HMD, the brand behind Human Mobile Devices, has just launched a smartphone that aims to deliver a truly personalised experience: the HMD Fusion.

The HMD Fusion features a sleek, industrial-chic design, boasting a durable stainless steel-reinforced plastic body.

Its minimalistic look is a nod to Gen Z’s love for raw, grunge-inspired aesthetics, and the clear Casual Outfit included in the box allows the phone’s innovative design to shine through. If you prefer a little more flair, there are multiple Casual Outfits available in various colours to add a personal touch, though they’re sold separately.

The body feels solid in hand, and the fact that it’s designed with repairability in mind is a huge plus for sustainability enthusiasts.

The phone is part of HMD’s “Fix It Yourself” initiative, which allows users to easily swap out parts like the screen, battery, and charging port. This forward-thinking approach not only saves you money but also reduces e-waste, making the phone a step forward in sustainable tech.

Change the “outfit”

Customisation is where the HMD Fusion truly shines. This isn’t just a phone — it’s a canvas. The standout feature is the Smart Outfits, which allow users to transform the phone’s hardware, software and even performance with ease.

These outfits are attached via six specialised pins, making it super simple to change things up depending on your needs or mood.

The Flashy Outfit, which comes free with the phone (valued at Dhs179), is perfect for selfie lovers.

The foldable LED-flash ring is a cool addition, providing the perfect lighting for your selfies with adjustable brightness and colour options through the camera app. Whether you’re after a soft natural glow or a bold, colourful lighting effect, it takes your selfie game to the next level.

Looking ahead, the upcoming Gaming Outfit is another exciting addition. This outfit transforms your HMD Fusion into a portable gaming console, complete with gaming buttons and joysticks, giving you a truly immersive gaming experience.

Plus, if you pick up the Gaming Outfit, you’ll get two months of free cloud gaming with Blacknut, which includes access to over 500 titles. This is perfect for gamers who want to turn their smartphone into a powerhouse of entertainment.

When it comes to cameras, the HMD Fusion is nothing short of impressive. The phone is equipped with a 108MP dual rear camera setup, designed to perform well in various lighting conditions and capture stunning details, whether you’re snapping photos during the day or at night.

The camera excels at speed too, ensuring that you never miss a moment.

For the selfie kings and queens

For selfies, the 50MP front camera will not disappoint. It includes features like Selfie Gestures and Selfie Slow-Mo, giving you plenty of options for creative shots. Whether you’re taking a quick selfie or an action-packed slow-motion video, the HMD Fusion ensures you look your best in every frame.

In an age where digital burnout is becoming a real issue, the HMD Fusion introduces Detox Mode. This feature allows you to take a break from social media and constant notifications by blocking specific apps and contacts. If you’re looking to regain some control over your phone usage, Detox Mode offers a simple, customizable way to disconnect and focus on what truly matters.

The HMD Fusion packs powerful performance under the hood, offering a smooth, lag-free experience whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or streaming. The phone’s versatility and ease of customisation make it a true standout in the crowded smartphone market.

The ability to switch outfits to match your needs — whether you’re in the mood for gaming, a photoshoot, or just a plain old phone call — adds an element of fun and functionality that you won’t find in many other devices.

HMD has clearly put a lot of thought into the environmental impact of the Fusion. The focus on repairability, alongside sustainable manufacturing practices, is a welcome move in a market where device longevity is often an afterthought.

The easy-to-repair design and the company’s emphasis on reusing parts means that this device isn’t just built for performance, but also for a longer life cycle.

The HMD Fusion caters to users who crave personalisation and creativity, with its interchangeable outfits and customisable features.

The powerful cameras, durable design, and forward-thinking sustainability initiatives make it an appealing choice for anyone looking for a phone that’s as unique as they are.

Value for money

At Dhs1099, it strikes a perfect balance between affordability and innovation. Whether you’re a selfie enthusiast, a gamer, or someone who simply values a phone that can keep up with your style and needs, the HMD Fusion is a device worth considering.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the launch of several new entities and initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of UAE residents.

