Saudi Arabia issues fresh Yanbu warning before declaring danger over

Authorities issued a precautionary alert through the National Early Warning Platform in Yanbu before later announcing the threat had passed

Gareth van Zyl

25 July, 2026

Saudi Arabia issues fresh Yanbu warning before declaring danger over

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense issued a fresh precautionary warning for residents of Yanbu Governorate on Saturday before later announcing that the potential danger had passed.

In a post on X, the Civil Defense said the National Early Warning Platform had issued an alert for Yanbu Governorate, urging residents to follow official safety instructions. The authorities did not disclose the nature of the potential threat.

View post on X

A short time later, around 7:25 UAE time, the Civil Defense confirmed the situation had returned to normal.

“Alert: The danger has passed in Yanbu Governorate. For your safety, continue following Civil Defense instructions and avoid gathering and filming. In case of emergency, call (911),” the authority said.

The latest warning came after Saudi authorities earlier issued similar alerts for both Yanbu Governorate on the Red Sea coast and Jazan Province in the country’s southwest.

Officials subsequently confirmed that the danger had passed in both areas, with no reports of casualties or damage.

The alerts come amid heightened regional tensions after Saudi Arabia resumed military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Late on Friday, the Saudi-led coalition said it had launched what it described as a proportionate military response against Houthi military targets in Yemen’s western Hodeidah province after the group targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

The coalition said Hodeidah Port had not been targeted and stressed that Yemeni ports remain open to maritime traffic. The Houthis, however, accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out air strikes on Kamaran Island and telecommunications facilities in Hodeidah.

The renewed hostilities follow the Houthis’ announcement earlier this week that they would ban Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Saudi Arabia responded by pledging a “firm and forceful” response and introducing measures aimed at protecting commercial shipping transiting one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.

Authorities have not indicated whether Saturday’s warnings in Yanbu and Jazan were directly linked to the ongoing military escalation.

Saudi Arabia Yemen

MoHRE clarifies health insurance rules for work permits: What employers need to know

The move forms part of broader efforts to strengthen labour market governance and improve the efficiency of government services while safeguarding the rights of employers

Nida Sohail

24 July, 2026

MoHRE clarifies health insurance rules for work permits: What employers need to know

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a new guide outlining the existing procedures governing the link between work permit issuance and renewal and valid worker health insurance coverage, reinforcing compliance while confirming that no additional obligations have been introduced for employers.

The ministry said the guide is designed to clarify and regulate processes that are already in force by automatically integrating them into the work permit issuance and renewal system. The move forms part of broader efforts to strengthen labour market governance and improve the efficiency of government services while safeguarding the rights of employers and workers, a WAM report said.

By electronically linking work permit services with the verification of workers’ health insurance coverage, MoHRE aims to simplify compliance checks through its digital platforms. The ministry said the integration will help ensure uninterrupted health insurance coverage for employees, accelerate administrative procedures and make the overall process more seamless for businesses.

Existing requirements reaffirmed

According to the ministry, the guide reiterates that work permits cannot be issued until a valid health insurance policy has been verified in accordance with the regulations and standards approved by MoHRE.

The document also clearly outlines the conditions governing health insurance policies, including compliance with minimum approved coverage requirements and maintaining coverage throughout the validity of the work permit. It further stipulates that workers must not bear any portion of the cost of obtaining or renewing health insurance and that policies cannot be cancelled during the permit period in a way that leaves employees without coverage.

MoHRE said the guide is intended to provide greater transparency for employers while ensuring consistent implementation of existing regulations across the labour market.

The ministry added that the nationwide health insurance system for workers was fully implemented at the beginning of 2025 following a Cabinet Decision extending mandatory health insurance to private-sector employees and domestic workers in the northern emirates.

The nationwide rollout complements health insurance systems already operating in other emirates, ensuring comprehensive worker coverage across the UAE. According to MoHRE, the initiative supports employee welfare, promotes a decent standard of living for workers and enhances the competitiveness of the country’s labour market by reinforcing a sustainable and transparent regulatory framework.

UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation MOHRE work permit services

Abu Dhabi authority tightens sales rules with new commercial permits: Key details

The revised framework establishes a dedicated regulatory approach for businesses, professionals and other eligible entities

Nida Sohail

24 July, 2026

Abu Dhabi authority tightens sales rules with new commercial permits: Key details

The Registration Authority (RA) of ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, has introduced an updated Commercial Permits framework alongside new regulations and comprehensive guidance governing sales and promotional activities.

The move is designed to provide businesses operating within ADGM with greater regulatory clarity, more efficient permit processes and a stronger framework for consumer protection, as commercial activity within the financial centre continues to expand, a WAM report said.

The revised framework establishes a dedicated regulatory approach for businesses, professionals and other eligible entities undertaking specified sales and promotional activities within ADGM’s jurisdiction. By creating a unified set of requirements, the Registration Authority aims to simplify application procedures, improve legal certainty and introduce consistent standards for a broad range of commercial promotions across sectors.

The authority has also published comprehensive guidance on Commercial Permits for Sales and Promotions, offering businesses practical information on applicable rules, permit requirements and application procedures. The guidance explains which activities require permits, outlines regulatory expectations and provides a step-by-step overview of the application process through the Access ADGM portal, helping entities navigate the updated regulatory landscape more efficiently.

Digital-first permit process aims to improve compliance

The updated framework reflects ADGM’s focus on making regulatory compliance more straightforward through a streamlined digital application process.

By clearly outlining permit requirements, supporting documentation and eligibility criteria, the Registration Authority aims to reduce administrative complexity while enabling businesses to secure approvals more efficiently. The guidance is expected to help organisations better understand their obligations and comply with the latest regulatory requirements with greater confidence.

The strengthened framework introduces clearer and more comprehensive requirements covering a wide range of promotional activities, including temporary sales discounts, clearance discounts, instant prize campaigns, prize draws, product launches and promotional stands.

By consolidating legislative requirements into a single framework, ADGM aims to provide businesses with greater certainty while promoting fair commercial practices and improving regulatory consistency across its jurisdiction.

Stronger consumer safeguards underpin regulatory reforms

The framework also enhances consumer protection by encouraging greater transparency, accountability and responsible promotional practices. In addition, it provides the Registration Authority with clear supervisory powers to monitor compliance, investigate potential misconduct where necessary and take appropriate enforcement action, reinforcing confidence in the marketplace.

The updated application process has been designed to improve operational efficiency through a more streamlined digital experience. Clearly defined documentation requirements and application procedures are expected to support faster processing times while giving applicants greater certainty throughout the permitting process.

Rashed Al Blooshi, CEO of the Registration Authority of ADGM, said, “Meeting the evolving needs of ADGM’s business community while maintaining high standards of governance, transparency and consumer protection remains central to the Registration Authority’s mandate.”

He added, “The updates to the Commercial Permits framework and the new Sales and Promotions guidance respond to the increasing scale and sophistication of commercial activities within ADGM, providing businesses with greater clarity, a more efficient application process and practical support to meet their obligations with confidence.”

Abu Dhabi ADGM Registration Authority Commercial Permits

RX Pay: Riyadh Air launches new branded card with Mastercard, Saudi Banks

Created with Mastercard and issued through leading Saudi banks, RX Pay is Riyadh Air’s own card – a new way to pay, earn, and travel, designed entirely around its guests

Neesha Salian

24 July, 2026

RX Pay: Riyadh Air launches new branded card with Mastercard, Saudi Banks

Image: Riyadh Air/ Website

Riyadh Air has launched RX Pay, a branded payment card developed with Mastercard and issued through leading Saudi banks, as the airline expands its customer loyalty offering ahead of the growth of its network.

The card allows customers to earn Riyadh Air’s Sfeer Points through everyday spending, including retail purchases, online shopping and flight bookings. The points can be redeemed for flights, travel experiences and purchases made wherever Mastercard is accepted.

The launch marks the airline’s first branded card programme and will initially be rolled out in Saudi Arabia, where Riyadh Air has an exclusivity agreement with Mastercard.

RX Pay to expand into other markets

The airline said the programme is designed to expand into other markets as its international network grows, with additional local banking partners expected to join over time.

Adam Boukadida, chief financial officer of Riyadh Air, said the airline wanted to develop a payment product designed around its own customer experience rather than licensing its brand to an existing bank card.

