UAE News - Gulf Insider

1 year ago

Dubai Has 350 Gaming Companies as It Eyes $200B Global Industry With 30,000 Job Target

Dubai has flicked the switch on its developing gaming industry as it targets 30,000 new jobs and a $1bn GDP boost from the sector by 2033. The Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033 “DPG33” has announced that Dubai is home to more than 350 gaming companies, with 260 of them categorised as specialised game developers, contributing overall to a global industry valued at $200bn globally. Since the programme’s launch in November 2023, more than 60 new companies have been established in Dubai of which 12 per cent are large global companies — marking a growth rate of 16.6 percent since the launch of the programme. Dubai gaming industry The gaming industry has emerged as one of Dubai’s most promising economic sectors in recent years. Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, said: “The recent achievements in the Dubai’s gaming industry reflects the success of the city’s vision for its future economy — one built on economic diversification and the proactive investment in current and future development opportunities. Belhoul added: “The gaming sector holds unprecedented economic potential, and Dubai was — and will remain — a land of opportunity and a destination for innovators and creators. The industry offers a wealth of unprecedented […]

1 year ago

Abu Dhabi Announces New Mandatory Arabic Rules for Kindergarten Pupils

Abu Dhabi has introduced new rules for mandatory Arabic lessons for pupils starting in the next academic year. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) announced a new policy that will bring Arabic into every private and charter kindergarten across the emirate, starting from Pre-KG to KG2, beginning after summer in 2025. The move aims to nurture language, identity, and belonging from the very first years of learning. Abu Dhabi Arabic lessons Under the new ADEK School KG Arabic Curriculum Policy, all young learners will receive 240 minutes per week of structured, age-appropriate Arabic instruction. This will increase to 300 minutes per week beginning in the 2026/27 academic year. The new policy ensures that every child, whether a native speaker or learning Arabic for the first time, receives consistent, high-quality instruction during the most critical phase of language development and has the opportunity to grow up confident in the language that connects them to their culture, community, and future. This initiative is timely as research confirms that young children learn languages most effectively and Arabic represents more than a subject, it is a connection to identity, values and heritage. ADEK’s recent survey showed that while Arabic is widely spoken at […]

1 year ago

Dubai’s Ultra-Luxury Property Market Hits New Heights With $77M Bulgari Lighthouse Penthouse Sales

Dubai’s luxury real estate market continues to defy global trends, with Driven | Forbes Global Properties completing the sale of the final two penthouses at the Bulgari Lighthouse for a combined total exceeding AED282m ($77m). The deals reinforce the emirate’s status as one of the world’s most resilient and in-demand ultra-prime residential destinations. The first penthouse, a five-bedroom residence spanning 11,657 sq ft, was sold for AED146.6m ($40m), while the second fetched AED136.25m ($38m) —both among the highest-value apartment sales recorded in Dubai this year. Bulgari Lighthouse in Dubai Designed by acclaimed Italian architects Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, the Bulgari Lighthouse is located on Jumeirah Bay Island. The tower features a coral-like façade, panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and Downtown Dubai, and interiors finished with Italian marble, hand-laid silk panelling, and warm oak accents. Each residence includes private infinity pools, double-height salons, and expansive terraces, merging resort-style luxury with urban privacy. Every detail is curated in partnership with the adjacent Bulgari Resort Dubai, offering owners hotel-level services—from private chefs and curated events, to concierge-managed experiences. The landmark sales were brokered by Lina Allaoa and Kianoush Darban, founders of The Private Collection at. Known for consistently setting area records—including the highest price per […]

