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First Hindi novel ‘Tomb of Sand’ on International Booker shortlist

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Author Geetanjali Shree’s novel ‘Tomb of Sand’ has become the first Hindi language work of fiction to be shortlisted for the International Booker Prize.

Shree’s book, translated into English by Daisy Rockwell and described by the judges as “loud and irresistible novel”, will compete with five other titles from around the world for the £50,000 (Dh239,929) literary prize, which is split evenly between the author and translator, a PTI report said. “It is recognition of a very special kind. When a work appeals to unknown people sitting in faraway places, then it must have the ability to transcend its specific cultural context and touch the universal and the human,” Shree said. “That is true ratification. The work must be good, the translation must be excellent! It is a great moment for Daisy and me. Shows how rich our dialogue has been. That is what translation is about.”

Uttar Pradesh-born Shree has authored three novels and several story collections. Her work has been translated into English, French, German, Serbian and Korean.

The story of ‘Tomb of Sand’ is set in northern India as an 80-year-old woman slips into a deep depression at the death of her husband, then resurfaces to gain a new lease on life. To her family’s consternation, she insists on travelling to Pakistan, simultaneously confronting the unresolved trauma of her teenage experiences of Partition, and re-evaluating what it means to be a mother, a daughter, a woman, a feminist, according to the report.

“Rather than respond to tragedy with seriousness, Geetanjali Shree’s playful tone and exuberant wordplay results in a book that is engaging, funny, and utterly original, at the same time as being an urgent and timely protest against the destructive impact of borders and boundaries, whether between religions, countries, or genders,” the International Booker Prize judges noted.

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Dubai Police warning to parents: Keep windows and balconies secure

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Dubai Police is reminding parents and guardians to take extra care at home by keeping windows and balconies secure and never leaving young children unattended near open spaces.

The safety advisory comes as authorities continue to raise awareness about preventing falls from windows and balconies, stressing that many accidents can be avoided with a few simple precautions.

Dubai Police urged residents always to keep windows and balcony doors securely closed or locked when they are not in use. 

Parents have been advised through earlier campaigns to remove any chairs, tables, boxes, plant pots or any other objects that children could use to climb onto balcony railings or window ledges.

Officials also advised families to keep window and balcony keys out of children’s reach and to never leave young children alone in a room with an open window or balcony access.

The Our Children’s Safety This Summer campaign forms part of Dubai Police’s ongoing awareness drives, which encourage families to stay vigilant and create a safer home environment for children.

Key safety tips:

  • Keep windows and balcony doors securely closed or locked.
  • Never leave children unattended near open windows or balconies.
  • Remove furniture or objects that children can climb on.
  • Store window and balcony keys safely out of children’s reach.
  • Always supervise young children, especially in high-rise homes.
  • For emergencies, call 999

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Driving through Al Quoz or Al Khail? RTA just made your daily commute faster

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Getting around this part of Dubai could soon become a little smoother.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a series of traffic improvements on Latifa bint Hamdan Street, adding a new lane and introducing new U-turns to help ease congestion and improve traffic flow.

The project includes a new lane along the service road across two sections covering a total of 1,000 metres. One section stretches from the Al Asayel Street intersection to Street 44, while the other runs from the National Cement Factory area to the First Al Khail Street exit.

The RTA has also built two new U-turns beneath the Latifa bint Hamdan Street and Al Asayel Street intersection, giving motorists more route options and improving traffic circulation in the area.

The latest upgrades are part of the authority’s ongoing programme to expand road capacity, improve mobility and make daily journeys quicker and more efficient for residents and visitors across Dubai.

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No cash? No card? No problem: Now shop at Dubai Duty Free with crypto

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Dubai Duty Free has become the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce Crypto.com Pay, allowing eligible UAE residents to pay for purchases using their Crypto.com accounts.

The new payment option is now available at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC/AMIA) and online at Dubai Duty Free’s website.

The rollout follows a strategic partnership signed between Dubai Duty Free and Crypto.com in July 2025 and supports Dubai’s wider push towards a cashless economy under the D33 Economic Agenda.

How it works

For in-store purchases, shoppers simply select Crypto.com Pay at checkout, scan the QR code displayed at the counter using the Crypto.com app and approve the payment. The transaction is processed instantly, with Dubai Duty Free receiving settlement in UAE dirhams.

Online shoppers can also choose Crypto.com Pay during checkout, scan the QR code generated on the payment page and confirm the transaction through the Crypto.com app. Mobile users are redirected directly to the app before returning to complete their purchase.

Available for eligible UAE residents

The service is currently available to eligible UAE residents with a Crypto.com account. Payments are processed through Crypto.com’s regulated payment platform, with transactions settled in dirhams.

Dubai Duty Free said the launch expands its range of digital payment options, which already includes Apple Pay, Alipay and TerraPay, while offering customers another convenient way to pay.

The move also strengthens Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in digital commerce, with the emirate targeting 90 per cent of financial transactions to be cashless by the end of 2026.

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