Latest news with #Hala
International Business Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- International Business Times
Iran Fires Fresh Round of Missiles and Kills Eight Israeli Civilians as Israel Pounds Tehran With Bombs Escalating Tensions
Israel and Iran exchanged another wave of deadly attacks on late Saturday, resulting in overnight strikes that killed at least eight civilians in Israel and targeted the Iranian Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tehran. Iran launched a massive barrage of missiles on Sunday in retaliation for Israel's earlier preemptive strike earlier in the week, according to The Times of Israel. The deadly attack has forced scores of people to flee to bomb shelters as missiles rained down. Iran's latest offensive on Sunday reportedly hit several buildings in Bat Yam, Rehovot, and Tel Aviv, as well as a shopping center in Kiryat Ekron, according to first responders cited by the outlet. Missiles Raining Down A subsequent wave of Iranian attacks that evening claimed the lives of four people in Bat Yam and left around a dozen others injured, with up to 35 people still missing, according to the outlet. Among the dead were two children, aged 8 and 13, as well as two women—one in her 60s and another in her 70s—first responders reported. Earlier on Saturday, airstrikes killed four Israeli civilians and left 200 others injured, according to The Times of Israel. All four victims were women from the same family. Manar Khatib, her daughters Hala, 20, and Shada, 13, along with a relative also named Manar were killed during bombings in the city of Tamra, the outlet reported. Throughout the day, around 140 people sustained injuries. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) lifted shelter-in-place advisories just before 3:30 a.m. local time, though alerts remained in effect due to an ongoing drone threat, The Times of Israel noted. Iranian strikes targeted several key locations, including Israel's largest oil refinery in the Haifa region, in the country's north. The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot was also hit, with at least one laboratory building catching fire, The New York Times reported. The attacks came just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fiery speech promising to unleash the full power of the Israeli Air Force on Tehran. Not long after his remarks, air raid sirens sounded in northern Israel as Iran launched a "heavy and destructive" barrage of ballistic missiles. No Stopping Israel Meanwhile, Israeli forces hit Iran's central command, inflicting some damage on one of the Ministry of Defense's administrative offices, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim. A separate Israeli attack also reportedly targeted the Organization of Defense Innovation and Research, which operates under the ministry. Videos circulating on social media showed smoke billowing from the impacted buildings after the Israel Defense Forces carried out the strike. Iranian state media reported that Israel also hit several key energy sites, including the world's largest natural gas field in South Pars, the Shahran oil depot, and additional fuel storage facilities in Tehran. On Saturday, Iran's largest natural gas facility—the South Pars gas field—caught fire following Israeli airstrikes, while thick smoke was also seen rising from the Abadan oil refinery near the Persian Gulf. Israel has requested U.S. support in its efforts to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities, but those appeals have been declined, citing two Israeli officials, according to Axios. Israel's ongoing "widespread strikes" across Iranian territory have placed the remaining Iranian leadership in a tough position—either escalate the conflict against a militarily stronger Israel or pursue diplomatic solutions. Meanwhile, next round of nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, scheduled for Sunday in Oman, was called off as global leaders urgently pushed for de-escalation to prevent a full-scale war.
CairoScene
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
This Content Creator Brings Classical Arabic Poetry to the Digital Age
This Content Creator Brings Classical Arabic Poetry to the Digital Age At the intersection of heritage and the algorithm, one creator is proving that classical Arabic poetry truly is timeless. Between the soft clink of rings and the mundane rhythm of daily errands, content creator Hala is reviving classical Arabic poetry over social media. Her videos, set to the backdrop of car rides and gentle routines, unspool the linguistic richness of Qabbani and Al-Mutanabbi with a modern cadence, reframing classical verse for a generation raised on scrolls and swipes. As the eldest daughter in an Arab household in the US, Hala's first encounters with classical Arabic weren't through textbooks, but through the melismatic qasidas of singers like Nagat Al Saghira. 'My dad would play them on roadtrips,' Hala tells CairoScene. 'The songs are all super long, the shortest is probably 40 minutes. I was so curious: 'What are they saying?' 'What does it mean?' I would watch him being moved by the music, and I would think: 'She's been singing for forty minutes, how are you still enjoying this?''That curiosity continued to be cultivated by her father, whose quizzes on the meaning and lectures on the pronunciation of classical Arabic fostered a love for classic Arab music, and the verses that came before. Tracing this isnad of classical Arabic, from Pre-Islamic to Nizar Qabbani to Nagat Al Saghira's music, Hala found a new type of entertainment, one that felt rewarding as well-rooted. 