UAE News - Gulf Insider

2 years ago

UAE Establishes New Civil Defence Authority With Committee For Grievances

In an effort to modernise the country’s civil protection framework, the UAE Government has issued a federal decree-law to reorganise the Civil Defence Authority. It aims to enhance the country’s readiness to respond to emergencies and disasters while ensuring the highest standards of public safety and protection. The decree establishes a new entity named ‘Civil Defense Authority’ that will operate as part of the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Management Authority. Earlier, the Civil Defense Department used to operate under the Ministry of Interior. The reorganisation focuses on improving coordination between local and federal entities working in civil defence, developing advanced alert and evacuation systems, providing care for affected individuals, and forming specialised teams for relief efforts. The authority is also responsible for creating hazards prevention programmes and establishing safety standards, securing buildings and facilities against fire hazards, and deploying rapid response teams to incident sites to extinguish fires effectively. The authority’s duties extend to establishing and equipping specialised risk management centres and public alert systems to warn residents of potential hazards. It will also prepare evacuation plans for residents when necessary and ensure residential and institutional buildings are adequately equipped. Medical and social care will also be provided for […]

2 years ago

UAE Sees Frost, Ice Crystals As Temperature Drops To Chilly 2.2°c On Jebel Jais

The UAE on Friday recorded its coldest day so far this winter — and much to residents’ delight, frost and ice crystals were spotted on the country’s highest mountain. Temperatures dropped to a freezing 2.2°C at 6.45am on Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). An exclusive video shared by the weather authority shows ice crystals floating down a water stream in the mountain. Another clip shows a parked car dusted with what appeared to be ice pellets. Sprinkles of frost crystals are also seen on the ground. This is not the first time that the desert country has seen such frosty conditions. During UAE winter, it is possible for ice pellets or even snow to fall in some of the coldest sports in the country, such as like Raknah in al Ain and Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. In fact, there was a time when sub-zero temperatures were recorded in the mountains, turning Raknah into an instant ‘tourist spot’. Excited residents drove all the way up the peak just to play with ice and make their own snowmen. The chilly day on Friday came with rains that hit several parts of Dubai, Abu […]

2 years ago

UAE Weather: Rain Hits Dubai, Abu Dhabi, 3 Other Emirates On Coldest Day Yet This Winter

The police urged motorists to slow down and exercise extra caution on the roads Many residents across the UAE woke up to a rainy day on Friday morning, with lightning strikes seen in some areas. The winter cold also hit the mountains, with temperatures dropping to 2.2°C — marking the chilliest day so far this winter. Motorists drove through wet roads in some key areas in Dubai in the morning, with showers reported in Umm Suqeim, Jumeirah, Al Safa and Al Jaddaf. The Dubai Police urged motorists to exercise extra caution, reiterating some safety rules. Drive slower and stay away from the edge of the road. Switch low-beam headlights on and make sure wipers are working. Light rain was also recorded in Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Sharjah’s Suhaila, and Umm Al Quwain, the National Centre of Meteorology said. In one video shot in Al Ghadeer area in Abu Dhabi, strong winds are seen swaying the trees back and forth as moderate rain falls. Take a look here: Up in the mountains, on Ras Al Khaimah’s Jebel Jais, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) logged the coldest temperature so far this winter: The mercury dropped to a chilly 2.2°C at 6.45am. Elsewere in […]

2 years ago

UAE: RAK’s Popular Jais Sledder Attraction ‘Temporarily Closed’

The ride, which sees thrill-seekers hurtle down the mountain at 40kmph, has not been operational for about a week now, says a call centre executive Ras Al Khaimah’s popular mountain ride, the Jais Sledder, has been temporarily closed, Khaleej Times has learnt. No reopening date can be confirmed at the moment, said a call centre executive for Jais Adventure Park. The sledder — the region’s longest toboggan ride — has not been operational “for about a week now”, the executive said over the phone on Thursday. No exact reason was identified for the closure but the call centre staff said it could be “due to routine maintenance work”. Jais Sledder is among eight rides and attractions at the adventure complex of Ras Al Khaimah’s Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE. Within the same vicinity, thrill-seekers can go hiking or try the longest zipline in the world. Since its launch in 2022, Jais Sledder has been a popular ride for those seeking out some adrenaline rush. With tickets priced at Dh50 per adult and Dh65 for one adult and a child, riders get to race down the Hajjar mountain at 40kmph, swerving through scenic views of the rugged terrain and the coastline. On its […]

2 years ago

Emirates SkyCargo Launches Weekly Copenhagen Freighter Service

Emirates SkyCargo has introduced a weekly Boeing 777 freighter service to Copenhagen Airport in response to demand from Denmark. The new service expands the carrier’s freighter network to 38 destinations. The route, which began on January 1, 2025, provides approximately 85 tonnes of cargo capacity from Copenhagen and serves neighbouring Norway and Sweden. The service marks an upgrade from the previous belly-hold capacity in passenger aircraft, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement. Emirates SkyCargo adds 85-tonne capacity to Copenhagen route The cargo division of Emirates reported a 20 per cent growth in volume from Denmark during the last financial year, with pharmaceutical shipments driving the increase. Copenhagen functions as Europe’s northern hub for pharma logistics, supported by its life sciences production industry and cold chain infrastructure. The airline will transport various cargo types through its product portfolio, including general cargo, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-controlled perishables such as fish and food items. “Demand has been strong across Scandinavia, with particular growth in Copenhagen, and we expect this to continue into the next financial year and beyond. Bolstering our operations to Copenhagen with a dedicated freighter, ensures that we are able to serve the current demand, and support our customers in […]

2 years ago

Emirates Launches New Flights From Dubai To Colombo

Emirates will operate an additional scheduled service between Colombo and Dubai, starting from January 2. The newly-introduced flight, to operate as EK654/655, increases the seat capacity on the route by 30 per cent and supports Sri Lanka’s plans to considerably increase tourist arrivals in 2025. The additional service will operate six times a week until March 31, 2025, with EK654 departing Dubai International Airport (DXB) every day except Wednesdays. Emirates Dubai to Colombo flights From April 1, 2025, a seventh weekly flight will be added on Wednesdays. The additional flight can accommodate up to 360 passengers, with: Emirates began operations to Sri Lanka in April 1986 and has carried more than 12 million passengers to and from Colombo since operations began.

