Weekend Digest: Russian cave woman, Asghar's mysterious death, 10-day marrage leave, Priya death sentence reprive and more

This week, the New Manila Airport nears completion, Wizz Air exits Abu Dhabi, and UAE tourists from 50+ countries can now drive with their licenses. Sam Chui weds mid-flight, a Russian woman is found living in an Indian cave, and Nimisha Priya’s execution is halted. Dubai announces marriage leave; Emirates ID gains new uses.

Catch up quickly with our top stories roundup—you won’t want to miss a thing. Scroll down for all the highlights!

Manila’s second airport is kicking things up a notch. With 80% of the land prepped — especially the seaside stacking near Manila Bay — the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan is nearly ready for takeoff. Read more...

In a remarkable tale of survival and spiritual devotion, a 40-year-old Russian woman, Nina Kutina—also known as Mohi—was discovered living with her two young daughters in a remote cave on the forested slopes of Ramatirtha Hill near Gokarna in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district. Read more...

It was quite literally love in the air when aviation influencer Sam Chui married fellow aviation professional Fiona Pang aboard a chartered Boeing 747-400 soaring over the UAE on July 12. Read more...

Wizz Air will stop all Wizz Air Abu Dhabi flights starting September 1, 2025, due to ongoing engine problems, regional tensions, and regulatory hurdles. These issues have made it harder to keep costs low for the Hungary-based carrier, so it is shifting its focus back to its main markets in Europe. Read more...

UAE residents have just two major public holidays remaining in 2025, according to the official holiday calendar announced by the UAE Cabinet. In May 2024, the Cabinet released the full list of public holidays for 2025, outlining both Gregorian and Islamic dates. With most holidays already observed, here’s what to expect for the rest of the year. Read more...

Your Emirates ID is not just for proving your identity and residency in the UAE. It can also simplify your daily life, from paying for petrol to travelling. Here is how you can utilise your Emirates ID to access exclusive benefits. Read more...

As the investigation into the mysterious death of model and actress Humaira Asghar Ali unfolded, police have uncovered chilling details pointing to her final, unanswered attempts at contact before vanishing from the public eye. Read more...

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, issued Decree No. (31) of 2025 regarding marriage leave for Dubai government employees. Read more...

As the clock ticked toward July 16, the date set for Nimisha Priya’s execution in Yemen, most believed all hope was lost. Then, almost against the odds, came a reprieve. Read more...

The UAE Ministry of Interior has announced that residents of over 50 nationalities are permitted to drive vehicles in the country using their national driving licenses during their visit, without the need for theoretical or practical testing — provided they are not residing in the UAE. Read more...