Khaleej Times - February 10, 2025

In this issue

February 10, 2025

Outcry over local podcast featuring convicted conman Tinder Swindler’

A local music radio station has removed a podcast featuring convicted fraudster Simon Leviev, infamously known as the 'Tinder Swindler', following public outcry. A talk radio station owned by the same group also aired an interview with Leviev, adding to the backlash.

3 mins

VP calls out worst depts in bureaucracy reduction

The UAE's Vice-President on Sunday announced the results of the bureaucracy removal initiative, ranking the best and worst government departments across the country.

2 mins

UAE govt, expats decry Netanyahu idea to settle Palestinians in Saudi

Palestinians in the UAE have reacted with anger and shock at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion to create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia.

2 mins

It’s official, Al Tabbah is now a sport

Traditional Emirati game resembling cricket, baseball makes a comeback

2 mins

Young athletes learn life lessons in Dubai Games’ challenge

For nine-year-old Tina Haroun, Saturday morning was more than just another weekend. It was the moment she had been waiting for.

2 mins

Fire erupts at Marina tower for third time

A residential building in Dubai was evacuated after a fire broke out on Saturday night. No casualties were reported as authorities brought the blaze under control.

2 mins

Police track down traveller’s bag with Dh25x cash

Dubai Police helped track down a traveller's lost bag containing over Dh25,000 cash at Dubai International Airport, the authority announced on Sunday.

1 min

Fire erupts at Marina tower for third time

A residential building in Dubai was evacuated after a fire broke out on Saturday night. No casualties were reported as authorities brought the blaze under control.

2 mins

Karama, Fahidi residents ail car-free zone project

Residents look forward to quieter days, relaxed stroll amid greenery

2 mins

Revel in the lap of luxury on Valentine’s Day for Dh250,000

With exclusivity at its core, this once-in-a-lifetime experience is available to only one couple— because true romance is rare and sois an opportunity like this.”

2 mins

An enchanting night in the desert with 3,000 lanterns twinkling

The first Chinese Lantern Festival in UAE held at Al Marmoom Oasis leaves spectators spell-bound

2 mins

Can banks file case against customers who are unable to pay credit card dues?

What are the legal open to me unable to pay off credit card bills? I am in a dire situation and can't afford to pay bank card dues. What kind of action can the bank take?

2 mins

Can employers ask employees to work extra hours during Ramadan-

KT reader wants to know whether a worker ina managerial or supervisory position is entitled to overtime pay

2 mins

Governments are at a crossroads: They must reimagine leadership

Role of governments is no longer just about national progress it’s about building bridges beyond borders and prioritising youth engagement in policymaking.

3 mins

Microsoft, G42 launch new foundation to ensure ethical AI practices in UAE

The UAE's G42 and US giant Microsoft announced on Sunday the launch of a new foundation to promote responsible AI standards and best practices in the Middle East and the Global South.

2 mins

UAE to benefit with re-exports amid US-China tariff row

The UAE could benefit from its strategic position as a global trading hub from tariff tension between the US and China through increased shipment, re-exports and more Chinese companies using the Gulf city as a transshipment hub to avoid new taxes in this trade war, say analysts and industry executives.

2 mins

Dubar’s realty off to strong start with Dh35s sales in Jan

The market records Dh35 billion in sales across 13,019 transactions in the first month of this year, posting 5% month-over-month increase from Dec 2024

3 mins

Record yellow metal prices both boon and burden for jewellers in London

Central banks are purchasing gold in big quantities, with the precious metal regarded as a safe haven investment

2 mins

Gold prices may hit $3,400 later this year, say analysts

Prices in Dubai also reached an all-time high last week when 22K touched Dh321.5 per gram

2 mins

Elon Musk says not interested in acquiring TikTok

Billionaire Elon Musk said that he was not interested in purchasing TikTok, the popular shortvideo app that the United States has been trying to ban over national security concerns with its Chinese owner ByteDance.

