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12 hours ago
Al Hilal Relishes Rematch With Real Madrid In FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Four-time Asian champions Al Hilal are gearing up for another high-stakes clash against Spain’s Real Madrid, this time in the group stage of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The Saudi giants were drawn into Group H alongside Real Madrid, Pachuca of Mexico, and Austria’s FC Salzburg during Thursday’s draw in Miami. The tournament, featuring 32 teams, will take place across the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025. The format mirrors that of the FIFA World Cup between 1998 and 2022, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. Al Hilal’s draw against Real Madrid brings back memories of their dramatic 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final in Morocco. In that encounter, Al Hilal showcased remarkable resilience but ultimately fell 5-3 to the European champions, marking the closest any Asian team has come to dethroning the Spanish powerhouse in the tournament’s history. Goals from Moussa Marega and Luciano Vietto kept Al Hilal in the contest, but Real Madrid’s lethal attack proved insurmountable. As Al Hilal sets its sights on a new chapter in their rivalry with Real Madrid, they will also be aware of the other challenges in Group H. Mexican […]
12 hours ago
Civil Defense Cautions To Follow Safety Procedures When Using Heating Devices
As mercury drops in most parts of the Kingdom during the current winter season, the General Directorate of Civil Defense cautioned the public to take utmost vigil and care while using heating devices. It emphasized the importance of following safety procedures when using heating devices, and ensuring the necessity of preventing children from approaching or tampering with them. The directorate underlined the need to ensure proper ventilation of closed spaces when using them, as well as to turn off the heater when going out or when sleeping, and avoid using it to heat food and drinks, and keep it away from curtains, furniture and flammable materials. The directorate called for following the safety guidelines and instructions announced through various media and social networking sites. It urged to contact the Civil Defense over the phone number 911 in the regions of Riyadh, Makkah and the Eastern Province, and the number 998 in the rest of the regions in the event of any emergency cases.
12 hours ago
Dubai: 450 Free Car Seats Gifted To Newborns For UAE National Day
Babies born during the UAE National Day weekend were gifted free child car seats, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said on Thursday. About 450 child car seats were handed over to mothers who gave birth between December 1 and 5, across 24 hospitals participating in the ‘My Baby’s Gift on Eid Al Etihad’ initiative. “The initiative aims to offer every newborn in Dubai hospitals during Eid Al Etihad celebrations with a free child car seat. Hospitals are supplied with many car seats based on the expected number of births during the celebration period, which takes place annually from December 1 to 5,” Hussain Al Banna, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, said. ‘My Baby’s Gift on Eid Al Etihad’ initiative has distributed over 2,000 child car seats to mothers in hospitals during Eid Al Etihad celebrations over the past five years. The supporters of the ‘My Baby’s Gift on Eid Al Etihad’ initiative, include Dubai Police, the Dubai Health Authority, and UNICEF. Al Banna stressed the importance of parents ensuring their children are seated in designated car seats while driving. He -added that global studies indicate that properly using child car seats reduces injuries and fatalities among children […]
13 hours ago
Dubai Safari Extends Park Timings For ‘Night Safaris’ For A Limited Period
Timings at the Dubai Safari Park will be extended this winter season, allowing visitors to experience the attraction at night. Evening visitors will be able to observe changes in the animals’ behaviour as the night deepens. The park’s lions will roar more, the usually elusive pygmy hippos will be more active and the predatory instincts of carnivores primed for nocturnal hunting will intensify. The night safari timings of 6pm to 8pm will be applicable for a limited period—from December 13 to January 12. Tickets will be sold on the park’s website starting from December 11. The extended hours will include two night safaris led by wildlife guides. Visitors can “expect to catch” a glimpse of the night-time routines of over 90 species, “besides participating in interactive activities involving animals”, the park’s operator said. The safari will host live performances, including an African fire show and a neon display. Visitors will be able to observe and study the animals’ natural adaptations at night, which include enhanced night vision, echolocation, and a heightened sense of smell and hearing. Ahmad Al Zarouni, director of Public Parks and Recreational Facilities at Dubai Municipality, said, “With the introduction of the unique night safari, we are […]
13 hours ago
Self-Made Billionaire: You Need To Understand 3 Things To Lead A Successful Life—Even ‘Couch Potatoes’ Can Use Them
Self-made billionaire Ray Dalio has a three-step recipe for success — and it’s one anyone can use, he wrote in a LinkedIn post on Sunday. First, identify what you want. Second, figure out how to realistically achieve them. And third, pursue that path with ironclad determination. “People who achieve success and drive progress deeply understand the cause-effect relationships that govern reality and have principles for using them to get what they want,” wrote Dalio, 75, the founder and ex-CEO of hedge fund giant Bridgewater Associates. Dalio’s formula may seem easier said than done — but it relies on a simple caveat. Figuring out how to realistically achieve your goals includes setting reasonable expectations for what success might look like, he wrote. “I don’t care whether you want to be a master of the universe, a couch potato, or anything else—I really don’t,” wrote Dalio, who has an estimated $14 billion net worth, according to Forbes. “Some people want to change the world and others want to operate in simple harmony with it and savor life. Neither is better. Each of us needs to decide what we value most and choose the paths we take to achieve it.” People who achieve success and drive progress deeply understand […]
