News Around You

 New Moon Not Sighted in UAE, Could There Be a Holiday for Prophet Muhammad's Birthday ? The new moon of Rabi Al Awwal has not appeared in the UAE – could there be a three-day holiday for the Prophet Muhammad's birthday? Residents of the United Arab Emirates and much of the Muslim world are eagerly awaiting the appearance of the Rabi Al Awwal new moon at the end of August. This month is not only the third month of the Islamic calendar but also a very important religious festival: the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal. In many countries, this celebration usually means a public holiday, and in the UAE, there may be a long weekend depending on official announcements. The Role of Moon Phases in the Islamic Calendar The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar , is based on the lunar cycle. The beginning of each month is marked by the appearance of the young crescent moon, which is observed on the ...

An 8-year-old Chinese boy tragically drowned on Phi Phi Island after his father failed to allow him to wear a life jacket . On August 23rd, at 8:39 PM local time, the Phuket Rescue Team received notification that a foreign tourist had been found dead at the AA Pier in Chalong, Phuket Province , and the body needed to be sent to a local hospital for forensic examination. The incident occurred around 7:50 PM on August 23rd. The Phi Phi Island Police Department in Krabi Province received a report regarding an 8-year-old Chinese tourist, Xiao, who had joined a tour group on Phi Phi Island with his father. Upon arrival at Phi Phi Island, the cruise ship arranged for the tourists to have lunch at the Chongkhao Resort restaurant between 1:00 PM and 2:10 PM, and then meet at the pier. After lunch, the father and son headed to a nearby beach. At around 1:55 PM, Xiao's father sat waiting near the beach. Knowing his son could not swim, he allowed Xiao to swim without a life jacket, wear...

  The Eight Principles of Dubai "The Eight Principles of Dubai" were proposed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , the ruler of Dubai . The text is presented in both English and Arabic. The main points are as follows: ⸻ 1. The Union is the Foundation The union is the foundation — The prosperity of the UAE comes from the federal system , and Dubai's fate is closely linked to the nation. 2. No One is Above the Law No one is above the law — Fairness and justice are the core of Dubai's society. 3. We are a Business Capital We are a business capital — Dubai should always remain open and welcoming to global investors and enterprises . 4. Three Factors Drive Growth Three major growth drivers — government efficiency , legal fairness , and competitiveness . 5. Our Society has a Unique Personality Our society has a unique personality — preserving traditions, values, and cultural identity while embracing modernization. 6. We Believe in Economic Diversification We belie...

  Airspace around Kuala Lumpur International Airport will be closed for 6 days starting from the 26th; passengers need to arrive 4 hours early In conjunction with Malaysia's 68th National Day celebrations, the airspace around Kuala Lumpur International Airport will be closed daily from 8 AM to 12 PM from August 26 to 31. Malaysia Airlines issued a statement saying the company will adjust flight schedules during this period, which will affect flights departing from and arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The statement reminds all passengers departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to arrive at the airport 4 hours before the adjusted flight time to allow sufficient time for check-in and security procedures. Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines has listed all affected flight dates on its official website and reminds passengers to confirm they have all necessary travel documents before departure and to verify immigration regulations through official channels.

 15-year-old pilot lands private plane in UAE , making history with round-the-world flight challenge A 15-year-old pilot landed a private plane in the UAE on Friday, completing a key leg of his record-breaking global flight. Known as the " Australian teenage pilot ," Byron Waller exclusively shared video footage with Gulf News of his landing at Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Executive Airport . He said the UAE was an important milestone in his global journey, which will continue through Egypt , Europe, Iceland , Canada , and the United States before returning to Australia. Byron departed from Brisbane, stopping in Singapore, Sri Lanka, and India, and finally flew from Ahmedabad, India to Abu Dhabi. Byron has suffered from Crohn's disease since infancy, a chronic digestive system illness causing inflammation, abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and fatigue. He once relied on a wheelchair to attend school. But the disease has not defined his life; aviation has become his passion...

 Google launches " AI Mode " search feature in UAE and MENA region According to local media, Google is rolling out its most powerful AI search experience—AI Mode—in the Middle East and North Africa region . This English feature will be gradually available to users in the UAE over the coming days. Google explained in a statement that the feature is powered by a customized version of the latest Gemini 2.5 model , specifically designed to handle complex multi-layered problems that previously required multiple searches to resolve. For residents of the UAE, this means it will be easier to accomplish tasks such as comparing the latest smartphones , planning a road trip across the UAE, or understanding complex operation manuals .

