Gulf News
BATTLE FOR HORMUZ ESCALATES
The focus of the war has sharply shifted to the Strait of Hormuz, with tensions escalating after US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the vital oil route — or face devastating strikes. Iran yesterday responded with...
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IRAN HITS KEY GULF ENERGY SITES AS WAR ESCALATES
Oil and gas prices surged sharply yesterday after Iran struck major energy facilities across the Gulf, deepening fears of a widening conflict that could disrupt global supplies and push the Middle East war into a dangerous new phase. Brent crude...
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UAE Eid travel shifts to short road trips and staycations
UAE residents are opting for staycations and short road trips instead of international holidays this Eid Al Fitr, as regional tensions continue to affect travel plans, according to travel agents. Demand for leisure air travel remains low, even though...
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UAE LEADERS, JORDAN KING CALL FOR A HALT TO ESCALATING MILITARY ACTIONS
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday received King Abdullah II of Jordan. The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,...
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UAE, SAUDI LEADERS SAY BLATANT IRANIAN ATTACKS A VIOLATION OF SOVEREIGN RIGHTS
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday received a telephone call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, during which they discussed regional developments amid escalating military actions and their grave threats to...
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UAE shows restraint despite 1,909 attacks
Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, stressed that the country has the right to defend itself against the imposed terrorist aggression, while continuing to exercise restraint and prioritise stability and diplomatic solutions. In...
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OIL, GAS PRICES SOAR AMID TURMOIL IN KEY MARKETS
The escalating conflict in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through global energy and financial markets, pushing oil and gas prices higher, shaking stock markets and prompting governments to prepare emergency measures to shield their economies...
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UAE WILL EMERGE STRONGER: PRESIDENT
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reassured citizens and residents that the UAE will overcome the current crisis and emerge stronger, while sending a clear message to those who threaten the country that the UAE is “not an...
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UAE CARRIERS DEFY REGIONAL SLUMP
UAE airlines began cautiously restoring operations yesterday, even as more than 23,000 flights, according to Cirium, have been cancelled across the Middle East since airspace closures began. Carriers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are operating reduced or...
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RESOLUTE UAE STAYS STEADY AMID REGIONAL TURMOIL
Shopping malls and parks are crowded, planes are taking off and landing, ports are operating as usual, and banking services are up without a glitch. With careful assessment, timely intervention and an abundance of caution, the UAE has once again...
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UAE STANDS UNITED AND RESOLUTE
Four days into the USIsrael conflict with Iran, the UAE yesterday activated emergency air corridors handling up to 48 flights per hour, with plans to schedule 80 additional national carrier services to move 27,000 passengers in the next phase. UAE...
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UAE AIRLINES RESUME LIMITED DEPARTURES
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has announced the start of exceptional flight operations at airports across the country and major UAE airlines have begun limited repatriation and cargo flights. In a statement, the Authority said it has...
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UAE STANDS FIRM: IRANIAN MISSILE ATTACKS FOILED, CALM PREVAILS
The UAE displayed composure, precision, and national unity as it intercepted a massive missile and drone assault launched from Iran, demonstrating readiness and resilience in the face of one of the most severe regional escalations in recent...
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US, Iran hold crucial talks to avert war
Iran and the United States held another round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva yesterday, as Washington continues one of its largest military buildups in the Middle East in decades, raising regional tensions. The Oman-mediated discussions, hosted...
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Iran slams US missile claims as ‘big lies’
Iran yesterday dismissed US accusations about its missile programme as “big lies,” even as President Masoud Pezeshkian voiced cautious optimism ahead of a fresh round of negotiations with Washington. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei rejected...
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UAE moves to end medicine monopoly
In a first-of-its-kind move, the UAE yesterday implemented a new rule to break the monopoly on medical products. The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) activated the new mechanism that requires pharmaceutical companies to appoint more than one...
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UAE announces Eid Al Fitr holidays
The UAE has announced that all public and private sector entities will observe a holiday for Eid Al Fitr. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that all federal ministries, institutions, and public sector entities will be on...
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UAE, Arab nations slam US envoy’s statements
More than a dozen Arab and Islamic countries, joined by three major regional organisations, have issued a joint condemnation of remarks attributed to the United States Ambassador to Israel, warning that the comments risk inflaming regional tensions and...
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UAE pledges $1.2 billion to support Gaza through the Board of Peace
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that the UAE will provide $1.2 billion to support Gaza through the Board of Peace. Sheikh Abdullah made the announcement during his participation in...
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Iran, Russia to hold drills amid US build-up
Iran and Russia are set to launch joint naval manoeuvres in the Sea of Oman today, Iranian media reported, as a massive US military build-up and escalating rhetoric continue to stoke tensions across the Gulf despite ongoing diplomacy between Tehran and...
