In a shocking case that has gripped the United Arab Emirates, nine Arab nationals are set to face trial for their involvement in a series of heinous crimes, including kidnapping, indecent assault, and extortion. The defendants, accused of forming an organized criminal gang, allegedly abducted a man over a financial dispute, subjected him to severe abuse, and filmed him naked to blackmail his family. The victim reported the incident through the Public Prosecution’s digital platform, ‘My Safe Society,’ prompting a swift investigation. Authorities uncovered that the gang lured the victim to a residence, tied his hands, and detained him for a week. They forced him to sign debt instruments and later shared explicit footage on social media to extort money. The Public Prosecution, in collaboration with the Federal Judicial Enforcement Office, gathered evidence and arrested the suspects, seizing tools used in the crimes. The defendants now face charges punishable by death or life imprisonment, as their actions are deemed a threat to state security and public order. UAE Attorney General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi emphasized the nation’s zero-tolerance stance on crimes endangering national security and social peace, vowing to uphold the law impartially and ensure justice is served.
分类： society
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Lisbon funicular crash initial report reveals litany of failings
A preliminary investigation into the catastrophic Lisbon funicular crash, which claimed 16 lives, including three British nationals, has unveiled a series of alarming systemic failures. The incident, which occurred on September 3, involved the 140-year-old Glória funicular, a popular tourist attraction, derailing and colliding with a building. According to Portugal’s Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau, the crash was triggered by the failure of a defective underground cable that served as a counterweight between two carriages. Shockingly, the cable was neither technically suitable nor certified for passenger transportation. It was acquired in 2022 by Carris, the company responsible for Lisbon’s public transport. The report highlighted a lack of oversight by Carris engineers, who failed to test the cable before installation. Additionally, the maintenance and supervision of the funicular, outsourced by Carris, were inadequate, with the Glória funicular reportedly receiving clearance on the morning of the disaster, though it remains unclear if the inspection actually took place. The state body overseeing Lisbon’s funiculars also neglected its duty to include the Glória funicular in its jurisdiction. The emergency brake system, which the driver attempted to activate when the cable snapped, malfunctioned and had never been tested. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, re-elected on October 12 despite criticism over his oversight of the city’s funiculars, emphasized that the tragedy was due to technical rather than political causes. Carris issued a statement asserting that it was premature to determine the relevance of the non-compliant cable to the accident, noting that similar cables had been used without incident for 601 days prior. The company also clarified that while the cables were introduced under the current board, the acquisition process occurred under the previous administration. The full investigation is expected to take 11 months, and all Lisbon cable cars have been suspended until comprehensive safety checks are implemented.
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Tommy Robinson schooled by social media over ‘propaganda’ tour in Jerusalem
British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, has sparked controversy after sharing inaccurate information about the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. In a social media video posted on Sunday, Robinson, visiting the site as a guest of the Israeli government, claimed that the church’s accessibility was due to Israeli control. However, he omitted crucial historical context: the church has been protected under Muslim caliphs for centuries, and its 20cm-long iron key has been entrusted to two Palestinian Muslim families—the Nuseibehs and Joudehs—since 1187, when Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi established this arrangement to ensure neutrality among Christian denominations. Social media users swiftly corrected Robinson, emphasizing the long-standing Muslim-Christian coexistence symbolized by this tradition. Critics accused Robinson of spreading propaganda that whitewashes Israeli violence against Palestinians, particularly Christians. They highlighted instances of Israeli attacks on Christian sites, including the destruction of the 5th-century Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza and the burning of the Church of Saint George in the West Bank. Robinson’s visit, facilitated by Israel’s diaspora minister Amichai Chikli, has been widely condemned, including by Jewish organizations like the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which labeled him a ‘thug.’ Robinson defended his trip as a ‘fact-finding mission’ amid what he called ‘propaganda against Israel.’
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Yacht parties, free food boxes for workers: How UAE offices celebrated Diwali
As Diwali, the Festival of Lights, illuminated homes across the UAE, the vibrant celebrations extended into workplaces, showcasing the country’s multicultural ethos. Offices in Dubai and beyond embraced the festive spirit, blending work and tradition in creative and inclusive ways. From yacht parties to traditional Indian attire, sweets, and games, the celebrations highlighted the UAE’s commitment to honoring diverse cultural practices while fostering workplace camaraderie. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most significant festivals in India and is celebrated by millions worldwide, including the UAE’s diverse community. Despite falling on a weekday, the festival’s message of light, positivity, and togetherness resonated strongly across offices. Companies like Kreston Menon Chartered Accountants and Aspire International Building Materials Trading LLC organized grand festivities, including lunches, games, and special prayers. Swati Arora of Kreston Menon shared that their office planned a full-fledged Diwali party later in the week, allowing employees to fully immerse themselves in the celebrations. Charu Gupta of Aspire International highlighted their pre-Diwali yacht party and the distribution of food boxes to warehouse workers, emphasizing inclusivity. Employees like Namita Aneesh of MFC brought a touch of home to the workplace, dressing in traditional attire and sharing sweets, creating a festive atmosphere even on a busy workday. These celebrations reflect the UAE’s multicultural fabric and its ability to harmonize cultural traditions with professional environments.
