Environment News UAE

UAE weather turns unstable as rain, hail and strong winds sweep across the country

News Editor 18/12/2025

Image Credit : Gulf News The UAE is experiencing a spell of unstable weather today and into the weekend, with scattered rain, thunderstorms, lightning and the possibility of hail in several areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). Forecasters said partly cloudy to cloudy

Banking News UAE

No more OTPs for UAE banking as lenders roll out new in-app payment approvals by 2026

News Editor 17/12/2025

UAE banks are beginning to phase out traditional one-time passwords sent via SMS or email, replacing them with in-app transaction approvals aimed at improving speed and security. The move comes as financial institutions respond to a rise in phishing attempts, SIM-swap scams and OTP interception, which have made text-based verification increasingly vulnerable. Under the new

Education News UAE

UAE announces new school admission age criteria for 2026–27

News Editor 17/12/2025

Photo Credit : Gulf News The UAE has announced revised age cut-off criteria for school admissions starting from the 2026–27 academic year, standardising eligibility requirements across most curricula. The Ministry of Education confirmed that the official age cut-off date will now be December 31 of the admission year, replacing the previous August 31 benchmark. The […]

News Transport UAE

Dubai: RTA announces traffic diversions in Ras Al Khor for Metro Blue Line works

News Editor 17/12/2025

Photo Credit: Gulfnews Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced new traffic diversions in Ras Al Khor to support the start of construction works for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a major public transport project aimed at expanding the emirate’s rail network. In an update shared on social media, the RTA confirmed that several […]

News UAE

What Founders in MENA Should Prepare for in 2026

News Editor 17/12/2025

Over the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with founders across the MENA region. The ambition, speed, and scale being built here are undeniable. But as we move toward 2026, I believe the ecosystem is entering a more mature phase, one where growth will be defined not just by speed, but […]

News UAE

UAE launches automatic passport and Emirates ID renewals for senior citizens, people of determination

News Editor 16/12/2025

Photo Credit: GN Archives The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security has rolled out a new service that enables the automatic renewal of passports and Emirates ID cards for senior citizens and people of determination registered under the social support programme. The initiative, known as the Taqdeer Package, removes the need for […]

News UAE

Dubai Police explores AI-driven innovations for next-generation VIP protection

News Editor 16/12/2025

Photo Credit : Gulfnews Dubai Police has held a high-level partner dialogue exploring how artificial intelligence and smart technologies can shape the future of VIP protection, as part of its efforts to strengthen security readiness and modernise protection operations. Titled “VIP Protection in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”, the session brought together senior

News UAE

UAE weather update: Heavy rain hits Fujairah, showers reported in parts of Dubai

News Editor 16/12/2025

Photo Credit: zawya An active low-pressure system continues to affect weather conditions across the UAE, bringing heavy rain, cooler temperatures and unstable conditions in several parts of the country. Heavy rainfall was reported early Tuesday morning in Fujairah, particularly along coastal areas, leading to reduced visibility. Moderate to heavy showers were also recorded

News UAE

UAE launches public-led initiative to evaluate government services

News Editor 15/12/2025

The UAE has rolled out a new public engagement initiative aimed at involving community members directly in assessing the performance of federal government entities and improving service quality. The programme, titled Community Participation in Zero Bureaucracy, invites individuals from across society to evaluate government services based on their own experiences. The

News UAE

Emirates launches humanitarian airbridge to Sri Lanka after deadly cyclone

News Editor 15/12/2025

image credit :Emirates Emirates, in partnership with Dubai Humanitarian, has launched a humanitarian airbridge to deliver emergency aid to Sri Lanka following the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The airline said it will provide more than 100 tonnes of cargo capacity free of charge over the next two weeks on its daily passenger flights […]

Entertainment UAE

Global Village to host seven New Year countdowns and fireworks in one night

News Editor 15/12/2025

Global Village is set to welcome 2026 with a one-of-a-kind New Year’s Eve celebration, giving visitors the opportunity to experience seven international countdowns in a single evening. On Wednesday, December 31, the multicultural destination will extend its operating hours from 4pm to 2am, transforming the park into a global party hub. The evening will feature […]

News UAE

Dubai residents can book free driverless taxi rides via Uber in select areas

News Editor 12/12/2025

Image Credit : Dubai RTA Dubai residents can now experience driverless taxi rides in parts of the city, with up to 50 trips offered free of charge under a new pilot programme launched by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with Uber and autonomous mobility firm WeRide. The Robotaxi service is now live […]

News UAE

Abu Dhabi restricts heavy vehicles on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street this weekend

News Editor 12/12/2025

Abu Dhabi authorities have announced a temporary restriction on heavy vehicles and labour transport buses on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street this weekend to ease traffic movement and improve road safety. The Integrated Transport Centre, through its Abu Dhabi Mobility division, said the restriction will be in place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 3am […]

News UAE

UAE braces for unsettled weather with rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds

News Editor 12/12/2025

Photo Credit: Instagram / strom_ae The UAE is expected to see a period of unsettled weather over the coming days, with rain, thunderstorms and occasional strong winds forecast as a low-pressure system develops across the region. According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the country will be affected by a surface low extending from […]

News UAE

UAE expands digital trade services with new business documents on UAE PASS

News Editor 11/12/2025

Abu Dhabi: The UAE has taken another step toward a fully digital government with the rollout of five new trade licence documents through the UAE PASS digital wallet. The update, announced by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), was introduced in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority, Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority […]

News UAE

UAE to Shift Friday Prayer Time to 12:45pm From January 2026: What It Means for Residents

News Editor 11/12/2025

The UAE will introduce a new unified Friday prayer time from January 2, 2026, with the sermon and prayer set to begin at 12:45pm across all mosques in the country. The update was announced by the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf), which urged worshippers to follow the revised timing and arrive […]

News

Clean UAE Campaign Mobilises 1,900 Volunteers in Sharjah for Major Environmental Drive

News Editor 11/12/2025

Sharjah welcomed thousands of community members on December 10 as the Clean UAE campaign marked the third stop of its 24th cycle. The initiative, led by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) and held under the patronage of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, brought together residents, students and institutions for one of the country’s […]

News UAE

Most UAE Schools Expected to Shorten Friday Hours as New Prayer Time Takes Effect in January 2026

News Editor 10/12/2025

Image Credit : The International School of Choueifat – Dubai Most schools across the UAE are preparing to end classes earlier on Fridays starting January 2026, following the nationwide shift in Friday prayer timings. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat confirmed that from January 2, 2026, Friday sermons and prayers will take […]

News UAE

UAE 2026: Key Changes Coming to Prayer Timings, Rail Travel, GCC Visa, Air Taxis and More

News Editor 10/12/2025

The UAE is preparing for a landmark year in 2026, with major policy updates, infrastructure milestones, and new services set to influence daily life across the country. From transport and banking to education and technology, here are the top developments to watch. 1. New Friday Prayer and Sermon Timing The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, […]

News UAE

Amazon UAE Prime Members Now Get Free CAFU Fuel Delivery for 12 Months

News Editor 10/12/2025

Amazon UAE has introduced a new perk for Prime members, offering free access to a 12-month CAFU fuel delivery subscription. The offer, available at amazon.ae/cafu, gives members two free standard fuel deliveries and five free overnight deliveries every month for one registered vehicle. The subscription adds an estimated Dh400 in annual savings, on top of […]