Dubai

Rebel Wilson blasted as 'hypocritical' for promoting Dubai getaway

Wilson took to Instagram to share a video at the opening of the luxury resort Atlantis The Royal, where the 'Break My Soul' singer was reportedly paid around $34 million to perform a private set.

"Atlantis The Royal is BEYond! What a weekend with BEY!" Wilson said alongside a video of the weekend's highlights.

However, Wilson has since come under fire for attending the hotel's opening, with many questioning why she was promoting a country that imposed the death penalty on those in LGBTQ+ relationships.

Imperious South Africa and Australia storm to victory in Dubai as HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns

The Blitzboks defeated 2018 Dubai runners-up USA in Saturday’s final with a crushing 42-7 victory to clinch a third consecutive Series gold medal, after taking down Australia and Argentina in the knockout stages and winning all their Pool matches.  

Neil Powell’s side, crowned 2021 Series champions in September after winning in Vancouver and Edmonton, broke their record 16-match Series winning streak from 2008/09 by ending the tournament with an 18th consecutive victory.

Samoa engaging audiences at the World Expo

The Samoa Pavilion is located within the Opportunity District, which promotes the inclusive concept that every person can be an agent of change who can help individuals and communities create a better tomorrow, and the call to action for people to unleash the potential within.

The World Expo opened on 1st October and will run until 31st March 2022.

Blast rocks Dubai port causing a large fire

There were no reported deaths or injuries and the fire is under control, authorities said. "A fire has been reported to have broken out in a container within a ship anchored in Jebel Ali Port. A Dubai Civil Defense team is working to put out the blaze," Dubai Media Office said in a tweet on their official account.

The Dubai Media Office posted a video of firefighters putting out the blaze at the port.

Pacific family in UAE visits Manu Samoa 7s teams stranded in Dubai

The teams are awaiting their return home to Samoa after competing in the Monaco Sevens from 19 to 20 June, 2021 in the World Rugby Sevens Re-package, the final qualification event for the Olympic Games in Tokyo of which Ireland had qualified.

The visiting delegation took with them assorted fruits and other essential goods together with a financial contribution to assist the Team during their stay.

In his presentation, Lui Daunivalu Nasova said he was initially contacted by Ella Bennion, who is a Volunteer with Pacific Rugby Players based in Fiji.

Samoa 7s teams stuck in Dubai

The players, who recently took part in the Olympic qualifiers in Monaco, are among 72 people who were denied travel on a repatriation flight to New Zealand last Friday.

The passengers will now have to wait until 27 July for a confirmed date to travel back home.

Pacific Rugby Players Welfare CEO and former Samoa rugby player, Dan Leo posted the current situation faced by the national teams on Twitter.

Facebook's Twitter and Instagram accounts hacked

The hacking group OurMine posted on the Twitter and Instagram accounts for Facebook and Messenger, writing "even Facebook is hackable".

The accounts have now been restored.

OurMine claims its attacks are an attempt to show cyber vulnerabilities. In January it hijacked over a dozen accounts for teams in the US National Football League.

The group posted a statement on Facebook's Twitter account. "Hi, we are OurMine. Well, even Facebook is hackable but at least their security is better then Twitter."

Samoa school students win robotics award in Dubai

The team of five placed first in the 'Rajaâ Cherkaoui El Moursli Award for Courageous Achievement'.

It's the first time Samoa has participated at FIRST Global Challenge, an international Olympics-style event established three years ago to encourage children to pursue science and engineering careers, the Samoa Observer reported.

The team was ranked 26 of 193 countries with seven wins and two losses.

Samoa squad for Dubai, Cape Town 7s named

7s veterans Fautua Otto, Tom Iosefo and Falemiga Selesele have been named in the squad.

Samoa has been drawn with New Zealand, Argentina and USA.

The Dubai 7s will be held from the 1st to the 3rd of next month.

Final squad for Dubai, Cape Town:

Robot police officer goes on duty in Dubai

People will be able to use it to report crimes, pay fines and get information by tapping a touchscreen on its chest.

Data collected by the robot will also be shared with the transport and traffic authorities.

The government said the aim was for 25% of the force to be robotic by 2030 but they would not replace humans.

"We are not going to replace our police officers with this tool," said Brig Khalid Al Razooqi, director general of smart services at Dubai Police.