UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Come on back to Dubai. The city has been suffering from a major drop in tourism since Iran launched missile attacks against the country in March. Hotels report occupancy has plummeted from 80% to a projected 10%. A new program has been launched to give incentive packages worth up to around $816 to those who nominate loved ones to visit the city, which welcomed 19.59 million international visitors last year.
Dubai has launched monetary incentives to those who promote tourism there. Getty Images
SPAIN
They couldn’t wrap their tentacles around this one. Spain’s plans to create the world’s first octopus farm have been thwarted after a five-year legal battle over its potential damage to the environment. The $74.5 million project was set to be built in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
Spain’s plans for the world’s first octopus farm have been canceled. NurPhoto via Getty Images
AUSTRALIA
It’s giving their veggies some extra crunch. Farmers have been using the seemingly unconventional method of spreading pulverized glass on their crops to help them grow. The powder, which is produced in a $4 million factory in Brisbane, Queensland, is made from glass bottles from the recycler Containers for Change which gives individuals 10 cents back if they return them.
JAPAN
They really want to catch ’em all! The Pokémon Company will now employ the use of facial recognition technology for school-aged customers and older in five pop-up shops in Japan. This will deter buyers from going back to the same store and making additional purchases. The new initiative was launched this week, in time for the country’s release of the Rayquaza-themed Storm Emeralda set.
MEXICO
This is no sub par feat. A 328-foot torta, which is a traditional Mexican sandwich, weighing 3,460 pounds set a Guinness World Record in Mexico City at its annual Torta Fair on July 29. The massive savory creation earned the title of “the largest serving of sandwiches arranged in a continuous line.”
With Wires