1 min

RAK island secures Dh8.8B loan as building rises 140FT in 100 days

A Commercial Gaming Facility Operator licence was awarded to the developer of Wynn Al Marjan Island resort, it was announced in October 2024

2 mins

Lebanon PM names new government, vows reform’

Lebanon's premier named a new government on Saturday, the presidency announced, with the weakening of long-dominant Hezbollah following a war with Israel bringing to a close more than two years of caretaker authorities.

1 min

Israeli army has withdrawn from Netzarim Corridor in Gaza: Hamas

The Israeli military has withdrawn from an area of Gaza known as the Netzarim Corridor that bisects the enclave, Hamas said on Sunday, a move that was expected under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group.

1 min

"Thousands' in Gaza at risk from unexploded ordnance: Aid group

Unexploded bombs and shells buried in the ruins of Gaza could kill or injure thousands of people in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory in the future, an aid organisation has warned.

1 min

Thai hostage freed from Gaza says feels reborn’ after return home

A Thai farm worker held hostage in Gaza for more than a year said he felt \"reborn\" as he and four compatriots arrived home on Sunday to tears of joy from their relieved families.

2 mins

31 Maoists, two Indian soldiers killed in gunfight

At least 31 Maoist rebels and two Indian commandos were killed in a gunfight in the dense jungles of central India on Sunday, as security forces ramp up efforts to crush the long-running insurgency.

1 min

Georgia and Thailand probing human egg trafficking ring

Thailand and Georgia said they are investigating a human trafficking ring that a Thai NGO says is engaged in harvesting human eggs of Thai women brought to the South Caucasus country.

1 min

Modi's BJP wins election in capital after 27 years out of power

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party on Saturday regained power in the nation's capital for the first time in 27 years, a boost for him after a disappointing national election last year.

1 min

CM of violence-hit Indian state of Manipur resigns

The chief minister of India's northeastern state of Manipur resigned on Sunday, bowing to pressure to quit amid ongoing ethnic clashes that have cost at least 250 lives since they broke out nearly two years ago.

1 min

Iran shuts schools and offices in 10 provinces due to cold snap

Authorities in Iran ordered schools and offices in at least 10 provinces to close on Sunday to conserve energy as the country weathers a severe cold snap, state media reported.

1 min

Italy's Salvini was butt of Meloni party jokes: Leaked messages Italian

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been forced to deny tensions within her coalition government, after leaked messages revealed party members privately mocked Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.

1 min

Breathless pope says use armed forces just for legitimate defence

Armed forces must only be used as legitimate defence, never to dominate another country, a breathless Pope Francis said Sunday, presiding over an outdoor mass despite a bout of bronchitis.

1 min

‘Energy freedomny’: Baltic states switch to European power grid

The three Baltic states successfully connected to the European power grid Sunday after severing Soviet-era links with Russia's network, a shift that EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed as \"freedom from threats and blackmail\".

2 mins

‘Cool’ Macron uses deepfake videos to promote AI summit

French President Emmanuel Macron has posted artificial intelligence-generated fake videos that he features in as he promoted a technology summit that opens in Paris on Monday.

1 min

French police officer to pay 1,000 euros for insulting woman

A French police officer has been ordered to pay 1,000 euros ($1,000) after he described a woman, who filed a sexual assault complaint, as a \"whore\", a source close to the case said on Saturday.

1 min

Third Al Fayed brother accused of sexual abuse, says BBC

Three former employees at London's Harrods store have accused another brother of its late boss Mohamed AI Fayed of sexual assault, after hundreds of similar claims were made against the tycoon, the BBC reported on Friday.

1 min

'Joe, you're fired': Trump revokes Biden's security clearance

President Donald Trump on Friday revoked his predecessor Joe Biden's security clearance in a blizzard of new orders, while escalating his campaign to dismantle the US humanitarian agency charged with helping the world's poorest and extending American influence around the globe.

2 mins

Trump says he has spoken to Putin about ending Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump said he has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone about ending the war in Ukraine, the New York Post reported, the first known direct conversation between Putin and a US president since early 2022.

