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Guinness World Record holders inspire crowds at Dubai International Boat Show 2022

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The Dubai International Boat Show treated visitors to a host of motivating and inspiring talks this weekend, with two Guinness Book of Record holders and the first Arab women to dive at the North Pole taking to the stage at the Middle East’s largest and most popular leisure marine event.

Held at Dubai Harbour for the first time, the 28th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show featured a new Dive Talks section. On Saturday, Ahmed Gabr and Faisal Jawad Hashim provided insights into their respective journeys to becoming Guinness World Record holders.

Gabr, a former officer in the Egyptian army, holds the record for both the Deepest Scuba Dive and the Deepest Sea Dive after descending to 332 metres (m) in 2014. The 42-year-old remains one of only three people in the world to have dived deeper than 300m, meaning, “more people have been to the moon than to where I went”.

“To speak here at the Dubai International Boat Show is beautiful,” said Gabr, who also held the record until recently for the Largest Underwater Cleanup. “There are a lot of people here from all over the world, and to get the chance to speak with them and spread the message is great. I hope to come again next year and start talking about my new focus: restoring corals.”

Gabr said he would soon be looking for volunteers for a new coral restoration project, which he says could even occur in the UAE because of the country’s growing eco-tourism. “Doing it here is something we need to look at because corals are an important part of the economy of any country: fishing, tourism, preventing tides and water disasters, producing oxygen they really are of vital importance.”

Hashim, a paraplegic since losing the use of his legs following a car accident aged 20 and Saturday’s other headline speaker, holds the world record for Fastest 10km Scuba Diving after completing the distance in five hours, 24 minutes in 2018. The Kuwaiti’s time was almost an hour quicker than the previous record holder. His message to the crowd at Dive Talks was simple, “We must improve the way we treat people with disabilities in society.”

Hashim is also the organiser of the “Move To Improve” youth forum, which he says is the Middle East’s biggest show for People of Determination to demonstrate their talents. Held annually in Kuwait, Hashim, who enjoyed a strong turnout for his 45-minute presentation, revealed he hopes to bring next year’s show to Dubai or Sharjah.

“We want to show the world that people with a disability can do anything they wish,” he added. “Before my accident, I had a phobia of water; now I am a rescue diver. After my accident, I was once called ‘the slowest man in the world’. Now I am the fastest man in the world underwater.”

Sunday’s Dive Talks agenda features Mariam Fardous, the Saudi who became the first Arab female to dive at the geographical North Pole, and Yuriy Rakhmatullin, a Ukraine-born World Freediving Championships judge who has lived in the UAE since childhood.

Dubai International Boat Show ran from March 9-13 at Dubai Harbour, the event’s Venue Host.

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UAE flights cancelled or delayed after Israel-Iran escalation: What travellers need to know

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Several flights operated by UAE-based airlines were cancelled or delayed on Friday following Israel’s attack on Iran and the subsequent closure of regional airspace. Airlines, including Etihad Airways, Emirates, and flydubai, have announced changes to flight schedules, citing safety concerns and airspace restrictions over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel.

Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi’s national carrier cancelled and delayed multiple flights to Tel Aviv after Ben Gurion Airport shut down temporarily.

  • Cancelled:
    • EY595 (Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv)
    • EY596 (Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi)
  • Delayed:
    • EY593 / EY594 – by approx. 4 hours
    • EY597 / EY598 – by approx. 12 hours

Etihad is assisting affected passengers and advising them to check real-time flight status on its website or app. The airline warned that the situation remains fluid, and more disruptions may follow.

Emirates

Dubai-based Emirates cancelled several flights to Tehran, Baghdad, Basra, Amman, and Beirut on June 13 and 14. Affected services include:

  • June 13: EK943–EK946 (Baghdad, Basra), EK979–EK980 (Tehran), EK903–EK906 (Amman), EK953–EK958 (Beirut)
  • June 14: EK977–EK978 (Tehran)

Passengers connecting through Dubai to destinations in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon are not being accepted for travel from their origin point until further notice.

 flydubai

Low-cost carrier flydubai confirmed suspensions and reroutes for flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran, and Israel, following airspace closures.

Some flights were cancelled, rerouted, or returned to their departure points. Passengers are urged to keep their contact details updated and check the latest flight status on flydubai.com.

Dubai Airports Advisory

Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) reported cancellations and delays due to airspace restrictions over multiple countries.

Airport authorities are working closely with airlines to support travellers and advise passengers to check with their airline for updates before leaving for the airport.

What You Should Do:

  • Check your flight status regularly via the airline’s website or app
  • Contact your airline or travel agent for rebooking options
  • Ensure your contact details are updated with your airline
  • Arrive at the airport only after confirming your flight’s status

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UAE firms face fines from July for missing mid-year Emiratisation target

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Private sector companies in the UAE with 50 or more employees have until June 30, 2025 to meet their Emiratisation target for the first half of the year, or face financial penalties starting in July, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has warned.

What’s required?

Companies must increase the number of Emiratis in skilled jobs by at least 1% relative to their current skilled workforce, while maintaining any previous Emiratisation levels already achieved.

What happens if they don’t?

Failure to meet the target will result in mandatory financial contributions (effectively fines) that will be collected starting July 2025. The exact penalty depends on the gap in compliance.

MoHRE urges action and reporting

MoHRE is also encouraging Emirati citizens to report non-compliant companies or unethical hiring practices. Reports can be made through:

  • Call centre: 600590000
  • MoHRE app or website

Benefits for compliant firms

Companies meeting or exceeding targets may qualify for:

  • Up to 80% discounts on MoHRE service fees
  • Priority in government procurement contracts
  • Membership in the Tawteen Partners Club
    These benefits are part of the Nafis programme, which also connects employers with a large pool of qualified Emirati candidates.

Progress so far

As of May 2025, more than 141,000 Emiratis were working in the private sector across 28,000 companies, a record high, according to MoHRE.

The Ministry said it remains confident in the private sector’s commitment to Emiratisation and praised companies already contributing to the national strategy aimed at boosting economic growth and workforce diversity.

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How Dubai Metro’s new AI robot is going to make your commute smoother and safer

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If you ride the Dubai Metro regularly, here’s some good news: a new AI-powered robot is now working behind the scenes to make your daily journey safer, faster, and more reliable.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a smart robot called ARIIS (Automated Rail Infrastructure Inspection System) that autonomously checks the tracks and metro infrastructure, eliminating the need to stop trains or close lines.

So what does that mean for you as a passenger?

  • Fewer delays: With faster inspections and better planning, there’s less chance of sudden disruptions or maintenance-related delays.
  • Safer rides: The robot can detect early signs of damage or wear that humans might miss, helping prevent issues before they happen.
  • Smoother journeys: Better track maintenance means less noise and vibration, making your metro ride more comfortable.
  • More reliable service: The system helps keep the metro running on schedule, so you’re less likely to miss that important meeting or connection.

And the best part? It all happens quietly in the background, without affecting daily metro operations.

This upgrade is part of Dubai’s push to lead in smart city innovation. By utilising AI and robotics, the city not only ensures the safety of public transport but also maintains its world-class status for residents and millions of others who rely on it every day.

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