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4 days ago
Dubai is set to begin self-driving taxi trials before a public launch of service in 2026. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service Apollo Go to roll out autonomous taxis on a large scale across the emirate. The company will begin the experimental operation of 50 autonomous vehicles in the coming months, paving the way for the official public launch of the service in 2026. Dubai self-driving taxis Under the terms of the MoU, Baidu’s Apollo Go will deploy the sixth also the latest generation of its autonomous taxis RT6, specifically designed for autonomous mobility services. These vehicles are equipped with 40 sensors and detectors to ensure the highest standards of automation and safety. This model has already achieved remarkable success and garnered widespread acclaim from users in China. The data collection and testing phase will commence with 50 vehicles in the coming months, gradually expanding to 1,000 autonomous taxis over the next three years, according to the established efficiency and service quality standards. This launch marks Apollo Go’s first international expansion in the testing and operation of autonomous vehicles outside China mainland and Hong Kong. To date, the company has […]
5 days ago
There’s still several weeks left for you to make the most of Dubai Miracle Garden before it closes for summer. The world’s largest flower garden, which is home to 150 million flowers of 120 different varieties, has announced its summer closing date as June 15. The 13th Season of the Dubai Miracle Garden opened in October 2024. The venue is open from 9am to 9pm from Monday to Friday; the timings on the weekend is 9am to 11pm. If a visit to Dubai Miracle Garden is on the cards, this guide will come in handy for you: How to get there, buy tickets, book special tours Like the Dubai Miracle Garden, several open-air popular attractions across the emirate close their doors as summer heat peaks. One among them is Global Village which has already announced the last day of its Season 29. The outdoor shopping destination, which opened in October last year, announced in a social media post that its last day of operations this year is May 11. The destination recently announced a host of tribute shows to popular stars for the rest of this month. Before it closes, you can catch from its roster of tributes, which is every Wednesday, odes to Taylor Swift (April […]
5 days ago
As Dubai real estate rents continue to climb, selected neighbourhoods have seen price drops for bargain hunters, according to Bayut data analysis for Q1 2025. The data points to a steady increase in property prices across key areas, driven by strong demand, consistent inventory supply, and Dubai’s appeal to high-net-worth individuals drawn to its robust economy and favourable tax environment. However, some areas have seen declines in rent prices. Trends for renting properties in Dubai While Bayut’s data has shown a general theme of rental increases across the market, there have been some notable exceptions. Affordable apartment rents have mostly increased by between 1 per cent and 3 per cent, but certain units in Deira and Bur Dubai have been reporting decreases of up to 7 per cent. Mid-range rentals have experienced 1 per cent to 5 per cent hikes. Interestingly, luxury apartment rents for three-bed in both Dubai Marina and Dubai Creek Harbour have seen minor decreases of 3.52 per cent and 2.11 per cent, respectively. Affordable villa rentals have surged by up to 11 per cent in the prominent districts. Mid-tier villa rents have generally risen by up to 3 per cent, with exceptions being three and four-bed units in Al Furjan […]
5 days ago
Dubai Police have taken down a fraud syndicate accused of deceiving multiple vehicle owners by posing as buyers on a popular online sales platform and paying with forged cheques. The suspects orchestrated a sophisticated scheme in which one member contacted vehicle sellers to agree on a purchase while another impersonated a company representative to finalise the transfer of ownership and deliver a forged cheque. Once the transaction was completed, the vehicle was immediately exported outside the country using documents registered by the new, fraudulently acquired, owner. Dubai Police bust suspected fraud syndicate The Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Fraud Centre received reports of similar incidents, revealing that the gang operated inside and outside the UAE. The suspects selected high-value vehicles listed for sale online and posed as representatives of reputable institutions to gain the victims’ trust. They would send an associate to inspect the car at the seller’s residence and then arrange for the final transaction to take place late at night at a vehicle registration branch, creating a false sense of urgency and credibility. Following the transfer of ownership, the criminal posing as the buyer would use a copy of the newly registered owner’s passport to ship the vehicle abroad the […]
5 days ago
A new chapter in inclusive public spaces was written this week as Abu Dhabi officially opened the UAE’s first dedicated beach area for the visually impaired and their families. Located on the Corniche near Gate 3, the 1,000-square-metre space has been specially designed to offer a safe, accessible, and welcoming environment for a cherished segment of the community. The initiative, led by Abu Dhabi City Municipality in collaboration with the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, is a landmark achievement inspired by the announcement of 2025 as the Year of the Community by the President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Fully equipped with security features, accessibility tools, and recreational amenities, the beach aims to create an inclusive space that encourages social integration and empowers individuals with visual impairments. It also reflects the government’s broader commitment to fostering a cohesive society built on equality, dignity, and shared responsibility. View this post on Instagram A post shared by بلدية مدينة أبوظبي (@abudhabiadm) International recognition Reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s reputation for world-class infrastructure, the beach has been recognised by the World Disability Union with a “Disability-Friendly Beach” award—underscoring its adherence to global standards for accessibility and inclusion. The beach will be open […]
