Top headlines: Dubai welcomes tourists; Sheikh Hamdan inspects DXB; DSS set to open with exciting lineup of events

Dubai - Here are the top stories that made headlines over the last 24 hours.

Dubai welcomes tourists with safety measures in place

Dubai has started to welcome visitors and tourists from today while adhering to the highest standards of health and safety in line with international protocols, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and founder of the Emirates Group, said on Tuesday.

Dubai officially rolled out the red carpet for the first set of holidaymakers who landed at the Dubai International Airport as soon as the clock struck 12 on Tuesday (July 7).

Sheikh Hamdan inspects safety measures at DXB as Dubai opens to tourists

The Dubai Crown Prince has visited the emirate's international airport on day one of its reopening to tourists. Taking to social media on Tuesday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum posted a video in which he can be seen inspecting all the safety precautions in place at the airport.

Seen wearing a mask and maintaining a safe distance from others, Sheikh Hamdan inspects the various arrival points at the airport, including immigration and Covid-19 testing booths.

Revealed: Full list of destinations as UAE's Emirates, Etihad, flydubai expand network

The UAE is embracing the new travel normal, with the country's airlines flying to a wide range of destinations across the world. Dubai officially reopened to tourists on Tuesday, with several flying to the city on day one.

Emirates, Etihad and flydubai have updated their flights network, with destinations ranging from cities in Europe and North America to Asia and Africa.

Emirates flies to 51 destinations, while Etihad will operate flights to 58. Budget carrier flydubai currently operates flights to 24 cities, with plans to increase it to 66 over the summer.

Special passport stickers to give Dubai tourists, visitors 'a warm welcome to your second home'

Tourists and visitors to Dubai will receive a special sticker on their passports that will read 'A warm welcome to your second home.'

As Dubai prepares to welcome tourists from July 7 onwards, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) has launched the special sticker to make tourists feel at home in the emirate. The immigration authorities have also put in place high safety standards at all Dubai airports, Dubai Media Office tweeted.

All safety checks done: Dubai tourist hotspots ready for visitors

From popular landmarks to hotels and leisure spots, Dubai has put all hands on deck to roll out the red carpet for tourists who will be arriving in the emirate from tomorrow, July 7. Top-draw destinations around the city have outlined their preparations to receive in-bound visitors.

Working closely with key executives from the aviation, travel and hospitality sectors, Dubai Tourism has assured global travellers that comprehensive safety measures have been put in place to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. The emirate is not only a 'must-visit destination' but one that boasts world-class health and safety standards. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) gave the emirate the Safe Travel stamp last week, validating the stringent hygiene and safety protocols the city has put in place in preparation for tourists.

DSS 2020: 9 things to do when Dubai Summer Surprises begins

Brace for seven weeks of sales, deals and promotions at malls and leisure destinations across the city as Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) returns for its 23rd edition starting July 9.

From fireworks and mega raffle draws to pop-up shops and yoga sessions at the viewing deck of Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) handpicked a host of exciting events for its DSS line-up this year.

"Each year, Dubai Summer Surprises wows shoppers with its exciting and eclectic selection of deals, raffles, promotions, events and experiences. DSS has always had a special place in the hearts of Dubai residents and visitors and has established itself as one of the most eagerly awaited events on Dubai's calendar," said Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of DFRE.

Etihad plans to fly to 58 cities as travel restrictions ease

Etihad Airways is gradually resuming services to more destinations across its global network. This follows the easing of travel restrictions by UAE regulatory authorities on outbound and inbound travel for citizens and residents. All travel remains subject to the entry and health regulations set by the UAE authorities, and those at the end destination.

Throughout July and August, subject to the lifting of international restrictions and the re-opening of individual markets, the airline plans to fly to 58 destinations worldwide from its Abu Dhabi hub. These will include major gateways in the Middle East, North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Flydubai to fly to 66 destinations this summer

Budget carrier flydubai will increase the number of destinations to 66 during the summer as airlines in the UAE slowly expand their network with the opening of air travel, said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai.

Flydubai, which resumed its flights on July 7 after suspension of over three months due to the coronavirus pandemic, will initially fly to 24 destinations.

"Today, marks the resumption of our flights and as we reflect on the last few months we should recognise that this is an important milestone. This is a positive step for the UAE and for the aviation industry. We are optimistic for the future of travel and we expect to see our schedule reach 66 destinations over the summer," Al Ghaith said in a statement to Khaleej Times.

Travel will 'normalise soon', says Dubai Tourism chief

Dubai is optimistic about travel "normalising" by winter as more countries are opening up, Helal Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai Tourism, said on Tuesday. In an interview with CNN, he said sentiments have changed from how it was six weeks ago when "everyone was under lockdown".

"But today countries are opening up, albeit slowly. But I do expect a lot of countries to open up in the course of the summer. As we come into the fall and winter, travel will normalise," said Al Marri. "People still really want to go on a holiday. We can see that in the searches online and the demand."

UAE's Hope Probe team working tirelessly to complete launch mission

As the countdown begins to the launch of the 'Hope Probe' from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan on July 15, the young Emirati team behind the mission is working round the clock to prepare for the historic mission.

The team are continuing monitoring, tests and final checks to prepare the Probe for launch, capping six years of scientific and logistical efforts to complete the Emirates Mars Mission.

So far, they have overcome all obstacles they have been faced with, including a scare due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sharjah begins crackdown on two-wheeler riders violating traffic rules

Bicycles and motorbikes are increasingly causing accidents in Sharjah, a top police official has said.

Lt-Col Muhammad Alay Al Naqbi, director of the traffic and patrols department at the Sharjah Police, said they have begun a crackdown on two-wheelers not adhering to the traffic regulations in the emirate. "We have received a large number of complaints from motorists about accidents due to negligence from bicycle and motorbike riders. Two-wheelers on the roads have increased substantially during the Covid-19 situation as it is being used to deliver foods and groceries.

Multiple speed radars installed on Umm Al Quwain roads

Multiple radars have been installed in the emirate to catch speeding motorists, the Umm Al Quwain Police have said.

Speeding has been blamed for most traffic violations on UAQ roads, they added. "Some drivers are ignoring traffic rules, mainly speed limit on both internal and external roads posing a grave risk to road users' safety. It is mostly young drivers who are registered for speeding violations."

Road signs showing speed limits are installed on all roads and drivers need to adhere to it, said the police.

Woman delivers baby while standing in queue for Covid test in India

A pregnant 22-year-old woman, who was refused admission to the Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) till she cleared the corona test, delivered her baby while standing in the queue for the test on Monday.

The woman, Palak, was in labour when she arrived at the hospital but was asked to go to the triage area where tests are done through the TruNat machine. She could barely stand and when her amniotic sac ruptured, she collapsed and delivered the baby on the spot.

Pompeo says US looking at banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late on Monday that the United States is "certainly looking at" banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok.

"I don't want to get out in front of the President (Donald Trump), but it's something we're looking at," Pompeo said in an interview with Fox News.

US lawmakers have raised national security concerns over TikTok's handling of user data, saying they were worried about Chinese laws requiring domestic companies "to support and cooperate with intelligence work controlled by the Chinese Communist Party."

Imran Khan inaugurates Pakistan's first indigenous ventilator manufacturing facility

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday inaugurated the production facility of the first indigenously developed ventilators in the country at the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) in Haripur.

Fawad Chaudhry, Minister for Science and Technology; Omar Ayub, Minister for Energy; Dr. Faisal Sultan, PM's Focal Person for Covid-19; and Lt. General Muhammad Afzal, Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), were also present at the occasion.