between Israel and Iran pose a significant destabilization risk for volatile African regions, particularly the Horn of Africa, already facing its deepest crisis in decades. Interconnected alliances between groups like the Houthis and Al-Shabab, coupled with diminishing Western support, could exacerbate conflicts and create security gaps across the continent.
A dispute over an EU event in Brussels highlights the contrasting views of German ministers on energy policy. Economy Minister Reiche's openness to nuclear power clashes with Environment Minister Schneider's focus on renewables, reflecting broader disagreements on climate goals. The debate extends to plans for new gas-fired power plants, raising concerns about Germany's climate neutrality target by 2045.
Hamas has responded positively to the latest ceasefire proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar, expressing readiness for immediate negotiations on implementation. While the specifics remain unclear, Hamas seeks guarantees of a complete end to the war following the initial truce.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asserts that the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have significantly boosted America's global credibility, emphasizing the need for continuous demonstration of US influence in the international arena. She believes the operation, named Midnight Hammer, substantially damaged Iran's nuclear program, hindering their ability to develop nuclear weapons in the near future.
Dubai is set to welcome three prestigious international universities, IIM Ahmedabad, American University of Beirut, and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences in 2025-26. This expansion supports Dubai’s Education 33 strategy, aiming to boost global competitiveness and international student enrolment to 50% by 2033, contributing approximately $1.52 billion USD to the city’s economy.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the BRICS Summit in Brazil, fueling speculation about internal political shifts. Premier Li Qiang will lead the delegation instead, while Vladimir Putin will participate via video link. Narendra Modi's attendance and state visit position India as a central figure in the summit, where Brics aims to enhance its representation of the Global South.
