3 weeks ago
Sharjah’s Al Freish Lake plan approved: Waterfalls, greenery to transform Kalba
A vast new lake surrounded by green mountains, cascading waterfalls and walking areas is set to reshape another part of Kalba, as Sharjah pushes ahead with a series of projects transforming the east coast city into a major family and nature destination. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved the plan for Al Freish Lake, a 51,200-square-metre development that will be capable of storing up to 28 million gallons of water. Trees are being planted on the mountain near the site, while waterfalls will weave through the greenery before their waters make their way towards the sea. At ground level, visitors will be able to leave their cars in one of 200 parking spaces and explore the area on foot, turning the lake and its surroundings into a place for families to walk, spend time outdoors and take in Kalba’s mountains and coastline. Al Freish Lake will stretch for approximately 750 metres behind Al Marsh Square in Kalba. Photo: Screengrab from video posted by Sharjah RTA/Instagram Located behind Al Marsh Square, the lake will stretch for approximately 750 metres. Sheikh Dr Sultan had revealed details of the project earlier this year, […]
3 weeks ago
UAE dirham symbol joins Unicode, clearing path to phone keyboards
New digital code lets companies add the symbol to devices, apps and websites The UAE dirham symbol has been added to Unicode 18.0, giving technology companies a standard way to display it across phones, computers, apps and websites. Unicode has assigned the symbol U+20C3, a unique code that software can recognise. The change brings the dirham sign a step closer to being used in digital text alongside other currency symbols. In its September 16 announcement, the Unicode Consortium described the dirham sign as one of the release’s “most anticipated new characters”. The Maldivian rufiyaa and Omani rial signs were also added in the same update. The three symbols had already been approved for public use by their respective monetary authorities. Unicode said the lack of standardised codes had limited their use across digital platforms. “Vendors are now able to implement support for these symbols,” the organisation said. The update does not automatically add a dirham key to every phone or computer. Device makers, operating systems, font providers and app developers must add support through their own updates. Keyboard makers will also decide how users select the symbol. A resident could therefore see the sign in an updated app or website […]
3 weeks ago
948 workers in Abu Dhabi receive Dh7.8 million in labour dues after court settlements
A total of Dh7,811,933 of financial labour dues were recovered for 948 workers by an Abu Dhabi court within three months, in a move that supports job stability in the emirate and safeguard workers’ financial entitlements. Payments were collected by the Abu Dhabi Labour Court, through judicial deposits and direct payments under amicable settlements of three collective cases, from total claims of Dh12.3 million. The amounts were recovered through joint efforts by the court, the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the parties involved in enforcement. Under the settlements, 457 workers got their entitlements in full while 491 received partial payments. The remaining amounts were scheduled through regular instalment plans to ensure continued collection. In addition to receiving the money, the settlement mechanism enabled workers to retain their jobs with the companies concerned, promoting stable employment relationships, supporting economic activity and ensuring business continuity. During the first half of 2026, the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) successfully resolved 98.6 per cent of labour disputes amicably. According to data released by the ministry, 185,793 labour disputes were settled through its dispute resolution system. Only 2,481 cases, representing 1.4 per cent of the total, were referred […]
3 weeks ago
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum passes away; 10-day mourning declared in Dubai
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum passed away on Monday morning at the age of 76, according to the Dubai Media Office. Dubai has declared an official 10-day mourning period, beginning on Monday, with flags to be flown at half-mast across the emirate. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, mourned his brother and paid tribute to him in a message shared on social media. “May God have mercy on Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. May God have mercy on you, my brother. You have settled with a Generous and Great Lord. You are absent from our eyes but not from our prayers and hearts, O Ahmed. “May God make you dwell in the vast expanses of His Paradise and inspire us and your loved ones with patience and solace. And to God we belong, and to Him we shall return.” The UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan offered his condolences to the Dubai Ruler on the passing of his brother. He said that Sheikh Ahmed’s longstanding contributions to the UAE’s development since the country’s founding will ‘continue to inspire the nation’s journey of progress’. Dubai Crown […]
3 weeks ago
Michael Jackson’s glove, Diana’s gown and more worth up to Dh3.86m at Abu Dhabi auction
Highlight lots alone are estimated at up to Dh3.86 million, with full catalogues to come A crystal-covered glove worn by Michael Jackson, loafers from the Thriller video and a navy gown Princess Diana wore to a New York fashion awards night are among the items heading to auction in Abu Dhabi this December. Julien’s Auctions, the Los Angeles house behind some of the most expensive celebrity memorabilia sales in history, is launching its first event in the region. Celebrity & Culture Week runs at Rosewood Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island from 5 to 10 December, and will be built around three live auctions. The single most valuable lot announced so far, Diana’s gown, is estimated at up to $400,000, or around Dh1.47 million. Price: highlight lots estimated from $10,000 (Dh36,725) to $400,000 (Dh1.47 million) Michael Jackson: The Fashion Legacy Auction is billed by Julien’s as the largest collection of Jackson’s stage costumes, accessories and video-worn wardrobe pieces ever brought together for sale. Princess Diana: Influence, Fashion, & A Royal Collection is Julien’s largest Diana auction to date, continuing a run of royal sales that has produced several of the house’s records. Pop Culture Legends covers music, film and fashion, with property connected […]
3 weeks ago
Dubai Police secure 95.2 million passengers in 2025 with AI-powered airport security