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Cable failure and maintenance flaws contributed to Portugal streetcar crash, investigation says
A devastating streetcar accident in Lisbon, Portugal, last month, which claimed 16 lives and left 21 injured, has been attributed to a combination of a failed steel cable and significant maintenance deficiencies, according to an official preliminary report released on Monday. The incident, one of the city’s most tragic in recent history, involved a century-old funicular streetcar, a beloved tourist attraction that traverses a steep hill in tandem with a second car. The streetcar derailed on a bend, hurtling down the hill before crashing into a building, reducing the wooden cabin to a mangled wreck. Among the victims, 11 were foreign nationals. The Office for Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation revealed that the underground steel haulage cable, which connected the two cars and balanced their weight, was inadequate for its purpose. The cable, in use for less than a year, lacked certification for public transport and was improperly installed, contravening the manufacturer’s guidelines. The report highlighted five instances where the maintenance program referenced ‘non-existent, inapplicable, or outdated standards.’ Following the cable’s failure, safety systems cut power to the streetcar, rendering the pneumatic brake ineffective and the manual brake insufficient to halt the car’s descent. Investigators are also examining potential improvements to the streetcar’s braking system. The preliminary report does not assign liability or blame, with a more comprehensive final report expected next year.
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Guizhou’s Huanggang village named on UN Best Tourism Village list
Huanggang Village, nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Southwest China’s Guizhou province, has achieved international recognition by being named to the United Nations’ Best Tourism Villages 2025 list. The announcement, made on Friday, highlights the village’s exceptional contributions to sustainable tourism and cultural preservation. Huanggang is one of four Chinese villages to receive this prestigious accolade, alongside others from Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces. The award ceremony, attended by the village’s Party secretary, underscored the global significance of Huanggang’s efforts in promoting rural tourism and community development. This recognition not only celebrates the village’s unique heritage but also positions it as a model for sustainable tourism practices worldwide. The inclusion of Huanggang on the UN list is expected to boost local tourism, enhance economic opportunities, and inspire other rural communities to follow suit.
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Five winners from UAE, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka win gold bar in Big Ticket
In a thrilling turn of events, five individuals from the UAE, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have each won a 250-gram 24-karat gold bar in the Big Ticket October promotion. The winners, hailing from diverse backgrounds, shared their joy and plans for their newfound fortune. Among them is A.A., a 39-year-old UAE citizen and government employee from Abu Dhabi, who has been participating in the draws since 2023. Despite missing the winning call, he expressed immense gratitude and plans to use his prize for a trip to the Maldives. Mohamed Nalim, a 63-year-old Sri Lankan banker residing in Saudi Arabia, was equally ecstatic. He credited his win to persistence and plans to gift the gold bar to his wife for crafting jewelry. Mansur Ahmmad, a 24-year-old Bangladeshi expat in Dubai, celebrated his first-ever win with a group of friends, who will share the prize equally. Ajith Samuel, a 44-year-old mechanical engineer from Kerala, and Vibin Vasudevan, a 37-year-old IT professional, also shared their excitement. Both have been participating with groups of friends and plan to continue their winning streak. The Big Ticket October promotion also features a Dh25 million grand prize, set to be announced on November 3, along with other exciting rewards like luxury cars.
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Abu Dhabi court rules in favour of retiree in loan dispute with bank
In a significant legal victory for borrowers, an Abu Dhabi appeals court has ruled in favor of a retired Emirati in a loan dispute with his bank, setting a precedent for fair treatment of retirees in financial agreements. The court found that the bank had unlawfully deducted more than 30% of the retiree’s pension to recover outstanding loan payments, violating federal regulations. The ruling overturned a lower court’s decision favoring the bank and reinforced the Central Bank’s 30% cap on deductions from pensions or salaries for loan repayments. The case involved a lease-to-own home-financing agreement for a villa in Abu Dhabi’s Al Rahba area. The retiree had maintained regular payments until his employment ended, after which the bank continued deducting the same amount from his pension. The appeals court emphasized that banks must adjust repayment schedules when borrowers face significant income reductions, such as retirement. Legal experts hailed the judgment as a judicial precedent that strengthens borrowers’ rights across similar cases. Abu Dhabi lawyer Ali Al Abbadi, who represented the retiree, stated that the ruling confirms Central Bank circulars cannot override federal law and that banks are legally bound to comply with the 30% cap. The verdict, issued last week, is subject to further appeal by the bank within 30 days. This landmark decision underscores banks’ responsibility to ensure repayment plans remain fair and affordable, particularly for retirees and those experiencing income loss.
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Gansu’s first captive-born panda cub turns one month old
The Lanzhou Wildlife Zoo announced on Sunday that the first giant panda cub born through natural mating in Gansu province has reached its one-month milestone, signifying a significant achievement in regional panda conservation efforts. The male cub, born to pandas Manlan and Hongxi, weighed a mere 100 grams at birth but has since grown to nearly 1.3 kilograms. The cub’s iconic black-and-white fur is beginning to emerge, and it has started to vocalize loudly and move its limbs energetically, though its eyes remain closed. This birth marks a breakthrough for the zoo’s breeding program, which has been striving to enhance the survival and reproduction of giant pandas in captivity. The event underscores the importance of natural mating in panda conservation, as it often yields healthier and more resilient offspring compared to artificial insemination. The zoo plans to continue monitoring the cub’s development closely, ensuring it receives the necessary care to thrive.
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China adds 22 sites to wetlands of national importance list
In a significant move to bolster ecological conservation, China has added 22 new wetlands to its list of nationally important sites, raising the total to 80. This announcement, made by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA), underscores the country’s ongoing dedication to wetland protection and restoration. The initiative aligns with China’s first specialized law on wetland conservation, marking a pivotal step in its broader environmental strategy. To date, China boasts 82 internationally recognized wetlands and 22 international wetland cities, alongside the restoration of over 1 million hectares of wetlands nationwide. The NFGA has pledged to intensify efforts in wetland restoration and monitoring, aiming to enhance the ecological quality and stability of these vital ecosystems. This expansion reflects China’s proactive approach to addressing global environmental challenges and preserving biodiversity.