Author: Gulf News Week
The South Asian currency has been largely steady over the past year after several years of sharp volatility due to political uncertainty and a dollar shortageThe Pakistani rupee strengthened to a nearly 20‑month high on Monday, rising to below 278 against the US dollar and trading at 75.5 against the UAE dirham.According to xe.com data, the Pakistani rupee has gained over three per cent in the past 10 months, trading at 277.4 against the greenback on Monday, helped by growing foreign exchange reserves and financial support from the International Monetary Fund and Saudi Arabia.Total liquid reserves have been on the…
The authority said it continuously monitors fraudulent methods used by beggars as part of its ongoing campaign, which tackles all forms of beggingAs faithful prepare for the much-awaited Eid Al Adha festival, residents in Dubai have been warned against giving money to beggars and using services of itinerant butchers.The Dubai Police on Monday revealed that 50 beggars and itinerant butchers were arrested during Eid Al Adha last year, as such people wait to exploit circumstances, particularly during holidays and festive occasions.The authority said it continuously monitors fraudulent methods used by beggars as part of its ongoing campaign, which tackles all…
The uniforms were developed specifically for modern rail operations in the UAE, with attention to movement, climate, and daily passenger interactionEtihad Rail unveiled the official uniforms for its passenger-facing teams, giving the public a first look at a key symbol of the UAE’s national railway network before passenger services begin.This move is part of the build-up to one of the country’s most anticipated transport milestones. The national railway network is preparing to connect communities across the Emirates in a phased rollout focused on safety and service quality.The newly unveiled uniforms feature a contemporary grey palette with bold red accents. They…
Surf photographer attacked in water by ‘shark or sea lion’The finals day of the World Surf League’s New Zealand Pro event was paused after a photographer was attacked.5 hrs agoSurfing
Ministry of Finance’s smart contact centre tracks caller sentiment, flags dissatisfaction, and helps managers improve service quality across government touchpointsThe UAE’s Ministry of Finance has unveiled an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system at its customer service contact centre, which will record, analyse, and interpret conversations during calls, including the caller’s emotional state.This is a significant step in the ministry’s ongoing commitment to eliminating bureaucratic hurdles and placing customer satisfaction at the heart of government operations.The system goes beyond conventional call logging by leveraging AI-driven sentiment analysis. It evaluates the tone, language, and emotional cues of each interaction and automatically categorises…
Residents are being invited to enjoy complimentary or discounted coffee while learning more about multiple sclerosis as part of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s awareness initiative on May 30 and 31More than 30 cafés across the UAE are inviting residents to stop by for a complimentary or discounted coffee while learning more about multiple sclerosis (MS), as part of a nationwide awareness initiative taking place on May 30 and 31.The campaign, launched in collaboration with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), aims to spark conversations around the neurological condition through simple, community-led experiences built around coffee culture and social gatherings.Multiple…
A UK-bound EasyJet flight was diverted to Rome after a power bank was found to be charging in a passenger’s luggage, it has been revealed.Flight EZY2618 from Hurghada in Egypt to London Luton landed in the Italian capital on Tuesday night as a “precaution”.The airline said the captain decided to divert “in line with safety regulations” after a passenger informed crew during the flight that the portable charger was in the hold of the aircraft. Many airlines have toughened rules on power banks, often requiring that they be stored in hand luggage because of the risk of lithium-ion batteries catching…
‘It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,’ Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said[Editor’s Note: Follow the media live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.]Iran said Monday that Tehran and Washington had reached understandings on many issues in exchanges over a deal for ending the war, but warned an agreement was not imminent.”It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, during a…
Abbas Akbari ‘was one of the armed leaders of the riots in Nain town in Isfahan province’, the judiciary’s Mizan Online website reportedIran on Monday, May 25, executed a man convicted of carrying out armed attacks during the nationwide anti-government protests that peaked in January, the judiciary said.Abbas Akbari’s is the latest in a string of executions by the Islamic republic after it ramped up hangings in security-related cases after the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States on February 28.”Abbas Akbari… was hanged this morning,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website reported, describing him as “one of the…
From immersive dining experiences and refined tasting menus to homegrown success stories and cultural tastemakers, the Dubai Dining Awards 2026 by media spotlight the venues and visionaries shaping the city’s evolving food sceneThe Dubai Dining Awards 2026, presented by KT Luxe, celebrate the venues and visionaries redefining how the city experiences hospitality today. From boundary-pushing immersive concepts and refined tasting menus to homegrown success stories and cultural tastemakers, here are this year’s winners shaping the city’s distinct dining landscape.KrasotaBest Sensory ExperienceKrasota felt genuinely unlike anything else I have tried in Dubai this year, or ever for that matter. From the…