Latest from Sky News Arabia
Arabian Post
27 minutes ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Emirates Unveils Uber Pact to Streamline Airport Journeys
Emirates and Uber have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding aimed at integrating ground and air transport to provide a seamless travel experience. The agreement encompasses airport transfers, loyalty rewards, and delivery possibilities, creating a unified door‑to‑destination service for passengers. Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Anabel Diaz Calderon, Uber's Vice‑President and Head of EMEA Mobility, formalised the agreement on 19 June in Dubai. They outlined initiatives such as embedding Uber ride vouchers into Emirates' flight booking system, potentially allowing select travellers complimentary transfers to and from the airport. The MoU will also link Uber rides to the Emirates Skywards loyalty programme. Members based in the UAE—and in other key markets—can earn Skywards miles on Uber trips, and may redeem miles for Uber ride credits or vouchers. This integration further deepens the partnership between the airlines' loyalty platform and Uber's on‑demand mobility network. ADVERTISEMENT Emirates and Uber plan to explore exclusive promotions, bonus earning opportunities, and targeted offers to incentivise travellers. Marketing campaigns across the Emirates network are expected to highlight these bundled benefits. A significant layer of the agreement extends into logistics: collaboration to integrate Uber's advanced delivery infrastructure into Emirates Courier Express for last‑mile shipments. This could enhance delivery speed and coverage in densely populated urban markets. Kazim commented that the partnership reflects Emirates' commitment to 'delivering seamless travel experiences' by leveraging both companies' strengths in travel and technology. Calderon emphasised redefining travel for millions through tailored airport rides and loyalty integration. Analysts note this alliance aligns with growing airline efforts to control more of the passenger journey beyond the flight. Integrating ride‑hailing at booking stage could reduce friction and boost customer satisfaction. Meanwhile, Uber gains visibility among premium travellers and access to airport-centric demand in key hubs. Emirates has previously experimented with chauffeur and campus shuttles but lacked a fully integrated digital transfer solution. Uber's API and global fleet allows rapid delivery of ride access without building proprietary infrastructure. Execution remains the next hurdle: resolving technical integration between Emirates' booking engine and Uber, defining the scope of complimentary rides, and determining eligible markets. Loyalty reward mechanics also need finalisation, including conversion rates and voucher issuance. Uber will likely provide pre‑trip ride options within the Emirates app or booking confirmation page. Additional features under consideration include estimated‑time‑of‑arrival tracking, flight‑aware pickup scheduling, and in‑city ride add‑ons for layovers. Comparable collaborations have emerged globally—such as carriers partnering with ride‑hailing apps to offer bundled transfers and earn miles—but Emirates' scale and Skywards loyalty graphic undisclosed. What's notable is the two companies integrating across booking, loyalty, and logistics simultaneously. Emirates and Uber plan joint promotional activity ahead of phased rollout in the coming months. Technical, operational, and commercial specifics—including which countries, ticket classes, and customer segments will participate—are yet to be disclosed.
Hamilton Spectator
28 minutes ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
What is National Indigenous Peoples Day and is it a stat holiday?
Saturday, June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It's a date to recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. For generations, many Indigenous groups and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or around June 21, according to the Canadian government's description of the day , as this time of year is significant due to the summer solstice being the longest day of the year. In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood, now the Assembly of First Nations, called for the creation of National Aboriginal Solidarity Day. In 1995, the Sacred Assembly called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous peoples. June 21 was proclaimed as National Aboriginal Day in 1996 by then-Gov.-Gen. Roméo LeBlanc. In 2017, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government's intention to rename the day as National Indigenous Peoples Day. The government has been referring to it as such since. The day is now part of the Celebrate Canada program, which includes various cultural summer programs across the country. You can learn more about National Indigenous Peoples Day and look up a list of events across Canada on the government's website . National Indigenous Peoples Day is observed as a statutory holiday in the Northwest Territories and Yukon, but not anywhere else in Canada.
News.com.au
28 minutes ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Queensland's forensic boss has been suspended over allegations DNA testing was contaminated
Queensland's top forensic scientist Linzi Wilson-Wilde has been immediately suspended over fears DNA tests have been contaminated. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington issued a statement late on Friday following advice she received that Forensic Science Queensland had paused testing after contamination issues were identified. 'I moved to immediately suspend, pending a show cause notice for removal, the Director of Forensic Science Queensland,' Ms Frecklington said in a statement. The organisation supports criminal and coronial investigations with forensic biology and chemistry services. Ms Frecklington said the forensic lab would pause operations for seven days, then carry out a review to determine the next steps. She said the government has been advised Forensic Science Queensland would still process urgent matters using appropriate controls.
CBS News
28 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Chris Brown pleads not guilty to beating music producer with bottle in London nightclub in 2023
London — Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty Friday to a charge related to the serious beating of a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub in 2023. Brown, 36, pleaded not guilty in Southwark Crown Court to one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. Singer Chris Brown walks outside Southwark Crown Court in London on June 20, 2025. Isabel Infantes / REUTERS Brown's friend and fellow musician Omololu Akinlolu, 38, who performs under the name "Hoody Baby," pleaded not guilty to the same charge. Prosecutors said Brown and Akinlolu assaulted producer Abe Diaw at a bar in the Tape nightclub in the swanky Mayfair neighborhood in February 2023. Brown allegedly launched an unprovoked attack on Diaw and hit him several times with a bottle and then punched and kicked him. The attack was caught on surveillance camera in front of a club full of people, prosecutors said. Brown was released last month on 5 million-pound ($6.75 million) bail, which allowed him to start his world tour earlier this month. Brown, who burst onto the music scene as a teen in 2005, won his first Grammy for best R&B album in 2011 for "F.A.M.E." and then earned his second in the same category for "11:11 (Deluxe)" earlier this year. His hits include songs such as "Run It," "Kiss Kiss" and "Without You." His tour is slated to start shows in North America next month.
News18
28 minutes ago
- Sport
- News18
Mohamed Salah Tops PFA Player of the Year Nominations After Stellar Season
The 33-year-old played a crucial role in Liverpool's Premier League title victory last season, contributing 29 goals and 18 assists. The Egyptian star was voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association, securing nearly 90 percent of the votes—the largest winning margin this century—and is a strong favourite to win the PFA award. The Egyptian King is looking to claim his third crown 👑Mo Salah could become the first three-time PFA Players' Player of the Year. The Liverpool star's record-breaking season sees him voted into the Top Six.🫡 #PFAawards — PFA (@PFA) June 20, 2025 Salah is joined on the shortlist by his Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister, Arsenal's Declan Rice, Chelsea's Cole Palmer, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, and Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Palmer, who won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for the 2023-24 season, was a surprising inclusion on the list given his struggles with Chelsea last season. Rice excelled in midfield for Arsenal, achieving a career-high nine goals and providing 10 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions. Fernandes was one of the few bright spots in Manchester United's worst top-flight campaign since 1973-74, with eight league goals and 10 assists. This year's awards ceremony will take place in Manchester on August 19.
