5 minutes ago
The UAE Fatwa Council has invited Muslims across the country to participate in sighting the Shawwal crescent moon on the evening of Saturday, Ramadan 29, 1446 AH, corresponding to March 29, 2025. The council urged anyone who spots the crescent—whether with the naked eye or through binoculars—to promptly report their sighting to the UAE Moon-Sighting Committee to register their testimony. This step is essential in confirming the conclusion of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid Al Fitr, the festival that marks the end of a month of fasting, devotion, and spiritual reflection. The Moon-Sighting Committee, responsible for verifying the crescent sighting, will convene after Maghrib (sunset) prayers on Saturday evening to deliberate and announce the official start date of Eid Al Fitr based on the moon sighting. Muslims in the UAE and beyond eagerly await this announcement, which holds deep religious significance, as it determines the commencement of one of Islam’s most joyous celebrations.
15 hours ago
This sprawling 21,000-square-foot duplex penthouse, located on the two highest residential floors of the Burj Khalifa, is now on the market for $51 million with Asad Khan of IDRE. With the building’s staggering height of nearly 1,300 feet, making it the tallest building in the world, the megamansion-in-the-sky is one of the highest residences in the world, offering unobstructed, 360-degree views of the bustling Business Bay neighborhood, the Arabian Gulf, and, well, as far as the eye can see across the desert. Unlike many ultra-high-end listings, the Sky Palace is being offered as a shell-and-core unit, meaning the interior is completely customizable. For buyers looking to craft a one-of-a-kind residence, this provides an opportunity to design everything from the entertaining areas to the private retreats and the lighting to the hardware. Adding to its appeal, the penthouse also comes with 12 dedicated parking spaces and exclusive access via the only private elevator in the Burj Khalifa. In addition to the customizable living space, the duplex aerie offers access to the Burj Khalifa’s swanky amenities, including a private residents lounge, a fitness center, tennis courts, landscaped gardens, and a 24-hour concierge service. Residents can also enjoy fine dining and relaxation spaces within […]
1 day ago
The UAE has been ranked the second safest country in the world, achieving an impressive safety index score of 84.5, according to the 2025 Safety Index by Numbeo. Andorra claimed the top spot with a score of 84.7, while Qatar secured third place, followed by Taiwan in fourth. GCC countries dominated this year’s rankings, with Oman joining Qatar in the top five by securing fifth place globally. Additionally, the UAE ranked as the country with the second-lowest crime rate in the 2025 Crime Index by Numbeo, further reinforcing its reputation as one of the safest nations worldwide. Numbeo’s data is based on surveys conducted among its users, with questions modeled after scientific and government surveys. These surveys assess perceptions of crime levels, safety concerns, and experiences with property and violent crimes to compile the safety and crime indices. 20 safest countries in the world According to the 2025 Safety Index by Numbeo, the 20 safest countries in the world include:
2 days ago
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has announced a three-day flash sale to celebrate the Eid travel season. The promotions will be live each night between 10pm and 4am UAE time: These time-limited deals come as Wizz Air continues to expand its network and encourage spontaneous, affordable travel across the region. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Eid Al Fitr flight sale As a key contributor to the emirate’s sustainable tourism growth, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi offers ultra-low-fare travel to an expanding network of destinations, including:
2 days ago
The UAE Lottery has announced four new digital scratch card games The UAE Lottery has announced the launch of four new online scratch card games, with prizes of up to AED1m ($272,000). The new scratch card games are available from AED5 to AED50, with highest prizes on offer of up to AED1m ($272,000). The new scratch cards are: UAE Lottery scratch card games In launching the new games, the lottery organisers encouraged players to play responsibly and offered tools and tips to support people.
