Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 1.2 million Umrah pilgrims from 109 countries since June 11, 2025, marking a 30% rise from last year. Backed by 89 new initiatives, stricter accommodation rules via Nusuk Masar, and advanced digital platforms, the Kingdom is delivering a safer, smarter, and more spiritually enriching Umrah experience for pilgrims in the 2025–2026 season.
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The Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme, reviewed by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan, aims to empower Emirati families through financial, social, and educational support. Aligned with Dubai Social Agenda 33, it has boosted marriage rates, offered housing and wedding aid, and fostered youth stability. Leaders praised its impact in building strong, value-driven, and future-ready households.
A Myanmar junta air strike on the rebel-held ruby mining center of Mogok resulted in 13 fatalities, including a monk and civilians. The Ta'ang National Liberation Army reported 14 injuries following the morning strike on a public area. This incident occurs amidst ongoing civil war and resistance since the 2021 coup, with both sides vying for control of resource-rich areas.
“Terry Long, football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze,” the note found from Shane Tamura stated. “You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you," he wrote, urging to study his brain after his death to learn more about CTE. “Please study brain for CTE. I’m sorry. The league knowingly concealed the dangers to our brains to maximize profits,” he wrote. “They failed us.”
Following Nikhil Ravishankar's appointment as Air New Zealand's CEO, media outlets in New Zealand disabled social media comments due to a surge of racist remarks targeting his Indian ethnicity. News organizations like New Zealand Herald, Radio New Zealand, and 1News cited their inability to moderate the hateful content as the reason for shutting down comments.
Wesley LePatner, a senior Blackstone executive and prominent Jewish figure, was killed in a shooting, raising questions about the shooter's motives. While initial reports suggested a connection to the NFL due to a manifesto, some commentators, including Laura Loomer, are pointing to a targeted attack due to LePatner's Jewish identity and Blackstone's Jewish CEO, linking the shooter to pro-Palestinian groups.
Sharjah's government employees will experience significant HR policy changes under Decree-Law No. (2) of 2025. The overhaul includes extended probation periods, job prioritization for Emiratis and their children, and standardized job structures. Internal committees are being established to ensure fairness and accountability, aiming to improve hiring practices, support local talent, and enhance overall efficiency within the public sector.
Saudi Arabia's Qiwa platform now mandates a 60-day grace period before an employee is marked "absent from work." This allows disconnected workers to re-contract, transfer sponsorships, or exit the country. Failure to act within this window results in automatic removal from employer records and notification to relevant ministries, enhancing transparency and worker rights.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will inaugurate a new exit from Financial Centre Street to Ras Al Khor Road by early August 2025. This initiative as a part of RTA’s Rapid Traffic Solutions Plan, aims to slash peak-hour travel time by 54%, reducing commutes from 13 minutes to just 6.
Such quakes happen along subduction zones—where one tectonic plate dives beneath another—causing the ocean floor to jolt violently. That displacement sends out shockwaves in the form of tsunami waves. These waves travel at speeds of up to 800 km/h and fan out in all directions, much like ripples from a stone dropped in a pond.
The world's top 10 billionaires, predominantly from the US, dominate industries like technology, e-commerce, and luxury goods. Elon Musk leads with ventures in automotive, space, and AI, while Jeff Bezos revolutionized e-commerce through Amazon. Bernard Arnault, representing Europe, oversees luxury brands under LVMH, and Warren Buffett is renowned for his value investing at Berkshire Hathaway.