Author: dailyguardian.ae

The introduction of e-visas and affordable packages for Umrah has prompted many residents to undertake the pilgrimage a few times a year. Umrah operators believe that this has led to increased travel between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. “The e-visa has prompted us to design cost-effective packages, catering to the growing demand for spiritual journeys,” said Shihab Parwad, Rehan Al Jazeera Tourism. These budget-friendly packages start at just Dh600 per person and are not only economical but also convenient, as they are designed for travel by bus. DoJoin App is offering this 10-day package with travel by bus and is…

As rain, thunder and lightning lashed the UAE on Friday morning, authorities in Dubai made sure residents would take extra precaution. The Dubai Police sent out a public safety advisory alerting everyone to adverse weather conditions. Popping up on residents’ phones, the alert urged the public to drive with care and heed the advice of authorities. “Stay clear of beaches and areas prone to flash floods,” it added. The Dubai Police also shared an emergency alert on Instagram: The unstable weather is observed in other emirates, too, with orange and yellow warning raised for for most parts of the country.…

Sri Lanka’s former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed his first public meeting on Saturday since he was forced to resign in May and ouster of his younger brother and former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July. While addressing a public meeting organised by his party Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at Kalutara here, 77-year-old Mahinda initially got confused as to who was the current president of the country. An aide whispered to him to correct him when he mentioned Gotabaya as the president. Quickly correcting his mistake, Mahinda said, “We will continue to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe to defend this government.…

The Dubai Airshow is popularly known for its blockbuster commercial aircraft orders of billions of dollars. But military might is also on full display at the 18th edition of the show, the biggest ever, with the UAE, the US, India, Pakistan, Russia and China, showcasing their latest ‘big boy’ toys. In addition to commercial jets put on display by carriers from around the world, also put on display are gigantic military vehicles, cargo aircraft, missiles, fighter jets, helicopters, training aircraft and other war machines. The UAE military and other local entities dominate the limelight with the display of their advanced…

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan wished daughter Suhana Khan all the best for her debut film, ‘The Archies’, on Father’s Day. Sharing the teaser of ‘The Archies’ on his social media handles, he wrote: “On Father’s Day here’s wishing the best to my baby… all the babies… and Tiger Baby… for #TheArchies!” To his post on Instagram, Suhana replied: ” luv uuuu.” Earlier, on Saturday, the film’s teaser was released during Netflix’s Tudum fan event. The film marks the debut of Suhana, Boney Kapoor and late Sridevi’s daughter Khushi Kapoor and megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya. The over-one-minute teaser reveals…

‘Jab tak tiger mara nahin… tab tak tiger haara nahin’ (Until the tiger is not dead, the tiger has not lost), Salman Khan announces in the trailer of Tiger 3, which is basically Tiger’s way of saying, “I’m not dead yet, baby!” Releasing next week, this action-packed bonanza is being hailed as Khan’s comeback, after six years without a blockbuster since Tiger Zinda Hai (2017). With rival Shah Rukh Khan delivering two massive hits this year, Salman is feeling the pressure, too. Whatever Tiger’s mission is in the spy universe, Salman Khan is on a mission to prove he’s still…

Max Verstappen helped Red Bull clinch the Formula One constructors’ championship and took a giant step towards his third straight drivers’ title by winning the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. Runaway championship leader Verstappen finished ahead of McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and can lift the title at next month’s Qatar Grand Prix. He holds a 177-point lead over teammate and nearest challenger Sergio Perez. Verstappen’s win helped Red Bull clinch their second straight constructors’ title even though Perez retired from the race. “You have built a rocket ship of a car,” he told his team over the…

Winter has arrived — giving UAE cyclists the perfect weather to hit the tracks. Some do not know, however, that biking rules in the country are not just about following traffic signs and staying on appropriate lanes. There are strict regulations for putting bicycles on carriers attached to cars. A fine also applies. An Abu Dhabi resident and cycling enthusiast learned the lesson the hard way. JO had to pay a Dh400 fine for obscuring his vehicle’s number plate with his bicycle mounted on the back of his car. Drivers must use an additional number plate when attaching bicycles to…

While we debate who’s taking on the role of the next 007 in the forthcoming James Bond movies, there is little doubt as to which car the world’s most famous secret agent will be driving. It will surely be an Aston Martin. This marque, by association and its own credit, has become synonymous with style, speed, and sophistication. But the world has moved on since the last time we drove an Aston and many things are demanded of vehicles these days, even sportscars. They must be digitally equipped and connected, must share a context with environmentalism, and be practical too.…

Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved a proposal to downgrade the island nation’s economic status to “low income country”, in order to get access to concessional funding from international organisations, the cabinet spokesman said on Tuesday. Sri Lanka’s economy is in a deep slump, shrinking at an annual 8.4 per cent in the June quarter in one of the steepest quarterly declines. Per capita GDP was $3,815 in 2021, which had placed it in the lower-middle economy category, according to the World Bank. The cabinet had decided to downgrade the island to “low income” on the World Bank list, said cabinet…