Fri, May 23 2025
Breaking News
Breaking News
1 year ago
Dubai became the latest emirate in the UAE to announce a ban on single-use plastic from January 1, 2024, imposing up to a maximum penalty of Dh2,000 fine for violations. This comes in the wake of the announcement made by the federal government in January 2023 about the pan-UAE ban on single-use plastic from 2024. The ban is aimed at protecting the environment from pollution, limiting the consumption of plastic and regulating its use at the federal level. The government had announced a tariff of 25 fils or Dh0.25 on consumers using single-use plastic bags in order to encourage the use of more eco-friendly alternatives. Most retailers in the country already levied this tariff on shoppers who opted to carry their goods in single-use plastic bags. Dubai implemented the tariff on July 1 and Sharjah introduced it on October 1, 2022. Umm Al Quwain and Ajman also banned single-use plastics from January 1, 2023, and Ras Al Khaimah from January 1, 2024. In Abu Dhabi, a blanket ban on single-use plastic was enacted on June 1, 2022, while the ban on Styrofoam products also came into effect on January 1, 2024. This, according to the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, […]
1 year ago
Starting February 19, Emirates will be ramping up its operations in Seoul with three additional weekly flights to the South Korean capital city. The additional services will increase the capacity on Emirates flights between Dubai and Seoul by more than 1,000 additional seats per week. Operated through a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, EK324 and EK325 will fly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. EK324 will depart Dubai at 0445 UAE time and will have a flying time of approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes. It will land at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport at 1805 local time. The return flight EK325 will depart Seoul at 2200 local time, arriving in Dubai at 0315hrs the following day. Emirates launched services to Seoul in 2005 and currently operates a daily service from Dubai. EK322, an Airbus A380 service, departs Dubai every morning at 0330. EK323 leaves from Incheon at 2340. With the additional services, the airline will be able to guarantee more flexibility and choice for its customers to and from Dubai, as well as beyond to its global network of over 130 destinations. Emirates said the new service will “help alleviate the suppressed demand for international travel to one of the most popular East Asian destinations and […]
1 year ago
UAE to Oman border crossings will be speed up, following the introduction of AI-powered scanners at Abu Dhabi Customs centres. In line with its strategic plan and key priorities, the General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs has completed a project to provide its land customs centres in Al Ain city in the UAE with advanced inspection devices supported by artificial intelligence systems and rapid non-stop scanning technology. The new devices will enhance the movement of UAE tourist vehicles, buses, and trucks in accordance with the highest standards of health, radiation safety, and compliance with international standards and specifications. UAE introduces AI-powered scanners in Al Ain The project includes equipping Khatm Al Shiklah and Mezyad customs centres in the UAE with seven state-of-the-art X-ray scanning devices. The devices are among the most advanced in the world. Abu Dhabi Customs will also build two central control and operation rooms for the inspection devices, equipped with the most advanced technologies. The project of equipping customs centres with inspection devices is considered one of the strategic projects of Abu Dhabi Customs. The project aims to develop inspection capabilities and processes and speed up passage at customs ports. The new inspection devices rely on the technology of rapid non-stop […]
1 year ago
Sharjah has started work on the next phase of a major airport expansion project in the UAE. It is the first step in a $336m airport terminal expansion expected to be completed in 2024. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, laid the foundation stone for the terminal expansion project at the Sharjah International Airport. Sharjah Airport expansion The 190,000sq m project is the largest phase of a series of expansion projects with a total cost of AED2.4bn ($654m), expected to be completed in 2027. The Crown Prince viewed a montage showing detailed plans for the terminal project, which cost AED1.235bn ($336m), raising the capacity to 20m passengers annually. The expansion will separate the arrivals from the departures and renew the systems and facilities. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed was briefed on the project’s features and the “add-ons,” such as: He received a detailed explanation regarding the airport and communications technology systems, which improve operational efficiency. The Deputy Ruler witnessed the Airport Authority’s signing ceremony of the main contractor for the terminal project.
1 year ago
Five members of a UAE family died in a road accident that happened as they were returning after New Year’s Eve festivities. An Emirati couple, their two daughters and niece were killed in the crash in Ajman, police have said. Two other girls sustained injuries in the crash. The tragedy happened as the Emirati family’s vehicle crashed into a truck from behind in Ajman’s Masfoot area in the early hours of Monday, January 1. They were returning from Hatta in Dubai. On being notified, patrols and paramedics rushed to the spot. Two girls survived the crash and are recuperating at a city hospital. The police have said that they both are stable. Investigations have revealed that the accident happened due to distracted driving.
