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Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Missiles in the sky, prayers in their hearts: Pakistanis recount perilous journey home from Iran
ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of Pakistani pilgrims, students and workers have finally made it back home from Iran this week, telling stories of tense roads, sleepless nights and missiles flashing overhead as the conflict between Israel and Iran pushes the region to the brink of wider war. A week of Israeli air and missile strikes against its major rival that started on June 13 has wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command, damaged its nuclear capabilities and killed hundreds of people, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed two dozen civilians in Israel. In the immediate aftermath of Friday's attacks, Iran closed its airspace to commercial traffic, leaving hundreds of expats, including Pakistani pilgrims, students and workers, stranded. For Hassan Raza, a 22-year-old student at Al-Mustafa International University in Qom, the abrupt closure of the skies turned an ordinary day into a marathon journey through the heart of a country on edge. 'When Israel attacked Iran on 13th June, I was at Tehran International Airport, and after a few moments, all flights were canceled and we entered Pakistan from the border of Rimdan by road,' Raza told Arab News on Wednesday in a telephone interview. Pakistan and Iran share a 909-kilometer (565-mile) border, which separates Balochistan from the Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchestan. Forced to abandon plane tickets, many stranded Pakistanis like Raza pooled resources to travel by bus, heading south from Tehran toward the remote border at Rimdan. The bus route took Raza and his group past Natanz, a name known worldwide for being the site of Iran's main uranium enrichment facilities and one of the prime targets of repeated Israeli attacks since Friday. 'We passed by Natanz, which is a nuclear power plant in Iran and has been targeted multiple times by Israel,' Raza said. As they continued, they witnessed firsthand the flashes and arcs of missiles fired in retaliation. 'We saw that many missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel and made videos of this as well,' he said. 'After 20 to 22 hours, we reached the Rimdan border crossing and entered Pakistan.' Along the road journey, Raza added, despite the echo of distant missile exchanges, daily life seemed remarkably calm. 'JUST IN TIME' Syed Nadeem Abbas Shirazi, a pilgrim from Mandi Bahauddin in Punjab province, had arrived in Mashhad, a sacred city for Shiite Muslims, to visit holy shrines when the attack threw the region into uncertainty. 'When Iran was attacked, I was in Mashhad. We went out and interacted with the local people, and they showed no signs of fear. In fact, they were very emotional,' Shirazi said. 'They were chanting slogans against Israel and the United States, and many said they had no fear of martyrdom, they desired it,' he added. As the situation remained tense, Shirazi and his group decided to return by road rather than wait for flights to resume. 'From Mashhad, we boarded a bus at 1pm and reached Chabahar at noon the next day,' he said. The group then hired a taxi for the final stretch to the Pakistan border near Gwadar. For others, the trip home meant navigating jam-packed highways and rationed fuel in a country bracing for more strikes. Syed Ali Hassan, an electrician from Layyah who worked near Tehran, said he felt the atmosphere change instantly when the attacks began on Friday. 'People were not openly panicking, but you could feel the fear in the air, everyone seemed to be preparing for the worst,' Hassan said. Amid the quiet fear, Hassan and a handful of other Pakistanis found a bus heading west toward the Taftan border in Pakistan's Balochistan province. 'The journey wasn't easy. Highways were packed with vehicles, fuel stations had long lines, and we traveled all night with brief stops, mostly in silence,' he said. Some passengers were worried about possible airstrikes or roadblocks, but the group managed to reach the border without incident. At Taftan, exhausted and emotionally drained, many Pakistanis breathed a sigh of relief as they stepped back onto home ground. 'It felt like we had made it out just in time,' Hassan said.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Expats can now apply for Dubai government jobs offering salaries up to Dh40,000
