UAE News - Gulf Insider

2 minutes ago

Emirates unveils headrest designed to replace neck pillows

Emirates is urging customers to leave their neck pillows at home, saying that its newly introduced U-Dream headrest provides adequate support for good sleep on long flights. The airline says that the adjustable headrest is designed to comfort the head and neck, eliminating the need for bulky travel gear. The padded leather headrest has flexible side wings that fold inward, preventing guests’ heads from slipping forward or sideways while sleeping. It may also be adjusted vertically and tilted to accommodate varying heights and sleeping postures. According to Emirates, the design has been independently evaluated and certified to fulfil European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements. The U-Dream changes the scenario if the person wishes to sleep by fully supporting the neck. ‘No more neck pillows are required,’ Emirates President Sir Tim Clark stated while launching the device. Emirates is the world’s first airline to provide the U-Dream headrest in economy class. The upgraded headrests are already on three Airbus A350 aeroplanes and will be implemented throughout the airline’s A350 fleet by the end of 2026. Emirates also intends to install them on the majority of retrofitted Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s beginning in 2027, with all future Boeing 777X aircraft […]

5 minutes ago

India’s Supreme Court rejects Centre’s plea in UAE passport and visa services case

MEA gets three months for fresh tender; interim arrangements allowed The Supreme Court of India has dismissed the Centre’s challenge to the Delhi High Court’s decision to quash the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) tender process for outsourcing passport, visa and consular services at Indian missions in the UAE. The apex court also ensured there would be no disruption to services by allowing the MEA to make temporary arrangements until a fresh tender process is completed. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant refused to interfere with the Delhi High Court’s ruling and directed the Centre to comply with its directions within three months, according to ANI. To ensure uninterrupted passport and consular services, the Supreme Court modified the High Court’s order. It allowed the MEA to continue with the existing service providers or temporarily engage the lowest (L-1) bidders whose contracts had earlier been set aside. The court also permitted the ministry to adopt any other suitable arrangement to keep services running at the four Indian missions. The interim arrangement, the court clarified, will not create any special rights for any party and will remain in place only until a fresh tender process is completed. According […]

5 hours ago

Pakistan Embassy postpones e-passport services in UAE until further notice

Pakistani expats in UAE urged to follow official updates after e-passport delay The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi has postponed the launch of e-passport services in the UAE, delaying the planned rollout that was due to begin on July 20, 2026. In a public notice issued on Sunday, the embassy said the start of e-passport issuance had been deferred until further notice due to “unavoidable technical and administrative reasons”. The embassy said the acceptance and processing of passport applications under the e-passport category will remain suspended until a new date is announced. The revised launch date for the service will be communicated in due course, it added. The embassy clarified that the issuance and renewal of existing Machine-Readable Passports (MRPs) will continue under the current procedures, with no disruption to services. Applicants requiring passport renewals or new MRPs can continue to use the existing process. The embassy thanked the Pakistani community in the UAE for its understanding and cooperation. It also advised residents to check the embassy’s official website and social media channels regularly for updates on the revised launch date for e-passport services.

5 hours ago

Historic first: UAE non-oil trade nears Dh2 trillion in just six months

First-half trade rises 13.1 per cent as non-oil exports climb to Dh452.8 billion record The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade came within reach of the Dh2 trillion mark for the first time in a six-month period, climbing to Dh1.937 trillion in the first half of 2026, while non-oil exports rose to a record Dh452.8 billion. In a post on X, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said non-oil foreign trade grew 13.1 per cent year on year, describing the first-half performance as “historic”. “These figures are not merely trade data,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote. “They reflect the strength of our economy, the effectiveness of our development choices and the world’s confidence in the UAE.” The latest performance builds on the Dh1.728 trillion recorded in the first half of 2025, extending the UAE’s record run in non-oil trade. Non-oil exports increased 23.9 per cent year on year to Dh452.8 billion, raising their contribution to the UAE’s total foreign trade to 23.4 per cent, up from 21.3 per cent a year earlier. Trade with countries covered by the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) also reached Dh304.3 billion during the first six months of 2026.

5 hours ago

UAE weather body expects drop in temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) predicted a decrease in temperatures next Tuesday and Wednesday, adding that Monday’s weather will be humid in the morning over some western coastal areas, and partly cloudy to cloudy at times with a rise in temperatures. Winds will be southeasterly becoming northwesterly, light to moderate, active at times, with speeds ranging between 10 to 25, amounting to 35 km/h, and the sea will be light in the Arabian Gulf and in the Sea of Oman, according to the NCM. Tuesday’s weather will be partly cloudy to cloudy at times over some northern areas, with a decrease in temperatures over some coastal areas, and winds will be southwesterly to northwesterly, light to moderate, active at times and stirring dust, with speeds ranging between 10 to 25, amounting to 40 km/h. According to the NCM, the sea will be light to moderate, becoming rough at times westward in the Arabian Gulf and light in the Sea of Oman. Wednesday’s weather is expected to be clear to partly cloudy, with another light decrease in temperatures, and winds will be southwesterly to northwesterly, light to moderate, active at times and stirring dust, with speeds ranging between 10 to […]

3 days ago

Dubai’s Museum Of The Future To Close For Revamp: A Look Back At Its Incredible Transformation

Inside the evolution of Dubai’s Museum of the Future ahead of its next chapter Dubai’s Museum of the Future will close in September 2026 for a major exhibition revamp, marking a new chapter for the iconic landmark. Look back at its journey since opening in 2022, from its futuristic architecture to immersive experiences that made it a global attraction. Zayed National Museum opens Dec 3, a tribute to the UAE Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi inspires curiosity UAE declares four days of mourning for Sheikh Hamad