1 year ago

e& UAE Sets World Record With 600Mbps Uplink on Live 5G Network

e& UAE has set a world-record uplink speed of 600Mbps on a live 5G network, solidifying the UAE’s leadership in next-generation connectivity. The record was set using FR1 band aggregation at 2100MHz and C-band, along with Uplink 3Tx (three transmit antennas), and tested on a commercial Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device. The setup is fully compliant with 3GPP Release 17 standards, a key foundation of the 5G-Advanced technology roadmap. e& UAE sets 5G network speed world record Abdulrahman Al Humaidan, Vice President/Fixed Access Network at e& UAE, said: “e& UAE’s world-record 600Mbps uplink speed is a strategic move forward, stimulating the global tech landscape with a new era of hyper-fast, uplink-driven digital innovation. “This isn’t just a technological breakthrough, it’s a launchpad for businesses and individuals to reshape the digital world, cementing the UAE as a global tech leader.” Why Uplink Speed Matters More Than Ever While much of the early 5G focus has been on download speeds, uplink capacity is increasingly critical for modern digital applications. The 600Mbps uplink milestone opens the door to a new generation of uplink-heavy use cases, from real-time drone surveillance and smart city video analytics, to immersive cloud-hosted AR/VR, and instant 8K video uploads for content creators. […]

1 year ago

Dubai Metro Blue Line To Have World’s Highest Metro Station

The Dubai Metro will soon be home to the world’s highest metro station. While laying the foundation stone of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also approved the distinctive architectural design of the iconic Emaar Properties Station, the highest metro station in the world, standing at 74 metres. World’s highest metro station Inspired by the concept of a crossing gateway, the station was designed by the renowned American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), one of the world’s leading design studios. The firm’s portfolio includes iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, the Olympic Tower in New York, and the Sears Tower in Chicago. The station is designed to integrate harmoniously into the existing urban environment and embodies the vision of ‘Dubai: A Gateway to the Future’. Covering an area of approximately 11,000 square metres, the station is designed to accommodate up to 160,000 passengers per day, with the number of daily users expected to exceed 70,000 by 2040. With the completion of the Blue Line project, Dubai’s rail network will expand to a total of 131 km, comprising 78 […]

1 year ago

UAE: Two School Buses Crash In Sharjah; 13 Students Among 14 Injured

National Ambulance responded promptly to a collision involving two school buses on Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road in Sharjah, following an emergency call at 3:11 PM on Monday, June 9, 2025. The accident left 14 people injured, including 13 children aged 6 to 12 and one teacher. Emergency teams arrived within 13 minutes and efficiently managed the situation, demonstrating a high level of readiness and professionalism. National Ambulance reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing emergency response capabilities and delivering world-class pre-hospital care to ensure community safety.

1 year ago

Dubai’s Higher Education Sector Sees Nearly 20% Rise In Enrollment

Dubai is emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing higher education hubs, with total student enrollment at private institutions rising by around 20 per cent in the 2024–25 academic year, and international student numbers jumping 29 per cent, according to figures released by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and global consultancy L.E.K. Consulting. More than 42,000 students are now enrolled across 41 private higher education institutions licensed by the KHDA, with international students making up 35 per cent of the total — a figure expected to rise under the emirate’s Education 33 strategy. Four new international universities opened in the current academic year alone, signalling strong investor confidence in Dubai’s education sector. The data was released at an exclusive high-level briefing hosted by L.E.K. Consulting’s Global Education Practice recently in Dubai. The event brought together policymakers, investors, and higher education leaders to discuss Dubai’s ambitions to become a world-class destination for transnational education. Dubai is a key regional hub for education “Dubai’s continued growth as a global hub for higher education is testament to our leadership’s vision and the ambitious goals of the Dubai Plan 33,” saidDr Wafi Dawood, CEO of the Strategic Development Sector at KHDA. “Through E33, […]

1 year ago

UAE Football Association Suspends 2 Players for 5 Matches, Imposes Dh500,000 Fine

