9 months ago

Kerala Announces Incentive Plan, Targets UAE, Riyadh Firms With Low-Cost Back-End It Infrastructure

Kerala, the southern Indian state, is set to announce a set of attractive incentive packages, including reduced land lease charges and rental costs, to woo corporate biggies from the Middle East, especially from Dubai and Riyadh – the two emerging global hubs for businesses – to set up their technology centres or back up operations in the sprawling IT parks in the state. A top team from the state government’s IT department and the three mega IT parks is scheduled to visit Riyadh in the first week of March, coinciding with LEAP 2024 in the Saudi capital, to hold interactions and make presentations to technology majors – both international and regional – in a concerted effort to market the state-of-the art facilities and talents available in the state. The IT park management will also offer help in providing tech talents across segments, especially those who have years of working experience in the UAE and the wider region, to companies, banks and other organisations willing to house their back-end operations or technology centres in the state. “The draft policy on the proposed incentive package [for companies setting up operations in the IT parks] is ready and is currently under finalisation,” Sushant […]

9 months ago

Burj Al Arab And Emirates Palace ‘Most Recommended’ Hotels In UAE, Emirates Tops 2024 Airline Ranking

The UAE’s most loved hotels and airlines have been named in a survey of brand advocacy in the country. Burj Al Arab tops YouGov’s Hotel Advocacy Rankings 2024 in UAE, with a score of 76.5. It makes Dubai’s most iconic hotel the property most likely to be recommended in the UAE. The Hotel Advocacy rankings looked at brands’ former and current customers, and analysed which brands had the highest proportion of people recommending them to a family member or friend in 2023. Emirates Palace takes the second place (75.2), followed by Atlantis the Palm Dubai in third (72.6) and Ritz-Carlton in fourth (70.0). Jumeirah and Anantara occupy the next two spots- fifth (68.6) and sixth (68.2), respectively. Other hotel brands with high level of customer advocacy are Hilton (66.9), Shangri-La (65.4), Waldorf Astoria (65.4) and Marriott (65.2). YouGov also revealed the top ten airline brands most recommended by its customers. Burj Al Arab and Emirates Palace ‘most recommended’ hotels in UAE, Emirates tops 2024 airline rankingIn the Airline Advocacy Rankings, Emirates tops the list, with a score of 88.0. Singapore Airlines (78.8) and Etihad Airways (77.7) follow in second and third, respectively. Qatar Airways takes the fourth spot (74.3), while […]

9 months ago

World’s Best Police Forces Head To Dubai For $260,000 UAE SWAT Challenge

Dubai Police will host leading international law enforcement agencies for the record-breaking UAE SWAT Challenge. Police forces will head to Dubai for a prize fund worth $260,000 in challenges including assault courses, sniping and tactical shooting. The Organising Committee of the UAE SWAT Challenge has released details of the fifth edition of the competition set to commence this coming Saturday at the Training City in Al Ruwayyah. Dubai Police to host UAE SWAT Challenge 2024This year’s challenge has registered record participation with 87 teams from 48 countries, including five female and two mixed teams. The committee confirmed that this year’s edition is the largest in terms of the number of teams competing, following the unparalleled success of the previous four editions on an international scale. The event has seen consistent growth in participation from special forces, rapid intervention units, and tactical teams worldwide. The committee highlighted the significant development of the UAE SWAT Challenge, thanks to the support and guidance of Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police. With his directives, the competition has achieved global recognition, fostering an exchange of expertise among participating tactical teams and introducing the latest global practices in rapid intervention. The prize […]

9 months ago

Dubai, Abu Dhabi Rank Among Wealthiest Cities In BRICS Bloc

Beijing, Shanghai and Dubai are the top three richest cities in the newly expanded BRICS bloc based on the number of millionaires, centi-millionaires and billionaires in each city. Following the expansion earlier this month, the group now includes: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The world’s wealthiest are increasingly setting their sights on rising stars in the global economy. Henley & Partners’ BRICS Wealth Report reveals the surprising cities topping the charts for super-wealthy residents, offering a glimpse into the shifting landscape of wealth creation. 1. Beijing, China Unsurprisingly, the Chinese capital takes the crown, boasting a 90 percent growth rate between 2013 and 2023. Its tech giants and booming entrepreneurial scene continue to mint fortunes. 2. Shanghai, China Close behind is Shanghai, another Chinese powerhouse with 123,400 millionaires. Its financial muscle and vibrant luxury market have made it a magnet for high-net-worth individuals in recent years. 3. Dubai, UAE Dubai came in third place with 72,500 millionaires, fueled by its business-friendly environment and status as a global travel hub. 4. Mumbai, India India’s financial capital claims the fourth spot with 58,800 millionaires, witnessing impressive 82 percent growth in just a decade. Its burgeoning […]

