The UAE, Saudi Arabia and countries across the world celebrate Eid Al Adha this weekend, with many countries enjoying extended holidays.
The UAE has released weather forecasts for the days ahead, with chances of rain in parts of the country.
It comes at the end of a week when the UAE has announced major changes to work and residency visa applications. Get the latest on those rules as well as more regulations introduced in the country this year.
Meanwhile, in real estate, the best areas for buy-to-let properties in Dubai have been revealed and a major new property development in Abu Dhabi was launched this week.
Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia began testing self-driving air taxis and new rules for driverless cars in the UAE were introduced.
Catch up on 10 of the biggest news stories this week, as selected by Arabian Business editors.
UAE new rules in 2024: Golden Visa requirements, employment notice period reforms and more – All you need to know
These include notice period rules, Golden Visa requirements, e-scooter rules, a ban on single-use plastics and more.
UAE weather: Chance of rain forecast for every day of Eid Al Adha 2024
UAE weather authorities have revealed forecasts for the duration of the Eid Al Adha holidays.
The National Centre of Meteorology has issued weather forecasts for the weekend and two days of Eid Al Adha next week and says there is a chance that parts of the UAE will experience rainfall from Sunday, June 16 to Tuesday, June 18, corresponding with Eid Al Adha in the country.
While the forecaster says weather in the UAE will be “fair in general” it does identify regions are expected to have rainfall throughout Eid.
UAE announces MAJOR work and residency visa changes; waiting times slashed to just 5 days, get Emirates ID in simple steps, renew contracts with ease
The introduction of the second phase of the UAE Work Bundle is applicable across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the entire country and slashes waiting times, cuts bureaucracy, speeds up document processing and simplifies many essential activities in the country.
Services include renewing a worker’s employment contract, Emirates ID, residency, and medical examination services, as well as cancelling a worker’s employment contract, work permit, and residency. The Bundle offers users an array of benefits, cutting the number of platforms offering services to users from five platforms to a single unified platform, and simplifying the procedure by replacing the eight required services with an exceptional experience on one unified platform.
Eid Al Adha 2024: UAE, Saudi, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain announce holiday dates
Commonly known as the Feast of Sacrifice, this period is one of the holiest in the Islamic calendar. Special prayers, feasts and charity acts are observed.
Following moon-sightings to mark the month of Dhu Al Hijjah countries in the GCC have revealed dates for holidays to mark the occasion.
Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed approves new UAE traffic law for driverless cars
The law includes amendments to classify different vehicles on roads and regulate emerging transport technologies.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said the legislation aims to keep pace with rapid global changes in transportation means. It addresses the expansion of self-driving vehicles, electric cars and personal modes of transit.
Dubai real estate: The best areas to ‘buy-to-rent’ property, according to experts
With off-plan purchases in communities offering lower entry points and the prospect of appreciation upon completion, landlords are poised to capitalise on Dubai’s appetite for housing, experts told Arabian Business.
Buy-to-rent is the practice of purchasing a property with the primary aim of renting it out to tenants rather than living in it oneself. The core objective is to generate rental income from the property over time, which can provide a consistent stream of returns for the investor.
Abu Dhabi real estate developer launches enormous $6bn Arabian Hills project on Dubai to Al Ain road
Arabian Hills Real Estate Development Company has proudly introduced its highly anticipated flagship project, Arabian Hills Estate.
Situated along the road connecting Dubai and Al Ain, just a short 45-minute drive from the iconic Burj Khalifa area, this remarkable project boasts a total value of AED22bn ($6bn) and spans 244 million square feet.
‘They’re all having babies’: Inside NEOM’s rewilding success bringing back wild cats, ostriches, marine life for the first time in 100 years
NEOM, an ambitious $500 billion giga-project, is spearheading a pioneering rewilding initiative that is breathing new life into the region’s ecosystems. At the heart of this endeavour lies NEOM’s Nature Reserve, a sprawling 25,000 square kilometre sanctuary where a massive commitment has been made: to protect 95 percent of the land for conservation purposes.
In late 2022, the reserve witnessed the first phase of its rewilding programme unfold as a group of iconic species, translocated from the National Centre for Wildlife (NCW) in Riyadh, made their long-awaited homecoming. Among them were the Arabian oryx, an antelope that had been absent from NEOM’s sands for over a century.
Two UAE schools nominated for World’s Best School Prizes 2024
Two UAE schools have been nominated for the World’s Best School Prizes 2024 awards.
Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills and GEMS Legacy School are now shortlisted among the top 10 schools globally running to win a share of the $50,000 prize fund.
Founded by global education hub T4 Education, the annual global awards recognise schools in five categories: community collaboration, environmental action, innovation, overcoming adversity, and supporting healthy lives.
Saudi Arabia launches self-driving air taxi during Hajj 2024
Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of self-driving air taxi trials during the Hajj season.
Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser launched a self-driving air taxi trial at the holy sites, said the Transport General Authority.
This inaugural trial, witnessed by GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, involved the vertical take-off of the electric air taxi. It is the “world’s first air taxi to be licensed by a civil aviation authority”, the TGA said.
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