• Hiren and Vidhi Adhiya were killed when a intruder broke into their Dubai villa. Their two daughters, 13 and 18, survived. Courtesy: Adhiya family
    Hiren and Vidhi Adhiya were killed when a intruder broke into their Dubai villa. Their two daughters, 13 and 18, survived. Courtesy: Adhiya family
  • Police previously released this image of the man, who was convicted of the couple's murder in April. Photo: Dubai Police
    Police previously released this image of the man, who was convicted of the couple's murder in April. Photo: Dubai Police
  • The couple were found dead at a villa in the Mirador district of Arabian Ranches, a community on the outskirts of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    The couple were found dead at a villa in the Mirador district of Arabian Ranches, a community on the outskirts of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Neighbours in the upscale community said they often leave their doors and garages unlocked. Pawan Singh / The National
    Neighbours in the upscale community said they often leave their doors and garages unlocked. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Ranches area also saw a spate of burglaries late last year, residents said. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Ranches area also saw a spate of burglaries late last year, residents said. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Police said the suspect climbed over an external wall to avoid security guards. Pawan Singh / The National
    Police said the suspect climbed over an external wall to avoid security guards. Pawan Singh / The National

Teenage daughters of couple murdered in Arabian Ranches to testify in court


Salam Al Amir
  • English
  • Arabic

The teenage daughters of an Indian coupled killed in a frenzied knife attack at their home in Dubai will give evidence in court next month.

The siblings, who are 18 and 13, were present at the family home in the Mirador area of Arabian Ranches when parents Hiren and Vidhi Adhiya were stabbed to death as they slept.

The eldest daughter, who found the couple's bodies, was herself stabbed by the intruder after being awoken by the attack.

"I went upstairs after hearing loud noises and used my mobile phone's flashlight to see," she said in her witness statement.

She said she saw the attacker as he tried to flee. He stabbed her in the neck and she kicked him.

Her sister woke up but was stopped from entering her parents’ bedroom by her older sibling, who called police and their father's colleague for help.

A 26-year-old Pakistani labourer, identified as D R, in November denied charges of murder, attempted murder and theft when he appeared at a hearing via video link from his prison cell.

On Wednesday, Dubai Criminal Court scheduled a hearing on February 10 to listen to the testimonies of the two sisters.

Judges will also listen to a friend of the deceased couple at the next court date.

Prosecutors believe the incident on June 17 of last year was a botched robbery, which led to murder.

Officers called to the scene found a bloody handprint on the wall.

A mask found on the victims’ bed contained blood samples that matched the suspect's DNA, prosecutors said.

The knife used in the murder was found about 500 metres from the house.

Investigators identified the suspect and arrested him in Sharjah a few days later.

During questioning, he said he climbed into the villa’s garden at about 11pm then waited for another two hours for the family to fall asleep.

After the lights went off, the intruder took off his shoes and sneaked in through an unlocked patio door.

He stole Dh1,965 from a wallet on the ground floor and went upstairs in search of more.

When Hiren, 48, woke to the sound of the bedside drawer opening, the attacker fatally injured him before turning to Vidhi, 40.

Forensic reports showed Hiren was stabbed 10 times in the head, chest, abdomen and left shoulder. His wife was stabbed 14 times in the head, neck, chest, face, ear and right arm.

The lawyer assigned by the court to defend the accused failed to attend all three court hearings, prompting judges to fine him Dh1,000.

It is expected that proceedings could last several months.

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The biog

Name: Sari Al Zubaidi

Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati

Age: 42

Marital status: single

Favourite drink: drip coffee V60

Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia 

Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude 

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
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Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

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Director: James Cameron

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Rating: 4.5/5

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Sinopharm vaccine explained

The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades. 

“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.

"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."

This is then injected into the body.

"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.

"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."

The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.

Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.

“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Brief scores:

Day 2

England: 277 & 19-0

West Indies: 154

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends