UAE News - Gulf Insider

1 week ago

UAE allows citizens to travel to Lebanon from Monday

UAE lifts Lebanon travel ban from June 29, sets strict pre-trip registration rules Abu Dhabi: The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Emirati citizens will be allowed to travel to Lebanon from Monday, June 29, 2026. The ministry said registration through the Tawajudi service is mandatory before travel, adding that citizens will not be allowed to leave UAE ports of departure before completing the registration process to avoid travel procedures being suspended or legal accountability. In a statement posted on Instagram, the ministry said UAE citizens must also notify the relevant authorities of their return through Tawajudi. It urged citizens to contact the ministry in emergencies on +97180024. The decision follows an earlier travel ban announced on April 30, 2026, when the ministry barred UAE citizens from travelling to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq due to regional developments and called on citizens already in those countries to leave and return to the UAE as soon as possible. UAE announces travel ban to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq UAE to open electronic visa issuance centre in Beirut UAE issues urgent travel advisory for citizens in Mali Stay safe abroad: UAE ministry issues travel guidelines Emiratisation: Meet targets by June 30 or […]

1 week ago

Strawberry Micro-moon to light up UAE skies on Asteroid Day: All you need to know

Will asteroid hit Earth or will Moon turn red? DAG answers queries ahead of Dubai event Dubai: As the world comes together to celebrate Asteroid Day on June 30, astronomy enthusiasts in the UAE have even more reason to look up. This year’s occasion coincides with the appearance of the Strawberry Micromoon, offering a unique opportunity to explore two fascinating celestial topics in one memorable evening. Asteroid Day is a global awareness campaign dedicated to educating the public about asteroids, their role in the formation of our solar system, and the importance of monitoring near-Earth objects. The annual event is observed on June 30, commemorating the Tunguska Event of 1908, when an asteroid or comet fragment exploded over Siberia, flattening more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest. The initiative was launched in 2015 by a group of scientists, astronauts, and science communicators to promote asteroid research and planetary defence. In 2016, the United Nations officially recognised June 30 as International Asteroid Day, encouraging governments, institutions, and organisations worldwide to raise awareness about asteroid science and impact hazards. Many people assume that Asteroid Day means a large asteroid will be visible in the sky, but that is not usually the case, […]

1 week ago

UAE offers 90-day grace period for space sector operators to get licensed

The UAE Space Agency has announced a 90-day grace period for all space sector operators to obtain the necessary licences and permits. The grace period starts from July 6 and will end in October 2026. The call applies to companies, organisations, and individuals who are currently working in the UAE space sector or wish to do so and is based on the federal law which regulates space activities in the country. This step aims to strengthen the legal framework for the UAE’s growing space industry. By ensuring all operators are properly registered, the agency hopes to create a safer and more competitive environment for business and innovation. The UAE has made significant strides in space science and technology, and this regulation is designed to keep pace with that progress. “The law prohibits the practice of any space activities or other activities related to the space sector that fall under its provisions, without obtaining the necessary permits or approvals from the UAE Space Agency,” said Osama Al Shehhi, Director of the Space Licensing and Permits Office at the UAE Space Agency. He explained that licensing is a key part of building a sustainable and safe space sector. The agency is urging […]

2 weeks ago

Woman Gets Jail Term, Fine For Using Another Person’s Bank Card In Dubai

A Dubai misdemeanours court has sentenced a European woman to one month in jail for using another person’s bank card without authorisation to make digital payments and obtain money. The court also issued a fine of Dh18,750 (equal to the amount she illegally earned), ordered the seizing of her mobile phone used in the offence, and ordered her to leave the country after serving her prison sentence. The woman was convicted under the UAE’s cybercrime law, which punishes the unauthorised use of credit cards, debit cards, electronic payment methods, or payment data to obtain money, property, or services without the owner’s approval. Authorities raised their caution to people not to exchange bank card information, PINs, or one-time passwords (OTPs), and asked them to report suspicious transactions to their banks right away.

2 weeks ago

Up to 90 per cent off across 100 brands: Where to shop for Dubai’s 12-hour sale today

The 12-hour event offers up to 90 per cent off and a chance to become a SHARE Millionaire Dubai: If you have had your eye on something, today is the day to grab it. Dubai’s big summer shopping season has kicked off with a 12-hour flash sale, and it is on right now until 10pm tonight. Running today, Thursday 2 July from 10am to 10pm, the sale brings discounts of up to 90 per cent across more than 100 brands. It is the opening act of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), which runs all the way through to the end of August, so think of this as the season’s big warm-up. The sale is happening across Majid Al Futtaim’s malls, so head to one of these: A few other locations are taking part too, but those three are your main spots for the day. The “up to 90 per cent” tag is the big headline, and you will find those deepest cuts on clearance and end-of-season stock. Fashion and footwear usually have the most on offer, so that is a good place to start, while electronics and beauty tend to see smaller but still worthwhile savings. The trick is to go […]

2 weeks ago

Dubai launches world’s first AI-powered park design challenge with total prize money of Dhs200,000

Under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai, Dubai Municipality has launched the world’s first AI-powered park design challenge, a pioneering initiative that will invite participants to reimagine Al Safa 2 Park using artificial intelligence. The design challenge forms part of Dubai Municipality’s efforts to harness advanced technologies, urban design and community participation to shape the future of parks and public spaces. It explores how an integrated ecosystem of AI tools can support the full design journey, from site analysis and user insights to concept generation, scenario testing, design optimization, and visualisation, while ensuring that final design decisions remain human-led. The challenge aims to develop visionary and implementable design concepts for Al Safa 2 Park that enhance sustainability, accessibility, well-being, social interaction and quality of life. Submissions are expected to include a fully integrated master plan supported by data analysis, visualisations, detailed plans and drawings, and a clear explanation of how AI tools informed the design process. The challenge carries a total prize pool of Dhs200,000. The first-place winner will receive Dhs100,000, the second-place winner Dhs65,000, and the third-place winner Dhs35,000, recognising exceptional ideas with the potential to contribute to real-world outcomes. The judging panel comprises a distinguished […]

