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Mark your calendars — January 17 marks the debut of The Hub by Social, a dynamic new food hall and community space in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City. Nestled in the heart of Masdar Park, The Hub promises a unique blend of global cuisines, entertainment, and sustainability-focused initiatives, making it more than just a dining destination. Developed in collaboration between Masdar City and Social Distrikt, The Hub stands out with its theme of “Socialize Sustainably.” It’s a vibrant meeting place that combines food, culture, and eco-consciousness, offering a welcoming environment for families, food enthusiasts, and professionals. Beyond its delicious menu offerings,...

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is rolling out a series of traffic improvements, starting with the opening of new access points to Al Warqa neighbourhood from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. Scheduled for early June, the project is expected to significantly ease congestion and reduce travel times for thousands of commuters. The new access point at Al Warqa 1 will increase road capacity by up to 5,000 vehicles per hour. Travel times on the route will drop dramatically from 20 minutes to just 3.5 minutes, while the journey distance will be reduced from 5.7km to 1.5km. The changes are...

Littering in Abu Dhabi just got more expensive! The city is stepping up efforts to keep its streets and spaces clean with updated fines for littering and improper waste disposal. The Department of Municipalities and Transport has announced new penalties, encouraging residents and visitors to dispose of their trash responsibly. How Much Could You Be Fined for Littering in Abu Dhabi 2025? If you leave trash outside designated bins — whether after a picnic, lunch break, or just on the go — you could be hit with a fine. Cigarette butts count too! If you flick them on the ground,...

Oman is preparing to host a major international cricket event this October, with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia-Pacific Qualifier scheduled to take place over ten days. According to the ICC, nine teams will take part, competing for three qualification spots at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka. Teams that secured their places through sub-regional qualifiers in 2024 — Kuwait, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, Japan, and Samoa — will join Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and hosts Oman. Four of them — Oman, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and...

Abu Dhabi is tightening up its public space policies, and unapproved flyers are now firmly in the spotlight. The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has confirmed new fines for those who post or distribute promotional materials in public areas without permission — and the penalties can reach up to AED 4,000. The update falls under Clause No. 56 of Law No. 2 of 2012, which aims to maintain the capital’s tidy appearance and keep public areas safe and uncluttered. Here’s how the fines stack up: First offence: AED 1,000 Second offence: AED 2,000 Third and further offences: AED 4,000...

The UAE has officially announced that both public and private sector employees will enjoy a holiday on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in celebration of the New Year. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) released a circular confirming the holiday for all federal government entities. Similarly, the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation declared the same day as a paid holiday for private sector workers. Normal work schedules will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025. This nationwide holiday allows residents to celebrate the arrival of the New Year with family and friends, or simply take the day to relax....

A big change is on the horizon for travellers in and around the Gulf. A new unified visa — officially called the GCC Grand Tours Visa — is expected to launch soon, making it easier to explore the entire Gulf region on a single application. While an exact launch date has not yet been confirmed, the new process is anticipated to be available sometime this year. Approved in 2023 and now in its final planning stages, the visa will grant access to: United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Bahrain Kuwait Oman Qatar Once launched, the GCC Grand Tours Visa will simplify...

The UAE has confirmed the first official public holiday of the year, and it’s one that everyone can enjoy, whether you're in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, RAK, Sharjah, or any other emirate! New Year’s Day (January 1) will be a day off for both public and private sector employees across the country. New Year’s Day in the UAE: Public and Private Sector Holiday Dates Public sector employees across all emirates will be allowed to work remotely on Friday, January 2. The first day back in the office will be on Monday, January 5. Meanwhile, private sector employees won’t miss out either....

Stargazers, get ready for the last Supermoon and meteor shower of 2024! As 2024 wraps up, Dubai’s night skies have one last spectacular show in store: the Beaver Moon supermoon paired with the peak of the Leonid meteor shower. Here’s everything you need to know to experience this breathtaking cosmic event and the best locations across the UAE to enjoy it. What’s Special About the Beaver Moon? The Beaver Moon is the final supermoon of the year, set to shine brightly over Dubai on Friday, November 15. Known in folklore for marking the time when beavers prepare for winter, this...

Expo City is transforming into a stage of national pride and celebration on December 2nd for a special National Day Ceremony, marking the historic unification of all seven Emirates into the United Arab Emirates. Expo City, already abuzz with the global climate discussions of COP28 from November 30th to December 12th, will take a brief interlude to showcase the rich tapestry of UAE's heritage and its unwavering commitment to sustainability. The National Day ceremony will be open to the public. Keep an eye out for ticket announcements, and you'll have the chance to immerse yourself in an experience filled with...