1 min

Trump’s aid freeze keeps life-saving programmes shut, sparks mayheny

USAID turmoil worsens aid distribution issues, staff fired or barred from communication

5 mins

US president’s God squad’ holds increasing sway at White House

The US president said that he had become more religious since he narrowly escaped death when a gunman’s bullet hit him in the ear at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last year

2 mins

Liverpool knocked out of FA Cup by Plymouth

Liverpool's quest for a quadruple came to a crashing halt on Sunday as they were dumped out of the FA Cup 1-0 by Championship strugglers Plymouth.

1 min

‘Emotional’ Karunaratne eyes coaching career after Test farewell

Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne said on Sunday it had been \"a very emotional day\" after his 100th and final Test ended with a defeat to Australia.

1 min

Alpha Ninjas make bold statement at Ultimate Golf Challenge

The battle for supremacy in the Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 2 is reaching a fever pitch after a fiercely contested second round at Emirates Golf Club's Faldo Course.

2 mins

Capitals win thriller to lift ILT20 title

Sikandar Raza's biggest dream in life was to become a fighter pilot for the Pakistan Air Force. But his dreams to fly into the sky at incredible speed were over when he failed a vision test.

1 min

Rohit lights up Cuttack despite floodlight failure

Skipper Rohit Sharma defied a floodlight failure to return to form with a cracking 119 as India swept to a four-wicket, series-clinching win over England in the second one-day international on Sunday.

2 mins

Bencic falls in love with Abu Dhabi after claiming first title as mother

Belinda Bencic came from behind to beat Ashlyn Krueger 4-6 6-1 6-1 and capture the Abu Dhabi WTA 500 title on Saturday, four months after returning to the circuit from maternity leave.

1 min

Former champs return as DDF tennis ready to serve up an ace

The 33rd edition of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will get underway in less than 10 days, welcoming back four former champions to the emirate.

1 min

Meet a cricketer's wife whose love story started at a stadium

As Ebba Qureshi stepped out of the Royal Box at the Dubai International Stadium during a Desert Vipers ILT20 match, you could have been forgiven for asking if the heart still skips a beat every time she gets closer to the boundary rope.

4 mins

Emilia Perez wins a Goya

Narco-musical Emilia Perez won best European film at Spain's equivalent of the Oscars, on Saturday, after social media posts by the movie's star prompted backlash in the middle of awards season.

1 min

Chelsea Handler addresses Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni feud

The 30th annual Critics Choice Awards was hosted by Chelsea Handler on February 7.

1 min

Kanye West defends Puff, urges Trump to free his brother in online rant

Rapper Kanye West is back in the headlines.

1 min

Salman opens up about being in prison

Salman Khan recently sat down with his nephew Arhaan Khan and shared his personal and professional experiences on the latter's podcast, Dumb Biryani.

1 min

Spice Klub Dubai launches new menu

This is Indian veg 2.0. Spice Klub, a Mumbai import, has launched a new menu traditional vegetarian fare but with a twist. Think an add-on of molecular gastronomy.

1 min

Priyanka in full sister mode for Siddharth's wedding

Actor Priyanka Chopra's brother were Siddharth married in a Punjabi-style ceremony. The past few days saw 'Desi' girl and her family indulging in wedding festivities.

1 min

How does a phone swap affecta relationship?

Get yourself some popcorn and get ready for a rom-com that ticks all the boxes absurdity, real world problems, and a touching storyline

4 mins

'I really want to dress up Donald Trump'

Internationally renowned designer Sumbul Ahmad, who hails from the royal family of Jehangirabad, on her Dubai dreams

4 mins

Sanya Malhotra: 'I want to portray women the right way on screen'

The Bollywood actor on her latest film Mrs.and the legacy she wants to leave behind

3 mins

Tried-and-tested tips to help you say goodbye to anxiety

Hands up, those who have ever felt nervous — the sweaty palms, heartbeat, and unanswered questions that make you not want to try something new, meet someone new, or get out of your comfort zone.

3 mins

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Khaleej Times Newspaper Description:

Khaleej Times is the first English newspaper to be launched in the UAE in 1978.

The broadsheet comprises of the general news section, the business pages and a lively sports section. Khaleej Times is the highest circulated of the English language newspapers throughout the Gulf.

It reaches out to all parts of the UAE. Additionally, it covers Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia through a dedicated distribution network.