Dubai Announces New Economic Measures
Dubai economic measures are now in effect, targeting resilience and growth across the hospitality and wider business sectors. The Dubai government, via the Dubai Media Office, announced this new package of incentives in April 2026. These measures aim to strengthen business operations and sustain economic momentum.
This targeted deferral is a key component of a broader $272 million support package meticulously designed to bolster the emirate’s vital hospitality sector.
Specifically, hotels are now permitted to defer 100% of their sales fees and the crucial Tourism Dirham for a defined period, significantly easing their immediate financial burdens. The move helps hotels maintain service levels, staffing, and marketing efforts during varying market conditions.
The broader incentive package extends beyond hospitality. It aims to reduce operating pressure for both Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and larger firms. Such cost-relief measures support business continuity and encourage ongoing expansion plans across Dubai’s diverse economy.
This vital deferral will be in effect for a period of three months, offering substantial short-term relief to operators.
Further details on eligibility criteria, the exact deferral period, and the administering authority are expected soon. Businesses should monitor official channels for specific application processes and timelines to utilize these new support mechanisms effectively.
Quick Intel
- Sector Focus: Hospitality and wider business sectors in Dubai.
- Key Support: Hotels can defer specific sales-related fees.
- Objective: Strengthen business resilience and sustain economic growth.
- Status: Implementation details, eligibility, and timelines are pending official release.
Crucially, this measure extends its benefits to all hospitality establishments across Dubai, ensuring broad-based support for the sector. Businesses should monitor official announcements for specific deferral criteria and application processes.
Apply by Sep 18 for Tiffany Design Programme UAE
Deadline Sep 18: Join Tiffany’s New UAE Design Residency
If you’ve been hunting for a high‑profile design course, the clock’s ticking. Tiffany & Co. just opened its Design Residency to UAE nationals and residents, and the last day to send in your paperwork is September 18, 2026.
The residency blends the House’s two‑century legacy in jewellery and watchmaking with the rich structure of Emirati culture, architecture and heritage. Participants will dig into the conceptual, creative and technical foundations of luxury design while carving out a personal design language through hands‑on experimentation, research and material exploration. In short, it’s a crash course that marries global luxury standards with local artistic DNA.
Only people who meet two simple criteria can throw their hat in the ring: you must be a UAE national or a resident, and you need to be at least 21 years old. The programme does not mention any educational prerequisites, so whether you’re a fresh graduate or a seasoned artisan, you’re welcome to apply as long as you satisfy the age and residency requirements.
When it comes to the paperwork, the residency’s guidelines are razor‑sharp. You’ll need three PDFs:
- A resume that doesn’t exceed 10 MB.
- A cover letter or statement of intent, also capped at 10 MB.
- A portfolio showcasing your work, with a maximum size of 100 MB.
Because the application portal isn’t tied to a government agency, there’s no need to file anything with the GDRFA, MoHRE or any other UAE authority. Just head to the Tiffany & Co. Design Residency online portal, upload the three PDFs, and hit submit before the September 18 deadline. Keep a copy of the confirmation email for your records; it’s the only proof that your files landed where they should.
The programme promises more than a certificate. Graduates will walk away with a portfolio that reflects both the precision of Tiffany’s design ethos and the soul of Emirati artistry. That blend could open doors in luxury retail, boutique ateliers, or even in the burgeoning UAE design scene that’s hungry for talent with a global outlook.
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Cooler Evenings Arrive as Suhail star UAE Returns Aug 24
Milder Mornings Expected After Suhail star UAE Returns on Aug 24
Across the UAE, the night sky will welcome Suhail again on 24 August, and locals can already feel the first hint of relief from the blistering summer.
Morning joggers can expect milder temps after Aug 24
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, says the heat usually begins to ease a few days after the star’s return, with temperatures starting to dip gradually after 20 August. The change won’t be sudden; scorching days will linger into September, but the drop will make early‑morning outings noticeably more comfortable.
For anyone who likes to catch the dawn, Suhail, known to astronomers as Canopus, will rise in the south‑eastern sky about 40 minutes before sunrise. It will sit low on the horizon, a bright point that marks the end of a three‑and‑a‑half‑month disappearance that began in early May. Spotting it is as simple as stepping onto a balcony or a quiet street in Al Qusais or Jumeirah and looking toward the southeast just before the first light.
The temperature shift also carries a few practical side‑effects. While the air will start to cool, humidity will stay high and morning fog is expected to become a regular feature through September. That means a cooler breeze may feel damp, and drivers should keep headlights on during early‑hour commutes, especially on coastal routes like Al Maktoum Road where fog can linger.
Farmers across the Emirates have long used Suhail as a seasonal cue. Its appearance traditionally signals the start of “Al Safriya,” the first milder period of the year, prompting them to ready fields for the next planting cycle. Likewise, marine life responds: fish move closer to the shoreline as sea temperatures gradually fall, a subtle shift that benefits local fish markets and anglers alike.
