16 hours ago
Passengers at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport can relax at a new luxury spa. Etihad Airways and Be Relax, the world’s leading airport spa brand, have opened a new location inside the Etihad Lounge at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi (AUH). It is the first time that the two brands are partnering together. Abu Dhabi airport spa Situated in the newly inaugurated Terminal A, the spa offers a convenient wellness experience for discerning travellers passing through this global travel hub. The new spa at AUH embodies the shared vision of Be Relax and Etihad Airways to make wellness a cornerstone of the travel experience. Accessible to both Etihad Lounge guests and all passengers passing by, Be Relax Spa invites everyone to experience the next level of in-transit relaxation without the need for advance booking or exclusive membership. Turky Al Hammadi, Director of Product and Hospitality at Etihad Airways, said: “Whether departing from Abu Dhabi or connecting between two flights, we’re delighted to welcome our guests to enjoy the Be Relax Spa located at our premium Lounge. “When it comes to pampering, our partners, Be Relax are experts at creating an indulgent and rejuvenating spa experience. The services are flexibly timed to allow […]
17 hours ago
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved a Dh800 million development plan to construct 60 mosques and renovate 40 others across the emirate. Additionally, Sheikh Sultan instructed competent authorities to maintain and enhance cemeteries in the city of Kalba, in addition to improving the general appearance of these sites, asphalting access roads, developing parking facilities, and clearing the areas of random plants and trees.
17 hours ago
Indonesia is the world’s most charitable country, according to the Charities Aid Foundation’s (CAF) World Giving Index 2024. Based on surveys by Gallup, the report examines the share of people across more than 140 countries who report having helped a stranger, donated money or volunteered their time. As Statista’s Anna Fleck shows in the following chart, looking at data specifically on financial donations, 90 percent of respondents in Indonesia made this kind of contribution in the month prior to the survey. Myanmar, Malta, Iceland and Singapore round off the top five, as the next most giving countries worldwide. While religious giving is likely to be a contributing factor to several countries’ high scores, CAF also highlights how a number of major events and disasters were followed by a surge in giving. In Morocco, for example, donation levels shot up following an earthquake that killed more than 2,900 people there in September 2023, rising from two percent of the population giving such contributions in 2022 to 18 percent in 2023. At the same time, the number of Moroccans who volunteered their time also doubled, from 8 percent in 2022 to 18 percent in 2023.
22 hours ago
K9 JETS, a pay-per-seat pet charter service, has launched new routes connecting Dubai to Geneva and Milan. The expansion allows pet owners to travel directly from the Emirates to Switzerland and Italy with their animals. The company, which began operations in 2023, previously offered flights from Dubai to the United Kingdom. K9 JETS adds Geneva, Milan to growing pet charter network“We’ve experienced great success from our UAE market since launching our first route in September 2023. Now, we’re expanding our network by offering direct options into the heart of Central Europe, opening up more exciting destinations to families with four-legged friends,” Adam Golder, Founder of K9 JETS said. The inaugural flights to Geneva are scheduled for March 29 and June 29, 2025, while the first Milan route will begin on May 30, 2025. K9 JETS has transported nearly 2,000 pets across the Middle East, Europe, UK, and US since its inception. The service, which charges $9,925 per seat, allows owners to travel alongside their pets. Each seat can accommodate up to two pets under 50lbs each or one large pet over 51lbs. Despite its name, cats comprise over five percent of the company’s animal passengers. Flights depart from the JETEX […]
22 hours ago
A new home visitation service has been announced in Abu Dhabi to support new parents during the postpartum period. Qualified and certified maternity nurses will offer essential psychological and emotional assistance to help Emirati families navigate early parenting challenges. Couples can apply for the service for free starting today via the Medeem Digital Platform. The platform offers multiple services and educational materials for couples planning to get married or start a family. The home visit programme was announced days after Abu Dhabi extended maternity leave to 90 days for Emirati women working in the private sector in the emirate. The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi announced the scheme under the Emirati Family Growth Programme. Announced in July this year, the Emirati Family Growth Programme includes six initiatives to support UAE nationals to marry and raise children, build and grow families, and contribute to family and societal cohesion. These include:
22 hours ago
UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced that Sunday, September 15 (12 Rabi al-Awwal 1446H) will be a paid public holiday for private sector employees to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). According to the law, employees who work on Sundays will be entitled to seek compensatory day off in lieu of the holiday. By law, an employer may call an employee to work on an official public holiday. However, the employer should grant the employee compensatory leave for working on a public holiday or a full day’s salary and additionally 50 per cent of the basic salary for making an employee work on a public holiday. Secondly, should the work circumstances require that the employee be employed on holidays, the employee shall be compensated with a substitute rest day for each day worked or be paid his salary for normal working days plus a supplement of at least 50 per cent of his basic salary for that day. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources also issued a circular announcing a public sector holiday for the occasion. In most Islamic countries, including the Gulf countries, the Prophet’s birthday is observed on 12 Rabi’ […]
2 days ago
The Deputy Prime Minister, issued a circular announcing a public holiday to commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Under the circular, the Kingdom’s ministries, state departments, and public institutions will be closed on Sunday, 15 September 2024.
2 days ago
The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has announced the launch of a tourism campaign entitled “Delighted to See You” in celebration of the 94th Saudi National Day, which falls on September 23. The campaign will feature a mix of diverse tourism, entertainment and cultural events to welcome Saudi citizens and visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Through this campaign, BTEA seeks to provide a memorable celebratory experience. This year’s festivities will include a variety of events for all tastes and ages, starting with folk music performances and cultural exhibitions, all the way to family entertainment, historical landmark tours, live heritage and art shows, water activities, besides several welcoming events and gift distribution at Bahrain International Airport, King Fahd Causeway, hotels, resorts and various hospitality facilities. Sarah Buhiji, CEO of BTEA, affirmed the Authority’s keenness to commemorate this occasion with brothers and sisters from Saudi Arabia. She affirmed that Saudi National Day is a reflection of deep-rooted relations and historical ties between the two kingdoms in both leadership and people. The upcoming events will serve as a window into authentic Bahraini culture and the hospitality that the Kingdom is known for. To enrich the experience of Saudi visitors, BTEA has […]
2 days ago
Wealthy Britons are seeking to move abroad, with many choosing Dubai, ahead of anticipated tax rises UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said will be aimed at “those with the broadest shoulders”. Taxpayers in Britain have been told to prepare themselves for a “painful” budget at the end of October, which is expected to include rises in capital gains and inheritance taxes. Relocation companies offering services to wealthy clients have reported a surge in inquiries. Wealth managers have said concerns over the promised tax rises are driving the demand, with separate plans to “close the non-dom tax loophole” by subjecting assets held overseas to British inheritance tax if a non-dom has lived in the UK for more than 10 years, cited as a final straw by some. Henley and Partners, a British firm which specialises in residence and citizenship by investment, told The Times 4,200 millionaires left the UK in the first five months of the year. Another 5,300 are expected to go before the end of the year. Most of them are moving to Dubai, according to the company. But Switzerland, Portugal, Italy and Cyprus are also popular destinations, it said. A record 6,700 millionaires are expected to call the UAE their new home by the end of this year, according to a recent report […]