'I would recite to my computer and film the poems,' Hala recalls. 'But I never thought I was reciting them correctly, nor that anyone would care.' Then, in August 2024, she posted a casual video - putting on rings, reciting a verse - and it went viral. The clip resonated with a diasporic audience estranged from the linguistic depth and nuance of their language. Go to the comments on any video and you'll find the same thing: 'I'm fluent in Arabic but not in this type of Arabic.' Through these videos, Hala taps into a collective gap in knowledge, offering her audience a piece of heritage that never seemed accessible. 'Poetry is such a deep, intricate form of language,' Hala explains. 'Especially Arabic. Arabic contains such a multitude of words and synonyms for so many things. For people who grew up in the West, they don't understand all the meanings, they didn't grow up around the metaphors and structures exhibited in classical poetry.' Her TikTok playlist, Fikra w Khatira, feels less like a short-form content series and more like a digital majlis. A modern-day salon where the esoteric complexity of Al-Mutanabbi is softened by bilingual subtitles, and the uvular crack of a qaf feels instinctual over the backdrop of a GRWM. In this unlikely setting, Hala has carved out an archive and a classroom where poetry is no longer distant or impenetrable. Asked whether she approves of the moniker 'The Poetry Girl', she laughs: 'What else do I want to get famous for? The Get Ready With Me Girl?! I like being 'The Poetry Girl',' Hala asserts. 'I have tried different ways of storytelling, but poetry touches my heart in a particular way, and it resonates with others too.' Hala's page isn't just a balm for the Arab diaspora; it stands as an advocate for poetic expression. A reminder that poetry, especially in Arabic, is an inimitable means of emotional translation, articulation, and healing. 'I speak three languages,' Hala says. 'None of them describe the process of emotions that a human goes through in the way Arabic does. There are twelve stages of love, twelve ways to describe love: from yearning to delight.' What Hala offers, ultimately, is connection. The same way her father once shared music and meaning on road trips, she now shares verse with strangers. And in her hands - and voice - Arabic poetry, once perceived as lofty and opaque, finds a new intimacy. Whether she is reciting Al-Mutanabbi from the driver's seat, or translating taboo poems by Qabbani in a GRWM, her content doesn't dilute the material, it democratises it.
Arabian Business
10-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Hala Taxi customers save $4.08mn through Careem Plus subscriptions
Hala taxi customers have saved AED 15 million on rides through the Careem Plus subscription programme over four years, the company announced on June 9, 2025. The savings reflect growing consumer interest in value-led mobility solutions, driven by rising demand for cost efficiency and convenience in urban transport. Hala, Dubai's e-hailing taxi solution and a joint venture between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Careem, operates through the Careem Plus subscription programme which costs AED 19 per month. Careem Plus delivers savings Every month, thousands of Hala users subscribe to Careem Plus, typically saving more than 15 times the AED 19 subscription fee per month. Members receive 10 per cent instant cashback on every Hala ride, credited directly to their Careem wallet. The average Hala rider subscribed to Careem Plus receives AED 40 back each month just on Hala trips, with total monthly savings across Careem's services averaging over AED 300. Careem Plus members typically save over AED 300 per month, with the most users saving over AED 1,000 monthly. 'We are pleased to see such strong engagement with Careem Plus among Hala riders. The consistent growth in usage demonstrates that customers value the tangible savings and simplicity that the programme provides. As part of our commitment to supporting urban mobility in Dubai, we will continue to enhance the user experience through offerings that are accessible, practical, and genuinely rewarding,' Khaled Nuseibeh, CEO of Hala said. Careem Plus is integrated into the Careem 'Everything App' and provides members with benefits across multiple services for a monthly fee of AED 19. In addition to cashback on Hala and Careem Rides, members enjoy free delivery on food and grocery orders, rates on international money transfers, and discounts on dining bills, home cleaning, laundry, Careem Bike, and more. The programme offers cross-category value while reinforcing Careem's position as the region's multi-service digital platform. Hala leverages Careem's ride-hailing technology and the local knowledge of the RTA to provide rides across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. The service is booked through the Careem app. Careem operates in over 70 cities across 10 countries, from Morocco to Pakistan. Since 2012, Careem has created earning opportunities for over 3.5 million Captains, simplified the lives of over 75 million customers, and built a platform for the region's talent to thrive and for entrepreneurs to scale their businesses.