2 weeks ago

Woman ordered to pay Dhs10,000 for insulting man in phone message in UAE

Al Ain Civil, Commercial and Administrative Cases Court ordered a woman to pay Dhs10,000 in compensation to a man for the material and moral damages he incurred, after convicting her of insulting him via a phone message, while rejecting the demands of the plaintiff who was claiming Dhs100,000 in compensation. The details of the case date back to when a man filed a lawsuit demanding that the appellee be obligated to pay Dhs100,000 in compensation for the material, moral, and emotional damages he suffered as a result of being insulted via a phone message, based on a final criminal judgment which convicted her and a certificate issued by Al Ain Appeals Prosecution stating that the judgment was not appealed by cassation, making it final. The case documents indicated that the woman requested the rejection of the lawsuit, and submitted a responsive memorandum attached with phone correspondence and copies of other judicial rulings, and insisted on the inaccuracy of the plaintiff’s claims, while the court continued to hear the case after the exchange of memoranda between the two parties was completed. The court clarified that the final criminal judgment proved the insult by the appellee and that this judgment has its […]

2 weeks ago

Etihad Rail’s first passenger journey kicks off from Tuesday

The first preliminary passenger train journeys for Etihad Rail between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah will commence on Tuesday (June 30, 2026), with 6 daily trips, 3 from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah and 3 from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi. The Fujairah to Abu Dhabi trips will be as follows: The first trip at 5:34am, the second at 10:59am and the third at 5:28pm. As for the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah trips, the first will be at 8:19am, while the second will be at 1:53pm and the third will be at 6:39pm. The passenger train routes are set to expand to include Abu Dhabi – Dubai – Al Dhaid and Fujairah from September 30, followed by the opening of stations in Al Dhafra region and Sharjah in later stages. Etihad Rail affirmed on its website that scooters, including electric ones, are not allowed on board the train, but domestic pets are allowed provided that they are kept inside an approved carrier bag and within the permitted size. The company also affirmed that the animal must remain inside the bag and under the passenger’s control throughout the journey. One bag is also allowed per passenger, replacing the permitted hand luggage. The company stated […]

2 weeks ago

Etihad Airways launches inaugural flight to Dhaka

Etihad Airways launched its inaugural flight to Dhaka on 26th June, operating a sold-out B777 to the capital of Bangladesh. The route strengthens trade and cargo connectivity across the South Asia corridor and responds to sustained demand for both passenger travel and logistics between the UAE and Bangladesh. EY382 departed Abu Dhabi at 22:00 on 26th June, arriving into Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, the following morning. The new service operates four times weekly; operated by Etihad’s Boeing 777 aircraft, each flight offers 28 lie-flat Business and 374 Economy seats, with substantial widebody belly-hold capacity to support growing cargo volumes alongside passenger demand. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said, “Our first flight to Dhaka departing fully booked speaks to the strength of the bond between the UAE and Bangladesh, and to the sustained demand we’re seeing across both passenger and cargo segments on this route. The UAE is home to one of the largest Bangladeshi communities in the world, and this service is a direct link for the families who call both countries home, as well as a gateway for the Bangladeshi diaspora across the GCC, North America and the UK travelling via Abu Dhabi.”

2 weeks ago

From Dh1,400 to Dh9,250: Cheapest, most expensive UAE-India flights this summer revealed

Travellers flying from the UAE to India this August could face huge differences in airfare depending on their destination, with return fares ranging from around Dh1,400 to more than Dh9,200 per passenger. A Khaleej Times analysis of return fares, searched on June 14 for travel between August 1 and 31 across airlines including Emirates, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, found that while some routes remain relatively affordable, others have become significantly more expensive amid strong holiday demand. Hyderabad topped the list as the most expensive destination, with return fares reaching Dh9,250 per passenger. Delhi followed at Dh9,090, while tickets to Kochi climbed to Dh7,800. At the other end of the spectrum, travellers flying to Mumbai could find return tickets for as low as Dh1,404 on some airlines, while Chennai fares started from Dh1,678. The difference is striking. A family of four flying to Hyderabad could spend nearly Dh37,000 on return tickets alone, while another travelling to Mumbai on lower-cost carriers could fly for less than Dh6,000. Travel experts said the surge is being driven by a combination of school holidays, summer travel demand, and limited seat availability. “This is among the highest fares we have seen in recent years,” said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, […]

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UAE allows citizens to travel to Lebanon from Monday

Strawberry Micro-moon to light up UAE skies on Asteroid Day: All you need to know

UAE offers 90-day grace period for space sector operators to get licensed

Woman Gets Jail Term, Fine For Using Another Person’s Bank Card In Dubai

Up to 90 per cent off across 100 brands: Where to shop for Dubai’s 12-hour sale today

Dubai launches world’s first AI-powered park design challenge with total prize money of Dhs200,000

Woman ordered to pay Dhs10,000 for insulting man in phone message in UAE

Etihad Rail’s first passenger journey kicks off from Tuesday

Etihad Airways launches inaugural flight to Dhaka

From Dh1,400 to Dh9,250: Cheapest, most expensive UAE-India flights this summer revealed

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