Latest news with #Maldives
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
Eid Al Adha: 5 visa-free countries UAE residents can travel to during holidays
Eid Al Adha is just round the corner and many UAE residents, if not most, have already made plans for the holidays. A majority of them have already made travel plans outside the country to get a brief respite from the sweltering heat, while some have opted for staycations. But if you are one of those who is still undecided on where to go during the break, we have got you covered. There are many visa-free countries which are just a short flight away. Here are five visa-free destinations for a quick getaway: Georgia Georgia is one of the popular destinations for UAE residents as well as for travellers from around the world. Nestled between Europe and Asia, Georgia is known for its natural beauty, mountain landscapes and the popular town of Tbilisi. Georgia is just a short flight away with a travel time of 3.5 to 4 hours. UAE residents can get visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Seychelles Seychelles is another gem in the Indian Ocean and known for its pristine beaches and natural beauty. It is the ideal destination if you want escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The travel time to this paradise is approximately 4.5 hours and UAE residents can get visa-free entry. Maldives Maldives is another great destination if you want a quick getaway. The beach destination is known for its lagoons, picture-postcard views and resorts. Maldives offers visa on arrival for all nationalities and can be reached in 4.5 to 5 hours. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan is another go-to destination nestled between Europe and Asia. Azerbaijan known for its natural beauty, old towns and its cultural scene. UAE residents can get a visa on arrival for 30 days and the flying time is 3 hours. Nepal If you wish to be in the lap of Mother Nature, Nepal it is. The Himalayan Kingdom, home to Mount Everest, is known for its mountains, trekking, food, culture as well as ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites. UAE residents can get a visa on arrival and it takes approximately 4.5 hours to get there.
Telegraph
9 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Revealed: Where in the world it pays to be pretty (literally)
It is said beauty is in the eye of the beholder – but a study has found that some people value it more than others. People in Somalia, Albania and the Maldives link beauty with success, affluence and trustworthiness more strongly than the population of other nations, data show. Meanwhile, Vietnamese and Romanian people have negative views on beauty and associate it with bad traits such as incompetence, distrust and failure. Scientists have long known that being attractive brings 'pretty privilege', which confers social and economic advantages on good-looking people. Those seen as physically attractive have better employment prospects, higher earning potential, and a better ability to attract sexual partners, previous studies have found. But while this phenomenon was well known in English-speaking nations, it was unknown how widely it is found globally. Ugliness and failure strongly linked Scientists at the University of Mannheim in Germany used AI to analyse 68 languages to determine how much value beauty was given in each tongue, and whether it was positive or negative. The computers looked through reams of freely available writing online to see which words were often used with others, such as ball and circle being more commonly associated than circle and cat, for example. The scientists started by seeing if they detected pretty privilege, also known as a 'beauty premium', in English, and found a clear indication that beauty was linked to success. However, the study also found an even stronger link between ugliness and failure. This, the scientists conclude, means that for English people they dislike ugliness more than they like beauty. After extending the analysis to dozens of languages, the scientists identified 'substantial heterogeneity in the existence and size of the linguistic beauty premium across cultures'. Pretty privilege was found to be very widespread, but not universal, with it not existing among Thai, Spanish and German cultures. And while it was present in English, it ranked relatively low. The advantage English people confer on good-looking people is more than the Chinese, Afrikaans and Russians do, but far less than some other cultures. For example, pretty Finnish and Japanese people receive four times as much favouritism as English beauties get. 'There's substantial research highlighting the evolutionary advantages of physical attractiveness,' Wladislaw Mill, the study author, told The Telegraph. 'It seems plausible that cultural norms have evolved to reflect and reinforce these advantages, which may explain why we observe pretty privilege across many societies.' Evolution might be key factor Exactly why some cultures seem to value attractiveness more than others remains unknown, but Dr Mill believes beauty will be associated with some evolutionary advantages in those cultures that make it of particular value. 'We can derive three main insights: (1) most languages show a linguistic beauty premium, (2) English is relatively mediocre in the extent of its beauty premium, and (3) some languages have no or even a negative linguistic beauty premium,' the study authors write in their paper.
