World

In Mad Men, the fictional adman Don Draper was given a unique problem: sell Madison Square Garden to the public. The plot was based on real-life developers tearing down Penn Station to make way for MSG, prompting an outcry that—this being the 1960s—manifested not in tweets, but in New York Times op-eds. Draper, ever the…

The GCC nations have seen major passport gains, with the UAE ranking 8th globally and all six gaining access to China/ Image: FIle UAE ranks 8th globally with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 destinations, marking the strongest passport in the Arab and Islamic world. Qatar rises to 47th, driven by its entry into the…

Alabama storm bunker where the sex trafficking ring was operated (Image: X @Dapper_Det) A sex trafficking ring was busted in Alabama where at least 10 children, some as young as 2, were held captive and sexually tortured for three years in a storm bunker, organised by some of the children’s own parents.According to the Bibb…

Columbia University has agreed to pay over $200 million to settle allegations made by the Trump administration that it failed to adequately protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment on campus. The settlement ends a federal investigation triggered by incidents of verbal abuse, ostracism, and hostile behavior directed at Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests linked to…

Residents and tourists gear up for a day of fitness, games, and nature in the scenic Hatta mountains/Image: Shutterstock TL;DR: Hatta Open Sports Day to kick off July 27 with 30+ events across multiple sports Organised by Dubai Sports Council to promote fitness, inclusivity, and nature-based tourism Over 3,000 participants expected, including families, children, and…

Despite soaring summer temperatures, UAE remains a top travel destination attracting global tourists/Representative Image TL;DR: Expect extreme summer heat, often above 43–45 °C, with high humidity and occasional sandstorms. UAE enforces a mandatory midday outdoor work ban—June 15 to September 15, 12:30pm to 3:00pm to protect workers. Stay hydrated, avoid direct sun during peak hours,…

Streamlined eVisa process aims to attract GCC-based travellers and boost regional tourism/Representative Image TL;DR: Kuwait reopened its improved e‑Visa portal in January 2025, allowing certain GCC‑based residents to apply online or obtain visa‑on‑arrival. Eligible applicants must hold a GCC residency of 6+ months, a valid passport, and work in specified professional categories such as doctors,…

Over 32,000 visa violators were caught in early 2025, 70% deported, as UAE enforces penalties post-2024 amnesty deadline/ Representative Image The UAE’s 2024 visa amnesty ran from September 1 to December 31, offering legalisation or penalty-free exit. Despite a 2-month extension, many overstayers did not act and now face deportation and bans. Over 32,000 people…

Mobile authentication is set to replace SMS OTPs as UAE banks tighten digital security/ Representative Image TL;DR UAE banks will stop using SMS and email OTPs for online and money transfer verifications In-app authentication will be the new standard for confirming transactions The shift begins July 25, 2025, with full rollout required by March 31,…