What to do in Abu Dhabi - Latest News

Waiting days for your salary could soon become much less common in the UAE private sector. Starting June 1, 2026, companies will be required to pay salaries on the first day of every month under a new MoHRE rule. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced the update under Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026. Any salary paid after the first day of the month will officially count as delayed Companies must transfer at least 85% of total wages If the transferred amount falls below 85%, the employee will still be considered unpaid under the system Companies must...

If you’ve already started thinking about travel plans or a long break with family, the UAE has confirmed the Eid Al Adha holiday dates. The announcement covers both government employees and private sector workers. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced that public sector employees will be off from Monday, May 25, until Friday, May 29, 2026. Work will resume on Monday, June 1. Because the holiday connects with two weekends, government employees end up with a 9-day break in total. Private sector workers will be off between Tuesday, May 26 and Friday, May 29. Work for them will...

Something huge is coming to Yas Island, and no, not another theme park. Abu Dhabi is getting its own Sphere venue, the same futuristic entertainment concept that grabbed attention in Las Vegas with giant digital visuals, immersive shows, and concerts inside a massive dome-shaped arena. The latest update also confirms exactly where Sphere Abu Dhabi will be built. The venue will be located between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of 2029. The original venue opened in Las Vegas in 2023 and instantly went viral for its glowing exterior, huge wraparound...

Residents in the UAE can now start planning for Eid Al Adha 2026. The holiday’s start date has been confirmed after the crescent moon was sighted on Sunday evening, May 17. Here are all the dates for the upcoming holiday period: Dhu Al Hijjah (the final month in the Islamic calendar): Monday, May 18 Arafat Day: Tuesday, May 26 Eid Al Adha 2026 in the UAE: Wednesday, May 27 Both public and private sector employees already have holidays confirmed for the Eid break, with 9 days off for government workers and 6 days off for private sector worker. School holiday...

If you’ve been craving greenery, calm water, and a break from city traffic, a mangrove trip might be exactly what you need before summer fully begins. The UAE has plenty of quiet spots where you can kayak through mangrove trees, stroll along boardwalks beside turquoise water, and spot birds and sea life Some locations are close enough for a half-day trip from Dubai, so you’ll still make it back for your evening plans. Others will pull you into peace and quiet for the whole day. Ajman Mangroves (45 mins from Dubai) Al Zorah Nature Reserve is one of the easiest...

Taxis are still one of the easiest ways to get around Abu Dhabi right now, and soon both residents and visitors will have another ride-booking app to use. Bolt will officially launch taxi bookings in the capital in the coming weeks. The company has already soft-launched limousine bookings in Abu Dhabi, and Group CEO Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi confirmed taxi services are next. If you’ve used other taxi apps before, Bolt is exactly the same. Open the app, choose your pick-up spot, and you’ll be matched with a nearby driver within moments. Transport in Abu Dhabi keeps changing fast, with new...

If you’ve ever hesitated before asking an AI assistant something personal, WhatsApp is about to release a new feature that might make those chats feel a lot more comfortable. Incognito Chat is a new private mode for AI conversations on WhatsApp and Meta AI app. The feature focuses on privacy, especially for people using AI for sensitive topics like finances, health questions, work issues, or personal decisions. According to Meta, conversations inside Incognito Chat stay completely private. The company says nobody else can view the chats, including the company itself. Messages are not stored, and chats disappear automatically by default....

Choosing a career path can be stressful, especially when many people worry about picking something that may not lead to strong job opportunities later on. The newly launched UAE Skills Platform gives students, professionals, and educational institutions a clear view of which skills, jobs, and specialisations employers are looking for today. The IMF recently reported that AI could impact 40% of jobs worldwide, making career planning and skill development a bigger priority for many people. In response to changing workforce needs, the Ministry of Education and MoHRE launched UAE Skills Platform. Students can use it to: Explore suitable university specialisations...

The FIFA World Cup always takes over everything else happening that year. Now the 2026 edition has a huge surprise for music fans too. Nobody knows yet which national teams will battle for the trophy in the final, but FIFA has just revealed who’s taking the stage for the halftime show and the lineup is massive. BTS, Madonna, and Shakira will co-headline the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show on July 19 at New York-New Jersey Stadium. Shakira is also returning to the World Cup with brand-new music. The singer released a new FIFA anthem called Dai Dai on...

Getting from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Emirates Palace could eventually take around 5-8 minutes. And if you’re wondering how, the answer is by air. Archer Aviation has officially started testing its flying taxi in the UAE capital, bringing the seemingly futuristic idea much closer to real trips. Right now, the focus is on testing the aircraft during UAE summer weather. Before passenger flights begin, teams are checking how extreme heat affects the vehicle and cabin conditions. Meanwhile, you can check out first possible vertiport location and planned air routes in the capital. Future flights are expected to include quick...