According to a Dubai Media Office report, the approvals were made during the UAE Cabinet’s meeting, held at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.

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The list of initiatives and developments approved includes:

National cyber security strategy

Sheikh Mohammed approved the National Cybersecurity Strategy to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity framework and ensure a secure digital environment to protect national assets and support future progress.

The strategy focuses on the following key pillars:

• Governance
• Protection
• Innovation
• Establishing and building partnerships

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UAE strategy for Talent Attraction and Retention 2031

A new phase of this strategy will be launched, with the goal of attracting and retaining top global talent across key sectors in the UAE.

Key sectors include:

• Aviation
• Advanced industries
• Financial services
• Food and water technology
• Creative economy
• Technology
• Renewable energy
• Healthcare and biotechnology
• Logistics

DID YOU KNOW?

A LinkedIn report revealed that the UAE is the world’s most preferred destination for professionals seeking new career opportunities and a high standard of living.

The UAE also ranks first among the top 20 countries in the United Nations Development Program’s Human Development Index.

Therme Dubai: What the world’s ‘tallest’ Dhs2bn resort will offer

API-first policy

The new API-first policy applies specifically to ministries and federal entities. It aims to ensure rapid interconnection and integration with other systems, both governmental and private, in line with the approved policies and programs.

Policy Focus: The API-first policy emphasizes the synchronization, enhancement of cooperation, and fostering of relationships between the private and public sectors to provide government services to the people.

UAE National Geospatial Data Policy

This new policy aims to enhance cooperation among organizations involved in geospatial information management.

The policy will not only help individuals make informed decisions using geospatial data but will also regulate and safeguard the management of geospatial information, data systems, and related services.

International agreements

The agreement signed between the UAE and other countries include

• Avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion on income taxes, between the UAE and Qatar
• Prevention of fiscal evasion related to income taxes approved between the UAE and Kuwait.
• UAE and Kuwait addressing the avoidance of double taxation on income and capital and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance.
• UAE and Australia agree to encourage and protect investments.
• UAE and Jordan focus on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, has approved the development of the ‘Therme Dubai’ project at a recent meeting.

Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the master plan for the Therme Dubai project by Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the Supreme Urban Planning Committee and director general of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.

Therme Dubai is set to become the Middle East’s first-of-its-kind wellbeing resort and interactive park.

The tallest facility of its kind in the world, the project integrates elements of relaxation, leisure, family entertainment, healthcare, and natural environments.

This development aligns with the UAE’s ‘Year of the Community.

Therme Dubai: Project to be developed in Zabeel Park

The project will be developed in Zabeel Park in collaboration with the private sector, represented by Therme Group, wich is known for creating unique wellbeing resorts and infrastructure around the world.

Current locations, which include Therme Bucharest — the world’s first LEED Platinum-certified wellbeing infrastructure — and the newly acquired Therme Erding, the world’s largest wellbeing destination, welcome millions of visitors each year, with developments underway in cities such as Manchester, Toronto, and Frankfurt.

With an estimated cost of Dhs2bn, the project will be funded by a consortium of local and international financing partners, with completion anticipated by 2028.

The project aligns with the key objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to foster vibrant, healthy communities.

Park to support medical tourism

With its integration of wellness, healthcare, and recreational facilities, Therme Dubai is positioned to strengthen Dubai’s medical tourism sector.

By offering a range of health-focused services and promoting a lifestyle centered on physical and mental wellbeing, the project aims to attract visitors seeking holistic wellness experiences, while also improving the quality of life of the local population.

Sheikh Hamdan was presented with a model of the Therme Dubai project, which spans 500,000 square feet, stands 100 metres tall, and is designed to host up to 1.7 million visitors annually.

The project boasts an array of world-class amenities, including natural therapeutic zones, diverse thermal pools, and multiple floors dedicated to wellbeing and relaxation.

Key attractions include a Michelin-star restaurant, three 18-metre waterfalls, and expansive 4,500-square-metre indoor and terrace pools offering dynamic, all-year water environments.

