Khaleej Times - February 18, 2025

In this issue

February 18, 2025

Dubai Loop has a great potential to revolutionise urban mobility

Envisioned as a fast, efficient, and weather-resilient transport system, UAE-based urban planners and road safety experts hailed the recently announced 'Dubai Loop' as a bold and promising project. The underground carrier will not only revolutionise urban mobility, but also deliver a blueprint for future cities.

2 mins

New Salik pricing will have manifold gains

The lasting impact of more toll gates and dynamic pricing could take a decade to be felt in Dubai, according to an expert.

3 mins

UAE signs 13 deals worth Dh4s at Idex

The UAE signed 13 deals worth Dh3.97 billion during Idex on Monday, out of which nine local deals were worth Dh3.8 billion and international deals were worth Dh143.4 million.

1 min

New rules to license, run endowment companies

All applications must be approved by Awqaf Abu Dhabi to ensure compliance

1 min

Showcasing Thailand's culinary heritage, innovation at Gulfood

The pavilion at Gulfood highlights the country’s deep-rooted culinary traditions

2 mins

Motorists opt for steep parking fee near the Gulfood venue

Motorists in Dubai are choosing to pay the steep Dh25 per hour public parking fee, six times more than the usual rate, rather than paying Dh80 for private parking spaces near the Gulfood venue.

2 mins

Spinach ice lollies to beetroot bites, food to tickle tastebuds

From coffee-flavoured cheese to savoury ice lollies with spinach and beetroot, plenty of innovations are on display at Gulfood this year.

3 mins

Motorcycle fines in Dubai: How to check, pay penalties, additional fees, list of violations?

Riding a motorcycle in Dubai is an exhilarating experience, offering stunning views of towering skyscrapers, vibrant city lights, and wide, well-maintained roads.

2 mins

South Asian expats relive memories of kite-cutting in desert celebration

Hundreds of cars lined up as colourful kites soared in the sky and groups of people gathered under tents.

1 min

UAE unveils hybrid armoured vehicle with 900km range

Magnus can function autonomously in sand, mud, rivers, and mountainous terrain

2 mins

Emirati seeks to preserve heritage selling rare books on UAE's history

Adel Al Bastaki’s collection also includes rare vintage radios, ancient devices and artefacts

2 mins

Global nursing award winner to use prize money for a mission

Plans to invest in communit health initiatives

3 mins

Nurturing tomorrow's leaders with lessons in sustainability

This isn’t just about education; it’s about survival. If we are to raise a generation that doesn’t just learn about climate change but actively works to combat it, we must act now

3 mins

Growing workforce to fuel economic prosperity, drive 5% GDP growth in 2025

Sixty-nine per cent of UAE’s population is in the bracket of working age group between 25 and 54

2 mins

60% say next generation will be better off than they're today

The UAE residents are much more optimistic about the wellbeing of the next generation as 6 out of 10 — 60 per cent — believe that the new generation will be better off than they are today, according to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer released on Monday.

1 min

Stock market cap expected to increase by Dh1T in 4 years

IPO activity in the UAE in 2025 is set to match last year’s performance, says analyst

2 mins

Hundreds of new jobs to open as Lulu plans to expand across outskirts of major cities in UAE

The UAE-based Lulu Retail group will expand into outskirts of major cities in the Emirates as the population shifts out of downtown and crowded areas, senior officials said. These new outlets will create hundreds — if not thousands — of new jobs in UAE.

2 mins

European shares break record highs on Ukraine peace hopes

European shares rose to record levels on Monday, led by defence stocks, as the region's top political leaders called for an emergency summit on the Ukraine war amid growing US calls to boost military spending for security.

2 mins

Lanka budget aims to rebuild economy and help repay debt

President Dissanayake announces first budget since last year’s election; economic growth seen at 5% in 2025; debt repayments to resume in 3 years; primary surplus to e maintained at 2.3% of GDP; budget keeps within IMF parameters, says analyst

2 mins

Xi tells business leaders: Challenges 'surmountable'

China's president holds rare meeting with business leaders amid slowing economy

2 mins

Buyback option, no service charges: Dubai developers woo buyers with attractive deals

Dubai's property developers are making new, innovative offers — such as guaranteed annual returns, zero service charges, and full buyback option — to attract new buyers amid growing competition.

1 min

Khamenei warns of attempts to create 'discord' in Iran

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Monday against what he called \"soft war tactics employed by enemies in a bid to sow discord within the Islamic republic.

1 min

Israel will leave troops in 5 locations in Lebanon after today's deadline

Israel will keep troops in several posts in southern Lebanon past a February 18 deadline for them to withdraw, a military spokesperson said on Monday, as Israeli leaders sought to reassure northern residents that they can return home safely.

3 mins

Syria's new leader visits former Assad strongholds

Syrian interim President Ahmed AI Sharaa visited Latakia and Tartus on Sunday, his office said, making his first official trip to the coastal provinces formerly known as strongholds of ousted ruler Bashar AI Assad.

1 min

China, Cook Islands sign action plan for partnership deal

China and the Cook Islands signed an action plan last week for a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday, giving further details about a deal expected to raise concerns in New Zealand.

1 min

Taliban delegation visits Japan in rare trip outside region

A Taliban government delegation was visiting Japan for the first time on Monday, in a rare diplomatic visit outside of the region.

1 min

Singapore court finds Workers' Party leader guilty of lying to parliament

A Singapore court on Monday found opposition party leader Pritam Singh guilty on two counts of lying to parliament, handing down fines that spared him a loss of his seat and a ban from this year's general election.

2 mins

Indian court jails man for life in rape, killing of Irish woman

An Indian court jailed a 31-year-old man for life on Monday following the rape and murder of a young Irish woman in the tourist resort state of Goa, nearly eight years after the crime.