2 days ago
In response to the growing demand for flexible and efficient transportation in Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its bus-on-demand service to cover 10 key locations across the emirate, including Oud Metha and Barsha Heights. This expansion is designed to offer residents and commuters more convenient transportation options while helping alleviate traffic congestion in these high-demand areas. The service, which is cost-effective at just Dh5 per trip per person, was already operational in several busy areas and has now been extended to include even more vital locations, providing a convenient and affordable solution for daily travel. “The service was already available in vital locations such as Al Barsha, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Al Nahda, with recent expansions to Business Bay in February last year and Downtown Dubai at the end of 2024,” said Adel Shakri, director of Planning and Business Development at RTA’s Public Transport Agency. “The service is experiencing strong demand from a wide segment of public transport users, especially with the latest expansion covering key areas and enabling seamless travel between the two adjacent zones. This integration strengthens the public transport network and ensures faster, safer journeys for commuters,” he added. Shakri also explained that […]
2 days ago
A UAE court has fined two individuals Dh600,000 for employing 12 workers illegally. The duo was arrested during inspections conducted in February. The 12 workers were fined Dh1,000 and deported from the country. This came as the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) revealed it conducted 252 inspections last month to arrest residency law violators. Without specifying how many, the authority said several illegals were arrested as 4,771 establishments were inspected. Violations included employing workers (whether illegals or legal residents brought by contractors) without a permit and working for a company despite being employed by another. Major-General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, director-general of the ICP, said the arrested illegals were referred to the authorities concerned for legal action. Based on court rulings, the violators and those employing them have been fined, with some deported. The officer warned of up to Dh50,000 in fines for employing or housing a worker illegally. The same penalty applies to recruiting workers without giving them jobs and letting them work for other companies. The penalties are multiplied for repeat offences. Major-General Al Khaili urged companies and individuals to adhere to the residency law when hiring. He advised them to refrain from employing workers without a contract. In […]
3 days ago
Dubai’s Great Online Sale is set to return for its third edition from March 27 to 30, offering discounts of up to 95 per cent across numerous brands. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this year’s sale introduces a new immersive virtual shopping experience allowing customers to explore participating retailers digitally. The four-day event—extended by one day compared to previous years—coincides with the Ramadan and Eid shopping period. Dubai’s Great Online Sale returns with new virtual shopping experience Dubai Retail Calendar 2025: Shopping festivals, sales, deals, offers and promotions Shoppers who register on the official website will gain access to the virtual mall where they can browse products from local and international brands across various categories including fashion, electronics, jewellery, home décor, and children’s items. Registered users will have the opportunity to unlock exclusive discount codes and enter draws for cash prizes, including a grand prize of AED100,000. Additional prizes worth up to AED50,000 are available for customers who visit five or more category sections within the virtual shopping platform. “The Great Online Sale returns this year to foster robust growth during Eid, one of the busiest periods for shopping in Dubai. We are thrilled to announce the launch of […]
3 days ago
The UAE has thwarted more than 600 cyberattacks on entities across the country. The Cybersecurity Council confirmed that the national cybersecurity systems have successfully dealt with cyberattacks targeting 634 government and private entities. These attacks aimed to leak data from vital and strategic sectors in the UAE and were addressed using the best global practices in this critical field. UAE cyberattacks Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, said a threat actor known as “rose87168” claimed to have breached the Oracle Cloud’s SSO and LDAP, resulting in the leak of approximately six million customer records globally, including sensitive user password data. He added that estimates suggest around 140,000 entities worldwide may have been affected by the breach, including 634 entities in the UAE—of which 30 are government entities, 13 are private, and the rest fall under other categories. The Cybersecurity Council clarified that emergency cybersystems have been activated across the country in coordination with relevant authorities to safeguard the UAE’s cyberspace and strengthen its protection against any attempts of hacking or threats. The Council’s urged all government and private institutions to enhance their cybersecurity defences, raise their cyber readiness levels, and report any suspicious activity that may target digital systems […]
3 days ago
A relaxing road trip to Oman for this Eid Al Fitr break not only sounds like a good idea, but is also affordable compared to a flight to any other destination. Luckily, for UAE expatriates and other nationalities residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, they are eligible for a visa on arrival, and going through the border checkpoint is quite an easy process – if you are aware of all the rules. So, to make sure you do not face any hiccups on your road trip, here is all you need to know about the visa and car insurance requirements for driving to Oman. Visa requirements for UAE residents travelling to Oman by road “You do not need to apply for a visa in advance. UAE residents can get a visa on arrival stamped on their passport, and this allows for a stay of 14 days in Oman,” Latheef MC, visa consultant at Dubai-based travel agency, Anisha Travel and Tourism, said. If you are planning to stay for longer than that, then you must apply for an eVisa in advance, which would allow you to stay in Oman for up to 30 days. However, according to Oman’s eVisa platform it normally takes at least four to […]