Expats can now apply for Dubai government jobs with salaries up to Dh40,000 ($10,880) (Representational Image) In a move that signals openness, opportunity, and long-term vision, Dubai's government is actively hiring skilled expatriates across a spectrum of high-impact roles, offering not just jobs, but careers with purpose, stability, and highly attractive salary packages. While the UAE has traditionally prioritized Emirati talent in public service, this current wave of hiring reflects a strategic recognition: global expertise is vital for sustaining and advancing the emirate's ambitions in sectors like urban planning, healthcare innovation, digital infrastructure, aviation safety, and cultural preservation. And the numbers are turning heads. Some of the roles now listed on Dubai's official government jobs portal – – come with monthly salaries as high as Dh40,000, drawing attention from experienced professionals across the globe. 10 Dubai Government Jobs Currently Open to Expats All listings are sourced directly from the official Dubai Government job portal ( and are open to applicants of all nationalities. 1. Audit Manager – Energy & Industry Audit Employer: Financial Audit Authority Salary: Not specified The Financial Audit Authority is seeking an experienced Audit Manager to develop and execute audit plans within the energy and industry sectors. The role involves conducting complex, evidence-based audits and preparing reports to support strategic decisions. Requirements: 7–10 years of auditing experience Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or business (Master's preferred) Certifications such as CIA or CPA are advantageous 2. Resident Case Manager Employer: Dubai Foundation for Women and Children Salary Range: Dh10,001–20,000 ($2,720–5,445) Dubai Foundation for Women and Children is looking for a Resident Case Manager to manage internal client cases, implement organizational policies, and coordinate with housing units and call centers. The role also includes conducting and documenting vocational activities. Requirements: Bachelor's degree in social services or equivalent qualification 3. Air Traffic Controller – Tower (DXB) Employer: Dubai Air Navigation Services Salary: Not specified Dubai Air Navigation Services is hiring an Air Traffic Controller for tower operations at DXB. The position requires at least 3 years of experience in a major international ATC unit. Responsibilities include providing aerodrome and approach control services to ensure safe and efficient aircraft flow in a high-pressure environment. Requirements: Valid ATC license ICAO English Language Proficiency Level 4 Valid medical certificate Minimum 3 years of relevant experience 4. Head of Infrastructure Operations Employer: Dubai Health Salary: Not specified Dubai Health is looking to hire a Head of Infrastructure Operations. The role entails managing both on-premises and cloud-based IT infrastructure, ensuring security, performance, and regulatory compliance. The candidate will also lead disaster recovery planning and capacity management initiatives. Requirements: 10 years of experience in IT infrastructure 5 years of leadership experience Bachelor's in IT or related field (Master's preferred) Professional certifications such as ITIL, CCNP, Microsoft Azure, or AWS are preferred 5. Corporate Excellence Specialist Employer: Dubai Air Navigation Services Salary Range: Dh30,001–40,000 ($8,100–10,880) Dubai Air Navigation Services is seeking a Corporate Excellence Specialist to implement excellence models, manage institutional assessments, and provide training for staff. Qualifications (any one of the following): Bachelor's degree in Business or Industrial Engineering with 7+ years of experience Master's degree in Business or Quality Management with 5+ years of experience PhD in a relevant field with 3+ years of experience Certification as an excellence assessor is required 6. Senior Editor Employer: Dubai Government Media Office Salary Range: Dh20,001–30,000 ($5,445–8,160) The Dubai Government Media Office is hiring a Senior Editor. Responsibilities include developing bilingual press releases, preparing crisis communications, translating and optimizing content for multiple media formats, and supporting content creation for social media and web platforms. Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Journalism or Communications Minimum 3 years of editorial experience, including teamwork 7. Child Care Supervisor Employer: Dubai Foundation for Women and Children Salary: Less than Dh10,000/month (less than $2,720/month) Posted: February 18, 2025 Closes: Ongoing This role involves supervising and caring for children, including meal preparation, hygiene, educational activities, medication administration, and performing household tasks. Requirements: Intermediate (secondary) level education Prior childcare experience Fluency in Arabic and English is essential 8. Strategy and Performance Manager Employer: Dubai Air Navigation Services Salary: Not specified The Strategy and Performance Manager will develop corporate strategies, conduct strategic research and forecasting, design KPIs, manage performance tracking, and lead capacity-building efforts. