#News

Damac Hotels

Dubai’s Damac Hotels records Q4 occupancy rates of 85%

Currently, around 80 per cent of the guests are based in the UAE, while 20 per cent are foreigners visiting the country

British investments in UAE valued at $20.5bn

The UAE is also one of the 27 top investors in the UK

Oman

Oman to restart issuing tourist visas

Tourist visas will only be issued to those whose visits are organised by hotels or tourism companies

Gitex 2020: UAE to host Israeli tech delegation

Gitex will host the UAE-Israel Future Digital Economy Summit and the Gitex Future Stars Israel Innovation Discovery Day

Yutaka Yano appointed as president of Mitsubishi Motors Middle East and Africa

Yano was previously the general manager for the Middle East at Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Tokyo

Etihad Beijing Abu Dhabi

Etihad to begin direct weekly flights from Beijing to Abu Dhabi

Etihad will become the only airline in the MENA region to operate non-stop passenger flights departing from both Shanghai and Beijing

Dubai Electricity

Dubai’s DEWA slashes water and electricity surcharges

The reductions will be applied on electricity and water bills from December 1, 2020

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to have world’s largest energy storage capacity

The fourth phase will be operational in stages starting from Q3 2021

Flydubai Israel Tel Aviv

Flydubai’s inaugural flight to Israel lands in Tel Aviv

The inaugural flight was flown by Captain Patrick Gonzenbach and Emirati First Officer Abdulla Al Shamsi

Abu Dhabi Hope Consortium

Abu Dhabi’s Hope Consortium to facilitate worldwide distribution of Covid-19 vaccine

The consortium will be able to handle the logistics for over six billion doses of the vaccines manufactured around the world – whether in single or multi doses – in cold and ultra-cold conditions in 2021

Dubai Customs Drugs

Video: Dubai Customs seize over 663kgs of drugs including crystal meth, heroin, opium and cannabis

It was the biggest narcotic smuggling operation intercepted along Dubai’s coast

KUWAIT-INDIA-HEALTH-VIRUS amnesty

Kuwait offers second amnesty this year for undocumented expats

The amnesty will require expats living illegally to either get a valid residency or leave the country after paying their fines to avoid a ban

Nasdaq Dubai Dubai Islamic Bank

Dubai Islamic Bank lists $1bn sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

Dubai Islamic Bank is now the largest UAE-based sukuk issuer by value on Nasdaq Dubai with a total of $7.3bn listed on the exchange

mosque uae

Mosques in UAE to resume Friday prayers from December 4

Children, senior citizens and those with chronic and respiratory diseases, or those suffering from a weak immunity, must perform their prayers at home

Emirates Hotel Dubai

Emirates to offer complimentary hotel stay in Dubai to select transiting passengers

Eligible Emirates passengers will receive a complimentary night’s stay in a 4 or 5-star hotel in Dubai

Foreign nationals permitted 100% business ownership in the UAE

The rule will be applicable from December 1, 2020, with businesses no longer requiring an Emirati sponsor

UAE-ISRAEL-US-DIPLOMACY

Emiratis can travel to Israel without a visa

The Israeli cabinet has ratified the agreement for Emiratis to visit without pre-approved visas

OMAN-HEALTH-VIRUS-TRAVEL

Over 7,600 expats register to exit Oman as part of its initiative to waive overstay fines

The initiative, which began on November 15, runs until the end of the year

Mubadala

UAE’s Mubadala joins coalition of sovereign wealth funds supporting global climate action

Mubadala has officially become a member of the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds

u.ae government website

Record growth in users of official UAE government portal from January-October: TRA

It recorded a 50.73 per cent year-on-year increase over the 6.54 million users recorded in the same period in 2019

G20 leaders

G20: World leaders promise to ensure equality in the race to vaccinate people for Covid-19

“There is very clear recognition from the G20 members that if we leave any country behind, we will be behind” – Saudi minister

Boeing 737 Max UAE

UAE civil aviation authority considering Boeing 737 Max return

It has established a Return to Service Committee that will coordinate with the US Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency

national day parade emaar properties

UAE announces National Day holidays for public and private sectors

Work will resume on Sunday, December 6

Dubai Police

Dubai Police foil attempt to smuggle 123kg of crystal meth into the UAE

The operation codenamed “The Fridge” resulted in the security forces apprehending three gang members

Emirates Loto Mahzooz

Emirates Loto, rebranded as Mahzooz, postpones Dhs50m lottery in the UAE

The organisers said that the decision to do so stemmed from “circumstances outside our control”

Dubai Health Authority

Dubai Health Authority launches laboratory to test for Tuberculosis, Legionella

It is the only facility in Dubai and the Northern Emirates that tests for Tuberculosis and Legionella

Dubai’s Burj Khalifa to have fireworks, light and laser show to welcome NYE 2021

Several Covid-19 preventative measures will be in place for visitors, Emaar has stressed

Tony Douglas, Etihad Aviation Group GCEO and Gonen Usishkin, EL AL Airlines CEO sign MOU agreement LR

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad and El Al Israel sign MoU to cooperate on codeshare and loyalty programme

The teams at Etihad Guest and El Al Matmid loyalty programmes will explore reciprocal “earn and burn” opportunities for its members

Turki Al Malki, Saudi coalition

Saudi forces destroy armed drone launched towards civilian targets in the kingdom

The attack, launched on Wednesday, targeted the kingdom’s southern region

KUWAIT-HEALTH-VIRUS

Kuwait going ahead with decision to ban work permits for expats aged over 60 from Jan 1

The decision applies to expat workers who do not have a university degree