3 days ago

Big Change: UAE Nationals Can Now Renew Emirates IDs A Full Year Early

Citizens can now renew passports and Emirates IDs together in one transaction Abu Dhabi: UAE nationals can now renew their Emirates ID cards up to one year before they expire, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security has announced. The change took effect on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, doubling the previous early-renewal window from six months to 12 months. The decision is part of ICP’s strategy to adopt innovative and proactive digital solutions that enhance customers’ quality of life, reinforce the UAE’s leadership, meet the evolving expectations of citizens, and enable them to access services earlier, allowing them to manage their affairs more efficiently through a flexible service ecosystem and an advanced digital infrastructure. The initiative complements ICP’s earlier decision to allow UAE nationals to renew their passports up to one year before expiry. Where the expiry dates coincide, citizens will now be able to renew both their passport and Emirates ID in a single integrated transaction, reducing time and effort while expanding the number of beneficiaries who can take advantage of the combined renewal service. Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of ICP, stated that extending the Emirates ID renewal period from six months […]

4 days ago

Bait Maryam Opens in Mirdif, Giving Dubai Diners a New Reason to Detour East

Award-winning Palestinian restaurant Bait Maryam has opened its third UAE location at City Centre Mirdif, bringing its home-style Levantine menu to eastern Dubai. For diners planning a Mirdif trip, it adds a solid reason to build in a stop away from the usual Downtown and Marina circuit. What Bait Maryam Is Known For Founded in Jumeirah Lakes Towers in 2017 by chef Salam Daqqaq, Bait Maryam is named after her late mother and built around the recipes she learned in her mother’s kitchen. The restaurant has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand for three consecutive years, and the Michelin Guide Welcome and Service Award, and it has appeared on the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list every year from 2023 to 2025. Daqqaq herself was named the region’s Best Female Chef in 2023 and features on the Forbes Middle East 50 Over 50 list. The Mirdif branch is the group’s third UAE site, joining the original in Jumeirah Lakes Towers and a location at 06 Mall in Sharjah, alongside its more elevated sister concept, Sufret Maryam. Why Mirdif Matters for Visitors City Centre Mirdif sits in eastern Dubai, a part of the city most Bahrain visitors bypass in […]

1 week ago

UAE air defences intercept missiles and drones amid ongoing threats

Authorities urge residents to follow official sources and avoid rumours UAE residents have received a new mobile alert from authorities confirming that the situation in the country is currently safe following earlier warnings about potential missile threats. The Air Defence Systems responded to the threat, and authorities had urged residents to remain in safe locations and follow official channels for real-time updates. The message, sent to phones nationwide, thanked residents for their cooperation during the emergency and reassured the public that normal activities can now resume. Officials emphasised that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure public safety and minimise disruptions to daily life. Earlier this morning, the UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that air defence systems responded to a missile threat, prompting authorities to issue precautionary alerts to residents across the country. The UAE Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems are actively responding to missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats from Iran. The ministry confirmed that sounds heard in several areas across the country were caused by UAE air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. Authorities urged residents to remain in safe locations and follow updates through official channels.

1 week ago

UAE responds to missile, drone threats first time since May 4; residents alerted

The UAE announced its air defence systems were engaging with fresh missile and drone threats on early Sunday morning, July 12. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) alerted residents at 6.37am that sounds heard across the country were due to ongoing interception operations and urged the public to remain calm and follow safety instructions. The authority also warned not to approach, touch, or photograph any debris or fragments that have fallen from the interceptions, and allow relevant authorities to assess the situation. Upon seeing any debris or incident, the public must immediately report by calling 999. The attacks come after the US military said it launched another round of strikes on Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a container ship traveling through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The Emirates’ alert marks the first genuine nationwide emergency warning issued since May 4 — a gap of 69 days. On May 4, authorities activated air defences in response to aerial threats, with the MoD similarly attributing loud sounds across the country to interception operations. Although many residents also received an alert on June 26, officials later clarified that notification was triggered by a technical glitch and was not linked to […]

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Recent Posts

Emirates unveils headrest designed to replace neck pillows

US bombs Iran for ninth night in a row; Tehran hits American bases in Syria, Jordan

India’s Supreme Court rejects Centre’s plea in UAE passport and visa services case

Oil jumps 3% as US, Iran expand strikes

Search Here

Emirates unveils headrest designed to replace neck pillows

India’s Supreme Court rejects Centre’s plea in UAE passport and visa services case

Pakistan Embassy postpones e-passport services in UAE until further notice

Historic first: UAE non-oil trade nears Dh2 trillion in just six months

UAE weather body expects drop in temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday

Dubai’s Museum Of The Future To Close For Revamp: A Look Back At Its Incredible Transformation

Big Change: UAE Nationals Can Now Renew Emirates IDs A Full Year Early

Bait Maryam Opens in Mirdif, Giving Dubai Diners a New Reason to Detour East

UAE air defences intercept missiles and drones amid ongoing threats

UAE responds to missile, drone threats first time since May 4; residents alerted

Recent Posts

Emirates unveils headrest designed to replace neck pillows

US bombs Iran for ninth night in a row; Tehran hits American bases in Syria, Jordan

India’s Supreme Court rejects Centre’s plea in UAE passport and visa services case

Oil jumps 3% as US, Iran expand strikes

Strict penalties for sharing private photos & videos without consent

‘Convergence’: Secret Labs Already Deployed Lifelike Female Androids While Public Watches Optimus Toy Demos

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