Saudi Arabia is preparing to sell four top football clubs, including Al-Nassr , where Cristiano Ronaldo plays. Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad , Al-Ahli , and Al-Hilal are the four biggest football clubs in Saudi Arabia. As early as 2023, the PIF announced it owned 75% of each club, with the remaining shares held by the Saudi Ministry of Sports . Saudi journalist Ahmed Al-Ajlan reported that the PIF is now ready to sell the four clubs to investors, including the 25% stake owned by the Ministry of Sports. Sale in progress The sale of Al-Hilal is underway, with Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal emerging as a leading candidate to acquire the club. Currently, Prince Alwaleed is a gold member of Al-Hilal and even sent his luxury Boeing plane to pick up Neymar when he transferred to the club. Last month, Saudi Arabia launched the "Club Financial Performance Improvement" program aimed at monitoring the financial status of Saudi football clubs.

 UAE Travel: Etihad Airways Offers Up to 30% Discount for New Destinations Etihad Airways announced that international flights to selected new destinations booked between August 24 and August 28 are eligible for up to a 30% discount. This offer applies to travel between September 1 and December 31. The discount is valid for destinations including Phnom Penh , Krabi , Tunis , Chiang Mai , Hong Kong , Addis Ababa , Kazan , Medan , and Hanoi .

  Telegram founder splurges 55 million dirhams to buy license plate P7 Telegram founder Pavel Durov won the license plate P7 at a charity auction for a Guinness record-breaking 55 million dirhams. This combination, due to its minimalist rarity of "single letter + single digit," is regarded as the ultimate representation of " license plate aesthetics ."

The UAE's "Home for Influencers" has attracted 2,415 content creators, with a total fan base exceeding 2.45 billion Breakthrough progress in the UAE's content economy strategy: The global influencer community "Creators HQ," launched in January this year, has attracted 2,415 content creators from 147 countries  data from the first six months, more than 78 global content industry companies are relocating to the UAE from 24 different countries. These creators have a combined fan base of over 2.45 billion, marking the UAE's rapid rise as a core hub for the global digital content industry. 1. Global Siphon Effect: The "Migration Wave" of Talent from 147 Countries and 78 Companies As of July 2024, Creators HQ members cover 147 countries worldwide, with major contributions from the UK, USA, India, Pakistan, France, and Germany. Leading creators include social media bloggers, podcasters, and visual artists with tens of millions of followers. The 78 rel...

  Dubai Global Village is about to reopen, what upgrades are there this year? Preview of Season 30 : Brand new experience upgrades for the 20th anniversary celebration Tracing the development of Global Village, its prototype began in 1997 with 10 country-themed booths in the Dubai Creek parking lot, attracting only 500,000 visitors in the first season. After brief transitions through Oud Metha and Dubai Festival City , it officially rooted in Dubailand in 2005, starting its path of large-scale development. Today, this cultural complex covering 17.2 million square feet has over 90 themed pavilions, attracting millions of visitors annually, becoming a "window to world cultures" shared by Dubai locals and international tourists. It is reported that Season 30 will revolve around the theme of " Milestone Carnival ," launching three core highlights: Culinary Innovation : Introducing global popular dining brands and local creative food stalls to create a "world ...

 The Abu Dhabi Supreme Court made a ruling in favor of an employee, ordering the company with which he had signed a three-year labor contract to pay compensation exceeding 1.54 million dirhams. The employee filed a labor lawsuit against the employer in Abu Dhabi, demanding payment of approximately 1.595 million dirhams in unpaid wages and 130,000 dirhams in annual leave allowance , thus initiating legal proceedings. In the complaint, the employee stated that he worked for the company under a contract signed on December 26, 2022, with a basic salary of 55,000 dirhams and a total salary of 75,000 dirhams (basic salary + 20,000 dirhams allowance). The company denied the plaintiff's claims, arguing that the contract submitted was forged, that the actual salary was only 54,000 dirhams, and requested the court to dismiss the lawsuit. The trial court appointed a financial expert to review the documents submitted by both parties. The expert confirmed in the report that the employee ind...