9 months ago

UAE: Police Foil Gold Smuggling Operation, Find Jewellery Worth AED800,000

The Sharjah Police have foiled a major gold smuggling operation involving jewellery worth Dh800,000. The jewellery was robbed from a store in Khorfakkan in the late hours of the night. The Sharjah Police operations room received a report and immediately rushed to the scene of the crime. A team was formed to collect evidence and conduct an investigation. After a few hours of investigating, the team was able to identify the members of the gang that had carried out the robbery. The police also found the stolen jewellery in a shipping container at a port, where it was being prepared to be transported out of the country the next morning. They are currently working to arrest the gang members and have referred the case to prosecution for legal action to be taken. The Sharjah Police have called on owners of commercial establishments to secure their stores and install surveillance systems. They have also urged individuals and owners not to hesitate to use the emergency number 999 to report such incidents.

9 months ago

UAE’s First Female Astronaut to Graduate From NASA Training Programme in March

The UAE’s first female astronaut is set to graduate from a NASA training programme in Houston, Texas, in early March, Nasa confirmed to sources on Monday. Emirati mechanical engineer Nora Al Matrooshi, her colleague Mohammed Al Mulla, a former Dubai Police helicopter pilot, and 11 American astronaut candidates will graduate as part of the Nasa astronaut class of 2023. They will then become eligible for space missions, including to the International Space Station, as well any other future US-led missions, such as trips to the Moon planned under NASA’s Artemis programme. Since starting their training in 2021 at the Johnson Space Centre, the candidates have undergone a series of training courses, including land survival, flight training, spacesuit and spacewalks and geology field training. Astronaut graduation ceremonies are held at the Johnson Space Centre, but NASA is expected to confirm the location and exact date in a few weeks. NASA’s 2023 astronaut class patch features a US and UAE flag. The patch is shaped like a fly, and features an astronaut reaching for the Moon, with Mars pictured in the distance. The design symbolises the space agency’s goal of a human presence on the Moon and, later, travel to Mars as part of the Artemis programme. UAE’s […]

9 months ago

India: Flights to UAE Delayed From Delhi Airport as Thick Fog Blankets City

A layer of thick fog shrouded Delhi-NCR on Wednesday morning, causing visibility woes. In view of the same, Delhi Airport on Wednesday issued a passenger advisory that read, “While landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected.” “Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.” The following flights to the UAE have been affected, as per the latest information on the Delhi Airport website: Visuals from around different places in Delhi have shown people swarming around bonfires to keep themselves warm. Speaking to ANI, a resident in the Red Fort area expressed the difficulties people are facing as buses are running late and, in some parts, public vehicles are not even available owing to the chilling weather. Earlier on Tuesday, a similar situation was seen as dense fog shrouded the national capital and vast swathes of North India, significantly impacting visibility and throwing flight and train services out of gear. Very dense fog was reported in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Northwest Rajasthan, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, read a post on the official X handle of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

9 months ago

Dubai Real Estate Expects Boost as ‘Minimum Down Payment’ Rule Dropped for Golden Visa

Last week, the UAE changed the rules for real estate investors to qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa, removing the requirement of a minimum AED1 million down payment. Previously, investors needed to put down at least 50 percent of the property value or AED1 million, as a down payment to qualify for a Golden Visa. The change will likely encourage more residents and investors to establish deeper roots in the UAE by making Golden Visas more accessible through real estate and buoying the property market. Now, all that is required is for the property value to be AED2 million or more, regardless of the down payment amount or financing terms. The new initiative could further result in increased investment in the real estate sector by lowering the financial barrier, and more transactions and construction activity could occur. The key eligibility requirements to receive the 10-year renewable residency permit are as follows: The update is yet to be reflected in government websites, however, lawyers and agents have been informed of the new down payment rule change by the Dubai Land Department, according to local media reports.

9 months ago

Dubai: Passenger Caught With Drugs In Luggage Claims He ‘Forgot’ Them In His Bag

A 25-year-old man caught with drugs in his luggage at Dubai airport justified the presence of the contraband, saying he consumed it outside the UAE but forgot some in the bag when he came to the Emirates. Authorities recovered marijuana and a device designed for cutting cannabis plants from his travel bag. A Dubai court convicted the European man for drug possession and imposed a fine of Dh10,000. The Misdemeanour Court initially ordered his deportation, a decision the man appealed. He argued that he had legitimate reasons for being in the UAE and emphasised his clean criminal record. The appellate court, while overturning the deportation ruling, upheld the Dh10,000 fine. According to the Public Prosecution’s investigations, the accused was stopped at the Dubai airport after customs officers became suspicious of a trimmer in his possession. This device is typically used to cut cannabis plants. After a search, the officers recovered a medicine box with ten capsules of green herb with the distinctive appearance of marijuana. The General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology confirmed the substance as an illegal drug. During police and Public Prosecution questioning, the accused admitted to the charges, stating that he had unintentionally left the substance […]

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