Dubai’s airports handled a huge volume of travellers and baggage in 2025, with Dubai Police securing the journeys of 95.2 million passengers and more than 86.75 million pieces of baggage as it expands the use of artificial intelligence and smart technologies across airport security. The figures underline the scale of the security operation supporting Dubai’s fast-growing aviation sector, with police also focusing on reducing processing times and making the passenger journey smoother. The developments were reviewed by Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, during his annual inspection of the General Department of Airport Security. He said keeping pace with passenger growth requires continued investment in both technology and people while maintaining high levels of safety and security. During the inspection, Al Marri reviewed advanced security systems operating across different stages of the passenger journey, from entering the airport to departure. These include AI-enabled passenger screening, systems for detecting and handling unattended baggage, and technology that analyses camera feeds and visual data to strengthen monitoring and support faster responses. Al Marri called for wider adoption of AI across security operations, saying the technology can improve efficiency, accelerate procedures and support decision-making. The push comes as airport security […]
3 weeks ago
Indian Consulate in Dubai to offer free legal advice on cybercrime, banking fraud
For Indians in the UAE dealing with a cybercrime complaint, a banking fraud or concerns over the misuse of their Emirates ID, knowing where to turn for legal guidance can be difficult. But on Monday, they can walk into the Indian Consulate in Dubai for free legal advice. The Consulate General of India, Dubai is organising a legal counselling camp on September 21, offering pro-bono advice to Indian nationals in Dubai and the Northern Emirates on a range of legal matters. The camp will run from 2pm to 4.30pm at the Consulate Auditorium, with no prior appointment required. The camp is being organised as part of Seva Pakhwada, with the consulate encouraging Indian nationals who need legal guidance to attend on a walk-in basis. For someone unsure about their next step after falling victim to fraud or facing another legal issue, the session offers an opportunity to speak to legal professionals and understand what options may be available.
3 weeks ago
Nearly 39,000 tourism workers join Abu Dhabi academy aimed at raising visitor experience standards
Academy has onboarded 38,643 learners from 260 organisations across tourism sector The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched the Visitor Experience (VX) Academy, a destination-wide initiative designed to equip tourism frontliners with the skills and knowledge to deliver consistently exceptional visitor experiences across the emirate. The academy has already onboarded 38,643 learners from 260 organisations across Abu Dhabi’s tourism ecosystem, including 149 hotels, 27 attractions, and 18 cultural sites. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Every memorable visitor experience begins with the people who welcome our guests. The Visitor Experience Academy equips thousands of tourism frontliners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to consistently deliver the warm hospitality, service excellence and cultural understanding that define Abu Dhabi. As a key pillar of our wider Visitor Experience programme, it supports our Tourism Strategy 2030 ambitions while strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-class destination.” The VX Academy is the first major implementation of DCT Abu Dhabi’s wider Visitor Experience programme, following the launch of Visitor Experience Guidelines earlier this year. Together, these initiatives establish a shared standard of excellence across 11 visitor touchpoints, from airports and cultural […]
3 weeks ago
Etihad Rail Freight launches direct Fujairah-Abu Dhabi cargo service
New link lets businesses move cargo directly from Fujairah Terminals to Abu Dhabi’s ICAD Etihad Rail Freight and AD Ports Group have launched a direct rail service linking Fujairah Terminals with the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), giving importers and exporters a new way to move cargo closer to their warehouses, factories and customers. The service combines dedicated rail freight with an inland cargo gateway at ICAD where customs clearance, inspections and cargo release can be completed. The move is intended to reduce the need for additional road transport after cargo arrives at Fujairah and make the movement of goods across Abu Dhabi more efficient. Under the new arrangement, containers arriving at Fujairah Terminals can be transported by rail directly to ICAD. Once there, customers can complete customs and inspection procedures and collect their cargo closer to their operations. A key part of the launch is ICAD’s designation with the UN location code “AECAD”. The code establishes ICAD as a recognised location within international shipping and trade systems. This means shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners can book shipments with ICAD listed as the destination and clearance point. The arrangement brings together Fujairah Terminals, the UAE National Rail […]
4 weeks ago
Jazza Dickens returns as four Emirati fighters make history
Friday’s event dedicated to talents who have developed through the UAE boxing scene Dubai is set for a major weekend of boxing as BATL Promotions hosts a two-night showcase featuring international stars and emerging homegrown talent at The Meydan Hotel on September 18 and 19. Saturday’s card will mark a milestone for UAE boxing, with four Emirati professional fighters – Saif Alhaj, Ammar Tayel, Abdullah Marjan and Amer Asuwaider – set to compete. It will be the largest representation of Emirati professional boxers on a single card, highlighting the growth of the sport in the country. The show will also see former world champion James “Jazza” Dickens return to the ring against Tanzania’s Ramadhani Kimwaga. Liverpool-born Dickens captured the WBA interim super-featherweight title after stopping Albert Batyrgaziev in Istanbul in 2025. He subsequently lost to Anthony Cacace earlier this year and will be looking to bounce back in Dubai. The two-night event begins on Friday with a card focused on fighters who have developed their careers through the UAE’s boxing scene. Ammir Khan and Michael Roos will compete for WBC Asia Continental honours, while rising Jordanian-Palestinian prospect Asaad Touqan will challenge for the WBC Asia Youth title. Emirati fighter Ibrahim […]
Recent Posts