Even though the heat won’t vanish overnight, the gradual cooling offers a welcome break for families planning evening walks or rooftop barbecues. The evenings after 24 August should feel less oppressive, allowing residents of neighborhoods such as Al Barsha and Satwa to keep doors open longer without the stifling indoor heat.
In short, Suhail’s return is more than a celestial event; it’s a practical marker that lets everyday life in the UAE start to breathe a little easier.
File Dubai Health Insurance Complaints via DubaiNow
Got a Rejected Health Insurance Claim in Dubai? Here's How to File a Complaint
If you're a Dubai resident facing issues with a rejected health insurance claim or problems with your insurance network coverage, you can now easily raise a complaint with your insurance provider through the DubaiNow app. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) offers a free service that allows residents to file disputes against health insurance providers, covering treatment refusals, rejected claims, and health insurance network issues.
To file a health insurance complaint through DubaiNow, start by opening the app and tapping on 'services' and then 'health'. From the list of services, select 'Insurance complaint' and choose whether you're filing the complaint on your own behalf or someone else's. Next, select the type of complaint from the dropdown menu, which includes 12 different options, such as refusal to cover a treatment, rejection of a claim, or delay in activating your health insurance policy. You'll also need to select the insurance company name, provide your policy number, and enter a description of the complaint, along with any supporting documents.
The DHA's unified complaint system allows insured individuals to submit feedback, complaints, or suggestions regarding insurance companies. Once a complaint is registered, the DHA conducts an investigation in line with the Dubai Health Insurance Corporation's (DHIC) Insurance Complaints Management directive. The DHIC then raises the complaint with the insurance company or any other parties concerned and requests a formal response. If the complaint is upheld, the insurer or claims-management company is required to take corrective action.
For residents who have experienced difficulties with their health insurance claims, this service provides a straightforward and official mechanism to dispute rejected claims, treatment refusals, and insurance delays. By using the DubaiNow app, residents can easily file a complaint and have their issues addressed by the DHA.
The DubaiNow app is a digital government services app for the Emirate of Dubai, connecting residents to various government department services. The 'Insurance complaint' service is just one of the many services offered through the app, making it a convenient and efficient way to access government services.
If you're unsure about how to use the service or have questions about the complaint process, you can refer to the DubaiNow app's guide or contact the DHA directly. With this service, Dubai residents can now easily file a complaint against their health insurance provider and have their issues addressed in a timely and efficient manner.
Six‑Month Jail & AED 100k Fine for Abu Dhabi Wrong‑Way Drunk Driver
Driver jailed six months, fined AED 100k after drunk, wrong‑way crash in Abu Dhabi
A driver was sentenced to six months in prison, a AED 100,000 fine, vehicle confiscation and a three‑year licence suspension after being caught drunk and driving against traffic in Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court based its ruling on an arrest report, surveillance camera footage from monitoring and control centres, and the driver’s own admission. A blood sample analysed by the forensic evidence laboratory confirmed alcohol in the driver’s system.
In its judgment, the court said the conduct represented a serious breach of traffic regulations and applicable legislation. It highlighted the importance of strict enforcement of the Federal Decree‑Law on Traffic Regulation and the Crimes and Penalties Law to deter behaviour that endangers road users and threatens public security.
The sentencing highlights the UAE’s continued push to strengthen road safety and crack down on serious violations that put lives at risk.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fine | AED 100,000 |
| Imprisonment | Six months |
| Vehicle | Confiscated |
| Licence suspension | Three years (effective after prison) |
88k Passengers Spike Dubai Airport passenger arrival numbers
88,000 Travelers Touch Down, Families Reunite at DXB
Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3 saw a rush of 88,000 arrivals in a single 24‑hour stretch on 17 August 2026, as residents poured back from summer holidays abroad. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai), confirmed the figure and warned that daily numbers could climb to about 90,000 in the next few days.
Families and seniors benefit from expanded assistance
The surge has prompted airport staff to line up before the passport counters, greeting passengers as they step off the escalators and steering them toward transport options inside the terminal. Dedicated teams are giving extra help to mothers with toddlers, senior citizens, patients and children, with specially trained counters handling youngsters’ needs.
The red‑carpet reception system, highlighted by Al Marri, gives particular attention to Emirates Airline flights arriving at Terminal 3, reinforcing the city’s reputation for warm, coordinated service. Employees describe the workload as a “responsibility and honour,” noting that performance assessments now go beyond a smile to include the breadth of new services they provide.
The sheer volume of arrivals means more taxis and ride‑hail cars line up outside the arrivals hall, stretching waiting times for locals who need a ride later in the day. While the airport’s internal transport links cope with the flow, the ripple effect is felt across nearby roads as families head home to neighborhoods across Dubai.
GDRFA Dubai expects the surge to continue as summer holidays end.
