Tourists visiting Saudi Arabia can now reclaim the 15% VAT on eligible retail purchases made from ZATCA-approved stores. To qualify, purchases must exceed SAR 500 (approx.$133), be for personal use, and be exported within 90 days. Refunds are processed at airport counters/kiosks with proper documentation. Use Global Blue tools to locate participating retailers and ensure compliance
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Lucid Motors, a Saudi-backed electric vehicle manufacturer, set a new Guinness World Record by driving its Lucid Air Grand Touring 1,205 km (749 miles) on a single charge from St. Moritz, Switzerland to Munich, Germany. This surpasses the previous record by 160 km and demonstrates the car’s real-world range and efficiency in diverse conditions.
The UAE has announced fuel prices for August 2025. Petrol prices saw a slight drop of 1 fils per litre, while diesel rose sharply by 15 fils. The revision follows July’s hike, which was driven by global tensions and rising oil prices. The UAE adjusts fuel rates monthly in line with international market trends under its deregulated pricing policy.
Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade surged 34.7% in H1 2025 to AED195.4 billion (USD53.2 billion), driven by strong export, import, and re-export growth. The rise reflects successful diversification efforts, advanced infrastructure, and streamlined trade systems. Strategic investments and global trade partnerships continue to position the emirate as a key international trade and logistics hub.
Southeastern Turkey is reeling under a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 50C in Silopi. Residents are struggling with soaring electricity bills due to constant air conditioning use and are appealing for state support. Deforestation and policy changes allowing mining on agricultural lands exacerbate the heat, intensifying the challenges faced by locals who depend on air conditioning as a necessity.
Air Arabia will add a third daily flight between Sharjah and Bangkok starting October 26, 2025, increasing its total to three round-trip services daily. Operated by fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo-LR aircraft, the expansion aims to meet growing demand, enhance connectivity, and support tourism and trade between the UAE and Thailand, with flexible timings to suit all travelers.
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.
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.
Michael Paul Brown is wanted for a mass shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda in which four people died. Brown, an Army veteran, is considered armed and dangerous. He was last seen driving a stolen white pickup truck. Authorities are searching the Stumptown area. A friend says Brown suffered from untreated PTSD and told people delusional stories of still serving in the Army.
In a city where even startups go to die, Saikat Chakrabarti is trying to revive something far more difficult: the soul of the Democratic Party. The 39-year-old Indian-American political organiser, best known as the architect behind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s stunning 2018 win, has now trained his sights on a political Goliath — Nancy Pelosi, the longest-serving member of Congress from California.