13 hours ago
Israel Showed The ‘Power’ Of F-35s In Destroying Nearly All Of Iran’s Air Defenses Without A Loss, UK Admiral Says
Israel showed the “power” of the F-35 stealth fighter jet during its late October retaliatory strikes against Iran, Britain’s top military officer said on Wednesday. Adm. Tony Radakin, the UK’s chief of defense staff, disclosed that Israel used its F-35s to carry out the widespread October 26 strikes against military sites across Iran, including air-defense systems and missile-manufacturing facilities. It appeared to mark the first confirmation from a Western government that Israel had used its fifth-generation aircraft in the operation, which came in response to a massive Iranian missile attack at the start of the month. It was reported at the time that Israel flew its F-35s and fired air-launched ballistic missiles. “Israel used more than 100 aircraft, carrying fewer than 100 munitions, and with no aircraft getting within 100 miles of the target in the first wave, and that took down nearly the entirety of Iran’s air-defense system,” Radakin said during a Royal United Services Institute lecture in London. “It has destroyed Iran’s ability to produce ballistic missiles for a year and left Tehran with a strategic dilemma in how it responds. That is the power of fifth-generation aircraft, combined with exquisite targeting and extraordinary intelligence,” Radakin said. “And that was all delivered from […]
13 hours ago
Dubai To Reintroduce 30% Alcohol Sales Tax In 2025 – Report
Dubai is reportedly considering reintroducing a 30 per cent alcohol sales tax effective January 1, 2025, a tax that was scrapped by the city’s municipality in late 2022 to attract more tourists. Restaurants and bars were informed by their contacts at alcohol distribution companies, MMI and African+Eastern, about the reinstating of the alcohol sales tax, according to a Caterer report. “Please note, Dubai Government have informed us the 30 per cent Municipality tax on alcoholic beverage purchases will be reinstated effective January 2025,” MMI and African+Eastern said in a communiqué. “This will be effective on all orders invoiced from Wednesday, January 1 2025. Dubai Municipality requests all necessary systems are in place to ensure full compliance with this fee.” The alcohol sales tax suspension, which was initially planned to last for one year from January 1 to December 31, 2023, resulted in significant savings for Dubai’s restaurants, bars and hotels. The establishments have been paying 30% less in taxes on alcohol purchases throughout 2023 and 2024 compared to previous years.Click here to read more… Click here to read more…
13 hours ago
“Current Situation Serious”: VW CEO Tells Workers Labor Cost Reduction Urgent To “Secure Future”
Volkswagen (VW) CEO Oliver Blume addressed thousands of workers at the company’s Wolfsburg headquarters, emphasizing the urgent need to “secure the company’s future” amid a vicious downturn in the auto industry and intensifying competition. According to The Wall Street Journal, Blume stated that the German auto giant has been streamlining operations and incorporated new synergies but still faces a bumpy road ahead. He added that reducing labor costs is needed. “The current situation is serious. New competitors are entering the market with unprecedented force. The price pressure is immense,” the CEO told workers on Wednesday. He added, “In addition, our labor costs in Germany have now become too high. That is why urgent measures are needed to secure Volkswagen’s future.” In late October, Volkswagen’s top labor leader, works council chief Daniela Cavallo, who also sits on VW’s supervisory board, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying three factories were preparing for closure, and VW was mulling over eliminating thousands of jobs and scaling back pay by 10% and hours. Earlier this week, WSJ noted that 100,000 workers, or about 33% of the company’s total German workforce, staged a labor action across nine factories amid plant closure and mass layoff threats. Click here to read more…
15 hours ago
Sleepy Joe Strikes Again: Biden Falls Asleep At World Summit
It’s clear that outgoing and embattled President Joe Biden no longer cares about public perception—using his pardon power to put his son above the law and now openly dozing off in front of world leaders. Biden was caught in a now-viral video seemingly asleep while resting his head on his hand during a summit in Angola. Seated next to the sleepy president were the leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Zambia, as well as the Africa Finance Corporation. The summit sought to raise funds for a project to connect the African continent and boost its declining growth. Biden pledged a staggering $600 million in taxpayer dollars for the so-called rail plan. “Africa has been left behind for much too long… but not anymore,” Biden claimed, his voice raspy. “Africa is the future. I’m not being solicitous.” Despite the ambitious U.S.-funded project, Biden’s nap drew the most attention. “Who’s running the country?” asked Republican official Jake Schneider, one of the first to share the video online. “President Biden isn’t even trying to fake it anymore. No need to count sheep here. Dude went straight snoozing,” one user wrote, sharing a screenshot of Biden seemingly asleep. Irish personality Chay Bowes similarly rebuked Biden on X, calling him “the […]
16 hours ago
“You’re Welcome” – Trump Congratulates Bitcoiners On $100k; BlackRock ETF Tops $50BN In Record Time