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Hala Taxi customers save AED 15mln on rides through Careem Plus subscription
Careem Plus members typically save over AED 300 per month, with active users saving over AED 1,000. Dubai, UAE – Hala, Dubai's most convenient e-hailing taxi solution and a joint venture between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Careem, today announced that customers using Hala rides through the Careem Plus subscription programme have collectively saved around AED 15 million in just four years on Hala rides. The figures reflect growing consumer interest in value-led mobility solutions, driven by rising demand for cost efficiency and convenience in urban transport. Every month, thousands of Hala users subscribe to Careem Plus, typically saving more than 15 times the AED 19 subscription fee per month. Members receive 10% instant cashback on every Hala ride, credited directly to their Careem wallet, a feature that differentiates Careem Plus from other subscription programmes where cashback can take significantly longer to reflect, or may lack transparency. The average Hala rider subscribed to Careem Plus receives AED 40 back each month just on Hala trips, with total monthly savings across Careem's services averaging over AED 300. Commenting on the milestone, Khaled Nuseibeh, CEO of Hala, said: 'We are pleased to see such strong engagement with Careem Plus among Hala riders. The consistent growth in usage demonstrates that customers value the tangible savings and simplicity that the programme provides. As part of our commitment to supporting urban mobility in Dubai, we will continue to enhance the user experience through offerings that are accessible, practical, and genuinely rewarding.' Careem Plus, which is integrated into the broader Careem 'Everything App', provides members with exclusive benefits across multiple services for a monthly fee of AED 19. In addition to cashback on Hala and Careem Rides, members enjoy free delivery on food and grocery orders, exclusive rates on international money transfers, and discounts on dining bills, home cleaning, laundry, Careem Bike, and more. Active Careem Plus members typically save over AED 300 per month across the platform, with the most active users saving more than AED 1,000 monthly. The programme is designed to offer cross-category value while reinforcing Careem's position as the region's leading multi-service digital platform. As Dubai continues to prioritise innovation in transport and urban services, Hala and Careem remain aligned with the city's vision by delivering integrated, value-driven solutions that enhance the everyday lives of residents. About Hala Hala is Dubai's most convenient e-hailing taxi solution, easily booked through the Careem app. A joint venture between Careem and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Hala leverages Careem's ride-hailing technology and the local knowledge of the RTA to provide the most reliable and convenient rides across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. With a motivation to continuously elevate customer experience in public transportation, Hala has unlocked this incredible region by keeping Dubai connected and moving. Media Contact: Natasha Tourish at Q Communications Natasha.t@ About Careem Careem is building the Everything App for the greater Middle East, making it easier than ever to move around, order food and groceries, manage payments, and more. Careem is led by a powerful purpose to simplify and improve the lives of people and build an awesome organisation that inspires. Since 2012, Careem has created earning opportunities for over 3.5 million Captains, simplified the lives of over 75 million customers, and built a platform for the region's best talent to thrive and for entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. Careem operates in over 70 cities across 10 countries, from Morocco to Pakistan.
Time Out Dubai
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
Hala Taxi reveals Dubai customers saved Dhs15 million on rides with Careem Plus
With more than 115 million taxi trips taken last year across the emirate, it's fair to say that taxis are in high demand in Dubai. And since so many people are taking cabs, it's worth knowing how people can save any extra Dirhams when getting around the city. E-hailing service Hala has revealed that more than Dhs15 million has been saved on trips booked through the Careem Plus subscription programme in the last four years. Hala, a joint venture between the RTA and Careem, revealed the data ahead of the busy Eid Al Adha long weekend. Data revealed by the e-hailing service found that Dhs15 million has been saved in four years on Hala rides by subscribers. Careem Plus members pay Dhs19 per month to use the service but make that money back twice over on average with monthly savings of Dhs40. Subscribers get 10 percent instant cashback on every Hala ride credited directly to their in-app wallet. (Credit: Hala) Khaled Nuseibeh, CEO of Hala, says the rider savings are part of Hala's commitment to helping people get around Dubai. He said: 'We are pleased to see such strong engagement with Careem Plus among Hala riders. 'The consistent growth in usage demonstrates that customers value the tangible savings and simplicity that the programme provides. 'As part of our commitment to supporting urban mobility in Dubai, we will continue to enhance the user experience through offerings that are accessible, practical, and genuinely rewarding.' (Credit: Dubai Taxi Company) While the data relates to Careem Plus and Hala, there are several other e-hailing apps that allow Dubai residents to make big savings compared to on-street hailing. You may like: The cheapest and most convenient ride-hailing apps Bolt, in partnership with the Dubai Taxi Company, is offering 30 percent cash back on rides across more than 6,000 cabs in the city. Similarly, Yango is running a 30 percent off promotion in Dubai when you book a trip with them. And chauffeur company Blacklane is offering 25 percent off when booking your first ride throughout the summer. Where to go in that taxi… All the best new restaurants in Dubai right now Where everyone's eating (and talking about) right now Dubai's best happy hours every day Cheap drinks every night of the week? You've come to the right place 10 award-winning brunches in Dubai you need to try this year Because brunch is an institution