The project will also feature a play area with 15 waterslides and experiential art installations designed to enrich the customer experience.

Sustainable design, wellness in focus

The building’s design uses sustainable engineering principles, leveraging advanced technologies for water treatment, heating and cooling.

The resort will recycle 90 per cent of the water used in its thermal pools, while 80 per cent of the fresh air and cooling needs will be met through clean energy sources.

Additionally, the project will serve as a cultural hub, hosting innovative and immersive art from cities across the globe.

The project encompasses three key zones.

• The first is the Play Zone, a family-friendly area that blends fun, entertainment, and health-related activities for both adults and children.
• The second is the Relax Zone, dedicated to adults and offering indoor and outdoor relaxation pools, mineral pools, steam rooms, and natural treatments using mineral-enhanced water.
• The third is the Restore Zone which focuses on rejuvenation, providing visitors with a tranquil escape in a spacious thermal complex, complete with saunas, steam rooms, and innovatively designed mineral treatment baths that elevate the guest experience to unparalleled levels of comfort and quality.

The resort’s design is centred around integrating nature and water at the heart of the project, providing elements that contribute to enhancing human wellbeing.

It will feature the world’s largest indoor botanical garden, supporting urban biodiversity and sustainable development. This garden will feature over 200 plant species from around the globe, paired with clear, warm thermal waters.

Guests will also enjoy multi-sensory saunas, therapeutic mineral pools, wave pools, water slides, and luxurious spa treatments inspired by ancient bathing traditions from around the world such as Roman and Turkish baths, Japanese hot springs, Turkish hammams, and Nordic saunas.

In addition, the resort will host hundreds of water and art activities, leveraging technology to provide a unique experience for visitors.

By fostering the principle of ‘Wellbeing for All’, the initiative seeks to promote accessible healthy lifestyles, encouraging physical activity and nutritious habits among the community.

Designed to support sustainable urban development, Therme Dubai will integrate nature and water into the city’s environment, contributing to the creation of greener, healthier urban spaces.

Design led by global names

Therme Dubai is designed by the renowned global architectural firm DS+R (Diller Scofidio + Renfro), celebrated for its iconic and unique designs worldwide. Among its most notable projects are The Shed, a cultural centre in New York City and the University of Chicago building in the United States.

The lead designer, Liz Diller, is recognised as one of the most influential figures in cultural spaces. She is also the recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in architecture.

In other news, Sheikh Hamdan recently launched ‘Erth Dubai‘, a new initiative aimed at documenting the emirate’s rich history and heritage by gathering and cataloguing stories and life experiences of community members that showcase Dubai’s development over the years and the lives of its people across generations.

Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) has announced the opening of its Oncology Center of Excellence in Saudi Arabia.

Serving patients across the GCC, the centre combines Johns Hopkins Medicine’s world-class oncology expertise with the kingdom’s advanced healthcare infrastructure, offering personalised solutions to address the region’s unique needs.

With cancer cases in the GCC projected to increase by over 140 per cent between 2020 and 2040, the centre addresses the urgent need for advanced, specialised oncology care.

Oncology Center of Excellence specialisation

Specialising in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers — three of the most prevalent cancers in the GCC — the Oncology Center of Excellence provides a comprehensive approach to cancer care.

Its offerings include early detection, precision diagnostics, advanced treatments, and survivorship programmes, establishing a holistic and patient-centred model of care.

With evidence-based protocols, advanced technologies, and a multidisciplinary team of specialists, the facility serves as a pillar of global excellence for oncology care originating from the GCC.

Strong partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine

Michael Walsh, CEO of JHAH, said, “The launch of the Oncology Center of Excellence marks a pivotal moment in our partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine, demonstrating our shared commitment to advancing healthcare in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. By integrating Johns Hopkins Medicine’s globally recognised expertise with Saudi Arabia’s cutting-edge healthcare infrastructure, we are responding to the region’s oncology challenges while setting a new global standard for cancer care.”