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Business, Administration, or Engineering with 12+ years of experience Or Master's degree with 10+ years of experience, including at least 7 years in strategy and performance management 9. Officer – Collectibles Employer: Dubai Culture Salary: Not specified Dubai Culture is seeking an Officer – Collectibles to explain museum exhibits, manage collection data, coordinate projects, maintain files, and handle correspondence and reports to support daily operations. Requirements: Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration Up to 2 years of experience 10. Archaeology Specialist Employer: Dubai Culture Salary: Not specified Posted: February 6, 2025 Closes: November 3, 2025 The Archaeology Specialist will provide technical advice for archaeological projects, develop related policies, document artifacts, build partnerships, lead training programs, and represent Dubai in regional academic events. Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, History, or a related field 5–7 years of relevant experience How to Apply via Dubai Careers Portal All applicants must apply through the official Dubai Government portal: Step-by-Step Registration: Visit the portal and click on 'My Profile' at the top. Select 'New User' and register with your email. Create a password and log in. Prepare and upload the following documents: Resume (PDF or DOC) Emirates ID Passport copy Educational certificates Once your profile is complete, use the 'Job Search' tool to browse and apply.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No fixed desks, no stress: Why an Indian techie says Sweden changed his view on work
Early starts, early exits Live Events No 'sir culture', no fixed desks 'It spoiled me for life': Expats echo the sentiment (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel An Indian software developer now based in Sweden has reignited a national conversation on workplace culture. In a video that has now reached over 8.5 million views on Instagram , Ashutosh Samal lays out a blunt comparison between daily office life in Sweden and in India.'You can tell after watching this video how different office life is in India compared to Sweden,' Samal post quickly gained traction, drawing support and reflection from working professionals across continents. Samal's clear-eyed account of Sweden's relaxed yet productive environment has offered a glimpse into what many say is a healthier way to Sweden, most employees arrive at work by 8 am. Some offices even offer free breakfast to get the day going. Samal, who regularly shares snippets of life abroad on social media, says the tone of the workday feels entirely different.'Work-life balance is a reality here, not just a buzzword,' he no pressure to stay late. In fact, many employees leave by 4 or 4.30 pm, heading home to spend time with family or unwind. During the summer months, office hours are often cut from eight to seven per caught the attention of many was Samal's description of office hierarchy—or rather, the lack of it.'Everyone is on the same level. Even our CEO sometimes sits next to me and works,' he are no assigned desks. Employees can sit wherever they like, including next to the top boss. It's a flat structure with minimal formality. Samal described the absence of the common 'sir culture' in Indian offices as are encouraged, too. A coffee, a quick game, or just a pause from the screen are all part of the rhythm of the comment section of Samal's video became a gathering space for voices who've experienced similar Kumar (@ranjan4195), who now works in Luxembourg, wrote, 'I enjoy the same work culture in Luxembourg and I feel I made a great decision to skip India's toxic corporate culture.'Sukanya (@ who worked in Finland, added, 'I worked in Helsinki. And it has spoiled me for life. I never knew work-life balance exists! 8-4 working shifts. Everyone is so respectful of each other. Scandinavia rocks!'Some added humour to the thread. Vivek (@vivvek_always_) quipped, 'Narayana Murthy would get a heart attack watching this.'Others shared a more balanced view. One user said, 'This is basic corporate culture everywhere in the world. You get free breakfast, but in some Indian corporations, we also get free lunch and snacks. Plus free movie tickets, gym, cab facilities, and corporate dinners.'Another added, 'It is somewhat similar to me right now in Noida. I think new generation founders are changing work culture here.'This isn't the first time Samal's perspective has struck a chord. He had earlier gone viral for another video listing employee benefits offered in Swedish firms. That video too reflected how Scandinavia takes a holistic view of employee well-being—something still being debated in Indian experience mirrors that of Ankur Tyagi, another Indian techie who moved to Sweden in 2021. Tyagi, who had posted on X (formerly Twitter), noted the contrast between India's 'hustle culture' and Sweden's focus on balance. 'There is an understanding that a balanced life leads to better work,' he said, calling the shift a 'whole new world' compared to his life in model is not built on flashy perks. Instead, it rests on respect for time, a sense of equality, and a belief that work should support—not consume—life. It's a sentiment that many in India are beginning to see as more than just a video may have started as a casual reel, but it has landed like a wake-up call. For many Indian professionals, it's not just about better hours or free food—it's about dignity, trust, and the right to switch off.