“Riyadh Air is the world’s first digitally native airline, and RX Pay is a key part of our vision to create a seamless, integrated travel experience for our guests,” Boukadida said.

“By working directly with Mastercard and being issued by leading Saudi banks, we can give our guests an experience no traditional airline card can match. We didn’t want to put our name on someone else’s card; we wanted to create something truly Riyadh Air, one that rewards our guests in their everyday lives, not just when they fly.”

Adam Jones, executive vice president and division president for West Arabia at Mastercard, said the partnership was designed to extend rewards beyond air travel.

“Riyadh Air is redefining what a modern travel brand can offer its guests, and we are proud to bring the security, global acceptance, and everyday value of the Mastercard network to RX Pay,” Jones said.

“Together with leading Saudi banks, we are making it easier for travellers in Saudi Arabia and beyond to be rewarded for the way they already live and travel.”

According to Riyadh Air, RX Pay will offer features including multi-currency capability, split payments and flexible instalment options. The airline said additional features would be introduced over time.

The airline, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, launched in 2023 and plans to connect Riyadh with more than 100 destinations by 2030.

Travel Riyadh Air RX Pay branded card

The rise of ‘slow living’ communities in fast cities

Changing attitudes towards work, wellbeing and quality of life are reshaping how cities are designed

Xu Ma, Founder and Chairman, Tomorrow World Real Estate

24 July, 2026

Xu Ma, Founder and Chairman, Tomorrow World Real Estate

There’s a quiet lifestyle rebellion taking shape in the world’s busiest cities – and it has nothing to do with slowing the pace of business, but everything to do with slowing the pace of life. A generation raised on hustle culture – the late nights, the side gigs, the packed weekends worn as a badge of honour – is now actively redefining what success looks like.

Recent research suggests this shift is more than a passing lifestyle trend. Deloitte’s 2025 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey, which surveyed more than 23,000 people across 44 countries, found that only 6 per cent of Gen Z respondents see reaching senior leadership as their primary career goal. Instead, younger generations are increasingly prioritising work-life balance, meaningful work and personal wellbeing over traditional measures of career success.

What began as a response to burnout is now influencing how people choose to live, work and, increasingly, where they want to call home.

Slow living rejects speed as the measure of a life well lived. It asks not how much was achieved by Friday, but how much of the week actually felt like it belonged to the person living it. For a generation that watched its parents equate exhaustion with achievement, that is a significant redefinition of success.

For cities, this shift reaches far beyond individual routines. Urban environments have long been designed around acceleration – faster commutes, faster transactions and faster access to everything. Slow living pushes against that logic without rejecting the city itself, asking planners to balance two competing priorities: the pace required to drive economic growth, and the pace required for people to live well within it.

The implications extend well beyond the workplace. Employers are increasingly responding with flexible working, shorter work weeks and expanded mental health support, yet the built environment has been slower to evolve. Homes and neighbourhoods are still largely designed around assumptions from a decade ago, when proximity to the office and the mall mattered more than almost anything else.

Today, those priorities are shifting as a generation has learned, often the hard way, that being close to everything can also mean being far from the spaces that help them recharge.

This is where developers have real work to do. It is no longer enough to add a gym and market a building as wellness-oriented. The shift requires more fundamental design choices: greater access to green space, walkable neighbourhoods, shaded public areas, lower-density planning and communal spaces that encourage people to spend time rather than simply pass through.

Dubai might seem an unlikely stage for this shift – a city built on speed of construction, ambition and opportunity. Yet it is precisely this intensity that has created an appetite for its opposite: stillness. As hybrid working becomes more common and wellbeing takes on greater importance, buyers are asking a different question: not simply how close they are to the centre of the action, but how far they are from the noise.

Developers across the region are beginning to respond. From waterfront masterplans and lower-density communities to walkable neighbourhoods, integrated green spaces and wellness-focused amenities, the emphasis is gradually shifting from simply maximising land use to improving quality of life.

Tomorrow 166 and other planned projects on Dubai Islands reflect this broader philosophy, prioritising public space, lower-rise living and communal design that encourages residents to slow the pace of everyday life. The wider lesson is that thoughtful urban design at street level matters just as much as the homes themselves.

Intentional living should not be mistaken for slow growth. Developers who recognise this shift early – designing for wellbeing as well as efficiency – will help shape the next generation of urban communities.