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UAE ramps up Ramadan price checks to shield households
The UAE has once again put the interest of consumers first by warning retailers against price increases for nine categories of essential goods during Ramadan, while inspection teams in Dubai have already begun field visits ahead of the fasting month to...
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$5b pledged for Gaza; Board of Peace summit on Thursday
Us President Donald Trump said Sunday that members of his newly-created Board of Peace have pledged $5 billion toward rebuilding warravaged Gaza and will commit thousands of personnel to international stabilisation and police forces for the...
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Dubai pushes trackless tram plan, more bus and taxi lanes
Dubai is stepping up its transport infrastructure with ambitious expansion projects designed to make commuting faster, safer, and more sustainable. Central to this drive is the planned trackless tram system, an autonomous, electric-powered transit...
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Counting under way in first Bangladesh polls since uprising
Counting was underway yesterday in Bangladesh’s first election since a deadly 2024 uprising, with powerful political heir Tarique Rahman bullish about defeating an Islamist-led coalition. Leading prime ministerial hopeful Tarique Rahman, 60, said he...
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DXB TO ROLL OUT ALERTS TO HELP FLYERS AVOID MISSED FLIGHTS
Dubai Airports is developing a checkout reminder system that will alert passengers if they are running out of time to reach their gate while shopping or dining at Dubai International Airport. The initiative, revealed by chief executive Paul Griffiths,...
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US, Russia renew military contacts in UAE
Russia and Ukraine have carried out a prisoner exchange mediated in Abu Dhabi, while the United States and Russia held direct military-to-military talks in the UAE capital for the first time in five years — twin developments underscoring Abu Dhabi’s...
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Kuwait PM warns of global instability amid Iran talks
Global stability depends on restraint, continuity and effective control, Kuwait’s prime minister said in Dubai, warning that escalating conflicts could push the world into deeper uncertainty. Speaking at the World Governments Summit, Sheikh Ahmad...
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‘Not another war’: UAE seeks US–Iran dialogue
The UAE has urged the United States and Iran to enter direct negotiations to avoid another destabilising conflict in the Middle East, warning that the region has already paid a heavy price for repeated confrontations. Speaking at the World Governments...
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Largest ever World Governments Summit opens in Dubai today
The largest edition of the World Governments Summit opens in Dubai today, bringing together a record number of global leaders, policymakers and business executives. Running from today to February 5, under the theme “Shaping Future Governments,” the...
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UAE achieves historic $1tr in non-oil trade
For the first time in its history, the UAE’s nonoil foreign trade has exceeded $1 trillion, reaching Dh3.8 trillion, in yet another major milestone in the country’s economic journey. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President...
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Mohamed affirms UAE’s role in supporting dialogue, peace
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday held talks in Moscow, with President Putin praising the UAE’s role in mediating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and hosting recent...
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Maharashtra deputy CM killed in plane crash amid lapses
The fatal plane crash near Baramati Airport that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others unfolded in a swift sequence of missed communication, poor visibility and sudden disaster, according to the Ministry of Civil...
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EU and India agree to ‘mother of all deals’
India and the European Union announced yesterday the “mother of all deals”, a huge trade pact to create a market of two billion people, reached after two decades of negotiations. EU chiefs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi hope the pact will help...
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Emirates and Etihad flights hit by US storm
Flights between the UAE, Qatar and the United States continued to face disruption after a severe winter storm battered the US East Coast, triggering airport closures, long delays and cancellations on some of the busiest transatlantic routes. There...
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Widespread travel chaos in US amid massive winter storm
Astrengthening winter storm set the stage for a brutal travel day yesterday, with airlines warning of widespread cancellations and delays at some of the nation’s busiest airports. Widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million...
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AI tsunami could disrupt 40% of jobs worldwide, IMF chief warns
Artificial intelligence is set to disrupt a significant share of the global workforce, the head of the International Monetary Fund warned in Davos. Speaking at a high-level dialogue hosted by the UAE at the World Economic Forum, IMF Managing Director...
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Trump rules out force to annex Greenland
US President Donald Trump demanded immediate talks on acquiring Greenland in a hardline speech at Davos yesterday, but said that while the United States possessed “unstoppable force” it would not use it to take the Arctic island from Denmark. “It’s...
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Mohamed, Modi witness exchange of agreements and memoranda
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi for high-level talks and the exchange of agreements aimed at deepening strategic cooperation across a wide range of sectors. The discussions...
