UBER Is Now Offering Hot Air Balloon Rides In Turkey

Oct 25 2023

Uber is venturing beyond ride-hailing in Turkey’s Cappadocia region by offering hot air balloon rides, aiming to diversify its services.

Available until November 19, this experience can be booked with a 12-hour advance notice through the Uber Reserve feature, costing 150 euros (approximately $159).

This fee covers a 1.5-hour sunrise balloon ride over Cappadocia’s captivating volcanic landscapes. Known for its ancient sites and unique terrain, Cappadocia drew about 10% of Turkey’s 44.6 million foreign tourists in 2022.

Uber reported a surge of over 30% in international trips to Turkey in 2023, with nearly 26 million people accessing the app this year. This initiative aligns with Uber’s broader strategy to evolve into an all-encompassing platform for everyday needs, as articulated by CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in 2019.

This move follows Uber’s other non-ride offerings, such as Uber Boat rides along the Thames River and in Mykonos, tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka and India, and helicopter rides in New York.

In May, the company also introduced the capability to book flights for UK users. Despite reporting a 14% increase in second-quarter revenues to $9.2 billion in 2023, Uber’s stock value remains below its peak in 2021. The company also began displaying ads in its app across major US markets starting in June. Uber has not yet responded to requests for comment after regular business hours.

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A Deadly Storm Hit Malta 44 Years Ago, Killing 4 Persons

Oct 25 2023

44 years ago today, on the 25th of October 1979, what was possibly the biggest storm to ever hit the Maltese islands struck and took the lives of 4 persons.

The anniversary of the deadly tempest was commemorated by It-Temp Madwarna, recounting how about 200mm+ of rainfall flooded the island, most notably the central areas of Malta.

‘Of those worst hit was Ħal Qormi, where to this day a road next to Wied is-Sewda was named after this deadly event in Maltese history.

Apart from four people losing their lives, the flooding killed at least one horse In Birkirkara, with Qormi residents reporting seeing cows attempting to swim in the flooding.

Rescues were also conducted, with around 30 people, including a pregnant woman, having been trapped at the Marsa sports ground being saved by the Armed Forces of Malta.

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Your Parents Can Now Recommend Matches For You On Tinder

Oct 25 2023

Tinder has introduced a new feature called Matchmaker, which allows users to involve their friends and family in the matchmaking process.

This feature permits users to grant access to their accounts for a 24-hour period, during which their chosen group of people can view potential matches and offer their opinions. While they can’t reject anyone, they can make recommendations.

After this period, the Tinder user can review the profiles suggested by their matchmakers before making a final decision.

This move by Tinder aligns with the trend of seeking input from friends and family in the dating process, which is common in many communities. The company’s chief marketing officer, Melissa Hobley, emphasized that this feature formalizes a practice that singles have been doing informally for years.

This innovation comes at a time when some users are becoming fatigued with the swipe-based model of dating apps, particularly among younger users like Gen Z.

They are turning to friend-finding apps and traditional social media platforms like Instagram for making connections. Additionally, startups are exploring ways to incorporate video to create more dynamic and authentic dating experiences, challenging the dominance of platforms like TikTok.

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Netflix Release Trailer For Real Show Based Off Squid Game

Oct 25 2023

Netflix has unveiled the inaugural trailer for “Squid Game: The Challenge,” an upcoming competition series spun from its monumental hit, “Squid Game.” Crafted by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the original narrative chronicles a cohort of desperate individuals drawn into a mysterious game for an astronomical cash prize.

In October 2021, this dystopian Korean drama surpassed even “Bridgerton” to claim the title of Netflix’s most-watched series.

In “Squid Game: The Challenge,” 456 actual contestants will engage in an array of games inspired by the acclaimed Korean production, vying for an unprecedented jackpot of $4.56 million. The trailer offers a glimpse of the participants navigating intricate sets and challenging games.

A voiceover issues a caution: “This game demands strategy,” while one contestant forewarns, “I’ll be your ally, but I won’t hesitate to betray you.” Another asserts, “Trust is a luxury in this place.”

Netflix’s synopsis describes “Squid Game: The Challenge” as a crucible where contestants’ strategies, alliances, and character will be tested amid a series of games modeled after the original, coupled with unforeseen twists, as competitors are gradually eliminated. The 10-episode series is a collaboration between UK-based production firms Studio Lambert and The Garden. Mark your calendars for the premiere on Netflix on November 22nd.

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