Dubai International Airport is set to revolutionize the arrival experience with the expansion of its ‘Red Carpet’ biometric service to Terminal 3 within the next two months. This innovative system, already operational for departures, enables passengers to breeze through passport control in as little as six seconds, leveraging real-time biometric data processing. Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, highlighted the service’s ability to handle groups of up to ten passengers simultaneously, significantly enhancing efficiency and reducing wait times. The Red Carpet corridor eliminates the need for physical travel documents, offering a seamless and contactless journey. Al Joker emphasized the airport’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to optimize operations and decision-making processes. He also noted the airport’s record-breaking passenger numbers, projecting over 95.2 million travelers by year-end. Additionally, Al Joker discussed the growth of Al Maktoum International Airport and the upcoming launch of a new terminal designed to meet future demands. The Dubai Airshow 2025 served as a platform for showcasing next-generation aviation innovations, including electric and vertical take-off aircraft, underscoring Dubai’s leadership in sustainable aviation solutions.
标签： North America
北美洲
-
Shop, post, earn: UAE start-up turns social media posts into rewards for shoppers
A groundbreaking UAE-based start-up, FluencePay, is revolutionizing the intersection of social media and commerce by rewarding users for sharing their shopping experiences online. Co-founders Vaibhav Agarwal and Ayushee Tyagi unveiled their innovative platform during an investor pitching session organized by Khaleej Times Events on November 19, 2025. The platform leverages artificial intelligence to incentivize users to post about their purchases on social media, transforming everyday shoppers into influential advocates for brands. FluencePay’s model is built on the premise that peer recommendations are more trusted and cost-effective than traditional marketing channels. A recent survey highlighted that 88% of consumers rely on trusted peer recommendations, with friends delivering eight times higher engagement than mega influencers. The platform operates seamlessly: users create a profile, link their social media accounts, and receive a “Fluent Score,” an AI-generated rating that measures their authentic influence based on factors like following, engagement, and posting behavior. This score determines the cashback rewards users earn for sharing their shopping experiences. These rewards can be redeemed as gift vouchers at over 2,000 outlets across the UAE. Tyagi described the platform as “productized word of mouth, measurable, scalable, and instantly working.” FluencePay has already partnered with national banks, Y Cube’s network of 45,000 GCC merchants, and universities like SP Jain and IIMA to attract early adopters. The start-up aims to onboard 60,000 users and 400 merchants within the next 12 months, with plans for global expansion into the GCC, UK, and US markets. Agarwal and Tyagi, who bring extensive experience from PayPal, digital marketing, and other start-ups, have secured advisory support from industry veterans at PepsiCo and the Landmark Group. FluencePay is currently raising $5 million to achieve its ambitious goal of reaching one million users and generating $70 million in revenue over the next three years.
-
Nvidia beats earnings forecasts amid Wall Street’s AI jitters
Nvidia, the global leader in chip manufacturing, has once again demonstrated its dominance by exceeding Wall Street’s revenue and sales forecasts, alleviating concerns over AI-related expenditures that have recently unsettled the stock market. The company’s quarterly earnings report, released on Wednesday, revealed a staggering 62% increase in revenue, reaching $57 billion for the three months ending in October. This surge was primarily fueled by the robust demand for its chips, which are integral to AI data centers. The division responsible for these chips saw a remarkable 66% rise in sales, surpassing $51 billion. Additionally, Nvidia’s fourth-quarter sales projections, estimated at around $65 billion, exceeded market expectations, leading to a more than 3% increase in its stock price during after-hours trading. As the world’s most valuable company, Nvidia is widely regarded as a key indicator of the AI industry’s health. Its performance is closely monitored by investors and analysts alike, as it provides critical insights into market sentiment and the broader trajectory of AI development.
