Sun, June 14 2026

1 year ago

UAE Weather Forecast: 4 Days Of Rain Expected

UAE weather forecasters are expecting probable rainfall in parts of the country this week and over the weekend. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued a weather forecast for the UAE up to Sunday, February 2. As well as probable rainfall, the NCM has also told people in the UAE to be on the lookout for mist and rough seas. UAE weather forecast Thursday, January 30: Fair to partly cloudy and cloudy at times over some Northern and Eastern areas with a probability of light rainfall. Humid by night and Friday morning with a probability of mist formation over some internal areas. Light to moderate Northwesterly to Northeasterly winds, freshening at times causing blowing dust over the land, with a speed of 10 – 25kmph reaching 40kmph. The sea will be moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and slight to moderate in the Oman Sea Friday, January 31: Fair to partly cloudy and cloudy at times over some Northern and Eastern areas with a probability of rainfall. Humid by night and Saturday morning with a probability of mist formation over some internal areas. Light to moderate Northwesterly becoming Southeasterly winds, freshening at times causing blowing dust over the land, with a speed of […]

1 year ago

Dubai World Cup 2025: Romantic Warrior, Rebel’s Romance, Sierra Leone And Forever Young Among Star-Studded Line-Up

Nominations for the 29th Dubai World Cup meeting have been announced and include some of the world’s best racehorses, including Romantic Warrior, Rebel’s Romance, Sierra Leone and Forever Young. The $12m G1 Dubai World Cup (sponsored by Emirates Airline) will be staged at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, April 5 and headlines the nine-race card. 173 horses have been nominated, including 20 Group or Grade 1 winners. Among them are the last two winners of the race, Laurel River and Ushba Tesoro, as well as the world’s highest-earning horse, Romantic Warrior, from Hong Kong. Dubai World Cup 2025 A strong group of nominations from Japan includes Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile, as well as G2 UAE Derby winner and Kentucky Derby third Forever Young. The United States is represented by an exciting group of nominations including Kentucky Derby and Oaks winners Mystik Dan and G1 Belmont Stakes runner-up Mindframe for Todd Pletcher, while Doug O’Neill has put forward G1 Pacific Classic winner Mixto. Also nominated are the last two winners of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, White Abarrio for Saffie Joseph Junior and Sierra Leone for Chad Brown. In the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, worth $6m, 109 horses have been nominated, 16 of […]

1 year ago

MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Recognised at Gala Ceremony in Abu Dhabi

The fourth edition of the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards brought together culinary stars from across the region in Abu Dhabi, celebrating a diverse gastronomic landscape. Hosted at Erth Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), the event highlighted the top 50 restaurants from 11 cities. Topping the list for the third year in a row was Orfali Bros Bistro, a Dubai gem founded by Syrian-born brothers Mohammad, Wassim, and Omar Orfali. Manama Gems Featured Bahrain made its mark with Fusions (formerly known as Fusions by Tala), ranked No. 6 and named The Best Restaurant in Bahrain. CUT by Wolfgang Puck, represented by Chef Brian Becher returned to the list on No. 43. Bahraini Chef Tala Bashmi’s reimagined heritage dishes have redefined modern Middle Eastern gastronomy, earning her the Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs’ Choice Award. This prestigious accolade, voted by her peers, highlights her positive impact on the region’s culinary community. Em Sherif’s Yasmina Hayek Recognised Another standout was Yasmina Hayek, Executive Chef of the Lebanon-based Em Sherif Group, who won the Middle East & North Africa’s Best Female Chef Award. Her work with Em Sherif, particularly at its flagship restaurant in […]

1 year ago

Dubai Rent Hikes To Slow Down In 2025 As Property Market Set For Record Supply

The Dubai real estate market is expected to stabilise in 2025, with rent increases slowing down. Industry executives attribute this to an abundant supply of new properties and the implementation of the smart rental index. “The new index, which offers transparent and data-driven pricing mechanisms, will likely provide more accurate market insights, helping tenants and landlords make informed decisions. As new properties come online and more options become available, the increased supply is expected to temper the rapid price growth in recent years. This, combined with the ongoing market stabilisation, will contribute to a more balanced and sustainable rental environment,” said real estate brokerage Betterhomes. Rupert Simmonds, director of leasing at Betterhomes, said rent increases slowed in 2024 compared to the previous year, signalling stabilisation in the market. The real estate brokerage capped completions at 27,000 units in 2024 due to postponements, with 2025 set for a record-breaking 72,365 units, a massive increase of 171 per cent. “Dubai’s property prices are expected to remain stable by 2026 as the market absorbs an estimated 163,000 new housing units between 2025 and 2026. This influx, driven by pre-sales from 2022 to 2023, is anticipated to balance demand,” said Betterhomes. “While minor price adjustments may […]

1 year ago

UAE: Smart Paid Parking Service Now Operational In Sharjah

Smart paid parking services are now operational in Sharjah City, the emirate’s municipality announced on Sunday. A total of 392 parking spaces are available in 2 smart parking areas that opened in Al Khan and Al Nad, the authority said on Monday. How smart parking works First, as vehicles enter through the designated entrance, drivers’ number plates are automatically detected. Then, while exiting, the smart cameras will read the plate again. The parking duration will be calculated by the system, and a notification will be sent to the owner with the applicable fees. Motorists can then proceed to pay for parking via the Mawqef application. Payments can be made either by e-wallet or credit card. Apart from an hourly basis, paid parking can also be reserved from anywhere between one day to one year, with motorists being given the option to pay for a week and a month too.

