A Syrian court sentenced former president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia on Tuesday, convicting him of war crimes and crimes against humanity. His cousin Atef Najib, who led the 2011 Daraa crackdown that triggered the civil war, received the same sentence and was present in court. Read more →

The UAE will introduce mandatory music licensing fees for businesses including restaurants, hotels, airlines and malls from December 2026. The framework, issued by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, establishes two authorised collection bodies and a Cultural Support Fund receiving 10% of all fees collected. Read more →

Nando's UAE has unveiled a seven-item Summer Menu available from 6 August, headlined by the PERi-Crackle Avo Burger and the UK-favourite Fino Pita making its UAE debut. Three new seasonal drinks complete the limited-time line-up. Read more →

John Cena, the 17-time WWE champion and Hollywood actor, has been confirmed as the headline guest for MEFCC 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The festival runs 12–13 September at ADNEC Centre, with VIP tickets already sold out. Read more →

Eagle Hills has announced The Bristol Bol, a new luxury hotel on Croatia's Brač Island, developed in partnership with The Bristol Hotels. The Abu Dhabi developer shared the news via Instagram, with no opening date or additional details disclosed. Read more →

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi opens Natural Brickstory on 21 August, a world-first LEGO SHOWS exhibition covering 13.8 billion years of natural history through themed build zones, trails and workshops. The limited-time experience runs daily, with extended weekend hours until 8:30 pm. Read more →

Etihad Guest and STARLUX Airlines' COSMILE programme have launched a frequent flyer partnership, with mile redemption on STARLUX flights available from 4 August. Full reciprocal earning and redemption for members of both schemes is expected later this year. Read more →

Emirates has introduced unlimited free date changes on all Dubai-bound fares from 10 August 2026, alongside reduced refund fees and a new travel insurance product covering conflict scenarios. Skywards members also benefit from enhanced tier progression and a doubled Cash+Miles rate until 31 August 2026. Read more →