Irish Independent
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘Nine Perfect Strangers' season 2 review: Thinly-drawn clichés, supremely irritating characters – and Nicole Kidman's awful accent
Then there's the other one: the producer-star who continually churns out glossy, empty, increasingly samey streaming dramas about the suffering rich, such as The Undoing, Expats and, of course, Nine Perfect Strangers (Prime Video, Thursday, May 22), which is back for a second season, despite originally being billed as a miniseries (a sneaky practice that's become commonplace). If you thought the first one in 2021 was a load of old drivel, the second, which opens with a double bill and lacks the foundation of Liane Moriarty's source novel, is nine times worse. Frequently almost comedically bad, but without the saving grace of anything resembling humour, it's the answer to a question nobody asked. Once again, Kidman dons a platinum blonde wig and adopts an off-the-peg 'Russian' accent that even Meryl Streep, during her funny-voices-and-silly-hats phase, would have been ashamed of as weird wellness guru Masha Dmitrichenko, who's fluent in psychobabble bullsh*t. Last time, Masha offered personal transformation to nine troubled – and very well-off – people at her luxurious sanatorium Tranquillum House by spiking their smoothies with psychedelic drugs without their consent to unlock repressed memories. Oh, and they'd also be able to commune with the dead. Well, sort of. Masha got high on her own supply so she could talk to her dead daughter, who she was still mourning. As Season 2 opens, the daughter's ghost is still hanging around and Masha is back in business, this time at a new sanatorium in the Bavarian Alps. At least the guests in Season 1 were more or less tolerable She was persuaded to set up shop again by her old mentor Helena (Lena Olin), who's bankrolling the operation so Masha can try out her revolutionary new treatment delivery system. Masha has become a global celebrity since the first outing, thanks to a bestselling book called, you guessed it, Nine Perfect Strangers. She's also the target of several federal investigations. The alpine location is ideal for her purposes. The mountains block out mobile phone signals and the roads are impassable by car, meaning those nasty prosecutors won't be able to serve her their writs and the new batch of guests won't easily be able to bail out if they get fed up with the whole thing. Luckily, viewers can leave any time they want, and I'm betting quite a few will long before the eight episodes are up. At least the guests in Season 1 were more or less tolerable. The new lot – who all know they'll be given drugs now that Masha's treatment methods are out in the open – are for the most part thinly-drawn clichés and supremely irritating. Christine Baranski, doing her usual Christine Baranski shtick, but without any funny lines to back her up, plays the sex-mad Victoria. She's agreed to meet up with her daughter Imogen (Annie Murphy), a whingeing, permanently angry Millennial who becomes even more whingey and angry when she discovers her mother has brought along her latest toyboy, Matteo (Aras Aydin). Tina (musician King Princess), a pianist and former child prodigy who now refuses to play, has been dragged to the sanatorium by her girlfriend Wolfie (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) in the mistaken belief she was going for a holiday in a luxurious spa resort rather than a spell in a psychological torture chamber. Dolly de Leon is Agnes, a celebrity nun (eh?), who's lost her faith. Henry Golding is Peter, who's awaiting the arrival of his father, billionaire businessman David (Mark Strong), on whom Masha, who has previous with him, seems to be fixated. The only cast member who makes an impression is Murray Bartlett, excellent as ever, as Brian, a puppeteer and former children's TV presenter who's been unravelling ever since his show was cancelled after he had a meltdown on set that went viral. 'It is only the beginning,' Masha tells an adoring conference audience early on. Nope, Masha, for some of us, it's the end. I'm checking out. Rating: One star
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
51.8% of UAE HNW Wealth Offshored, Expected to Rise in 12 Months
Explore the investment preferences of UAE's HNW individuals with our comprehensive analysis. Discover key demographics, portfolio allocations, offshore investment trends, and the growing demand for robo-advice, equities, and ESG investments. Gain insights to refine wealth management strategies. Dublin, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UAE Wealth Management: HNW Investors 2025" report has been added to report provides comprehensive analysis of the investment preferences of the UAE's HNW individuals. It profiles HNW investors in terms of their demographics; examines the allocation of HNW investors' portfolios; analyzes their propensity to invest offshore; and explores their product and service UAE HNW market is dominated by professional and high-earning males. In a highly competitive market such as this, offering a multi-service proposition underpinned by the ability to offer sophisticated investments will be crucial. A burgeoning appetite for robo-advice coupled with increasing demand for equities and ESG investments provide arguably the most significant growth opportunities for wealth managers in the foreseeable Highlights Expats constitute 11.5% of the local HNW population. They represent an attractive target market thanks to their more complex service requirements. Robo-advice accounts for 15.1% of the UAE HNW portfolio and has strong current demand. The average UAE HNW investor offshores 51.8% of their wealth abroad; this proportion is expected to increase over the next 12 months. Reasons to Buy Understand the UAE's HNW wealth market, including the investment preferences of HNW individuals. Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW demographics and sources of wealth. Tailor your investment product portfolio to match current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals. Key Topics Covered: Demographics Expats Investment Style Preferences Asset Allocation Preferences Offshore Investment Preferences Products and Services Company Coverage: China Telecom China Mobile China Unicom HSBC Citi DBS Vanguard Ant Group BangNiTou China Merchants Bank Commercial Bank of China For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Sign in to access your portfolio
