标签： Asia

The Arab Unity School in Dubai has been plunged into mourning following a devastating weekend vehicle accident that claimed the lives of three brothers from the same family. The tragedy unfolded as students returned to campus for their first day of the new term, unprepared for the heartbreaking news awaiting them.

School administrators implemented a carefully coordinated response strategy, with principal Mark Pollitt and teaching staff delivering the tragic announcement to students in a controlled and supportive manner. The educational institution has mobilized its entire support network, making counselors, pastoral leaders, and senior staff available to assist grieving students throughout the coming weeks.

The fatal incident occurred on Saturday when the family’s vehicle crashed during their return journey from a trip to Liwa, resulting in the deaths of the three siblings and their housemaid. The brothers were well-known and beloved members of the school community, described by fellow parents as mature, friendly, and athletically inclined youngsters who regularly participated in school activities.

Parent Fiza, whose son was closely acquainted with the deceased students, recounted the emotional impact on the school community. ‘The minute our eyes met, we both broke down,’ she described of reuniting with her son after school. ‘I used to see these boys laughing and playing with my son every day. Our entire school community is in shock.’

Principal Pollitt emphasized the school’s dual focus: ‘To honor the family with dignity and sensitivity, and to protect the emotional wellbeing of our students and staff.’ The institution has maintained ongoing communication with parents, ensuring continuity of support both within the school environment and at home during this period of profound grief.

DUBAI: A pioneering cultural tourism venture is redefining visitor experiences in the United Arab Emirates by facilitating genuine connections between Emirati citizens and international visitors. ‘Meet The Locals’, founded in 2017 by Emirati entrepreneur Khadija Behzad, has emerged as a significant platform within the UAE’s ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign, which this year celebrates Emirati entrepreneurship under the theme ‘Our Winter Is Entrepreneurial’.

The initiative represents more than commercial tourism—it embodies the UAE’s fundamental principles of coexistence, tolerance, and meaningful human interaction. By creating direct engagement opportunities between Emirati hosts and global visitors, the project builds cultural bridges that offer firsthand understanding of local traditions and contemporary Emirati life.

Founder Khadija Behzad developed the concept after recognizing recurring questions about Emirati culture during her tourism sector work. “Meet The Locals isn’t merely a tourism investment but an important national platform dedicated to showcasing authentic Emirati identity,” Behzad stated. “Particularly as the UAE has become a global leader in communication and intercultural dialogue, this initiative fosters cultural closeness.”

The project has evolved into a comprehensive cultural exchange program offering three core services: curated social gatherings featuring traditional Emirati meals hosted by young citizens; professionally guided tours of museums and heritage sites with licensed interpreters; and customized cultural orientation sessions for corporate employees and official delegations.

These experiences allow participants to engage in open dialogue about traditional attire, gender roles, daily routines, and celebration rituals while gaining historical context about the UAE’s development. The initiative demonstrates how domestic tourism enterprises can effectively promote national identity while strengthening the UAE’s position as a destination for meaningful cultural exchange.

The Beijing High People’s Court has announced a significant escalation in judicial efforts to combat transnational telecommunications fraud networks, particularly targeting sophisticated investment scams orchestrated through social media platforms. Judicial authorities characterized the current fraud landscape as increasingly complex, with criminal organizations employing advanced technologies and cross-border operational models that severely impact public security and financial wellbeing.

In a recent disclosure of five major fraud cases, the court detailed how criminal syndicates establish fraudulent investment platforms overseas while recruiting Chinese nationals to pose as successful investors on social media. These operatives methodically build trust with potential victims before guiding them toward manipulated investment portals. The scheme typically permits initial small withdrawals to establish credibility before locking victims out of accounts after larger investments are made.

One prosecuted case involved eight defendants who established counterfeit investment websites from overseas locations. This network defrauded victims of over 1 million yuan (approximately $143,298) by employing a systematic approach: creating false identities, carefully selecting targets, cultivating relationships, prompting investments, and executing exit strategies. The Fengtai District People’s Court convicted all eight individuals, sentencing them to prison terms ranging from 27 months to three years alongside financial penalties proportionate to their involvement.

The high court emphasized that this case exemplifies successful international law enforcement cooperation while serving as both a judicial milestone and public warning. Judicial authorities highlighted the necessity for continued cross-border collaboration to effectively dismantle transnational fraud organizations and deliver stringent punishments to ringleaders and organized groups.

Beyond reinforcing punitive measures, the judiciary issued comprehensive guidance for public vigilance, urging citizens to exercise extreme caution when engaging with unknown parties online, particularly those offering investment advice or financial opportunities through social media channels.