5 days ago
The Federal Court in Fujairah has ordered a bank to refund Dh338,641 to a customer after it was revealed he had paid far more than what was actually owed on his loans and credit facilities. The court also instructed the bank to unfreeze his salary—held since November last year—and awarded him Dh10,000 in compensation for the emotional and financial stress he endured. Additionally, the bank must issue a clearance letter confirming he has no outstanding debts and cover all related court fees and expenses. The case began when the man, a salaried employee, noticed that his monthly salary—regularly deposited into his account—had been suddenly frozen by the bank. This was despite having no active debts at the time. According to the plaintiff, he had been a long-time customer of the bank before it merged with another institution. During that time, he received various financial facilities and paid them off diligently, with installments automatically deducted from his salary. No clear explanation Things took an unexpected turn when, after settling all his dues, the bank froze his salary without any clear explanation. To make matters worse, the bank asked him to sign new documents claiming he still owed money—something he firmly denied. Wanting clarity, […]
6 days ago
Firefighting teams from the Civil Defence Department in Umm Al Quwain responded swiftly to a fire that broke out on Friday afternoon at a factory in the Umm Al Thaoub Industrial Area. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported. Emergency crews acted promptly to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. Efforts to fully extinguish the fire are ongoing, while an assessment of the damage is currently under way, Umm Al Quwain Civil Defence said on Friday evening. Investigations have also been launched to determine the cause of the incident. The Civil Defence has reiterated the importance of adhering to safety protocols in industrial zones, and has urged all factories to ensure full compliance with fire prevention measures to avoid similar occurrences.
7 days ago
Bloomberg reports Wednesday that the United States (US) is currently in talks with Saudi-supported Yemeni forces (who have long fought the Houthi rebels) to cobble together a possible new land offensive to send against the Shia militant group which is allied to Iran. “Yemeni forces opposed to the Houthis are in talks with the US and Gulf Arab allies about a possible land offensive to oust the militant group from the Red Sea coast, according to people involved in the discussions,” Bloomberg writes. The report follows with, “The conversations come about a month into a US-led aerial assault against the Houthis ordered by President Donald Trump, an operation yet to achieve its aim of ending the Iran-backed group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a vital trade route, and Israel.” And The Wall Street Journal first reported Monday that the US is considering a ground assault, given the Houthis have proven impossible to dislodge merely through airstrikes, which have been intense and ongoing since March 15. The group in question is the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) of former Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The PLC is the ‘internationally recognized’ government, but which is now based in Saudi Arabia (in exile), given the Houthis have de fact control […]
7 days ago
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has confirmed the development and successful testing of advanced biometric identification systems that eliminate the need for physical Emirates ID cards. According to the Authority, these advanced systems, built in collaboration with strategic partners, utilise facial recognition and artificial intelligence technologies, accessible via its smart application. These solutions are designed to complement existing identity systems while enhancing security, accuracy, and convenience across sectors. Target sectors The biometric ID systems, powered by cutting-edge technology, are designed to be adopted across key sectors such as government, banking, telecommunications, healthcare, hospitality, and insurance industries where precise and secure customer identification is critical. These systems apply high standards of technical and procedural verification, while complying with national data protection laws and risk management frameworks. The announcement was made in a written response to the Federal National Council (FNC), addressing a question from Dr. Adnan Hamad Al Hammadi, a member of the Council, about the promotion and implementation of electronic identity solutions to enhance service efficiency. Strategic roll-out According to the Authority, the deployment of digital identity solutions is being executed in carefully planned phases. The transition began with the digitisation of simple services […]
7 days ago
Gold prices are on fire – for a second consecutive day, with the Dubai Gold Rate for a gram of 22K up by Dh14 in just over a day. A gram costs Dh372.5 right now. Nothing like this has ever been seen before, with the price of a gram of 24K clearing Dh400 for the first time. A level that market sources at the start of the year said would take at least until September/October to happen. These days, gold is creating and resetting records by setting its own rules. The numbers tell the story – “The price difference between the lowest Dubai gold price in the year to date and today’s price is a near Dh150 a gram,” said Abdul Salam K.P., Vice-Chairman of Malabar Gold & Diamonds. This year’s lowest local rate was the Dh223.25 a gram for 22K on February 14. In Saudi Arabia, the 22K and 24K gram prices are SR378 and SR409, respectively. Bullion prices In the global commodities market, bullion continues on its merry way, at one point earlier today shooting past $3,350 an ounce mark. Right now, it’s at $3,337 – but the key point here is that it’s still a good $115 up from […]
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