UAE Football Association announced the suspension of 2 players for 5 matches in local competitions. The association’s disciplinary committee named the two sportspersons — Sharjah Club player Khalid Al Dhanhani and Shabab Al Ahli Club player Sultan Adel. The association said they would be excluded from the national team roster, and fined them Dh500,000 each. This comes after the two players committed a violation inside the national team camp on June 7. The national team manager, Yani Allah, said the decision comes in accordance with the disciplinary and sanctions regulations for national teams. Shabab Al Ahli Club said it has decided to take necessary disciplinary measures against the player in accordance with its internal regulations. The club affirmed its strong rejection and condemnation of any behavior that contradicts the rules and regulations of the national teams and the Football Association. “Representing the national team is a great honour for every player. Players are ambassadors for the nation, bearing the responsibility of reflecting an honorable image through their commitment to values, discipline, and sportsmanship,” the club said in a social media post. UAE regularly ensures that sports events take place in the right spirit, imposing fines and disciplinary actions on players or fans who show unruly behaviour. In […]

1 year ago

UAE Weather: Fog Alert in Abu Dhabi, NCM Forecasts Rain on Monday

Motorists driving across the UAE roads should be extra cautious today. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has issued yellow red alert due to fog. Dense fog is expected in some areas of Abu Dhabi, till 9.00am. The weather bureau has reported fog over Liwa,Habshan, Asab, and Nahil in Abu Dhabi, in the early morning today. View this post on Instagram A post shared by المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@officialuaeweather) In a message posted on X, Abu Dhabi Police called on motorists to exercise caution on the roads due to low visibility caused by fog. They urged drivers to follow the changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards for their safety. #عاجل | #تنبيه #ضباب #شرطة_أبوظبي ترجو من الإخوة السائقين توخي الحذر بسبب انخفاض الرؤية الأفقية أثناء تشكل الضباب وتدعوهم للالتزام بالسرعة المتغيرة الموضحة على الشواخص واللوحات الارشادية الالكترونية مع تمنياتنا لكم بالسلامة. pic.twitter.com/eZnBmNPFbV — شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) June 9, 2025 After continued heavy rain and thunderstorms during Eid al-Adha weekend in Sharjah, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah, NCM forecasts rain to continue on Monday. The NCM forecasts a generally fair day ahead, though there’s a possibility of convective cloud formations developing in the eastern and northern regions, which may bring periods […]

1 year ago

Video: Whirlwind Kicks Up Dust, Heavy Rain Continues To Hit Sharjah, Cloud Cover Over Dubai And Fujairah

Video of a whirlwind kicking up dust in the internal part of Sharjah went viral on social media on Saturday evening. Rain continues to fall across Sharjah during the Eid Al Adha weekend, with forecasts indicating that more showers are expected through Monday. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has issued yellow and orange alerts due to the formation of convective clouds in the eastern regions, signalling the potential for heavier rainfall. Cloud cover has increased significantly over parts of the UAE, with expectations of continued precipitation until 8 PM today. Currently, the temperature in Sharjah hovers around 34°C, while Dubai registers slightly cooler at 33°C. The humidity levels are notably high, around 90%, resulting in a “feels-like” temperature of approximately 41°C, making for an uncomfortable atmosphere. Weather forecast for tomorrow Looking ahead to Sunday, June 8, 2025, conditions are expected to be fair to partly cloudy with some potential for convective cloud formation. Rainfall is likely to occur primarily in the eastern and northern regions, alongside a gradual increase in temperatures throughout the day. As night falls and into Monday morning, humidity levels will rise, particularly in coastal and inland areas, creating the possibility of fog or mist forming. View this post […]

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Search Here

Dubai Has 350 Gaming Companies as It Eyes $200B Global Industry With 30,000 Job Target

Abu Dhabi Announces New Mandatory Arabic Rules for Kindergarten Pupils

Dubai’s Ultra-Luxury Property Market Hits New Heights With $77M Bulgari Lighthouse Penthouse Sales

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Video: Whirlwind Kicks Up Dust, Heavy Rain Continues To Hit Sharjah, Cloud Cover Over Dubai And Fujairah

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