Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba is preparing to host one of the UAE and region’s largest New Year’s Eve celebrations. The higher committee of the Sheikh Zayed Festival is finalising an exceptional program that promises a 62-minute fireworks show, the world’s largest drone performance, and a diverse lineup of cultural and heritage events presented by participating countries, sponsors, and strategic partners.

The annual celebration strengthens the festival’s position as a global platform for culture, entertainment, and community connection. By combining large-scale spectacles with interactive cultural experiences, the Sheikh Zayed Festival continues to attract visitors from across the UAE and beyond, underscoring its importance as a hallmark of innovation and heritage.

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The festival will present a landmark fireworks display aiming to break five new Guinness World Records. The show will unfold in five stages throughout New Year’s Eve, beginning at 8pm and culminating at midnight with the main 62-minute display, WAM reported.

Using the latest synchronisation and launch technologies, the fireworks are set to illuminate the Al Wathba skyline on an unprecedented scale. The continuous, high-intensity display promises a visually breathtaking experience, highlighting both the technical sophistication and creative ambition of the festival organisers.

Drone show innovation takes center stage

Complementing the fireworks, visitors will witness a groundbreaking drone performance featuring 6,500 drones in a single 20-minute sortie. The show will present nine giant aerial formations globally for the first time, synchronised with a digital countdown and integrated seamlessly with the fireworks display.

This visually immersive spectacle exemplifies the festival’s innovative approach to entertainment technology. The combination of fireworks and drones offers a multidimensional experience that merges artistry with advanced engineering, positioning the Sheikh Zayed Festival as a pioneer in large-scale public entertainment in the region.

Sponsors, partners, and cultural highlights

Official sponsors and strategic partners play a central role in the festival, contributing unique elements across dedicated spaces within the event grounds. Government partners provide interactive cultural activations that highlight Emirati heritage and identity, while technical partners deliver advanced lighting, laser, and drone support.

Participating countries bring additional artistic, cultural, and musical programs, emphasising the festival’s collaborative nature and global reach. Visitors will also enjoy traditional Emirati performances such as Al Ayala, Al Razfa, and Al Nadooba, featuring hundreds of performers. International groups add carnival-style parades, musical shows, and cultural demonstrations, creating a truly diverse and engaging atmosphere.

Family programming and safety measures

Families can enjoy dedicated programming, including children’s shows at the Kids’ Theatre and activities at the newly opened Wonderland entertainment city, launched in December 2025.

To manage the large crowds, the higher committee has expanded operational preparations, adding more entry and exit gates, wider pedestrian paths, and strengthened safety and medical services. Specialised field teams will guide visitors and ensure smooth movement. Entry will close once the site reaches full capacity, reflecting the festival’s commitment to safety.

The committee encouraged early ticket purchases and following official channels to guarantee access and enjoy all services.

These extensive preparations highlight the Sheikh Zayed Festival’s vision to deliver one of the region’s most remarkable New Year celebrations. By combining tradition, innovation, and global entertainment, the festival offers a unique platform to welcome 2026 in an atmosphere of excitement, cultural pride, and technological spectacle.

US-based Guggenheim Investments, with assets of about $357bn, is actively considering an office in Saudi Arabia and wants to capitalise on investment opportunities in infrastructure and transportation as part of its expansion in the Gulf region.

The firm has an office in Dubai, the region’s top financial and trade hub, and is in the process of getting licensed in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s oil-rich capital city and home to sovereign wealth funds managing around $2tr.

“We are very, very positive on the region,” Anne Walsh, chief investment officer at Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Milken Institute’s Middle East and Africa summit in Abu Dhabi.

“And to be a leader in artificial intelligence and technology investment, which I see amongst the countries in the region, and the ability to harness energy, both fossil fuels and others, here in the region is going to be strong as well to support that technology business. So I see a great deal of opportunity.”

Asked whether Guggenheim was looking at Riyadh, Walsh said the company was in “active due consideration, yes.”

“And, you know, we are looking to deploy capital in Saudi Arabia as well. So not just with an office, but to actually make investments, and particularly from our transportation equipment and infrastructure investing. That makes a lot of sense to us.”

Saudi and US officials touted billions of dollars in new investments and growing financial ties between the two countries in November.

Gulf states have accelerated efforts to diversify their economies away from hydrocarbons for longer-term sustainable growth, investing heavily in non-oil sectors like financial services, tourism, technology and manufacturing.

Earlier this year, Guggenheim Investments became a strategic partner of the Future Investment Initiative Institute, which organises Riyadh’s flagship annual investment conference.

Binance, the global cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, has secured a major regulatory breakthrough after the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) formally approved the authorisation of its global platform, Binance.com, under a full regulatory framework.

The approval marks the first time Binance’s global platform has been authorised under such a comprehensive regime anywhere in the world—a step the company describes as pivotal in its mission to build the most trusted and compliant digital-asset ecosystem. The FSRA licence provides Binance with enhanced credibility and opens access to multiple international markets beyond the UAE, reinforcing its leadership role in regulated digital finance.

The authorisation covers Binance.com through three regulated entities operating within ADGM—each granted distinct permissions aligned with ADGM’s internationally recognised regulatory standards:

● Nest Services Limited (to be renamed “Nest Exchange Limited”) has been approved as a Recognised Investment Exchange (RIE), with permission to operate a Multilateral Trading Facility for all on-exchange spot and derivatives trading.