“This centre is a testament to the power of international collaboration in transforming healthcare delivery. By implementing evidence-based protocols and utilising cutting-edge technologies developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine in the US, we are ensuring that patients across the GCC have access to world-class cancer care.”

“This milestone reinforces our mission to provide innovative, patient-focused solutions and strengthens the GCC’s position as a hub for global medical excellence,” he added.

China on February 4, imposed tariffs on some US imports in a swift response to new US duties on Chinese goods, raising the stakes in a showdown between the world’s top two economies even as President Donald Trump offered reprieves to Mexico and Canada.

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Additional 10 per cent tariff across all Chinese imports into the US came into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday (0501 GMT) after Trump repeatedly warned Beijing it was not doing enough to halt the flow of illicit drugs into the United States.

China’s tariffs

Within minutes, China’s Finance Ministry said it would impose levies of 15 per cent for US coal and LNG and 10 per cent for crude oil, farm equipment and the small number of trucks as well as big-engine sedans shipped to China from the United States.

China also said it was starting an anti-monopoly investigation into Alphabet Inc’s Google, while including both PVH Corp the holding company for brands including Calvin Klein, and US biotechnology company Illumina on a list for potential sanctions in China.

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Separately, China’s Commerce Ministry and its Customs Administration said it is imposing export controls on some metals that are critical for electronics, military equipment and solar panels.

A 10 per cent duty China announced on electric trucks imported from the United States could apply to future sales for Elon Musk’s Cybertruck, a niche offering Tesla has been promoting in China. Tesla had no immediate comment.

China’s new tariffs on the targeted US exports will start on February 10, giving Washington and Beijing some time to try and reach a deal that Chinese policymakers have indicated they hope to strike with Trump.

China’s counter measures were limited in scope compared to the Trump administration’s across-the-board tax on imports, a continuation of Beijing’s more measured response to this round of trade tensions with the United States.

Trump plans to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the week, a White House spokesperson said.

Trump suspends tariff threat on Mexico and Canada

Trump on Monday suspended his threat of 25 per cent tariffs on Mexico and Canada at the last minute, agreeing to a 30-day pause in return for concessions on border and crime enforcement with the two neighbouring countries.

The US is a relatively small source of crude oil for China, accounting for 1.7 per cent of its imports last year, worth about $6bn. Just over 5 per cent of China’s LNG imports come from the US.

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Crude prices extended losses to tumble 2 per cent after China’s retaliation, and stocks in Hong Kong pared gains. The dollar strengthened while the Chinese yuan, the euro, Australian and Canadian dollars as well as the Mexican peso all fell, reflecting growing market concerns about the risk of a protracted global trade war.

“Unlike Canada and Mexico, it is clearly harder for the US and China to agree on what Trump demands economically and politically. The previous market optimism on a quick deal still looks uncertain,” said Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis in Hong Kong.

“Even if the two countries can agree on some issues, it is possible to see tariffs being used as a recurrent tool, which can be a key source of market volatility this year.”

Neighbourly deals

There was relief in Ottawa and Mexico City after both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said they had agreed to bolster border enforcement efforts.

Canada agreed to deploy new technology and personnel along its border with the United States and launch cooperative efforts to fight organised crime.

Mexico agreed to reinforce its northern border with 10,000 National Guard members to stem the flow of illegal migration and drugs.

“As President, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of ALL Americans, and I am doing just that. I am very pleased with this initial outcome,” Trump said on social media.

Canadian industry groups, fearful of disrupted supply chains, welcomed the pause.

“That’s very encouraging news,” said Chris Davison, who heads a trade group of Canadian canola producers. “We have a highly integrated industry that benefits both countries.”

Trump to target 27-nation European Union next

Trump suggested on Sunday the 27-nation European Union would be his next target, but did not say when.

EU leaders at an informal summit in Brussels on Monday said Europe would be prepared to fight back if the US imposes tariffs, but also called for reason and negotiation. The US is the EU’s largest trade and investment partner.

Trump hinted that Britain, which left the EU in 2020, might be spared tariffs.

Trump acknowledged over the weekend that his tariffs could cause some short-term pain for US consumers.