Author: dailyguardian.ae

UAE health authorities have stamped out a total of 409 sites where dengue-causing mosquitoes were found, a senior government official said on Wednesday. Concerns over dengue fever had emerged after the heaviest rain on record flooded several UAE neighbourhoods, creating ponds of stagnant water that could easily become mosquito breeding sites. Dengue fever is a viral infection that is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Several measures have been taken to fight dengue fever in the UAE, said Abdul Rahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, as the matter was taken up in a Federal National Council (FNC)…

Saudi Arabia and Qatar praised the decision by Ireland, Norway and Spain on Wednesday to recognise a Palestinian state and called on other countries to do the same. The foreign ministry “expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s welcome of the positive decision taken by the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of Ireland to recognise the sisterly State of Palestine,” according to a statement posted on X. “The kingdom appreciates this decision issued by friendly countries, which affirms the international consensus on the inherent right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and calls on the rest…

Companies doing businesses in free zones in the UAE need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for zero per cent corporate income tax on their activities and become a qualifying free zone person (QFZP), according to the latest guide issued by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Among the conditions include “possession of audited financial statements, having substance, and earning income from qualifying activities”, said Thomas Vanhee, partner at Aurifer Middle East Tax Consultancy, adding that It is important to know that save for the cases of permanent establishments, the regime is largely an all-in or all-out regime. Outlining the…

Adam Wingard, the director behind Legendary’s latest MonsterVerse blockbuster, Godzilla x Kong, will not return for the sequel. Wingard, who directed and co-wrote the film, has decided to step away from the franchise, citing timing issues and his eagerness to pursue other creative ventures, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. According to the report, the decision to part ways with Wingard was amicable, with insiders indicating that the door remains open for a potential return in the future. Wingard, fresh off the success of Godzilla x Kong, expressed his desire to explore new storytelling avenues during the press tour, unveiling…

Figures reflect Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD)’s  preliminary estimates for the period (2017-2023). In 2023, the ‘wholesale and retail trade’ sector led the emirate’s GDP, accounting for a 24% share. ‘Manufacturing’ was the second highest contributor to the GDP with 16.7%. The ‘agriculture, forestry, and fishing’ sector recorded the highest growth rate, reaching 19.1%. The ‘accommodation and food services,’ ‘financial and insurance,’ and ‘electricity, gas, water supply, and waste management’ sectors ranked second, third, and fourth, respectively, in terms of growth rates for 2023. Figures demonstrate the emirate’s focus on enhancing competitiveness, improving the investment climate, and diversifying…

Netflix had an eventful May, with star-studded shows like A Man in Full with Jeff Daniels and Eric with Benedict Cumberbatch dominating its new release slate. And the continued success of the April release Baby Reindeer helped make the streamer retain its status as the most-talked-about Hollywood player on the internet. June is going to be a bit quieter than that month, but no less interesting. While Netflix‘s June programming slate sports returning shows like That ’90s Show and yet another season of The Mole, there are also under-the-radar series like the British import Supacell debuting or underrated ones like Sweet…

High-net-worth individuals from around the world are expected to invest more than Dh16 billion ($4.4 billion) in Dubai’s property market in 2024, as the emirate emerges as the most preferred destination for investors. According to global real estate consultancy Knight Frank, HNWI’s investment appetite draws them to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah after Dubai. Dubai property market has been on the radar of high-net-worth individuals or millionaires’ radar in the post-pandemic period due to very high returns amidst low prices, world-class infrastructure, safety and security and the growing overall economy of the country. The emirate’s property market has surpassed the previous…

A member of Bangladesh’s ruling party was found murdered in the Indian city of Kolkata on Wednesday morning, more than a week after he went missing, Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said. Anwarul Azim Anar, 56, who won his third consecutive term in a constituency in the border district of Jhenaidah from the Awami League party, went missing on May 13, a day after going to India for medical treatment, according to his relatives. Khan told reporters that three Bangladeshis were arrested over the lawmaker’s death. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Bangladesh…

The UAE targets to increase its non-oil exports to Dh800 billion and boost the value of non-oil foreign trade to Dh4.0 trillion by the next decade, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, said on Wednesday. The UAE has achieved outstanding successes on regional and international levels, solidifying its standing as the region’s leading hub for trade and investment. “With an emphasis on emerging industries and SMEs, we will continue to broaden and diversify our economy according to the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision,” said Al Marri. The minister, also chairman of Etihad Credit Insurance Board of Directors, said…

Movie enthusiasts were thrilled when Akshay Kumar announced the third instalment of the Welcome franchise, Welcome To The Jungle. The announcement video featured a delightful surprise with the beloved duo Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi standing alongside Akshay. However, excitement turned to disappointment when rumours surfaced that Sanjay Dutt had exited the project. These reports have been confirmed, but contrary to speculation, Dutt’s departure is not due to any fallout with co-star Akshay Kumar. According to a report in Hindustan Times, a source revealed that Sanjay Dutt withdrew from Welcome 3 months ago because he struggled with the physical demands…