Dubai has been ranked eighth worldwide and first in the Middle East in the Global Power Cities Index 2024 (GPCI) for the second consecutive year. Dubai has been recognized as the leader in innovation, economic dynamism and global connectivity indexes in an annual study released by Japan’s Mori Memorial Foundation.
- Dubai has many achievements that make it the only city in the Middle East to feature in the top 10. Dubai has become a major global hub for business, talent and investment. Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, said, “Dubai will continue to redefine what is possible, focusing on innovation, sustainability and nurturing talent. “
- Snowfall occurred in many parts of Europe on Sunday, due to which dozens of flights had to be stopped. This disrupted the final phase of the busy travel season for the New Year holidays. Many countries of Western European countries are affected by the current situation of winter weather. Airports in the north-western cities of Manchester and Liverpool, central Birmingham and western Bristol reopened on Sunday after runways were closed due to heavy snowfall across much of Britain. However, North Leeds Bradford Airport said its runway would remain closed until further notice. The snowfall also led to the closure of some major roads in northern England and the rail line between North Leeds and Halifax was suspended due to the weather conditions. Dozens of flights had to be canceled due to snowfall at Germany’s largest Frankfurt Airport on Sunday. According to the website of the airport in the Netherlands, 68 flights were canceled and more than 200 flights were delayed due to icy conditions at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Europe’s main hub. Schiphol Airport also warned passengers on its website to check their flight status before travelling. Some flights from European cities were canceled at Madrid and Barcelona airports in Spain, including flights from Frankfurt, Cologne, Munich, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Liverpool, Manchester, London and Paris.
- Israeli troops have discovered a “large cache” of weapons on the Syrian side of a strategic peak in the demilitarized zone. Israeli Defense Forces said this on Sunday. The IDF’s “Mountain Brigade” discovered military infrastructure and control points on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the Golan Heights. The troops discovered and defused a large cache of weapons and intelligence assets, including rockets, launchers, anti-tank missiles, mines and explosive charges. After the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in December, Israel sent troops to a 235 square kilometer buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from coming towards the border.
- Five people of Indian origin have been arrested for the murder of an Indian who was shot by bullets in a forest in New Jersey, America. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and New Jersey Police Colonel Patrick Callahan said the last of the five, Sandeep Kumar, was arrested on Friday. Kuldeep Kumar’s body was found with bullet wounds on December 14 in the Greenwood Wildlife Management Area, a nature conservation area in New Jersey. Although Kumar’s family in New York reported him missing on October 26, it was about two months later that someone discovered his body and informed the prosecutor’s major crimes unit, according to the prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor’s office said the alleged murder took place around October 22, leaving the body in a state of “complete decomposition”. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) helped identify Kumar.
- Balochistan’s leading human rights group PANK on Sunday said it will participate in the first World Congress on Enforced Disappearances in Geneva. During the Congress sessions from January 15 to 16, Pank will present cases, testimonies and reports on enforced disappearances in Balochistan. In a post on X, Pank said, Pank will attend the first World Congress on Enforced Disappearances in Geneva. PANK, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement, provides an important platform for victims and families of enforced disappearances to raise their voices. Human rights violations have plagued Balochistan for decades.
