标签： North America

The KT Desert Drive 2025, one of the UAE’s most anticipated off-road events, kicked off with immense enthusiasm on Saturday, November 22, at the Dunes Camping and Safari in Ras Al Khaimah. Organized by Khaleej Times and presented by Legend Motors 212, the event attracted hundreds of off-road enthusiasts, ranging from families and beginners to seasoned drivers, all eager to experience the thrill of desert driving. The day began with an official flag-off ceremony at 9:00 AM, led by Charles Yardley, CEO of Khaleej Times, who raised the flag to mark the start of the adventure. The first car, driven by marshal Nick and accompanied by a Khaleej Times reporter, led the convoy into the dunes, setting the tone for a day filled with excitement and camaraderie. Participants gathered as early as 6:30 AM to prepare their vehicles, check tire pressure, and collect essential supplies. The event’s route spanned approximately 120 to 140 kilometers, with safety exits every 20 kilometers and real-time tracking via a navigation app. Ahmed Pervez, founder of Dubai Off Roaders and a key figure behind the event, emphasized that the drive was not a rally but a fun, community-focused experience. The event also featured sponsors like Bridgestone, Valvoline, and RAK Properties, who contributed to its success. Families, friends, and off-roading veterans alike enjoyed the scenic dunes, with many expressing their eagerness to return for future editions.

As the UAE transitions into the winter season, residents can anticipate a comfortable climate with temperatures remaining below 30ºC. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the weather across the country is expected to be fair to partly cloudy, with occasional dust in eastern regions. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has issued red and yellow alerts for fog, particularly affecting visibility in certain areas until 10:30 AM. Low clouds are anticipated over the sea and islands, accompanied by a gradual drop in temperatures. In Dubai, the mercury is forecasted to range between 22ºC and 30ºC, while Abu Dhabi will experience lows of 21ºC and highs of 30ºC. Humidity is expected to increase by night and into Sunday morning, potentially leading to fog or mist formation in coastal and internal areas. Winds will remain light to moderate, with speeds ranging from 15 to 25 kmph, occasionally reaching up to 40 kmph. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf will be slight to moderate, while the Oman Sea will remain calm. Residents are advised to stay updated on weather alerts and exercise caution during periods of reduced visibility.

As Thanksgiving approaches, New Yorkers are feeling the pinch of rising food costs, with the price of a traditional holiday meal significantly higher than the national average. According to the New York Farm Bureau, a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people in New York will cost an average of $66, or $6.60 per person, marking a 20 percent increase compared to the national average of $55.18. This contrasts with the national trend, which saw a 5 percent decrease from 2024. In New York City, shoppers have reported noticeable price hikes for holiday staples like turkeys, yams, and vegetables. Lisa Smith, a 77-year-old retiree from Brooklyn, shared that while she can manage her grocery expenses, the rising costs have impacted her other expenditures, such as travel and transportation. Major retailers like Walmart and Target are offering low-cost meal deals to alleviate the burden, with ShopRite providing free turkeys or hams to loyalty cardholders who spend $400 during a specified period. The American Farm Bureau Federation noted that the average cost of a 16-pound frozen turkey in New York is $28.27, compared to $21.50 nationwide. Amanda Powers, Director of Communications at the New York Farm Bureau, attributed the higher prices to labor shortages, rising farm wages, and increased production costs. Meanwhile, Angel Hernandez, a 53-year-old from Queens, expressed concern over the high cost of food, particularly turkeys, as he prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving with his 10-year-old son. Deloitte’s 2025 Thanksgiving Index indicates that food costs have risen at a more normal historical rate, with an estimated $76.50 for a meal serving eight people, up 0.6 percent from 2024. Despite the challenges, some New Yorkers, like Ella Sauter, find relief through their jobs, which provide food assistance, easing the financial strain of the holiday season.

In a troubling turn of events, Iranian Christian converts seeking asylum in the United States are facing deportation back to Iran, where they fear persecution and imprisonment. One such individual, Danesh (a pseudonym), fled Iran in October 2024 after enduring repeated detentions and alleged torture due to his involvement in the Mahsa Amini protests and subsequent conversion to Christianity. Despite being granted protection from removal by an immigration judge, Danesh was forcibly moved from a Texas detention center to a military airfield in Louisiana and placed on a deportation flight to Nicaragua. From there, he was routed through Venezuela and Turkey, ultimately fearing a forced return to Iran. Danesh managed to escape in Istanbul, but his story is not unique. Several Iranian Christian converts have reported similar experiences, with their asylum claims rejected and sensitive information about their religious conversions allegedly mishandled by US authorities. This situation contrasts sharply with President Trump’s vocal condemnation of Christian persecution abroad, particularly in Nigeria. The US has recently made unprecedented changes to its immigration policy, including arranging a chartered flight to Iran via Qatar, despite the lack of diplomatic ties and Iran’s poor human rights record. Dozens of Iranians, including the wife of an Iranian Christian convert now living in the US, were deported on this flight. Upon arrival, they were questioned about their religious activities, though not immediately arrested. However, the wife has since been summoned by Iranian intelligence, heightening fears for her safety. Legal experts and advocates argue that the US immigration system is failing to adequately assess the risks faced by Iranian Christian converts, leading to inconsistent asylum outcomes even within the same household. For example, Marjan, a Christian convert, was granted asylum in California, while her husband, Reza, was ordered to be removed to a third country. As the US continues its crackdown on illegal immigration, the plight of Iranian Christian converts highlights the complexities and potential dangers of deportation policies.