Cities will always move fast; this is part of what makes them dynamic. But the homes within them do not have to move at the same speed. In the years ahead, the most successful developments may not be those that help people move faster, but those that give them permission to slow down.

Xu Ma is the Founder and Chairman of Tomorrow World Real Estate

Real Estate Cities

How UAE airlines are making sure travel journey starts at your doorstep

The initiatives reflect a broader shift across the aviation industry, where airlines are increasingly competing on the complete travel journey

Nida Sohail

24 July, 2026

How UAE airlines are making sure travel journey starts at your doorstep

Luxury travel is no longer defined solely by premium cabins, gourmet dining or exclusive airport lounges. For the UAE’s leading airlines, the journey increasingly begins long before passengers reach the terminal, as Emirates and Etihad Airways roll out services and rewards designed to make every stage of travel smoother, more personalised and more valuable.

As competition intensifies for premium travellers and frequent flyers, the country’s flagship carriers are broadening the definition of customer experience beyond the flight itself. While Etihad Airways is investing heavily in seamless, door-to-door travel services that eliminate many of the traditional airport hassles, Emirates is leveraging its Skywards loyalty ecosystem to ensure members extract greater value from every mile they earn, an Emirates media report said.

Together, the initiatives reflect a broader shift across the aviation industry, where airlines are increasingly competing on the complete travel journey rather than simply the in-flight experience.

Turning loyalty into everyday value

For Emirates, the latest focus is on making its Skywards programme an integral part of customers’ everyday spending habits, allowing members to redeem miles across shopping, dining, airport services and entertainment.

Under a limited-time promotion running until September 30, 2026, Emirates Skywards is offering enhanced redemption opportunities across Skywards Everyday, Skywards Miles Mall, the Emirates Official Store, Dubai Duty Free and marhaba Airport Meet & Greet services.

The campaign aims to ensure members receive more value from their accumulated Skywards Miles by expanding the number of ways they can spend them both before and during their journeys.

One of the centrepieces of the promotion is Skywards Everyday, which allows members to instantly convert Skywards Miles into cashback at hundreds of retail, dining and lifestyle outlets across the UAE. Participating partners include Careem, Costa Coffee, MMI, BinSina Pharmacy, Al Jaber Optical, The Body Shop, NARS and many more.

During the promotional period, members can redeem just 350 Skywards Miles for Dhs10 in cashback, enabling frequent flyers to benefit from their loyalty well beyond booking flights.

The airline is also encouraging members to redeem their miles through Skywards Miles Mall, where digital gift cards from brands including Amazon AE, Deliveroo, Shukran, Apple and NIKE can be purchased from as little as 2,000 Skywards Miles. The gift cards can be used both online and in stores, offering customers additional flexibility in how they spend their rewards.

Beyond retail, Skywards Miles can also be redeemed at Dubai Duty Free, for purchases through the Emirates Official Store and for marhaba Airport Meet & Greet services, enabling travellers flying with Emirates—or even other airlines—to enjoy a smoother airport journey using their accumulated miles.

Exclusive rewards for cardholders

The airline is also rewarding eligible Emirates Skywards Visa Credit Cardholders across the GCC with additional benefits.

Cardholders can enjoy up to 20 per cent off selected event redemptions through Skywards Exclusives, with participating sporting and entertainment events carrying a dedicated “Co-Brand Offer” label.

Emirates has further linked the promotion with Dubai Summer Surprises, encouraging members to continue earning and spending miles throughout the shopping festival.

Until August 30, 2026, members who spend Dhs200 or more with participating Skywards Everyday partners or through Skywards Miles Mall UAE are automatically entered into a raffle to win 10,000 Skywards Miles.

In total, 500 winners will each receive 10,000 Skywards Miles, with five million Skywards Miles available throughout the campaign. Every qualifying purchase generates an additional raffle entry, increasing members’ chances of winning.

Members can also earn up to one Skywards Mile per $1 spent at Dubai Mall, depending on their membership tier, complete weekly challenges through the Skywards Everyday app for bonus rewards and benefit from additional Miles promotions across selected Emirates Skywards travel partners during Dubai Summer Surprises.

