Ultimate Travel Guide - Latest News

UK-based barefoot footwear brand Vivobarefoot has officially launched its regional e-commerce platform, vivobarefoot.me, making its products directly available across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. Operated by Andy Enterprises LLC, the brand’s authorised distributor in the region, the launch offers a tailored shopping experience for customers in the Gulf. Known for promoting natural foot movement and functional design, Vivobarefoot shoes are a minimal alternative to traditional footwear. The signature features — wide toe boxes, thin soles, and zero-drop construction — are designed to improve posture, strengthen feet, and allow the body to move as naturally as possible....

If you’re planning to stream Squid Game 3, you can now match your snack game to the series. Maestro Pizza has launched a special menu in partnership with Netflix, offering themed items based on the hit show — and it’s available for a limited time in Riyadh. The highlight is 456 Pizza, inspired by the show’s lead character and visual motifs. Topped with chicken, green peppers, and finished with a ranch swirl, the pizza channels the colours and mood of Squid Game. It comes in medium or large sizes, with a choice of dough, plus the option to customise further...

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new work visa classification system for foreign workers, changing how job roles are evaluated and assigned across the country. Starting August 3, 2025, all new work visa applicants will be placed into one of three skill levels — high-skilled, skilled, or basic. Until now, work permits were mostly issued based on job titles, without clear links to a person’s actual qualifications or experience. The new system has already taken effect for current foreign workers as of July 5, 2025. Skill Level Categories for Foreign Workers in Saudi Arabia High-skilled Includes roles like engineers, doctors, and...

From August 1 to 3, 2025, Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship will make its debut at ADNEC Centre Al Ain, bringing three days of high-level competition and inclusive participation to the emirate. Announced by International Vision Sports Management (IVSM) and held under the banner of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP) in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), the event aims to support the global rise of grappling — one of the fastest-growing combat sports worldwide. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AJPTour (@ajptour) The championship is part of the AJP Tour,...

CINEHOUSE, located at One Square on King Abdulaziz Road, offers a new kind of night out in Riyadh. Since opening in 2020, it has become the city’s first arthouse cinema with a restaurant, offering a curated selection of films alongside a full dining experience. Inside, you’ll find three small screening rooms, each with a more personal, relaxed atmosphere than the usual multiplex setup. The cinema’s weekly lineup mixes arthouse favourites, cult films, and new commercial releases — all selected to appeal to a range of filmgoers.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by CINEHOUSE بيت...

Dubai-based developer Binghatti has launched a new residential project — Binghatti Flare — in Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT). With a total value of AED 2.1 billion for each tower, the development includes two high-rise towers featuring more than 1,300 residential units. The Sky Terrace residences will range from studio to four-bedroom units, offering a wide variety of layouts. Key lifestyle features include: Private pools 20+ premium amenities JVT’s first man-made beach Egyptian buyers are among the most active international investors for Binghatti, which is why the developer has kept a dedicated team stationed in Rixos Premium Alamein for five days...

Private sector employees in Oman now have clear rules on how annual performance-based bonuses will be handled, thanks to a new decision from the Ministry of Labour. Effective from January 1 every year, Omani workers with at least six months of service at their current establishment are entitled to a periodic bonus, based on the outcome of their annual performance evaluation. The decision is part of efforts to ensure transparency and fairness in pay structures and is rooted in the country’s updated Labour Law (Royal Decree No. 53/2023). The periodic salary bonus is paid as a percentage of an employee’s...

If you use your UAE-issued credit or debit card abroad, take note — international transaction fees are going up. Starting September 22, 2025, several local banks will apply a 3.14% surcharge on the total value of purchases made outside the country. That’s a notable increase from the current 2.09%, and it applies each time your card is used internationally. These fee changes are not uncommon, and they typically fluctuate depending on the bank’s internal strategies and market conditions. This isn’t the only update affecting local cardholders. Just last week, it announced that one-time passwords (OTPs) will no longer be sent...

If you're driving in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra, there’s a good reason to check your traffic fines sooner rather than later. A new initiative from the Abu Dhabi Police — launched at Adnoc petrol stations — is reminding drivers to take advantage of a discount system. The campaign, titled “Act Now and Benefit,” encourage drivers to pay off their fines as soon as possible and save up to one third of the fine amount: Payments within 60 days of receiving a fine will give a driver 35% off Payments made within one year will give a 25%...

Bahrain Film Festival is returning for its fifth edition, running from October 30 to November 4, 2025. Organised by the Bahrain Cinema Club in cooperation with the Ministry of Information, this year’s event carries the theme: “Short Films, Great Stories.” The festival aims to offer a meaningful space for local and regional filmmakers to demonstrate their work in one of five categories: narratives, documentaries, animations, student films, and Bahraini short films.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Bahrain Film Festival (@filmfestivalbh) According to Festival Director Ammar Zainal, the theme this year highlights the depth...