Category: What’s On

Abu Dhabi’s drive to deepen its role as a global financial and technology destination accelerated with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and cross-border payments firm YeePay announcing the establishment of YeePay’s regional headquarters and technology hub in the emirate. The collaboration, unveiled at Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, positions the new base to serve the Middle East and Africa while bolstering digital payment links between the UAE, China and other international markets.The announcement underlines Abu Dhabi’s strategy to

Families are being invited to a vibrant seasonal celebration as Town Centre Jumeirah prepares to unveil “Magical Moments”, a three-day programme designed to turn the community mall into a festive showcase from 5 to 7 December. The event is positioned as an immersive experience aimed at drawing families, children, and neighbourhood visitors into an atmosphere of creative play, entertainment, and traditional holiday indulgence.Organisers have outlined a schedule that places family interaction at the heart of the festivities, with the mall

The Central Bank of the UAE confirmed that the Digital Dirham — its central-bank-issued digital currency — is poised for phased rollout, following the nation’s first government-level payment settled in Digital Dirham. The transaction, processed in under two minutes via the mBridge multi-CBDC platform, involved the Ministry of Finance and the Dubai Department of Finance, underscoring readiness of infrastructure and institutional coordination.This marks a transition from pilot tests to operational use. The CBUAE’s July policy paper outlined the phased

Crowds are heading to Fort Island at Madinat Jumeirah as one of Dubai’s most anticipated seasonal attractions opens its doors for the Christmas Market 2025, offering a mix of entertainment, dining and festive installations through December. The annual celebration has grown into a prominent feature of the city’s winter calendar, drawing families, tourists and residents to its waterfront setting with activities designed to appeal to a wide range of visitors.A towering Christmas tree measuring about 36 feet forms the centrepiece

Dubai has unveiled a major overhaul of bereavement services, aiming to simplify and digitise all procedures linked to the death of a family member, the Dubai Health Authority said. The move is part of the government’s wider City Makers initiative and is designed to offer faster, more humane support during what officials described as one of the most difficult periods for families.Under the new system, named Jabr, each bereavement case will be managed by a dedicated Government Service

A fully digital escrow service for vehicle ownership transfers has been introduced through a partnership between SlashData and the Integrated Transport Centre, marking a significant shift in how transactions between buyers and sellers are executed in the UAE. The rollout of the platform known as Shary signals an effort to reduce paperwork, lift administrative burdens, and strengthen confidence in a market where used-car transactions continue to expand.Officials involved in the project described Shary as the first government-backed digital escrow mechanism

Iraq’s Oil Ministry has launched a formal process to invite a handful of major US oil companies to directly negotiate the takeover of the 75 percent stake in the West Qurna-2 oil field — currently held by Lukoil — following international sanctions imposed on the Russian company. The ministry’s announcement emphasises that transferring control to a US operator would support global market stability while preserving Iraq’s vital oil output and revenues.The ministry has refrained from naming specific firms or stipulating

Colife, a property management firm operating in Dubai, is advertising that apartments under its portfolio are leased out in an average span of 12 days, claiming landlords using its services earn 20–25 per cent more income compared to traditional rental routes. The company markets this as a “no downtime, no extra fees” model, promising direct bookings, continuous tenant flow, and full-service property management — from marketing and check-in to cleaning, maintenance and financial reporting.Since its launch in 2018, Colife has

Prepare for an evening where history comes to life. This December, the iconic Dubai Opera will become the epicenter of the musical universe as it hosts a once-in-a-lifetime convergence of talent. The legendary tenors José Carreras and Plácido Domingo will reunite for the “Stars of the Century” gala — a performance destined to be remembered for years to come.Scheduled for December 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM, this spectacular event marks the pinnacle of Dubai Opera’s tenth anniversary festivities. Joining these giants

City streets that normally teem with early-morning traffic transformed into vast running lanes as the seventh edition of the event drew a record turnout. More than 307,000 participants took part in the event, surpassing the previous year’s figure of 278,000. The highly inclusive free event offers both 5 km and 10 km distances and is open to people of all ages and fitness levels.The race commenced early at 06:30 on the prominent thoroughfare adjacent to the major landmark, and included

The U. S. Commerce Department has authorised the export of advanced artificial-intelligence semiconductors to two Middle Eastern firms, granting licences for each to procure up to 35,000 units of Nvidia’s Blackwell chips. The approvals apply to G42 of the United Arab Emirates and Humain of Saudi Arabia, representing a significant shift in America’s technology-export policy.The licences impose stringent conditions: both companies must adhere to rigorous security and reporting protocols, as stipulated by the Bureau of Industry and Security. Each