The strategy highlights how loyalty programmes have evolved beyond traditional frequent flyer schemes into broader lifestyle ecosystems that encourage year-round customer engagement.

Etihad shifts the airport experience to the front door

While Emirates is expanding the value of loyalty rewards, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is focusing on removing friction from every step of the travel journey.

Its latest suite of guest services is designed around a simple premise: the airport experience should begin at home.

Instead of asking passengers to arrive early and navigate check-in counters, luggage queues and airport formalities, Etihad is extending many of these services directly to customers’ homes and hotels.

Working with Morafiq, the airline now offers home check-in, where agents visit guests before departure, complete the check-in process, print boarding passes and baggage tags, and transport luggage directly to the airport.

Passengers are then able to travel to Zayed International Airport without carrying checked baggage, reducing stress and simplifying the airport journey.

The service can be booked between 24 hours and five hours before departure through the Etihad app, by telephone, WhatsApp or Etihad Concierge for premium guests.

Pricing starts from Dhs185 for up to two bags and extends to 10 bags, with additional luggage charged from Dhs35 per bag. The service is complimentary for guests travelling in The Residence and First Deluxe, while Etihad Guest members can also select it as a Custom Benefit.

Travellers who prefer dropping off their luggage while on the move can instead use Morafiq’s Remote Check-in facilities located across Abu Dhabi, including Cruise Terminal 1, Mussafah, Madinat Zayed and Lulu Hypermarket in Al Ain.

These locations allow guests to complete check-in and baggage drop as much as 24 hours before departure, significantly reducing waiting times at the airport.

Creating a seamless premium journey

Once at Zayed International Airport, Etihad continues to differentiate the experience through dedicated check-in facilities and priority services.

Business Class passengers benefit from priority check-in and a streamlined immigration process, while guests travelling in The Residence and First enjoy exclusive check-in areas alongside dedicated immigration services.

Priority Access, available for purchase or through Etihad Guest Miles, includes priority check-in, boarding and expedited baggage delivery upon arrival. The service is complimentary for travellers flying in Business, First and The Residence.

The airline has also strengthened its Meet & Assist offering.

Passengers can be welcomed by a personal host who guides them through priority airport procedures, assists families travelling with children or first-time flyers, and accompanies them throughout the terminal.

Guests choosing Meet & Assist VIP are welcomed through Abu Dhabi’s private VIP Terminal, where dedicated check-in, porter services, lounge access and chauffeur-driven transport directly to the aircraft further streamline the experience.

Meet & Assist Plus additionally provides lounge access across more than 100 airports throughout Etihad’s network, while the service is included for First Deluxe passengers.

Complementing these airport services is Etihad’s Global Chauffeur programme, which provides complimentary chauffeur transport between Zayed International Airport and destinations across the UAE, as well as at many international destinations, for eligible premium cabin passengers.

Etihad Guest members may also choose the chauffeur service as one of their Custom Benefits.

The seamless experience extends even after landing.

Through the airline’s Land & Leave service, powered by Morafiq, passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi can leave the airport immediately while their checked baggage is collected and delivered directly to their homes within three hours.

The service is complimentary for guests travelling in The Residence and First and is available to all other passengers from Dhs125 for up to two bags.

Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, chief operations and guest officer, Etihad Airways, said: “A calm start makes for a better journey. Whether a guest checks in from home, is met at the door of the terminal or waits in a lounge, the aim is the same, to give guests back the time and peace of mind that travel can otherwise take away.”

Competing beyond the cabin

Taken together, the latest initiatives from Emirates and Etihad illustrate how luxury travel is increasingly being measured by convenience, flexibility and personalisation rather than the flight alone.

For Emirates, the emphasis is on ensuring loyalty members derive meaningful everyday value from their accumulated miles through cashback, retail purchases, entertainment, airport services and shopping rewards.

For Etihad, the strategy focuses on eliminating friction across every stage of the journey, allowing passengers to move effortlessly from their front door to the aircraft and back home again.

As travellers increasingly seek seamless, stress-free experiences alongside premium comfort, the UAE’s leading airlines are positioning themselves at the forefront of a growing trend: transforming the airport from a destination passengers travel to into an experience that begins the moment they leave home.

Emirates Etihad Airways UAE Airlines Skywards luxury travel