1 min

Indian opposition parties slam Trump's F-35 offer

India's opposition parties have criticised US President Donald Trump's offer to sell F-35 fighters to the country, citing their high costs, even as Russia has discussed producing its most advanced jets locally in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goals.

1 min

Nita calls youth, diaspora as strength of India, and adoption of technology as the greatest opportunity

Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, has said the strength of India lies in its large youth population and the diaspora.

1 min

Greece to open museum of undersea treasures

A new museum showcasing thousands of ancient archaeological artefacts found at sea will open next year at the Greek port of Piraeus near Athens, officials said on Monday.

1 min

Chatbot vs national security? Why DeepSeek is raising deep concerns

Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek upended the global industry and wiped billions off US tech stocks when it unveiled its R1 programme, which it claims was built on cheap, less sophisticated Nvidia semiconductors.

3 mins

Quakes leave Greek tourist island on tenterhooks

Between Jan 26 and Feb 14, more than 19,200 quakes were recorded off the islands in the Cyclades archipelago, according to the University of Athens seismology laboratory

2 mins

Doctors change Pope's treatment to tackle 'complex' situation

Doctors have changed treatment for Pope Francis' respiratory tract infection to tackle a \"complex clinical situation\" and he will remain in hospital for as long as necessary, the Vatican said on Monday.

2 mins

Navalny's widow seeks to rally divided Russian opposition

Alexei Navalny's widow received a standing ovation as she spoke in a packed church in Berlin Sunday on the anniversary of the Russian opposition leader's death behind bars.

2 mins

UAE, Ukraine sign CEPA to unlock new avenues of trade and investment

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday attended the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries.

1 min

European leaders meet to discuss Ukraine in response to US shift

UK PM says ready to send troops to Ukraine if needed

3 mins

One accused, 299 victims: French surgeon on trial for sex assaults

Le Scouarnec is being tried for 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults, aggravated by the fact that he abused his position as a doctor. In total, 256 victims out of the 299 were younger than 15

3 mins

Musk sends a SpaceX team to visit key US air traffic command centre

A team from Elon Musk's SpaceX was set to visit the command center of the US federal aviation regulator on Monday with a brief for suggesting safety improvements in the wake of a deadly crash in Washington last month.

1 min

Trump appeals to SC to fire whistleblower protection agency chief

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Sunday to allow the president to fire the head of a US whistleblower protection agency, his first appeal to the top court since returning to office and issuing a flurry of contested executive orders.

1 min

Kenya's HIV patients fret after American aid freeze

Days after US President Donald Trump froze overseas aid funding, Hellen Anyango anxiously counted her boxes of AIDS treatment drugs, unsure what would happen when they ran out.

2 mins

US tensions add fire to German vote campaign

US Vice-President J D Vance and tech billionaire Elon Musk have voiced support for the AfD party, which is polling at a record 20 per cent

2 mins

Storms in eastern US claim nine lives, say officials

At least nine people have died in the eastern United States, including eight in Kentucky, as powerful storms brought flooding and exceptionally powerful winds, downing trees and cutting power, local officials announced on Sunday.

1 min

Champions Trophy up for grabs with no clear favourite

The sprinkling of stardust over the Champions Trophy may appear somewhat thin on its return to the calendar after eight years but fans can expect a wide open one-day international tournament in the absence of an overwhelming favourite.

2 mins

How horse riding helps Azarenka deal with tough tennis schedule

In her heyday, Victoria Azarenka even pushed the mighty Serena Williams to the limit on the grandest of stages.

1 min

Peyton Stearns breaks Tunisian hearts

With just one WTA trophy featuring in her CV, Peyton Stearns stepped onto the centre court as a big underdog against Ons Jabeur, the first Arab player to reach a Grand Slam final, at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Monday evening.

1 min

Brazil star Neymar nets first goal since Santos return

Neymar scored for the first time in 16 months after his penalty set Santos on the way to a 3-1 win over Agua Santa in the Paulista Championship on Sunday and the Brazil forward said he was happy to be playing again after a long injury absence.

1 min

Players feel the strain as season reaches climax

I sat looking at the Premier League table on Monday morning and it really is an odd season - with teams like Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur near the bottom and others like Nottingham Forest riding high.

2 mins

Maalik is coming soon to a theatre near you

Finally, the wait is overwe know when Rajkummar Rao's action Maalik is out entertainer The film is set to hit theatres on June 20, 2025.

1 min

What's next for Sikandar Kher?

Sikandar Kher, who is on the verge of completing 17 years in Bollywood as an actor, opened up about his future movie projects, Hollywood experience, and the differences between OTT and theatrical films for cinemagoers.

2 mins

No remote testimony for Samay, say authorities

India's Maharashtra Cyber Cell has refused the plea of YouTuber Samay Raina who wanted to record his statement in the India's Got Latent controversy via videoconference.

1 min

Why Mickey 17sbad guy looks so familiar

South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho's villain in Mickey 17, a demagogic politician played by Mark Ruffalo, was based on past dictators, but might seem familiar to viewers because \"history always repeats itself,\" the Oscar winner said in Berlin.

1 min

Singer Shakira cancels show on doctor's orders after tum trouble

Pop star Shakira has been hospitalied in Peru with a stomach issue, forcing her to cancel her Sunday show in the Andean country, the singer said on social media.

1 min

Kim Sae-ron found dead at home: police

South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron was found dead in her house in Seoul on Sunday, police said.

1 min

Wicked outfits and awards galore, Bafta draws stars

The men looked dapper and the women chic on the British film industry’s biggest night

2 mins

'Food is a feeling'

Chef Salam FE] Baba, who quit the corporate life to embark on ajourney in the culinary world, on why some flavours are best left untouched

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.