1 year ago

UAE: Emirates Airline Festival Of Literature 2025 Returns With Star-Studded Lineup

For over seventeen years, the festival, renowned as the region’s premier literary event, has welcomed a diverse array of international and regional writers, poets, thinkers, and speakers The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, beloved by fans across the UAE, will return for its 17th edition from January 29th to February 3rd, 2025, at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. The Emirates LitFest promises an eclectic mix of authors, stimulating discussions, and interactive workshops, all dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of storytelling. It will offer attendees over 150 incomparable experiences, including fan-favourites: Desert Stanzas, LitFest After Hours, Discovery Talks, and the LitFest Families programme. Featured authors The festival’s lineup featured an eclectic mix of renowned and emerging authors, including Abraham Verghese, author of the acclaimed novels The Covenant of Water and The Tennis Partner, Chigozie Obioma, the author of The Road to the Country, whose compelling narratives on identity and feminism have garnered international acclaim and Pip Williams, the author of the global bestseller The Diary of Lost Words. Don’t miss acclaimed author Verghese as he is set to discuss his latest page-turner, The Covenant of Water, a captivating saga of three generations of a Malayali family in southwest India. The New York Times bestseller held its spot for an […]

1 year ago

UAE: Emirati Explorer Participates In Air Mission That Conducted First Circumnavigation Of Antarctica

Ibrahim Sharaf Al Hashemi, an Emirati explorer, participated in an air mission that completed the first circular flight around Antarctica, using two helicopters. The mission took place from December 4, 2024, to January 17, marking an unprecedented accomplishment and making Al Hashemi the first Emirati to join this historic expedition, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). The journey, which started and ended at Union Glacier Camp, covered a distance of 19,050 kilometres and lasted over a month. It involved meticulous planning for seven years to overcome the logistical hurdles and extreme weather conditions of the region. Under the leadership of explorer Frederik Paulsen, the team explored remote parts of the icy continent, witnessing stunning landscapes of giant icebergs and frozen rivers, all while enduring freezing temperatures and strong winds. This milestone represents a significant advance in aerial exploration, emphasising the UAE’s growing participation in global missions and showcasing the potential for long-haul flights in some of the harshest natural environments on Earth.

1 year ago

UAE Economy To Grow 4% This Year: IMF

The UAE economy’s near-term growth to is expected to remain healthy at around 4 per cent in 2025, despite lower-than-expected oil production related to OPEC+ agreements, according to the International Monetary Fund.  This came in a statement issued by the IMF at the conclusion of a staff visit to the UAE to discuss economic and financial developments, the outlook and the country’s policy and reform priorities. The IMF said: “Near-term growth is strong and expected to remain healthy at around 4 percent in 2025, despite lower-than-expected oil production related to OPEC+ agreements. IMF UAE forecast “Non-hydrocarbon activity is boosted by tourism, construction, public expenditure, and continued growth in financial services. “Capital inflows remain strong, attracted by social and business-friendly reforms, and contribute to ongoing demand for real estate, which is driving further growth in house prices across different segments and locations. “Hydrocarbon GDP is expected to grow above 2 per cent this year, following OPEC+ decisions to sustain production cuts, and as the UAE implements a more gradual OPEC+ quota increase. “Inflation is expected to remain contained around 2 per cent in 2025 despite higher housing and utilities-related costs”. The IMF statement expected hydrocarbon revenue to decline amid volatile oil prices […]

1 year ago

ACRES 2025: Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition Sees Major Project Launches

The Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition “ACRES 2025” has witnessed the launch of an extensive portfolio of innovative and distinctive property projects designed to meet investor aspirations and set new standards across various real estate development fields. Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in collaboration with the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD), the exhibition underscores its position as a premier platform spotlighting the dynamic growth of the real estate sector in Sharjah and the UAE. During its participation as the Platinum Sponsor of ACRES 2025, Alef Group unveiled its new project “Al Mamsha Hamsa” at the exhibition. Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition ACRES 2025 Issa Ataya, CEO of Alef Group, said: “This project underscores our commitment to delivering premium residential communities in Sharjah where contemporary design meets tranquil landscapes to provide a refined lifestyle experience”. Al Mamsha Hamsa comprises three buildings with a total of 420 units spanning 50,000 square metres of built-up area. Each unit is meticulously designed to blend modern aesthetics with serene, landscaped surroundings. Strategically situated on the edge of Al Mamsha, the project boasts a dedicated podium level offering open views, swimming pools, landscaped gardens, and calming water elements that promote a sense of natural tranquillity. […]

1 year ago

Visa on Arrival for Indians in UAE: Everything You Need to Know

Indian passport holders with tourist visas or residence permits from the European Union (EU), the United States (US), or the United Kingdom (UK) can now enjoy the convenience of visa-on-arrival access in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Since 2017, Indian citizens holding valid US visas, Green Cards, or residency permits from the EU or UK have been eligible for this facility. In 2024, the UAE expanded the scheme to include Indian nationals holding valid tourist visas for the EU, US, or UK, further simplifying travel procedures. Eligibility Criteria Indian citizens and their family members with ordinary passports qualify for a visa on arrival at all UAE entry points if they possess: A valid tourist visa, residence permit, or Green Card issued by the United States. A valid tourist visa or residence permit issued by EU countries or the United Kingdom. Note: The visa, permit, and passport must all have a validity of at least six months. Duration of Stay 14-day visa-on-arrival: This option is extendable for an additional 14 days (fees apply) if the EU, US, or UK visa remains valid with at least six months of passport validity. 60-day visa-on-arrival: This non-extendable option is suitable for longer trips. Costs […]

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