Dubai's staycation market is booming in 2025, fueled by attractive deals and a focus on local experiences. Hotels are offering discounts up to 40% for UAE residents, including perks like complimentary meals and spa access. This trend supports Dubai's Vision 2025, aiming to boost domestic tourism and economic resilience by sustaining hotel demand during off-peak seasons.
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Lorenzo Tangira has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 13 years and nine months for the fatal beating of Ramandeep Singh, an Indian-origin security guard, in Auckland in 2023. The unprovoked and brutal attack, during which Singh was kicked and stomped, resulted in severe injuries and his tragic death.
The Pacific Ring of Fire, a 40,000-kilometer seismic belt, is a hotspot for earthquakes and volcanoes, driven by tectonic plate subduction. It has triggered historic disasters like the 2011 Japan earthquake and the 1960 Chilean earthquake. Global seismic networks and international collaboration are crucial for monitoring activity, improving preparedness, and understanding past events to mitigate future risks.
Dubai is gearing up for its 80th online auction of special vehicle number plates. The Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, will offer 350 exclusive plates from August 11 to 15. These plates feature two to five-digit combinations with codes H to Z. Registration begins on August 4. A Dh5,000 security cheque and Dh120 fee are needed to participate.
Two Thai women, owners of a date palm farm with over 5,000 trees, became the first foreigners to receive the UAE Golden Visa for cultivating dates abroad. Nominated during the 2025 Dubai Dates Festival, their proactive cultural engagement and entrepreneurial efforts in promoting date farming earned them this unique recognition, highlighting a rare blend of agriculture, business, and heritage promotion.
The UAE Cybersecurity Council has issued a nationwide alert, urging residents to avoid downloading unverified mobile applications due to rising cyberattacks. With daily incidents nearing 200,000, the Council advises using official platforms like Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Citizens are cautioned to review app permissions, update devices, and avoid suspicious links.
Surrey Police are investigating a shooting at Kapil Sharma's cafe, the second such incident in recent weeks. Responding officers found a possible Molotov cocktail outside the cafe, pending forensic analysis. Residents reported hearing multiple gunshots, and the cafe sustained damage, though no one was injured.
Autumn Bardisa, a 29-year-old woman from Palm Coast, Florida, has been arrested for allegedly impersonating a registered nurse. She is accused of treating over 4,400 patients without a valid license between June 2024 and January 2025. The investigation revealed she used another nurse's credentials and falsified documents to gain employment at AdventHealth, leading to multiple felony charges.
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.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, sparks debate. He says overpopulation worries are false. Musk believes declining birth rates are a bigger threat. He cites falling populations in Japan and South Korea. Musk suggests AI could help reverse this trend. He advocates for pro-family policies. Critics argue overpopulation remains a concern. Musk's comments ignite global discussion on demographic challenges.
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.