2 years ago

Emirates Announces Airbus A350 Flights From Dubai To Kuwait And Bahrain

Emirates brings forward Airbus A350 flights to Kuwait and Bahrain Services will start January 8, making them the second and third destinations to be served by the airline’s newest aircraft. Emirates will operate its Airbus A350 on the following services to Kuwait and Bahrain: The three-class aircraft features 312 seats, with 32 Business Class lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, and 259 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement. Emirates A350 The Emirates A350 operating to both countries boast a suite of features, including high ceilings and wider aisles, new technology touches, faster Wi-Fi, and the latest version of the ice inflight entertainment system. The airline has been serving Kuwait since 1989, and today operates 29 weekly flights and the A350 to Kuwait is the second aircraft type to feature the highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin and newly configured Business Class seats, following the deployment of the retrofitted Boeing 777 in October 2024. Emirates operates 22 weekly flights to Bahrain, which will now be served with a mix of Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft.

2 years ago

Emirates Astronomical Society Unveils 16 Major Lunar Events For 2025

The Emirates Astronomical Society has announced 16 significant lunar events set to occur in 2025. Key events include the conjunction of the Moon with Venus and Saturn on January 3, followed by the occultation of Saturn by the Moon on January 4, both visible after sunset. On January 13 and 14, the full moon will occult Mars, also post-sunset. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, highlighted additional events, including the Moon’s close approach to Venus on February 1 and a crescent moon-Venus conjunction on March 2, both visible post-sunset. A total lunar eclipse, or “blood moon,” will occur on March 13 and 14, followed by a partial solar eclipse on March 29. Another total lunar eclipse is scheduled for September 7, with a second partial solar eclipse occurring on September 21. Other alignments include the crescent moon’s conjunction with Venus and the Pleiades star cluster on June 22 (pre-sunrise), as well as a conjunction of the crescent moon with Venus and Jupiter on July 22. On August 19 and 20, the crescent moon will align closely with Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury before sunrise. The Harvest Moon, […]

2 years ago

Ras Al Khaimah Rings In 2025 With Record-Breaking New Year’s Eve Drones, Fireworks Display

Ras Al Khaimah welcomed 2025 with a captivating drone and fireworks display, setting two new Guinness World Records titles. The records are for the “largest aerial display of a tree formed by multirotors/drones” and the “largest aerial image of a seashell formed by multirotors/drones”. Dubbed ‘Our Story in the Sky’, the show celebrated the emirate’s natural and cultural heritage, redefining how the world welcomes the new year and setting a new standard for immersive and meaningful celebrations. Ras Al Khaimah fireworks 2025 Transcending traditional fireworks, three-dimensional drone artistry, lasers and synchronised pyrotechnics combined to transform the night sky into a living canvas of light and emotion through stunning visuals representing iconic symbols of RAK’s landscapes and culture. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said securing two Guinness World Records titles with such a spectacular and meaningful display reflects the innovative spirit and cultural pride that define the Emirate. Stretching over five kilometres of RAK waterfront, the show pushed the boundaries of innovation and creativity as it unfolded in three awe-inspiring acts: Shifting Sands brought to life the Emirate’s evolving ecosystem, illustrating the timeless connection between life and the land. Mysteries of the Sea honoured Ras Al […]

2 years ago

Second Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship Set For Abu Dhabi This Month

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation will hold the second edition of its successful Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship from Jan. 17 to 19 at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi. Registration is now open for the UAEJJF-sanctioned event, which features competitions across various categories including children, youth, adults and masters. The first edition of the championship spanned five rounds — two for the no-Gi category and three for the Gi category. It was held in various emirates and attracted over 10,000 male and female participants from leading clubs and academies nationwide. “We are proud of the success of the first edition of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which carries a name dear to us all,” said Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAEJJF. “This achievement was made possible by the limitless support of our wise leadership for sports and athletes, especially jiu-jitsu.” Al-Dhaheri said the championship reflects the federation’s strategy to strengthen jiu-jitsu’s presence locally and internationally while continuing to nurture and develop national talent. He added: “The male and female athletes demonstrated incredible skill and competitive spirit throughout the five rounds, showcasing their dedication to improvement and success. “The championship has succeeded in providing a […]

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Search Here

UAE Establishes New Civil Defence Authority With Committee For Grievances

UAE Sees Frost, Ice Crystals As Temperature Drops To Chilly 2.2°c On Jebel Jais

UAE Weather: Rain Hits Dubai, Abu Dhabi, 3 Other Emirates On Coldest Day Yet This Winter

UAE: RAK’s Popular Jais Sledder Attraction ‘Temporarily Closed’

Emirates SkyCargo Launches Weekly Copenhagen Freighter Service

Emirates Launches New Flights From Dubai To Colombo

Emirates Announces Airbus A350 Flights From Dubai To Kuwait And Bahrain

Emirates Astronomical Society Unveils 16 Major Lunar Events For 2025

Ras Al Khaimah Rings In 2025 With Record-Breaking New Year’s Eve Drones, Fireworks Display

Second Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship Set For Abu Dhabi This Month

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