-
US military officials in Ukraine for talks on ending war
A high-level US military delegation, led by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday to engage in discussions aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The delegation, which includes top US Army officials such as Chief of Staff Gen Randy George and Europe’s top commander Gen Chris Donahue, is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday following his return from Turkey. The visit underscores the Biden administration’s commitment to exploring avenues for peace amidst escalating violence. Earlier in the day, a Russian missile and drone attack on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil claimed at least 26 lives, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Army spokesman Col David Butler stated that the delegation’s mission is to gather facts and discuss strategies to bring the war to a close. Reports have emerged suggesting that the US and Russia have privately drafted a 28-point peace plan, which reportedly includes significant concessions from Ukraine, though neither Washington nor Moscow has officially confirmed its existence. Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, who met with Driscoll, emphasized the focus on implementing defence agreements reached between Presidents Zelensky and Trump. Shmyhal also expressed gratitude for the US approval of a $105 million support package for Ukraine’s PATRIOT air-defence system. While Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the reports, citing the ‘spirit of Anchorage’ from the August summit between Putin and Trump, President Zelensky has consistently rejected any territorial concessions. The talks come as Kyiv and its Western allies push for an immediate ceasefire, though Moscow remains steadfast in its demands, which Ukraine views as tantamount to capitulation.
-
Olympic snowboarder-turned-drug kingpin charged with murder of witness
The US Department of Justice has accused Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, of leading a sprawling international drug cartel and orchestrating the murder of a federal witness. Wedding, 44, allegedly released the witness’s image to a fake news website, The Dirty Newz, in October 2024, leading to the individual’s fatal shooting in Medellin, Colombia, in January. The FBI has since removed the website and increased the reward for Wedding’s capture from $10 million to $15 million, likening him to the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. FBI Director Kash Patel described Wedding’s operations as a ‘narco trafficking and narco terrorism programme’ unprecedented in recent history. Authorities believe Wedding is currently under the protection of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel. In addition to the witness’s murder, Wedding faces charges of witness tampering, intimidation, money laundering, and drug trafficking. Recent developments in the case include a new indictment and the arrest of 10 individuals allegedly linked to his cartel, which is accused of being the largest supplier of cocaine to Canada, generating over $1 billion annually. Among those arrested is Deepak Balwant Paradkar, a Canadian lawyer accused of providing illegal services to Wedding’s organization, including advising on the witness’s murder to avoid extradition. The alleged co-founder of The Dirty Newz, Gursewak Singh Bal, was also detained, alongside Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez, a Colombian national accused of running a high-end prostitution ring in Mexico, and Atna Ohna, who allegedly hired a hitman for the cartel. Wedding, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, reportedly launched his criminal enterprise after being released from a US federal prison in 2011, where he was serving a sentence for cocaine distribution. The FBI alleges he has ordered dozens of murders globally, including in the US, Canada, and Latin America.
-
Red carpet welcome, questions on Khashoggi: 5 viral moments from Saudi Crown Prince, Trump meeting
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s recent visit to the White House on November 18, 2025, marked a significant moment in US-Saudi relations. The meeting with US President Donald Trump was characterized by a grand ceremonial welcome, substantive discussions, and several viral moments that captured global attention. The Crown Prince was greeted with a red carpet reception, complete with cannon fire and a horse parade, symbolizing the strengthening ties between the two nations. During their interaction, the Crown Prince announced plans to increase Saudi investments from $600 billion to $1 trillion, a statement that Trump enthusiastically endorsed, saying, ‘I like that very much.’ However, the meeting was not without controversy. Trump defended the Crown Prince against allegations related to the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, asserting that the Prince had no prior knowledge of the incident. The press conference also saw Trump clash with a reporter who questioned potential conflicts of interest involving his family’s business dealings in Saudi Arabia. The evening concluded with a high-profile dinner attended by notable figures such as footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and tech mogul Elon Musk, hinting at a possible reconciliation between Musk and Trump following their public feud.
