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As parents, keeping your kids safe in the digital world can feel like navigating a maze, especially with the constant stream of new apps, social media platforms, and online games popping up. With 2026 announced as the UAE Year of the Family, the government is stepping up to make sure kids can explore the internet safely. In December 2025, the UAE introduced a new law - Federal Decree Law No. 26 of 2025 on Child Digital Safety - to safeguard children online. It ensures that any platform accessible in the UAE, whether a website, app, or streaming service, must adhere...

This autumn is going to be busy for fitness fans located in Dubai. Whether you’re chasing personal records or just trying something new, the city’s fitness calendar has something for everyone this season. The upcoming events range from icy obstacle courses to beach triathlons and family-friendly charity runs. Here’s a look at all events coming up in September, October, November, and even December 2025. Fitness Events in Dubai in September 2025 Ice Warrior Challenge at Ski Dubai – September 14 This one-of-a-kind obstacle race returns for its 16th edition — inside Ski Dubai’s sub-zero venue. Over 3.5 kilometres, participants will...

Step into a world of light, art, and tradition as Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi hosts a special event celebrating 40 years of friendship between the UAE and China. Running until Saturday, February 1, this festival, organized in partnership with the Embassy of China and the Chinese Language Institute, is a vibrant showcase of both nations’ cultural heritage. Entry is just AED 10 per person. The festival’s main attraction is the breathtaking Zigong Lantern Exhibition. Picture yourself strolling among 20 glowing lantern installations, each crafted by expert artisans from Sichuan, China. Beyond the lanterns, visitors can dive into...

Abu Dhabi’s waterfront will soon glow again. Manar, the capital’s large-scale light art exhibition, is coming back this November as part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi programme by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). This year’s edition, Manar 2.0, will feature more than 35 artworks by international and local artists. Among the names announced are teamLab, Carsten Höller, Shezad Dawood, Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, and Nujoom Alghanem. The works will range from light sculptures and projections to interactive installations and performances.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared...

Construction has officially started on the UAE-Oman railway project, marking a significant milestone in regional connectivity and GCC cooperation. The long-anticipated Hafeet Rail line will initially run between Abu Dhabi and Sohar, Oman’s key port city. The rail line promises to deliver fast, efficient, and sustainable travel across national borders. With passenger trains reaching speeds of 200 kilometres per hour, the journey between the two cities will take just 100 minutes. Each train will be able to carry up to 400 passengers, and the freight trains will transport cargo equivalent to 300 trucks, reducing truck-related carbon emissions by 80%.  ...

If you are a UAE citizen working in the private sector, or an employer hiring Emirati talent, a major update to labour rules is worth your attention as it directly affects salaries, contracts, and compliance from the start of 2026. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has confirmed a new minimum wage for UAE citizens in private sector employment, setting the baseline salary at AED 6,000 per month. This applies not only to new hires, but also to existing employment arrangements where salaries fall below the updated threshold. The rule will come into effect on Thursday, January 1, 2026....

Saudi Arabia is stepping into the world of luxury rail travel with its first-ever five-star train, the Dream of the Desert. Designed in collaboration between Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Italian hospitality experts Arsenale, this train promises to redefine opulent travel in the region. Blending modern elegance with Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage, the Dream of the Desert takes inspiration from the vast, golden landscapes and traditional Saudi architecture. From earthy tones and rich textiles to intricate patterns that nod to landmarks like Madain Saleh and Hail, every detail of the train has been thoughtfully designed.     View this...

Dubai’s roads are about to become even more efficient, thanks to a major upgrade in the city’s traffic light system. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a new project using artificial intelligence (AI) to make traffic signals smarter, helping cars move more smoothly through intersections. The system, called UTC-UX Fusion, will be installed at key junctions across the city. It will be able to predict traffic patterns and adjust signal timings in real time, meaning fewer stops at red lights and a faster drive for everyone. A digital twin technology will also be used — this allows experts...

Residents in Dubai will now be required to clear all outstanding traffic fines before renewing their residency visas, according to a recent announcement by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). During a press briefing, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the GDRFA, confirmed that visa renewals will not be processed if traffic fines are unpaid. He emphasized that the move is not meant to burden residents but to encourage respect for the law. “If the traffic fine is a big amount, they can pay in instalments,” Al Marri explained. The decision comes in response...

BurJuman Mall, one of Dubai’s most well-known shopping destinations, is set to introduce a ticketless paid parking system. This change follows similar upgrades at other major malls like Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, and Dubai Mall. The exact launch date of smart parking system hasn’t been announced yet, but BurJuman Mall has confirmed the update on its website. Along with ticketless parking, the mall will introduce a ‘Find My Car’ service and other improvements to make navigation easier. With this new system, drivers won’t need to collect physical parking tickets. Instead, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will...