Having topped $100,000 overnight ($peaking at $103,800). …bitcoin is not just at record highs vs the USDollar, but also relative to gold… …and, arguably, the recent surge is down to one man (BTC is up 55% since the election), and – as always – he is not shy about mentioning it… The rally has added $1.4 trillion to the crypto ecosystem’s market cap and pushed bitcoin above Saudi Aramco as the 7th largest ‘asset’ in the world. Not everyone is happy though… Lizzy will not love this either – flows into BTC ETFs have exploded since Trump was elected… And one ETF in particular has benefited greatly. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has surpassed $50 billion in assets under management, achieving the milestone in just 228 days – more than five times faster than any other ETF in history. For context, it took GLD five and a half years to reach that level of AUM… Speaking to Decrypt, Bitfinex analysts noted that fresh demand from new investors has played a major role in Bitcoin’s record-breaking year. “The ability of BTC to make new ATHs every week, despite profit-taking, is due to the fresh demand coming into the market from new investors,” […]
16 hours ago
French Government Falls As PM Barnier Loses Confidence Vote
What seemed like a foregone conclusion is now confirmed – French PM Barnier just lost a no-confidence vote (with 331 votes – 288 was needed) forcing his government’s resignation and Macron to appoint a new premier The debate before the vote was lively with RN’s Le Pen blasting Barnier’s budget and making it clear he was dead in the water. “It’s the end of this ephemeral government,” Le Pen declares. Much of her comments are focused on taxes in Barnier’s budget, saying it was “all about taxes, taxes and more taxes.” “Where’s all the money? The French want to know,” she said. “To those who think I’m intent on choosing a policy of disaster through a vote of no confidence, I want to tell them that the disastrous policy would be not to censure such a budget, such a government,” Le Pen says. Boris Vallaud, the head of the Socialists in parliament called Barnier’s budget “unjust and inefficient” and confirmed he would vote against Barnier. France unbowed’s Coquerel slammed the government for not making enough compromises on the budget and confirms his party is supporting the no-confidence motion put forth by the leftist coalition. The prime minister notes that the […]
16 hours ago
Blood pressure (BP) medications are some of the most overly prescribed medications. Over 70 percent of adults 60 years and older have high blood pressure, and over half of those take blood pressure medication to prevent cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. For those who don’t need blood pressure medication, taking these drugs may do more harm than good. In a new study challenging decades of medical practice, researchers have suggested that nursing home residents might safely stop or reduce their blood pressure medication use by 30 percent or more without increasing their risk of heart attack or stroke. Older adults have a higher risk of adverse drug reactions and side effects when taking multiple medications (polypharmacy), as their ability to absorb and eliminate drugs is often impaired. Taking people off these drugs can help reduce the risk of side effects like dizziness and falls and potential interactions associated with polypharmacy. Doing More Harm Than Good Published in JAMA Network Open on Nov. 25, the study found that discontinuing nursing home residents’ BP medications or reducing their dosage by at least 30 percent did not lead to hospitalization for heart attack or stroke after two years, compared to […]
17 hours ago
Oman Makes History: Successfully Launches First Rocket ‘Duqm-1’
The Sultanate of Oman has successfully launched its first experimental rocket named “Duqm-1” into space, making history as the first space launch experiment in the Middle East. The launch was carried out by the National Space Services Company (NASCOM) under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology. This significant milestone marks Oman’s entry into the space sector, aligning with its strategic initiatives to enhance its capabilities in this field. The rocket was launched at 10:05 AM local time from a global site south of the Wilayat of Duqm, located at coordinates 18 degrees north and 56 degrees east. The launch site is considered a regional space hub, further establishing Oman’s presence in the global space industry.
17 hours ago
Kuwait Announces 2-day Holiday
The Kuwaiti cabinet has declared a two-day break from work at government institutions on Wednesday, January 1 and Thursday, January 2, 2025. Under the cabinet decree, Thursday (January) 2) will be a day off as it will fall between two official holidays (the New Year on January 1) and the weekend (on Friday and Saturday). Thereby, work at government institutions will resume on Sunday, January 5, 2025, according to the decree. Kuwait New Year holiday The government bodies that have special nature of work can decide their respective breaks of work in a way that might not hamper the public interest.
17 hours ago
Saudi Hotels: Royal Commission For Alula Announces Chedi Hegra
The Royal Commission for AlUla has announced the opening of the Chedi Hegra Hotel in the historic city of Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. It marks a significant step in developing AlUla as a premier tourist destination. The hotel has 35 rooms designed to blend luxury with the natural surroundings. Chedi Hegra Hotel in Saudi Arabia It integrates contemporary design with historic structures including an old railway station, preserving the cultural heritage of the region while adding a modern touch. Guests can enjoy three restaurants with scenic views, a heritage gallery, a wellness centre, and a traditional Saudi coffee house. The main restaurant, set in the station, includes a rare 1906 train carriage as a centrepiece.
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