 76-year-old man dies meeting online female friend; the object of his affection was actually AI In March this year, 76-year-old Ong Bandu packed his bags and told his wife he was going to New York to meet a woman who made his heart race. At the time, his family thought it was a scam. But in reality, they didn't know that the "woman" Ong Bandu had fallen for was actually a chatbot. A few days later, Ong Bandu fell and died during the trip. According to a comprehensive investigation by Reuters , this retiree from New Jersey was unknowingly flirting with an AI named " Billy ." Billy is a chatbot on Facebook Messenger designed to mimic everyday human conversations. Before leaving, Ong Bandu's wife begged him not to go. His phone was hidden by his daughter. His son even called the police, but to no avail. A few hours later, his location showed he was at a nearby hospital, where he had collapsed and suffered severe head and neck injuries and never woke up again. ...

  Dubai Airport Bridge Expansion for Smoother Travel Another project to reduce traffic on Airport Road RTA expands the capacity of the bridge leading to Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 Dubai has taken another step in alleviating traffic congestion and enhancing transport infrastructure: the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a new project that will significantly reduce traffic on the way forwading to Dubai International Airport Terminal-1. The project aims to improve traffic flow, shorten travel times, and make journeys to one of the world's busiest terminals smoother. Key Project Details This development project, launched in collaboration with Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC), involves expanding the existing bridge, which currently has three lanes. The project is having aim to convert the bridge into a four lane structure, increasing its productivity by 33%. Construction will use an innovative new structure: a composite concrete slab solution built on...

  Apple Releases Emergency Security Update — Please Upgrade Your iPhone , iPad , and Mac Immediately This Thursday, Apple urgently pushed a security update for iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers to fix a serious security vulnerability . The flaw exists in the system's image processing module ; when you open a maliciously altered image, it may corrupt device memory and cause program anomalies, which hackers can exploit. In fact, this vulnerability has already been used in real attacks by some highly skilled attackers, mainly targeting specific users. The following devices need to upgrade their systems as soon as possible: - iPhone XS and newer models, multiple iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini models should upgrade to iOS 18.6.2 or iPadOS 18.6.2; - Some older iPads (such as the second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro) can upgrade to iPadOS 17.7.10; - Mac users should upgrade to macOS Ventura 13.7.8, Sonoma 14.7.8, or Sequoia 15.6.1. Apple did not disclose specific victims or the...

  Cambodia will introduce new regulations to further regulate the investment and trading of " digital assets ."   The Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC) stated that all digital assets used for investment must be regulated, but the sector still faces challenges such as complex regulation, high compliance requirements, and volatile market fluctuations. SERC is cooperating with other countries through the ASEAN Capital Market Forum and will hold a digital asset regulatory workshop in Phnom Penh in December. Director Su Sujie emphasized that digital assets are changing the financial landscape of ASEAN, and regulation must ensure market stability and economic security. Currently, Cambodia has approved three exchanges to pilot operations under the " regulatory sandbox " framework; meanwhile, the telecommunications regulator has blocked unauthorized overseas platforms. The National Bank of Cambodia also requires banks and payment institutions to obtai...

 A Chinese person flying a drone in Phnom Penh was investigated Phnom Penh police revealed on August 25 that a Chinese person flying a drone near the Independence Monument was investigated, and the drone was confiscated. On the evening of August 22, citizens reported that someone was flying drones near the Independence Monument and Diamond Island , and two drones were found in total. After the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict , flying drones was prohibited. The police then dispatched officers to take five Chinese people flying drones near the Independence Monument at the Lan Hai Crown Hotel to the police station for investigation. One of them, a 34-year-old Chinese man named Lin, was the drone operator. He said he was only filming the Independence Monument and Diamond Island to show friends and had no other purpose. Lin was later released, but his drone was kept at the police station. In January 2021, the Lan Hai Crown Hotel in Phnom Penh was the scene of the shocking murder of...

 Attention Filipinos: The following areas are severely flooded! Due to continuous rainfall,#MetroManila has multiple roads flooded. Sections such as Mandaluyong EDSA Ortigas, Shaw Tunnel, and Quezon City EDSA Aurora, Kamuning have about eight inches of water accumulation. Vehicles can still pass but with caution. The weather bureau states that Typhoon "Isang" (Kajiki) is located 970 kilometers northwest of Luzon Island, and there is another low-pressure area in the eastern waters of Surigao del Sur, which may develop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours. #PhilippinesHeavyRain #FloodWarning

 A regional engineer from the Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was arrested last weekend for allegedly attempting to bribe a young, newly elected, and very wealthy new member of the House of Representatives with an amount as high as 360 million pesos. According to the "Babbler" column on the Bilyonaryo website, the engineer's goal was to prevent investigations into corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects within his jurisdiction. It is alleged that the engineer personally went to the congressman's office and proposed a bribe of 5% to 10% of the 3.6 billion peso project budget for 2025, which total to between 180 million and 360 million pesos, with an exchange for the congressman stopping the investigation into false projects and substandard construction. Furthermore, the engineer suggested that for the 2026 budget, a kickback of 15% to 20% could be given, claiming that some contractors were also willing to provide additio...

