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FROM TUNA FREIGHTER TO OCEAN ICON: SIYAM WORLD MALDIVES LAUNCHES NOONU ATOLL’S COOLEST NEW DIVE PLAYGROUND

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At Siyam World Maldives, part of Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection, when someone says, “let’s create a new dive site,” they do not mean a new mooring buoy. They mean sinking an entire ship and launching a brand-new shipwreck site in Noonu Atoll. A former Maldivian tuna freighter has now been reimagined as a dynamic new wreck dive site and the foundation of a future living reef.

Over time, through natural coral growth and dedicated restoration efforts, the wreck will gradually transform into a thriving underwater ecosystem, creating new habitat for marine life and contributing to the long-term health of the surrounding environment. Developed in collaboration with the resort’s expert team at Sun Diving, the project blends Maldivian heritage, conservation, and serious underwater adventure into one bold new experience.

What started as a playful dinner remark in 2021 quickly turned into a bold mission: Chairman and founder, Mr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed shared a vision of creating something truly special beneath the waters of Noonu Atoll, a dive experience that would attract explorers while contributing to the future of the marine environment. And just like that, the challenge was set. Fast forward, a former Japanese-built tuna freighter from the 1980s, once responsible for transporting Maldivian tuna across the atolls to Malé and local canneries, has been reimagined as the region’s newest underwater attraction. Measuring 66.36 metres in length and weighing 499 tonnes, the vessel now begins a second life beneath the waters of Noonu Atoll as both an exciting new dive site and the foundation of a growing artificial reef.

After being located in Lhaviyani Atoll and carefully cleaned and prepared near Malé, the vessel was towed to Noonu Atoll following government approval in August 2024. In October 2024, it was purposefully sunk on the north west side of Siyam World, within the resort’s territorial waters, beside a thriving reef already known for schooling fish and vibrant marine life.

Of course, no great story happens without a twist. During the initial sinking, trapped air caused the ship to settle upside down on the seabed. Not exactly the plan. Undeterred, Siyam World brought in a skilled local team from Miladhoo in early 2025 who, after weeks of precision lifting with massive air bags and ropes, successfully rotated the wreck upright. Mission accomplished.

Today, the bow points dramatically towards the reef at 10 metres, while the stern drops to 24 metres, creating an accessible yet thrilling dive for a wide range of certified divers. The marine life has wasted no time claiming its new address. Already recorded around the wreck are guitar sharks, blacktip reef sharks, lemon sharks, nurse sharks, grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, eagle rays, stingrays, turtles, moray eels, octopus, groupers, snappers, boxfish, batfish, angelfish, nudibranchs, and large schools of jackfish. Soft and hard corals are already flourishing across the steel structure, transforming it into a living reef and highlighting its potential to become one of the Maldives’ most exciting artificial reef projects

Unlike a traditional reef dive, this site delivers atmosphere, scale and a real sense of exploration. Divers can glide along the ship’s striking exterior lines or venture carefully into open sections to experience its shadowed interiors and dramatic angles. The contrast between the bright blue open water and the moody steel silhouette creates unforgettable perspectives and serious photo moments. It is immersive, powerful and entirely unique to the region.

With official government approval to cultivate coral fragments directly onto the wreck, Siyam World’s Sun Diving team is actively enhancing the site as a living, growing artificial reef. But the ambition extends beyond creating a new dive attraction. The wreck forms the centrepiece of Wreck to Reef, Siyam World’s new annual ocean conservation initiative under the Sun Siyam Cares sustainability platform. As the project develops, guests will be able to follow its progress through future editions of Wreck to Reef, updates from Sun Diving’s marine experts, and a structured reef monitoring programme led by resort Marine Biologist Mariyam Thuhufa (Thuhu). Coral growth, biodiversity, and the overall development of the ecosystem will be documented and assessed every three months, providing measurable insights into the transformation of the wreck into a thriving living reef. The goal is to create a lasting connection between travellers and the marine environment, transforming visitors into active participants in ocean restoration while ensuring the project’s environmental impact can be monitored, measured, and shared for years to come.

For those wanting to be part of the story from the very beginning, Siyam World will officially launch the first edition of Wreck to Reef from 11 to 15 June 2026, bringing together divers, conservationists, content creators, and ocean enthusiasts for a programme of wreck dives, coral planting sessions, marine talks, clean-up initiatives, and community engagement activities. Designed as an annual event, Wreck to Reef will return each year to celebrate and support the ongoing transformation of the wreck into a living reef.

The best part? This new wreck dive is available to all Siyam World guests, and to certified divers staying at other resorts within Noonu Atoll for a supplementary excursion fee. In short, it is set to become the atoll’s new must dive experience. At Siyam World, adventure does not stop at the waterline. Sometimes, it begins twenty four metres below it.

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Hospitality

ZAHRA’S KITCHEN SHARES ITS GUIDE TO EASIER SUMMER EATING IN THE UAE

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As summer routines shift across the UAE, Zahra’s Kitchen, the UAE homegrown premium food brand, is encouraging consumers to rethink convenience food with simple, flexible meal ideas designed to make everyday eating easier, more flavourful and less time consuming. The seasonal guide comes as the brand expands its ready meal range with three new additions and prepares to launch a limited edition single-portion collection exclusively on Noon Minutes this summer.

