UAE Public Holidays 2027: Full List of Expected Dates
You can expect several public holidays in the UAE throughout 2027, including New Year, Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day, and Eid Al Adha. While some dates can be confirmed in advance, Islamic holidays are based on the Hijri calendar and remain subject to official moon sightings.
- New Year’s Day will be on Friday, January 1, giving you a three-day weekend. The first working day of 2027 will be Monday, January 4.
- Eid Al Fitr is expected to begin on March 9, 2027, and will last for either three or four days, depending on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. If the crescent moon is not sighted, March 12 will be added as an Eid holiday, potentially giving you a six-day break.
- Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha will run from May 15 to May 18, 2027, although the exact dates will depend on the official sighting of the Dhu Al Hijja crescent moon.
- The Islamic New Year is currently expected to fall on Sunday, June 6, 2027.
- Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday is expected to fall on Saturday, August 14, 2027.
- Eid Al Etihad will be celebrated with a two-day public holiday on Thursday, December 2, and Friday, December 3, potentially giving you a four-day break from Thursday, December 2 to Sunday, December 5.
Texas Helicopter Crash Kills 2 US Soldiers
2 US Army Soldiers Killed in Texas Helicopter Crash
Two US Army soldiers were killed when an AH-64 Apache military helicopter attached to the Fort Hood base crashed into a field in Texas on August 12, 2026, sparking a large grass fire. The accident occurred in Bell County, about 60 miles north of the state capital Austin. Local fire departments responded to the blaze, which was triggered by the crash. The Bell County justice of the peace declared the two people on board dead, according to Cliff Coleman, a spokesperson with the Bell County Sheriff's Office.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed the incident, stating that an Apache helicopter crashed during Fort Hood operations, killing two members of the military. Fort Hood also confirmed the crash, withholding the identification of the soldiers pending notification to their families. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The crash occurred near Salado, Texas, and prompted a response from several local fire departments. Images from the scene showed firefighters examining burning debris amid a large patch of charred grass, with smoke billowing from the area.
This incident is the latest in a series of military helicopter crashes, including a recent crash in Pakistani Kashmir that killed all on board. The US Army has not yet released further details on the cause of the Texas crash or the identities of the soldiers killed.
Karoline Leavitt Leaves White House
Karoline Leavitt Steps Down as White House Press Secretary
Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary, will depart at the end of August 2026. Leavitt will transition into an outside communications role, shaping the future contours of Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" movement. She cited a desire to spend more time with her young children, having recently returned from maternity leave after giving birth to her second child in May.
The White House press secretary role has been held by Leavitt since her appointment, during which she has been a key figure in Trump's administration. Trump praised Leavitt, calling her "one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office" and stating that she has done a "phenomenal job fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom." Leavitt described her time as White House press secretary as "the honor and adventure of a lifetime."
Leavitt's departure comes ahead of November's midterm elections, and her transition to an outside communications role is seen as a strategic move to support Trump's MAGA movement. As an outside communications adviser and party operative, Leavitt will continue to play a significant role in shaping the movement's future contours.
This development follows Leavitt's recent return from maternity leave and her decision to prioritize her family. Her departure from the White House press secretary role marks the end of an era, but her continued involvement in Trump's MAGA movement ensures that her influence will still be felt.
In a related development, Leavitt's transition has sparked interest in her future plans and the impact of her departure on the White House. However, the specifics of her new role and responsibilities remain to be seen.
Ariana Grande Confirms Romance With Her Former Backup Dancer
Ariana Grande Goes Official with Ricky Alvarez
Ariana Grande has made her relationship with Ricky Alvarez official on Instagram. The singer posted a photo carousel on August 12, featuring selfies, videos, and two photos with Alvarez, confirming their rekindled romance. This comes after weeks of subtle hints, including altered tour lyrics and public appearances together.
Grande and Alvarez initially dated from July 2015 to July 2016, and have remained close over the years. Alvarez, a 35-year-old dancer, worked on Grande's Honeymoon Tour, which is how they met. During her summer tour, Grande rewrote a line from her song "Thank U, Next" to hint at their reunion, changing the lyrics to "Wrote some songs about Ricky, and they still really slap" and later to "We'll always find our way back."
The confirmation of their relationship marks a new chapter for the couple, eight years after their initial split. Fans have been speculating about their reunion since Alvarez started attending Grande's tour dates in June, and the two were photographed together at lunch between concerts. Anyone following Ariana Grande's summer tour just got the confirmation they've been waiting for.
Manchester City Trendyol Partnership Announced
Manchester City and Trendyol Announce Global Partnership
Manchester City has signed a global partnership agreement with Trendyol, designating it as the club's Official Online Marketplace Partner. This partnership, announced on August 13, 2026, will see Trendyol work with the Club to create bespoke content and campaigns, in addition to having a presence across the Club’s digital and social platforms, and branding at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City's fans and Trendyol's customers will be directly impacted by this partnership, as it aims to expand Trendyol's international brand footprint and leverage Manchester City's global digital fan base.
Trendyol, one of the world’s leading e-commerce platforms, was founded in Istanbul in 2010 and now connects more than 40 million customers with over 250,000 sellers across a growing international footprint. As an official sponsor of the Turkish National Football Teams and the title sponsor of the Turkish Süper Lig and the First League, Trendyol continues to grow its sponsorship portfolio with some of the most recognised properties in global sport.
The partnership between Manchester City and Trendyol is part of the club's efforts to expand its global reach and engage with its fans worldwide. With Trendyol's presence in the UAE market, this partnership may also have implications for Manchester City's fans and business partners in the region.
This announcement is the latest development in Manchester City's sponsorship agreements, following previous partnerships with companies such as Masdar and Xylem. As the club continues to grow its global presence, it is likely that we will see more partnerships and agreements announced in the future.
Abu Dhabi Customs scam alert issued
Beware of fake Abu Dhabi Customs notices
Abu Dhabi Customs has warned customers against fraudulent electronic messages and notices impersonating the authority. The warning comes after the detection of scam messages carrying titles such as "Official Customs Hold Notice, Customs Tariff Classification Required (Harmonised System)". These messages are designed to appear authentic, with reference numbers, dates, and times, and claim that a shipment has been placed on hold pending customs tariff classification and fee payments.
The authority has stressed that these messages are not issued by Abu Dhabi Customs and has urged customers to exercise caution when receiving emails or notices related to shipments, customs procedures, or payment requests. Customers are advised to verify the source of any such communication through official channels before taking any action. The fraudulent messages may be intended to obtain personal, commercial, or banking information or induce recipients to carry out unauthorized transactions.
Abu Dhabi Customs has emphasized that all official customs procedures and transactions are conducted through approved systems and official digital platforms. To protect themselves, customers are advised not to respond to suspicious messages, click on links contained within such messages, open attachments from untrusted sources, share personal, business, or banking information, or make payments based on unauthorized requests.
The authority has reaffirmed its ongoing efforts to raise awareness of safe digital practices and protect customers from fraud and impersonation attempts. Customers who receive suspicious messages are urged to report them through official channels and avoid sharing any information with the sender. By being vigilant and taking the necessary precautions, customers can help ensure a secure and trusted customs experience.
Abu Dhabi Customs' warning is part of its efforts to prevent scammers from extracting sensitive personal, commercial, or banking information and requesting unauthorized payments. The authority's emphasis on protecting customer data and ensuring the security of digital transactions remains a key priority within its customs services ecosystem.
In line with its commitment to cybersecurity, Abu Dhabi Customs continues to work towards creating a secure environment for its customers. The authority's warning serves as a reminder to always be cautious when receiving unexpected messages or requests, especially those related to financial transactions.