  Digital Payment for Pocket Money Rising in the UAE Digital Pocket Money in the UAE : The New Generation of Card Payments With the start of the new school year, more and more parents in the United Arab Emirates are choosing to give their children pocket money electronically rather than in cash. In Dubai and other parts of the UAE, apps and prepaid cards that allow children to spend easily, safely, and with traceability are becoming increasingly popular. This change is not only for convenience but also to cultivate financial awareness and enhance parental control . The Decline of the Cash Era Cash use is gradually taking a back seat in many families. Although still accepted as a payment method, it actually brings many inconveniences—especially when exact payment cannot be made due to lack of change, or when delivery drivers cannot provide change. In contrast, digital solutions are fast, convenient, and provide instant feedback to buyers and parents. More and more students repor...

 Heavy rain in Phnom Penh and waves in West Harbor for the next three days Phnom Penh will experience extreme weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds from August 25th to 28th due to the impact of Typhoon 13th . Cambodia's Ministry of Water Resources issued a news release yesterday saying that in the next three days, rainfall will increase in the northeastern provinces with thunderstorms and strong winds. Strong waves of up to 2.50 meters will occur in coastal provinces . People are urged to be aware of the extreme weather and to travel carefully.

 Attention! In Abu Dhabi , failing to stop when seeing a school bus "stop" signal will be severely punished. The Abu Dhabi Police Department released a video urging drivers to come to a complete stop in both directions and maintain at least a five-meter distance when they see the school bus driver extending the "stop" sign, to ensure the safety of students crossing the road. The police clarified that drivers who do not stop upon seeing the school bus "stop" signal will be fined 1,000 dirhams and have 10 points deducted.

 The development project of three cultural heritage tourism trails in Deira, Dubai has been successfully completed Dubai Municipality announced today (August 24) that the development project of three cultural heritage tourism trails in the Deira area of Dubai has been successfully completed. The total length of these three trails is 1,784 meters, with a total investment of 9.5 million dirhams. The project aims to preserve the historical features of the traditional markets, enhance the visitor experience, and support over 500 shops within the Deira traditional markets. What are the three trails? The Gold Souq Trail (995 meters) The Al Ahmadiya School Heritage Axis (430 meters) The Spice Souq Axis (359 meters) They connect the traditional markets, which are: The Herbs Market The Spice Souq The Utensils Souq The Perfume Market The Carpet Market The Textiles Souq Improvements include the restoration of public spaces, installation of fabric sunshade structures covering 210 square meters...

  Oman is about to issue golden visas for investors Oman is creating a global investment destination through a systematic policy package. According to Oman News Agency on August 24, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman will launch a golden visa program . The Oman golden visa is a 10-year renewable residence visa for high-net-worth investors . Applicants can qualify by investing 500,000 Omani Rials (about 130,000 USD ) in enterprises, government bonds , or real estate , or by establishing a company that employs 50 local workers . The visa fee is 551 Rials . There is also a 5-year visa option with a 250,000 Rial investment threshold . Retirees can apply for a similar residence permit with a fixed monthly income of 4,000 Rials ( fee 326 Rials ).

  Suhail Star Rises Over the Arabian Peninsula , Marking the End of the Long Summer in the UAE As the dawn of Sunday morning spreads across the Arabian Peninsula, a bright star quietly lights up the southern sky — Suhail, a yellow-white supergiant about 313 light-years from Earth . With a brightness second only to Sirius , it once again becomes the " seasonal messenger " in the eyes of desert dwellers. The Jeddah Astronomy Society announced that this star, regarded by Arabs as a " harbinger of change ," first rose in the early hours of August 24 . In Arab culture, its appearance is etched into collective memory, signaling the gradual end of the long summer and heralding the arrival of cooler nights .