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has marked its 25th year, standing today as one of the world’s top 20 stock markets by market value. Founded in 2000 with just 12 listed companies, the exchange now hosts more than 200 securities, carries a market capitalisation in excess of AED 3 trillion and counts 1.2 million investors drawn from over 200 nationalities.This milestone comes as the ADX embarks on an upgraded platform designed to support the emirate’s ambition to become a

Abu Dhabi based investment firm Lunate has escalated its global ambitions after deploying roughly US$13.5 billion and signalling plans to raise even larger funds for 2026 launches. Founded in 2023 and backed by the emirate’s investment ecosystem, Lunate raised about US$17 billion in 2024 for its flagship funds and has invested around 80 per cent of that amount, according to individuals familiar with its operations. The firm now aims to raise significantly more for its next fund cycle, underscoring its

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced the holiday for the private sector in observance of Eid Al Etihad, aligning with the cabinet’s decision to recognise official public holidays. The holiday will offer employees in the private sector a designated time off to mark the festive occasion.The Eid Al Etihad holiday typically reflects national pride and unity, as it is celebrated across the country, highlighting the importance of social and cultural traditions. Government employees, in particular, have long

The Middle East's aviation market is poised for an extraordinary expansion, according to Airbus's Global Market Forecast 2025. The region, currently experiencing rapid economic growth and a surge in travel demand, is expected to see its in-service fleet more than double over the next two decades. The forecast reveals that the fleet will increase from 1,480 aircraft in 2024 to 3,700 by 2044, driven by both the region's burgeoning economy and its strategic geographic location as a global travel hub.Airbus's

A groundbreaking performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto by the renowned St. Petersburg Opera will soon grace Dubai’s Zabeel Theatre. Known for its lavish productions and exceptional vocal talent, the company, under the direction of acclaimed Russian director Yuri Alexandrov, brings a fresh and daring interpretation of this iconic opera. This marks the company’s return to Dubai after their successful appearance at Expo 2020, where they garnered international acclaim for their unique approach to classical music theatre.The St. Petersburg Opera, founded

Dubai’s ambitious urban landscape is set to evolve with the debut of Palm Jebel Ali, a new palm-shaped island poised to transform the city’s skyline and luxury real estate market. Located just off the coast of Dubai, Palm Jebel Ali is part of the broader expansion of the city’s coastline, reinforcing its reputation as a global hub for innovation in both architecture and tourism. The first beachfront apartments with terraces, situated in the heart of Palm Central, are now available

Jumeirah, renowned for its luxury hotels including the iconic Burj Al Arab, has ventured into fashion with the launch of its first-ever capsule collection. The move marks a bold step for the Dubai-based hospitality group as it explores ways to blend its longstanding heritage with contemporary trends. The collection, designed by Dubai-based fashion label Bouguessa, takes inspiration from the distinctive architectural and cultural elements of Jumeirah's luxury properties.The partnership with Bouguessa, a brand known for its modern, modest designs, is

US and London-based educational technology company, DataCamp, has acquired the UAE-based AI-native learning platform, Optima, in a move designed to enhance its offerings in personalised and real-time learning. The acquisition will see Optima’s technology fully integrated across DataCamp’s existing platforms, bolstering its data science and analytics services with cutting-edge artificial intelligence features.The deal, however, did not include the financial terms, leaving the acquisition value undisclosed. Following the transaction, Yusuf Saber, the founder and CEO of Optima, will join DataCamp as

How Visarun.ai is using AI-first approach to capture enterprise clients in the fragmented visa processing industry While giants like VFS Global and BLS International process millions of visa applications annually through legacy systems, a Dubai-founded startup is betting that AI-native infrastructure can carve out a lucrative niche in the $13.87 billion global visa services market—projected to hit $55 billion by 2034 at 16.6% CAGR.Visarun.ai, founded in 2024 by Vladimir Indjikian and Alena Iakina, just closed a $700,000 pre-seed round from Swiss

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has opened the door for qualified companies and consortiums to submit their proposals for the seventh phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Solar Park, one of the largest renewable energy projects in the world. This expansion is set to significantly enhance Dubai's efforts to diversify its energy mix and meet its sustainability targets.The upcoming phase will incorporate 2,000 megawatts of capacity through photovoltaic solar panels. Additionally, it will feature a 1,400

The high-end Solaya waterfront development in Dubai has already garnered significant attention, despite the fact that construction has yet to begin. With luxury penthouses priced upwards of $24 million, wealthy individuals from across the globe are competing in an intense bidding process. This unique approach to real estate sales has elevated the project’s status as one of the most anticipated luxury developments in the region.The project, a collaboration between Brookfield Properties and Dubai Holding, promises to deliver an exclusive residential