1 year ago
Dubai residents and visitors can witness the spectacular Quadrantids Meteor Shower on January 4 from a special setting at the Al Qudra Desert, thanks to the Dubai Astronomy Group. The Quadrantids Meteor Shower, named after the defunct constellation Quadrans Muralis, is an annual treat known for its intense bursts of meteor activity. As the first meteor shower of 2024, it sets the stage for a year of celestial events. Originating from the asteroid 2003 EH1, this rare phenomenon is anticipated to produce up to 60 or more meteors per hour at its peak, creating a dazzling display in the night sky. Meteor showers occur when Earth traverses the remnants of a comet or asteroid, with the debris burning up in the atmosphere and creating luminous trails. These events are predictable and offer a heightened display of meteors, providing a captivating celestial show for observers. What sets the Quadrantids apart is their rarity and intensity. The meteor shower is known for its short-lived yet remarkable outbursts, with the peak activity potentially reaching an impressive rate of 60 or more meteors per hour under optimal conditions. The narrow window of peak activity makes this event particularly special and requires precise timing for optimal viewing. […]
1 year ago
UAE introduces new targets for medium-sized firms to hire Emirati talent or face fines. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has started implementing the Cabinet Decision to expand the scope of companies subject to Emiratisation targets, where more than 12,000 companies with 20-49 employees, are required to hire at least one UAE citizen in 2024 and another one in 2025. The Ministry recently notified more than 12,000 companies to comply with the decision, providing them sufficient time to meet their required targets. UAE Emiratisation targets The targeted companies operate across 14 specific key economic activities: All of these sectors are currently undergoing rapid growth and have the capacity to provide jobs and a suitable working environment. MoHRE issued a statement, calling on companies subject to the decision to “quickly meet their Emiratisation targets and avoid delaying it until the end of the year.” The Ministry said: “It is crucial that targeted companies register to the Nafis platform in order to benefit from the support the programme provides in terms of supplying the private sector with qualified Emirati professionals capable of efficiently working in various targeted economic sectors, along with other advantages they can benefit from.” MoHRE added that it will continue to […]
1 year ago
Dubai Financial Market saw significant growth in 2023, according to newly published figures. Brokerage firms at the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) opened 57,054 new investor accounts in 2023, marking a significant increase of 12.5 percent over the previous year. The growth was driven by a number of factors, including the strong momentum in the market since the announcement of the listing of government and semi-government companies, as well as the increasing popularity of online trading. The new accounts were distributed over the months of the year, with a notable year-on-year spike of 184 percent in December, when 6,088 new accounts were opened. This was due in part to the strong demand from investors for the initial public offering (IPO) of the Dubai Taxi Corporation. Surging new investor accounts bolster DFM, injecting potential for greater liquidity and trading activity. In the meantime, the 29 brokerage firms operating in the DFM executed more than 3.83m transactions in 2023, a 32.7 percent increase compared to 2022’s 2.88 million.
1 year ago
Abu Dhabi set four world records with a spectacular firework and drone show to welcome the new year. The Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area celebrated New Year 2024 with exceptional shows and features. The shows included a spectacular fireworks display and a 60-minute drone show, along with international performances and programmes. The festival attracted a large international crowd to celebrate the New Year with events, activities, and performances. A 40-minute fireworks display broke three Guinness World Records, while more than 5,000 drones created dazzling formations in the sky, setting another record for the largest aerial logo. A unique laser show, a first in the region for these celebrations, captivated festival visitors with vibrant colours and tranquil evening rhythms to mark the beginning of the New Year. Special shows took place at the Emirates Fountain, Glowing Towers Garden, and various pavilions, along with folklore performances from around the world. The Sheikh Zayed Festival offers new dining experiences from local and international restaurants, along with discounts and bonus surprises for shopping. The festival runs until March 9, 2024, with daily hours from 4 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and until 1 a.m. on weekends and public holidays, providing various events, […]
1 year ago
Several Emirates A380 are currently being dismantled or cannibalized at Al Maktoum International Airport. A recent footage shows several Emirates Airbus A380s stored at at Dubai World Central Airport. Dubai World Central Airport was supposed to be Dubai’s mega-hub by 2017 for the massive Emirates A380 fleet. Instead, it appears to have turned into a graveyard where the airline is storing the A380s. Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central, is an international airport in Jebel Ali, 37 kilometres southwest of Dubai, United Arab Emirates that opened on 27 June 2010. It is the main part of Dubai South, a planned residential, commercial and logistics complex. Al Maktoum International Airport is also hosting the biennial Dubai Airshow. After her retirement in April 2020, the Emirates A380 (reg. A6-EDA) was dismantled by Falcon Aircraft Recycling. The process took less than five months to complete. Emirates currently operates close to 90 A380s. Last year, the airline kick-started its retrofit programme, with 67 A380s earmarked for a refresh across every cabin class, in addition to the installation of new Premium Economy Class cabins.N
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