Emirates has opened a new lounge and the UAE has been named a top global destination for winter tourism.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has unveiled the final designs for its anticipated Dream of the Desert rail project, and Osaka, Japan has clamped down on public smoking ahead of hosting Expo 2025.
Here is a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.
Saudi Arabia unveils designs of luxury desert train
Saudi Arabia Railways and Italian luxury hospital group Arsenale have revealed the final designs for the Dream of the Desert rail project, which aims to be the first five-star luxury train in the Middle East.
It consists of 14 carriages that house 34 luxury suites and one restaurant, with a menu that will be curated by local and international chefs.
Departing from Riyadh, the train will cross the Northern Railway network, allowing travellers to explore some of the kingdom’s heritage and natural sites. It will travel will travel approximately 1,250 kilometres from the Saudi capital to Al Qurayyat in the north of the country, close to the Jordanian border.
Reservations have not opened but the first journey is currently slated to take place in the third quarter of 2026.
Inspired by the desert landscape and traditional Saudi architecture, the interiors are sandy, with golds, beiges and darker tones, coupled with intricate Art Deco-inspired decorative details. Architectural elements and motifs from famous Saudi landmarks – including AlUla, Hegra and Hail – are also elegantly incorporated into the train’s design.
UAE becomes top global destination for winter tourism
The World Travel and Tourism Council has reported that the UAE received 29.2 million international tourists in 2024, ranking it first in the region and 18th in the world (up seven places from 2023) during the winter tourism season.
The report further projects that the number of international visitors will reach 45.5 million by 2033. As part of its Tourism Strategy 2031, the UAE aims to attract Dh100 billion worth of investment in tourism and welcome 40 million hotel guests.
With mild winter weather and diverse attractions, the UAE remains a popular destination. It recently launched its fifth “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, highlighting the country’s cultural and natural experiences.
Emirates opens new lounge in Bangkok
Emirates has opened its new lounge at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in the SAT-1 Terminal, offering an upgraded experience for premium travellers.
The $5 million refurbishment has transformed the space into the airline’s largest international lounge outside Dubai. Spanning 1,454 square metres, it can accommodate up to 250 guests.
First and business-class passengers, along with eligible Skywards members, can relax in the new lounge, which features shower spas, complimentary Wi-Fi and a diverse menu of local and international dishes as well as Thai desserts.
As part of its mission to enhance the travel experience, Emirates operates six daily flights from Bangkok and now has 41 airport lounges worldwide, including seven in Dubai and 34 across its global network.
Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi opens its doors
Hilton has opened its highly anticipated Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi, offering impressive views of the Nile. Located in Cairo’s Maadi district near the Museum of Civilisation, the hotel features 255 rooms and suites.
The hotel has four food and drink outlets that have local and international flavours. It also features a spa, fitness centre with views of the Nile, an outdoor swimming pool and a children's pool.
"We take a lot of pride in our newest hotel and look forward to welcoming visitors to experience everything the city has to offer," said hotel general manager Haitham Nassar.
Osaka bans public smoking ahead of Expo 2025
The Japanese city of Osaka has banned public smoking ahead of hosting this year’s Expo. Around 160 countries and regions will take part in Expo 2025, which is held in different countries every five years. It will run from April to October and is projected to welcome 28.2 million visitors.
The ban on public smoking began on January 27 and includes parks, plazas, roads and other public places. Vapes are also banned. Smoking was previously banned in six zones, including the area around Osaka station. This has been expanded to the whole city and now violators face a fine of 1,000 yen ($6.45).
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GROUPS AND FIXTURES
Group A
UAE, Italy, Japan, Spain
Group B
Egypt, Iran, Mexico, Russia
Tuesday
4.15pm: Italy v Japan
5.30pm: Spain v UAE
6.45pm: Egypt v Russia
8pm: Iran v Mexico
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