Arab News
a day ago
- General
- Arab News
Maldives president hails Makkah Route Initiative as symbol of Saudi Arabia's leadership
RIYADH: President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has hailed Saudi Arabia's Makkah Route Initiative as a symbol of the Kingdom's service to Islam and Muslims. 'Their leadership of the Islamic world represents an exemplary model of giving, unity, and service, not only at the two holy mosques but throughout the entire Islamic world, confirming the Kingdom's pivotal role in leading with wisdom and mercy in serving Islam,' he said at the launch of the initiative in his country recently. Muizzu added: 'For the first time, Maldivian pilgrims will benefit from this pioneering initiative, designed by Saudi Arabia under its wise leadership and generously provided within the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program emerging from Saudi Vision 2030,' he explained. The initiative enables the completion of all passport, customs and health screening procedures from the departure point — Velana International Airport. Muizzu thanked Saudi Arabia's ministries of interior, Hajj and Umrah, as well as other organizations for their assistance. 'We renew our great gratitude and appreciation for the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia, and look forward to enhancing cooperation and joint work under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his crown prince for the good of the entire Islamic nation.' The initiative is now operating in eight countries, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Morocco and the Ivory Coast.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Laura Anderson shows off her incredible figure in a floral frilled bikini as she enjoys lavish Maldives holiday with her new footballer boyfriend Clark Robertson
turned up the heat in a chic floral bikini as she shared stunning snaps from her luxurious holiday in the Maldives. The beloved Scottish presenter, 36, has jetted off to the tropical destination with her new footballer boyfriend Clark Robertson and has been documenting the trip online. In a new series of Instagram snaps, Laura showed off her incredible figure and washboard abs in a pink floral frilled bikini. She shielded her eyes with a pair of dark shades as she posed up a storm on the beach and topped up her tan. She cuddled up to her new boyfriend Clark as the couple looked happier than ever while enjoying their first holiday together. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. In another snap, she showed off her endless legs in a pair of shorts and a bikini bandeau top, while holding a cup in her hand. 'The past few days,' she simply captioned her latest Instagram post. As well as relaxing by the beach, Laura also enjoyed enjoyed a ride at a go-kart riding as she took to the fast track. In shots from the day out, the Celebs Go Dating sensation posed ahead holding a helmet, looking incredible in a pair denim shorts and a cerulean bikini top. Another sweet snap saw Laura and Clark sleeping during their flight, with Laura laying down on his lap. The pair have been staying at the luxury Kandima Beach resort, which costs from £195 ($264) per night. Laura has also recently moved into a huge new house with stunning sea views, which she shares with Scotsman Clark. Sharing snaps of the property, Laura gushed: 'Busy and booked, The Man of my dreams and a daughter to die for. But plunging in the sea hasn't bee Laura's only activity in the Maldives - as she also enjoyed a ride at a go-kart fast track 'I never ever thought I'd have all 3. Here's to the next chapter.' Laura went Instagram official with Clark Robertson in October last year, sharing an array of loved-up snaps together. Her new relationship comes after her very public split from ex Gary Lucy, 43, with who she shares daughter Bonnie, 18 months. The pair met during Celebs Go Dating in 2022, however, they split shortly before she announced her pregnancy in February 2023. Laura revealed that she felt 'attacked' when Gary announced their break-up while she was pregnant as she felt she was stripped of the pregnancy she had envisioned, while speaking to Zoe Hardman and Georgia Dayton on Made By Mammas: The Podcast.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Brunello Cucinelli Designs a Summer Wardrobe That Travels
Whether you're hopping islands or heading out for dinner barefoot, this collection ensures that the fit and finish stays effortless at all times Suitcases are being pulled from the top shelf, itineraries are open in every WhatsApp group, and somewhere between Mykonos and Muscat, the wardrobe planning begins. Brunello Cucinelli's High Summer 2025 capsule arrives right on cue with pieces that travel as beautifully as they wear. Inspired by open waters and long, sun-warmed afternoons, the collection the season with unstructured tailoring, breathable fabrics, and textures that shift subtly in the light. Womenswear is kept breezy with fabrics such as cotton organza, striped gauze, and netted knits in earthy tones, softened by metallics and brought to life through papyrus-inspired prints. Tangerine and crab tones inject a sun-kissed liveliness into the otherwise neutral colour scheme. Layered silhouettes, twinsets, and flowing caftans are styled with raffia bags and leather sandals, ready for anywhere the season leads, whether it's a girls' trip to Mallorca or a couples' getaway to the Maldives. For men, the look is guided by the spirit of sailing with crisp linens, marine-ready knits, and outerwear crafted in water-resistant blends of techno-cotton, bonded gabardine, and abaca, a sustainably sourced fibre from the Philippines that has a soft, denim-like finish. The palette, too, is finely tuned using nautical panama and navy paired with bolder notes of cherry and beige. Built for the warmest months and the longest days, this is a collection made for travel. Whether you're staying local or going far, it's bound to deem you journey ready.
