Author: Dubai News Staff
As announced, the first issue of the Powerful 100 list of Entrepreneur Middle East has now recognized leaders of the Middle East and Islamic world of 2024. Among them is Sheeraz Hasan the founder of Dubai News, a pioneering platform for linking up the progress of the city to the global market especially the United States. Picked from an initial list of 628 nominees, the list identifies leaders who have influenced the economy, culture, concepts of innovation and sustainability, and creating sustainable legacies. Hasan, through Hollywood.AI and Bollywood.AI, has revolutionized the trillion dollar entertainment and technology industry and, as such,…
As Christmas Eve approaches, many would like to know whether December 25 is a public holiday in Dubai? Although one can see and decorations all over the city and even in some offices the Christmas is not celebrated as public or private holiday in the UAE. Because Islam is the official religion in the UAE, most of the public holidays are religious, including Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. Actually, regarding the fact that Christmas is a Christian celebration, the employers do not have to give their staff the day off. However, some of the companies may consider offering its employees…
Dubai will be ushering in new media laws which the emirate’s authorities said with an effect of strengthening film and gaming businesses. The Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum passed Federal Law No. (29) of 2024 providing the Dubai Media Council more authority, necessary to enact policies for executing five-year development plans for the media industry. The new legislation also incorporates Decree No. (66) of 2024 whereby the Council shall be the regulatory body for media activities throughout the Emirate of Dubaiurum including the Dubai International Financial Centre…
The UAE Lottery, a lottery that is authorized in the UAE and drawn by Game LLC, unveiled a new winner: Dh100,000 – this has been the first time in the country’s gambling history. Mirza Omair Baig was the first lucky man to get Dh100 000 by playing the Golden 7 Scratch Card. This was made after the initial draw which took place on 14th of December was followed by celebrations upon receiving his cheque by Baig. Taking to social media platform X, The UAE Lottery congratulated Baig, stating: “Your big win has officially set a record to be the first…
Dubai authorities have announced a new truck ban along Emirates Road, between Al Awir Street and Sharjah, during evening peak hours from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. This has been in the RTA and Dubai Police drive to reduce traffic jam and improve on the safety of roads starting from January 1, 2025. Expanding Truck Movement Bans The truck ban is an extension of previous attempts, with a similar plan starting in 2024 for Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. The proposed shift’s purpose is to give priority to the light vehicles during rush hour since this measure should minimize the…
Dubai and UAE travelers can now benefit from the newest novelty – a unique opportunity to take advantage of the worlds’ first online shopping tax refund. One of the many digital solutions introduced by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) of the UAE – a user-friendly application for obtaining a VAT refund on eligible, purchased goods purchased through the Internet. Eradicating the Exemption of Items Sold through the Internet from VAT Refund This has been the case since the implementation of the UAE’s 5% VAT in 2018 where tourists could only claim refunds on purchases made at physical stores only. This…
The first draw of the UAE Lottery finally commenced this past Saturday, the 14th of this December to announce the winning numbers for the AED100M ($27.2M) grand prize. This historic event was hosted by Chadi Khalaf and Diala Makki presenting the first federally licensed national lottery in the UAE with The Game LLC in collaboration with General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). Draw results: winning numbers for the AED100M Jackpot Days Section: 26, 19, 9, 11, 18, 17 Month Section: 7 However, there was no winner in the AED100M ($27.2M) jackpot or the AED1M ($272,000) second prize category. Other Prize…
Initially designed to be a new city free of car-dominated infrastructure that vest pedestrians, Expo City Dubai will open its automobile restricted master plan design to allow limited automobile access into the city. The area, approximately 3,5 sq km with the Al Wasl dome at its center, is in the process of changing its role from being a recreational area to a fully-functional new city capable of housing more than 35 000 residents, and hosting over 40 000 workers. Physical Accessibility to support a Growing Population Ahmed Al Khatib, CCDP (Chief Development and Delivery Officer at Expo City Dubai) stated…
New rules set by the emigration department of UAE have led to increase in the visa rejection rates among the Indians who plan to visit Dubai. The rate of rejections that used to be about 1-2% has now risen to 5-6 applications out every 100 applications according to the travel agencies. The new regulation requires the applicants of visa to produce hotel bookings with a QR code and return tickets during their stay. Those willing to live with their relatives must produce other documents from the relatives offering them the shelter. Earlier, they had to be submitted only when they…
A Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT) will take effect in the UAE from 1st January, 2025 in that country’s embrace of the OECD’s international taxation system. The initiative is in par with the UAE’s policy regimes that support reasonable taxation for a favourable business environment besides stimulating innovation and economic development. The DMTT will relate to MNEs with total operations in the UAE and global revenues of €750 million ($794 million) or over in at least two of the previous four financial years. It requires those companies to pay a minimum of 15% corporate tax on solid profits in every…