● Nest Clearing and Custody Limited has been approved as a Recognised Clearing House (RCH), with added permissions for custody and CSD services. It will oversee clearing, settlement and secure digital-asset custody.

● BCI Limited (to be renamed “Nest Trading Limited”) has been licensed as a Broker-Dealer, authorised to deal in investments, arrange deals, manage assets, arrange custody and provide money services. It will handle Binance’s off-exchange offerings, including OTC services and conversion activities.

Richard Teng, co-CEO of Binance, said: “Achieving regulatory status through ADGM’s respected framework reflects our deep commitment to compliance, transparency, and user protection. ADGM is one of the most respected financial regulators globally, and holding an FSRA license under their gold standard framework shows that Binance meets the highest international standards for compliance, governance, risk management, and consumer protection.”

Teng added, “This license provides regulatory clarity and legitimacy, enabling Binance to support its global operations from ADGM. While our global operations remain distributed, leveraging talent and innovation worldwide, this regulatory foundation offers our users peace of mind knowing Binance operates under a globally recognised, gold standard framework. We are grateful for the FSRA’s forward-thinking approach, which safeguards users while fostering innovation.”

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADGM, said, “We are pleased to welcome Binance, a key global player in digital assets and financial innovation, to ADGM. Their presence underscores Abu Dhabi’s standing as a leading international hub for innovation, sustainable growth, and the future of finance. We look forward to seeing them harness the strength of ADGM’s progressive regulatory framework and dynamic ecosystem contributing to the evolution of a more innovative, inclusive, and future-ready global financial sector.”

Binance—now serving more than 300 million registered users and exceeding $125 trillion in cumulative trading volume—has positioned the approval as central to its next phase of global institutional and retail growth. Operating under ADGM’s financial services regime ensures high levels of oversight and consumer protection across its platform.

Following final operational preparations, Binance.com is expected to begin its ADGM-regulated activities on January 5, 2026. The milestone further strengthens the UAE’s standing as a global centre for digital-asset regulation and financial innovation.

Oman’s decision to grant visa-free entry to Filipino tourists marks one of its most significant policy shifts in recent years, signaling a broader push to deepen economic, investment, and tourism ties with one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. The move, which takes effect next year, positions the Sultanate as an increasingly open and competitive destination for global travelers while reinforcing its long-term strategy to diversify partnerships beyond traditional sectors.

A spokesperson for the consular department at the foreign ministry in Oman affirmed that the Republic of the Philippines will be added to the list of countries exempt from tourist visa requirements starting next year. The move underscores Oman’s ongoing efforts to broaden international relations and diversify its economic partnerships as part of the country’s long-term strategic vision.

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According to the Oman News Agency, the decision raises the total number of visa-exempt countries to 105 globally, reinforcing the Sultanate of Oman’s standing as an open, accessible, and attractive destination for international travellers and investors.

Informed diplomatic sources said the decision aligns with the evolving nature of relations between Muscat and Manila. What was once a relationship largely shaped by labour mobility is now developing into a broader partnership encompassing investment, industry, and high-value tourism.

The sources noted that concerns surrounding the exemption are minimal, largely due to the stringent pre-departure requirements imposed by Philippine authorities. These regulations include proof of health fitness, financial solvency, confirmed flight and hotel bookings, and other documentation ensuring compliance with legal and travel standards.

Oman’s authorities recognise and value these procedures, viewing them as complementary to the Sultanate’s own regulatory approach for visitors, residents, and incoming workers of various nationalities.

Strengthening institutional cooperation

A significant addition to bilateral collaboration occurred last July with the inauguration of the Oman Visa and Medical Check-up Center in Manila.

Opened in the presence of Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, foreign minister, and Dr Mahad bin Said Ba’owain, minister of labour, the centre acts as an integrated facility dedicated to streamlining and regulating work visa processes. It offers biometric registration, medical examinations, document and contract attestation, and comprehensive support services for workers and employers.

Diplomatic sources highlighted that the visa exemption reflects growing mutual trust between the two nations. They also pointed to Oman’s successful role in securing the release of detained Filipino nationals in Yemen, an effort that strengthened the country’s credibility and goodwill among the Filipino public.

This year’s Cebu Investment Forum, organised by the Sultanate of Oman in Manila, further expanded avenues of cooperation. A second edition, scheduled for next February in Muscat, aims to accelerate commercial, economic, and tourism exchanges between the two countries.

Diplomatic experts view the visa exemption as part of Oman’s wider strategy to enhance its global presence, opening new channels for sustainable cooperation, expanding economic partnerships, and stimulating tourism growth.

State-owned Qatar Airways has appointed Hamad al-Khater as the group’s chief executive officer, effective December 7, replacing Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, the airline announced on Sunday.

Al-Meer had taken over the role in October 2023 following the retirement of long-serving chief Akbar Al Baker, who led the carrier for nearly three decades and became one of the most influential figures in global aviation.

Hamad al-Khater previously served as chief operating officer at Hamad International Airport and has held senior positions at QatarEnergy, bringing cross-sector operational experience to the national carrier as it continues its global expansion and fleet modernisation plans.