-
‘Piggy.’ ‘Terrible.’ Trump lashes out at female reporters
In a series of heated exchanges, former U.S. President Donald Trump has come under fire for his aggressive responses to female journalists during high-profile events. The incidents, which have drawn widespread criticism, occurred during a White House visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and aboard Air Force One. Trump’s confrontational behavior began when he referred to Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey as ‘piggy’ after she questioned him about the Jeffrey Epstein case. This comment, which surfaced on social media, was labeled ‘disgusting and completely unacceptable’ by CNN’s Jake Tapper. Days later, Trump targeted ABC News reporter Mary Bruce during a press event in the Oval Office. Bruce had raised pointed questions about potential conflicts of interest involving Trump’s family business and the Saudi Crown Prince’s alleged role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump dismissed her inquiries as ‘fake news’ and accused her of being a ‘terrible reporter.’ He also threatened ABC’s broadcast license, urging the U.S. broadcast regulator to investigate the network. Trump’s repeated denials of involvement in the Epstein scandal and his defense of Prince Mohammed further fueled the controversy. These incidents highlight ongoing tensions between the former president and the press, raising concerns about press freedom and presidential conduct.
-
Curacao becomes the smallest country to qualify for Fifa World Cup
In a historic achievement, Curacao has become the smallest country by population to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, surpassing Iceland’s previous record. With a population of just 156,000, the Caribbean island nation secured its place in the 2026 World Cup finals after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Jamaica in Kingston. This marks Curacao’s first-ever appearance on the global football stage. The team, composed entirely of players born in the Netherlands with Antillean roots, held their ground despite intense pressure from Jamaica, who hit the woodwork three times in the second half. The match’s dramatic climax saw a last-minute penalty awarded to Jamaica, only for the referee to overturn the decision after consulting VAR. Curacao’s qualification was further bolstered by their consistent performance in the CONCACAF region, where they topped Group B. Meanwhile, Haiti and Panama also secured their spots in the World Cup, with Haiti overcoming internal strife and Panama delivering a dominant 3-0 victory over El Salvador. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., will feature 48 teams, making it the largest in the tournament’s history. Curacao’s qualification is a testament to the resilience and determination of smaller nations in global football.
-
Miss Universe judging panel loses another member as football manager withdraws
The Miss Universe pageant, already grappling with internal tensions, encountered another setback on Tuesday, November 19, 2025, as two prominent judges withdrew from the event. Musician Omar Harfouch cited concerns over what he described as unfair practices in the competition’s voting procedures, while French football manager Claude Makélélé stepped down citing ‘personal reasons.’ Harfouch, a renowned concert pianist and composer, had been invited to join the judging panel in July but resigned following a ‘disrespectful conversation’ with Raul Rocha regarding the voting process. He also announced that he would not allow his composed music to be used at the event. Makélélé, who was recently added to the selection committee, expressed regret over his decision, emphasizing his respect for the pageant’s values of empowerment, diversity, and excellence. ‘This was a difficult decision, as I hold Miss Universe in the highest regard,’ he stated. ‘I sincerely apologize to the organization, the contestants, and everyone involved, and I hope to contribute in the future under better circumstances.’ The Miss Universe organization had previously praised Makélélé’s leadership and vision, highlighting his role in selecting the next Miss Universe in Thailand. These withdrawals add to the mounting challenges facing the pageant, raising questions about its internal governance and future direction.
-
‘Dhurandhar’: Deepika Padukone cheers trailer of Ranveer Singh’s new movie
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has expressed her excitement over the release of the trailer for her husband Ranveer Singh’s upcoming film, ‘Dhurandhar’. The trailer, which was unveiled on Tuesday, presents a dark and intense narrative centered around politics and vengeance. Singh, who is seen in a rugged and transformative role, has garnered significant attention for his portrayal in this high-stakes espionage drama. Deepika took to social media to praise her husband, referring to him as ‘The Chameleon’ for his remarkable ability to adapt to diverse characters. The trailer also showcases Singh’s physical transformation, featuring long hair and a beard, which has resonated well with audiences. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has already impressed several Bollywood stars, including Yami Gautam, Alia Bhatt, and Priyanka Chopra. The four-minute-and-eight-second trailer introduces key characters played by Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt, among others. Produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, ‘Dhurandhar’ is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 5, 2025.