A landmark agreement has been signed by the UAE clean-energy firm Masdar and Austrian integrated energy company OMV to establish a joint venture for the financing, construction and operation of a 140 MW green-hydrogen electrolyser plant at Bruck an der Leitha, Austria. The plant is expected to commence operations in 2027, following the commencement of construction in September 2025.OMV will hold a 51 per cent majority stake in the JV, while Masdar will hold 49 per cent, effectively combining

A field of 73 thoroughbreds are set to line up at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai for the opening evening of the 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival, with seven races and a total prize purse of AED 1.33 million. The fixture marks the beginning of a five-month season which culminates with the landmark 30th edition of the Dubai World Cup on 28 March 2026.Trainers and jockeys boasting international credentials will be in contention from the very first race as the Carnival

Dubai’s fuel-retail market marked a shift this week as Emirates Petroleum Company opened its 158th service station, the “Al Buhaira” site in Barsha South, incorporating what the company describes as the GCC’s first dedicated Electric Vehicle Service Centre. This move underscores Emarat’s response to evolving mobility trends as electric vehicles gain traction across the region.Located in Dubai’s New Dubai zone, the Al Buhaira station not only offers 24-hour fuel retail, a Freshplus convenience store, Bakeria, Café Arabica, a

There is a good deal of worry about AI. While some feel it’s a godsend, others think it might take away their career options. These are legitimate concerns.Let’s talk about some careers that AI is not likely to take away anytime soon.Travel AgentIf you’re a travel agent, and you set up a business with great payment processing for travel industry expenses and a highly accessible website, you can still attract plenty of business. While some would-be customers might rely on

Dubai telecom operator du has launched a new cloud-mining subscription service named “Cloud Miner” offering residents in the UAE access to cryptocurrency mining without the need to purchase or operate hardware. The offering was introduced at a launch event held at the Burj Khalifa and will be managed under du’s B2B sub-brand du Tech.Customers will be able to lease 250 terahashes per second of mining capacity under a 24-month contract. The bidding for these subscriptions opens between 3 and

Rosewood Hong Kong has been crowned the number one hotel in the World’s 50 Best Hotels list for 2025, marking another milestone for the prestigious hotel rankings. However, a standout newcomer on this year’s list is Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, a luxury resort in Dubai, which made an impressive debut at 20th place, just eight months after opening its doors to guests.Located on a private island along the shores of the Arabian Gulf, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab offers a blend

OPEC+ has defied expectations, continuing its strategy of increasing oil output despite a weaker global oil market and growing concerns that prices could slide further. The cartel's resolve to raise production reflects its broader strategic priorities, which remain largely unchanged even in the face of declining prices.Oil prices, which are hovering in the mid-$60s per barrel, are still far from triggering a shift in OPEC+ policy. This price range, though a dip from earlier highs, is not low enough to

Horizon English School has announced the establishment of an all-through campus in the Town Square community of Dubai, signalling a strategic expansion of the institution’s British curriculum offering to ages 3-18. Under a joint venture between education group Cognita and developer Nshama, the new facility is scheduled to open in August 2027 and will begin with Foundation Stage 1 through Year 8, expanding to Year 13 in subsequent years.The move follows more than 35 years of the school’s operation at

Dubai didn't become a hub of thoroughbred racing overnight. Its dominance grew from carefully planned moves, including one key transaction in 1981 that brought carefully selected bloodlines from British industrialist Jim McCaughey into the hands of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.McCaughey's journey from construction tycoon to influential racing figure shows how vision and timing can create legacies no one could have predicted. By the late 1970s, he was Britain's 11th richest man, and when he stepped into racing, he

The kingdom is committing multibillion-dollar investments into artificial intelligence, high-tech manufacturing and gaming as it repositions its economy away from a flagship megacity project. Officials have indicated that the NEOM venture will receive a smaller share of funding as more capital flows into next-generation industries. The move reflects a pivot by policymakers toward technology-driven growth sectors.Top-level figures including the Public Investment Fund highlight that the ecosystem around AI and gaming offers faster returns and closer alignment with the kingdom’s

Dubai– Nakheel has unveiled a new collection of ultra-luxury waterfront villas at its flagship Palm  Jebel  Ali development, signalling a major push in high-end residential real estate on the island. The release covers both the “Beach Collection” and “Coral Collection” villa clusters, with the broader master plan of the scheme now coming into sharper focus.The announcement highlights that the master community will include a 9,000 sq m retail centre and a Friday Mosque, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, capable of accommodating up

The urban development landscape of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is being reshaped as Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding announced a landmark merger to form a unified entity under the Marjan brand, merging land-development and hospitality arms into one.Under the partnership, Marjan will consolidate real-estate development, hospitality operations and lifestyle offerings, effectively becoming one of the largest property developers in the United Arab Emirates. According to executive statements, the move is aligned with the emirate’s long-term “RAK Vision