Flight cancellations, volcanic ash and other travel disruptions are prompting a surge in travel-insurance signups among UAE residents. Demand has jumped around 45% for Q4 2025, as travellers increasingly view insurance as essential protection rather than a luxury.
Umm Al Quwain residents have received welcome news ahead of the UAE’s National Day celebrations, as the emirate announced a 40% discount on select traffic fines for a limited period. The initiative, introduced by Umm Al Quwain Police, aims to ease financial burdens, encourage motorists to clear outstanding violations, and promote safer road behaviour as the year comes to an end.
Read MoreDubai is tightening its laws on lost and abandoned property, introducing fines up to AED 200,000 for those who fail to hand in found items or try to keep them illegally. The updated framework combines stern penalties with incentives, aiming to reinforce trust in lost-and-found processes and discourage misuse of recovered assets.
Read MoreOpenAI has launched a local data-residency option in the UAE, enabling companies, public-sector bodies, and schools to store ChatGPT-related data within the country. This move strengthens compliance capabilities and supports the UAE’s ambitions to scale secure and sovereign AI infrastructure.
Read MoreUAE school students will begin their winter break on December 8, 2025, enjoying nearly a month off until January 4, 2026, according to the Ministry of Education’s official 2025–2026 academic calendar. The holiday coincides with make-up exams and offers extended time for families to travel or rest before school resumes.
Read MoreDubai Municipality has unveiled its “My School Food” digital platform, targeting more than 400,000 students across over 500 schools. The AI-driven system — featuring a chatbot named Ghalia — aims to boost food safety, enforce stricter nutrition rules, and educate students, parents, and suppliers about healthier eating habits.
Read MoreDubai has approved its largest-ever Dh302.7 billion budget for 2026–2028, prioritising major investments in social services, infrastructure, security, and digital government. Residents are expected to feel the impact in their daily lives through enhanced healthcare, better commutes, improved public services, and easier access to government support.
Read MorePerplexity has launched its AI-native Comet browser on Android, bringing voice-assisted browsing, built-in summarisation, and an integrated AI assistant directly into mobile tabs. The move reinforces Comet’s vision as a browser that doesn’t just display web pages — it helps you understand, navigate, and act on them more efficiently.
Read MoreThe UAE has unveiled a bold economic programme to attract 1,000 of the world’s top trading companies, while launching a digital gateway to connect Emirati exporters to global markets. The initiative, announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is designed to reinforce the UAE’s role as a leading international trade hub.
Read MoreThe UAE’s projected public holiday calendar for 2026 suggests a year filled with well-spaced breaks and several potential long weekends. With a mix of fixed dates and Islamic lunar holidays, residents can expect multiple opportunities for extended rest, travel, and family time as the year’s key national and religious observances take shape.
Read MoreProperty Finder has teamed up with fintech firm Keyper to introduce a monthly rent payment option in the UAE — a first for the region. This collaboration will eliminate the traditional requirement of paying rent in one to four cheques, giving tenants greater financial flexibility and helping smooth out cash-flow pressures.
Read MoreThe UAE Ministry of Education has announced that public and private schools will be closed on December 1 and 2, 2025, in observance of National Day (Eid Al Etihad). Students are set to return on December 3, aligning the school holiday with paid breaks for both government and private-sector workers.
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