Created for busy everyday routines, Zahra’s Kitchen offers handcrafted ready meals, snacks and nibbles inspired by comforting recipes and familiar flavours. Made using responsibly sourced ingredients, with no artificial additives or preservatives, products are frozen at peak freshness to help preserve flavour, texture and nutritional value, while offering greater ease, flexibility and variety throughout the week.

This summer, the brand is spotlighting one of the simplest ways to approach mealtimes at home. One ready meal does not need to mean one meal. Instead, Zahra’s Kitchen is sharing how its dishes can become the starting point for multiple meal ideas, helping consumers create more variety with less effort.

Simple ways to rethink summer meals include:

  • Beef Bolognese: Serve with pasta for an easy dinner, or turn it into lasagne, pasta bakes, stuffed vegetables or eggplant fattah.
  • Chilli Con Carne: Use as a base for tacos, enchiladas, nachos, rice bowls or loaded baked potatoes.
  • Butter Chicken: Pair with rice and naan, or fold into wraps, flatbreads, sandwiches and pizzas for a quick lunch or casual dinner.
  • Plant-Based Sweet Potato and Chickpea Red Curry: Enjoy on its own, or serve alongside grilled fish, chicken or vegetables for an easy summer meal.

The expanded ready meal range now includes Lentil Soup, Chicken Freekah and Plant-Based Sweet Potato and Chickpea Red Curry, joining customer favourites including Beef Bolognese, Butter Chicken, Beef Meatballs, Chilli Con Carne and Basmati Rice.

Currently available in two-serving portions, the ready meal range has been designed to offer flexibility, value and multiple meal occasions. The upcoming limited edition single-portion range, launching exclusively on Noon Minutes this summer, has been developed for consumers looking for greater flexibility during busier days.

Alongside its ready meal collection, Zahra’s Kitchen also offers a range of snacks and nibbles rooted in Middle Eastern flavours and entertaining traditions, including Musakhan Rolls, Beef Kibbeh, Falafel and Spinach Puff Bites. Ideal for sharing platters, lunchboxes, family gatherings, casual hosting or everyday snacking, the range reflects the same commitment to quality ingredients and ease.

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KINTSUGI KAHANI WORKSHOP WITH ROHINI DUBAI

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On 27 June, Rohini will host the Kintsugi Kahani Experience, inspired by the Japanese art of golden repair. Rooted in the philosophy of embracing imperfection, the experience invites guests to explore creativity through a hands-on workshop that celebrates the beauty found in flaws and life’s imperfections.

Throughout the evening, participants will create a meaningful keepsake to take home while engaging with the centuries-old concept of transforming brokenness into something beautiful and unique. Designed as a reflective and creative experience, the workshop offers guests an opportunity to connect with the art form in an intimate and inspiring setting.

Follow and explore: rohinidubai.com and IG: @rohini.dubai for more such offers and experiences..

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CANCRO DEUTERIUM-DEPLETED WATER EMPOWERS WOMEN TO RECLAIM THEIR ENERGY, CLARITY, AND VITALITY

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Cancro, pioneers of Advanced Hydration in the UAE and India, announced its deuterium-depleted drink (DDW) as a transformative daily ritual for women seeking sustainable improvements in energy, cognitive performance, skin health, hormonal balance, and cellular longevity. Cancro removes the hidden metabolic burden that accumulates in the body with every ordinary sip.

Women face unique physiological challenges, from hormonal fluctuations and post-partum recovery to the demands of high-performance careers and active lifestyles. Cancro was formulated to address these demands at their most fundamental source, the water powering every cell.

“Deuterium is a naturally occurring heavy isotope of hydrogen present in all water. While its concentration seems small, roughly 3 in every 10,000 molecules, its cumulative effect inside the body is significant. Deuterium slows down the mitochondrial ATP synthase motor, the biological engine that produces energy in every cell. The result is a cellular drag that manifests as persistent fatigue, mental haze, sluggish metabolism, and impaired recovery,” said xxx at Cancro.

By reducing deuterium load to 125 PPM, Cancro creates optimal conditions for the body to function as it was designed to. For women specifically, this translates into six measurable health benefits:

  • Sustained Energy Without the Crash: Optimised mitochondrial efficiency means consistent vitality throughout the day
  • Sharper Mental Clarity: The brain is 75% water. Deuterium-depleted hydration supports neural pathway precision, helping women stay focused and articulate through demanding schedules.
  • Accelerated Recovery: Efficient cellular hydration accelerates tissue repair — supporting faster bounce-back from workouts, illness, post-partum recovery, and daily physical stress.
  • Metabolic Harmony: Lower deuterium levels create a cleaner biochemical environment, supporting hormonal and metabolic balance, particularly important during menstrual cycles, perimenopause, and menopause.
  • Radiant Skin & Anti-Aging Benefits: By protecting the fidelity of DNA replication and cellular integrity, Cancro supports the body’s own anti-aging mechanisms — contributing to clearer skin, deeper sleep, and a healthier glow from within.
  • Optimised Longevity: Consistent deuterium depletion over time supports healthy aging at the molecular level, reinforcing cellular health well into later life.

Cancro goes beyond standard DDW by enriching its formulation with Curcumin and Iodine extracts — two nutrients with well-established roles in women’s health

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