Author: Gulf News Week

Kurdish Regional GovernmentMore than 100 hostages were flown back to Iraqi Kurdistan after being released in JanuaryMore than 300 migrants heading to the UK last summer were kidnapped, tortured and threatened with forced organ removal, the BBC has learned.The young men, all from Iraqi Kurdistan, were captured in Libya by a militia who demanded a ransom of $5,000 (£3,700) from each of their families, and threatened to harvest the captives’ kidneys if payment was not made promptly.We have spoken to some hostages who have since been released, and seen photo evidence suggesting that forced operations did take place.The former captives…

Watch: Trump booed during the NBA national anthemDonald Trump has been booed at a basketball match in New York as he became the first sitting US president to attend the NBA Finals.The catcalls came after frustrated ticketholders waited for hours in lines that stretched more than two blocks outside Madison Square Garden on Monday due to the intense security restrictions that came with the president’s appearance. Trump was there to watch the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the best-of-seven NBA finals. The Knicks won the first two games.New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani…

Gold prices have retreated toward the $4,300 per ounce level as investors react to signs of easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East regionGold prices were steady in Dubai on Tuesday morning as investors weigh Israel-Iran ceasefire and inflation risks in the world’s largest economy.The 24K gold price was trading at Dh522.25 per gram at the market opening on Tuesday, up from Dh521.5 per gram at the close of markets on Monday.The 22K, 21K and 18K were trading at Dh483.5, Dh463.5 and Dh397.25 per gram, respectively.Spot gold was trading at $4,333 an ounce while silver stood at $67.95 an ounce,…

BBCIt’s 07:25 am, 13 October 2024, at Starbase, near Boca Chica on the Texas side of the US/Mexico border, and on the launch pad stands the biggest rocket ever made. Its engines fire and it climbs into the skies over the Gulf of Mexico to cheers and screams in the SpaceX control room.But the launch is not the main event. What goes up must come down – and how it comes down will become a milestone in space exploration.Seven minutes later, the massive rocket booster that blasted the craft towards space starts falling back to Earth – until its engines…

Recruiters said industry experience remains highly valued, although graduate training programmes continue to provide entry points for fresh graduatesIndustrial companies are continuing to hire Emiratis beyond mandatory nationalisation requirements, with employers at a major Abu Dhabi careers fair citing strong demand for talent in artificial intelligence, engineering and advanced technology roles.The push comes as private-sector companies with 50 or more employees work towards meeting Emiratisation requirements, which require skilled positions to be increasingly filled by UAE nationals.Several employers participating in the Industrialists Career Exhibition said they had already exceeded their targets and were continuing recruitment drives. Energy technology company SLB…

Agentic AI is best suited for repetitive, data-heavy tasks such as preparing reports, monitoring performance and flagging unusual behaviourThe UAE is on its way to become the first government in the world to have 50 per cent of its services operated by artificial intelligence. Both the government and private sector will adopt agentic AI either through training staff members and public officials or by helping companies integrate AI into their daily operations.In early May, the Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced a new initiative to accelerate the adoption of agentic AI in Dubai’s private…

Nationals are permitted to claim VAT refunds on specific expenditures related to constructing their new residences, including fixtures and fittingsThe UAE’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has expanded the scope of expenses eligible for value-added tax (VAT) refunds for UAE nationals constructing new residences, which will allow them to save approximately Dh25,000 per claim.The authority said in a statement on Tuesday that this initiative is expected to yield an estimated Dh200 million in VAT savings for UAE nationals, averaging approximately Dh25,000 per claim.Based on projected claims volume for 2026, the total value of approved refund claims is expected to exceed Dh1…

Watch: Tightened security in New York ahead of Trump appearance at NBA Finals gameThe hottest ticket in town is drawing New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the US president, a parade of celebrities, and fans teeming with excitement despite escalating security and a cancelled watch party.The New York Knicks will host the San Antonio Spurs for game three of the NBA Finals – the first on their home turf of Madison Square Garden (MSG) – on Monday night.A strict no-bag policy, a security zone spanning 10 square city blocks and airport-style screening will greet fans for President Donald Trump’s arrival at…

Somali referee Artan barred from entering USAOmar Artan, who was set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals, is dropped from the list of officials after he was denied entry to the United States.4 hrs agoWorld Cup

Lower fares opened after Eid Al Adha, but agents say the dip is temporary as the July-August travel rush nearsUAE residents who have still not booked their summer travel should buy tickets now rather than wait for last-minute deals, travel agents have warned, as lower fare buckets are expected to disappear within days before prices rise sharply in July and August.“Book now, not later. The classic ‘last-minute deal’ logic does not apply this summer,” Rashida Zahid, VP – Operations at musafir.com, told media. “The current market conditions mean that the waiting game would be tricky on most routes.”She said June…