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Jeddah has a new spot for film lovers to explore – Cinema Al Balad, a venue dedicated to showcasing local, regional, and international cinema. The newly opened art house cinema is breathing new life into the city’s historic relationship with film, offering an experience that blends nostalgia with contemporary storytelling. Inspired by Saudi Arabia’s first open-air theatre, Al-Jumjum Cinema, Cinema Al Balad pays tribute to the early days of cinema in Jeddah. Back then, moviegoers would gather in the historic district for open-air screenings. Fast forward to today, and Cinema Al Balad is continuing that legacy in a modern, curated...

If your child has been asking to use WhatsApp, a new feature coming in the next few months may ease the concerns about the safety of the app. WhatsApp introduces parent-managed accounts for kids under 13. The feature lets younger users stay in touch with family and friends while parents keep control over the account’s privacy and communication settings. How Parent-managed WhatsApp Accounts Work With this feature, a parent or guardian can create and supervise the account for a kids under 13. Only adults aged 18 or older can manage the setup. Here's what parents can manage: decide who is...

Dubai has a new destination for shopping, dining and essential services. Al Khawaneej Mall has officially opened in Al Khawaneej 2, offering visitors a variety of retail options, a hypermarket, cafés, and practical amenities – all within a single, thoughtfully designed space. Covering approximately 70,000 square feet, the mall includes a diverse mix of outlets, a children’s nursery, and an ENOC service station. Visitors will find everything from restaurants and cafés to a currency exchange and banking services, making it a one-stop spot for everyday errands and casual outings. One of the key highlights of Al Khawaneej Mall is its...

Winter is an exciting season to explore the world — and Louvre Abu Dhabi has crafted a lineup of thrilling activities and exhibitions to make your visit truly memorable. This world-class museum, an architectural marvel surrounded by shimmering waters, offers more than just classic art displays. Discover unique adventures this winter at Louvre Abu Dhabi that combine art, culture, and the beauty of the Arabian Sea. Here’s a roundup of some must-try experiences: 1. Sail and Marvel on a Catamaran Adventure Embark on an exclusive, artistic journey across the Arabian Sea with a ride on Louvre Abu Dhabi’s electric catamaran....

Looking for an exciting way to end the year? We have just the right place for you! Say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024 in style at Time Out Market Dubai's "Hall of Wonders" New Year's Eve Party. It's not your average celebration – it's a night of enchantment you won't forget. On December 31st, 2023, Time Out Market Dubai will transform into a magical wonderland. Brace yourself for a night filled with captivating circus acts, surprises around every corner, live music that'll get you grooving, and entertainment that sparks pure joy. The culinary scene? Top-notch. Time Out Market Dubai's...

If you regularly travel between the UAE and India, there’s a useful update to know about. Air India is adding a new flight between Dubai and Hyderabad, giving passengers another direct option between the two cities. The new flight will launch on March 29. With this addition, Air India continues to expand its presence in the Gulf region. The airline already connects several GCC cities with Hyderabad: Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the UAE Manama (Bahrain) Dammam and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia Doha (Qatar) Kuwait City Muscat (Oman) Passengers flying on the new route between Dubai and Hyderabad will also...

For anyone who’s struggled to find a parking spot, there's a new solution in Sharjah. The emirate has introduced Smart Parking Yards, adding thousands of new spaces. Here’s everything you need to know about the new system. First and most important, they operate as 24-hour paid parking, with no free hours. The Smart Parking Yards in Sharjah are managed using artificial intelligence and rely on cameras installed at the entry and exit points. When you drive in, your licence plate is automatically scanned and your parking time starts. When you leave, the system calculates the total fee based on how...

Have you been using Instagram's end-to-end encrypted messaging feature? Well, it’s time to say goodbye. Meta recently announced that it will no longer support this feature starting May 8, 2026. End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and receiver can read the content of their messages. So, when this was enabled on Instagram, Meta couldn’t access your conversations. According to Meta spokesperson Dina El-Kassaby Luce, the feature didn’t get enough use, that's why it's being removed. Starting May 8, Instagram will return to its standard encryption model, where the platform can access data if needed. Before this date, Meta will...

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...

Dubai’s One Za’abeel is turning up the heat with a major summer retail event. The Curated Playlist pop-up is taking over The Plaza for two weekends — May 23 to 25 and May 30 to June 1 — bringing together an impressive lineup of regional and global brands across fashion, beauty, homeware and more. This immersive shopping experience celebrates independent and well-known labels, with everything from statement jewellery and beachwear to clean skincare and handmade ceramics.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by One Za’abeel (@onezaabeel) Some of the participating brands (organisers promise more than...