Huda Ata

Special to Gulf News

Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE.

Articles from the author

UAE readies 10,000 school buses for the new school year

Drivers and safety supervisors complete training as UAE prepares for the new academic year

Around 10,000 school buses are equipped with safety and security systems.

Europe’s oldest monarch admitted to hospital in Norway

King Harald will take two weeks’ sick leave as Crown Prince Haakon serves as regent

Harald, who turned 89 in February, is Europe’s oldest living monarch and has reigned since 1991.

Saudi disability rights breaches face SAR500,000 fines

Private and non-profit organisations face inspections for disability rights violations

Saudi Arabia begins disability rights inspections with fines up to SAR500,000

Believe it or not: Farmers reject $26.48m AI land offer

Mother and daughter reject above-market offer for farmland held by family for generations

The decision ultimately became less about money than what would happen to land their family had farmed since the 19th century.

15 killed in India hotel blaze and temple stampede

Separate disasters struck pilgrims within hours during the Hindu holy month of Shravan

In Bihar, seven pilgrims were killed and 19 others injured when a stampede broke out at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai district, where thousands had gathered for prayers.

Iran resumes Umrah after 6 months with 18,000 pilgrims

Registration for Umrah will begin in Shahrivar, sixth month of Iran’s Solar Hijri calendar

The first phase will involve 18,000 pilgrims, while about five million holders of Umrah registration vouchers are currently waiting to make the pilgrimage.

Watch: Most expensive falcon of 2026 sells for $346,000

Bidding began at SAR200,000 before fierce competition drove the final price up to SAR1.3m

A pure gyrfalcon chick from the same Canadian farm sold for SAR150,000 after bidding opened at SAR40,000.

Dacombe is Europe’s youngest self-made billionaire

The school dropout’s stake in AI chip startup Olix propelled him into the billionaire club

The 25-year-old joined the billionaire ranks after London-based Olix raised $312 million in a funding round in early August, more than tripling its valuation in six months from just over $1 billion.

3.1m visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in H1 2026

Nearly four in five visitors came from overseas, with India the leading source market

Friday prayers drew 98,469 worshippers, while 229,139 attended daily prayers. A further 533,687 people prayed at the mosque during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr.

Emirates NBD launches UAE transition finance framework

Framework targets hard-to-abate sectors and supports lower-carbon business transformation

The framework is designed for corporate and institutional clients whose activities may not yet qualify as “green”, but who are taking measurable steps to cut emissions, improve efficiency or adopt cleaner technologies.

Egyptian actor Amr Mohamed Ali dies at 51 after illness

The actor had been away from screens for years as multiple sclerosis affected his mobility

Amr's death brings to a close a career that began when he was a child in the mid-1980s and included appearances in a succession of Egyptian films.

Oman workers get six months to improve before dismissal

Employers obliged to specify shortcomings, give six months before termination

An employer seeking to terminate an employee on the grounds of inadequate competence must first identify the specific shortcomings in the worker’s performance.

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