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US sanctions Iran officials over protests
The US yesterday imposed fresh sanctions on Iranian security officialsandbankingnetworks, accusing them of orchestrating a violent crackdown on nationwide protests and laundering billions of dollars in oil revenues, even as signs emerged that tensions...
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MOHAMED AWARDS ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan presents the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize for Health to a representative from Jade (UAE), during the opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026), at Adnec yesterday. The...
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Iran threatens US, Israel as protests rage
Iran warned that any US military strike ordered by President Donald Trump would trigger retaliation against Israel and American forces in the Middle East, as Israel placed its military on high alert amid fears of a US intervention linked to the...
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11 CITIES, REGIONS TO BE LINKED BY ETIHAD RAIL THIS YEAR REVEALED
Etihad Rail has announced the full details of the UAE’s national passenger rail network, marking a major milestone in the country’s transport and infrastructure development. The company said the network will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE...
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UAE residents smoke less, get more physical activity
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has released the results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024-2025, revealing a sharp 14.8 per cent decline in obesity prevalence across the UAE over the last fifteen years. The comprehensive...
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16,000 decisions mark UAE Cabinet’s 20 years
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday chaired a Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, during which ministers reviewed the journey of the UAE Cabinet over...
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Maduro in NY jail as Trump says US will ‘run’ Venezuela
Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro was in a New York jail yesterday after a shock US snatch-and-grab raid to remove him from power and assert Washington’s control over the oil-rich South American nation. The US military carried out air strikes on...
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40 dead, 100 hurt in Swiss resort NYE fire
Afire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana as revellers rang in the New Year, killing and injuring several people, police said early yesterday. Police, firefighters and rescuers rushed to the popular...
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UAE RINGS IN NEW YEAR WITH SPECTACULAR CELEBRATIONS
Crowds gather to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks at Global Village in Dubai. The UAE welcomed 2026 in spectacular fashion, lighting up the night sky with dazzling fireworks that brought together residents and visitors in a shared celebration of hope and...
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New law to govern national school curriculum issued
The UAE Government has taken a major step to strengthen its education system by issuing a Federal Decree Law on the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum. For the first time, the law provides a comprehensive framework regulating how the...
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Dubai ready for seamless NYE celebrations
Dubai authorities have confirmed the full readiness of the security and operational plan for New Year’s Eve celebrations, ensuring public safety, smooth mobility and seamless services across all major celebration sites. Security and emergency...
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Pope calls for peace through dialogue in Christmas blessing
Pope Leo XIV during his first Christmas Day message yesterday urged the faithful to shed indifference in the face of those who have lost everything, like in Gaza, those who are in impoverished and the many migrants who cross the Mediterranean Sea and...
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UAE injects Dh33b to boost tourism, jobs
The UAE is leveraging its booming tourism sector to create jobs, foster innovation, and empower entrepreneurs, supported by over Dh33 billion in national funding programmes. Tourism, which contributes significantly to GDP, has emerged as a cornerstone...
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Dubai’s new ‘RV route’ to boost tourism
Imagine exploring Dubai’s stunning deserts, beaches, and mountains from the comfort of your own mobile home, with dedicated stops and parks designed specifically for your journey. This vision becomes a reality as Dubai Municipality introduces the...
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Mohamed, Macron discuss historical, strategic relations
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday welcomed Emmanuel Macron, President of France, who is on a working visit to the country. The meeting was held at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, where Sheikh Mohamed welcomed...
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UAE STRUCK BY HEAVY RAIN, THUNDERSTORMS
The UAE experienced unstable weather yesterday as the Al Bashayer low-pressure system brought torrential rain, hail and tornado-like conditions across multiple emirates, forcing authorities to mobilise emergency teams and issue urgent safety warnings....
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UAE to ban more single-use plastic items next year
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has announced the commencement of the second phase of Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022, which prohibits the import, manufacture and trade of an expanded range of single-use consumer plastic...
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Dubai economy to expand by 4.5% next year
Dubai’s economy is forecast to expand by 4.5 per cent in 2026, maintaining the same pace as 2025 and outperforming global growth trends, Emirates NBD said in its latest economic outlook. The expansion will be supported by ongoing strength across both...
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UAE tightens law on sexual offences and prostitution
The UAE government has announced a new federal decree-law that tightens penalties for sexual offenders involving minors, and prostitution. The amendments also enhance the judiciary’s ability to assess the criminal risk of offenders convicted in...
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UAE tightens drug laws with fines, jail, deportation
The UAE has tightened laws to combat use of narcotics, including imprisonment and heavy penalties for medical practitioners who misuse their authority to prescribe and dispense such drugs. It also mandates the deportation of foreign nationals...
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VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER GETS NOBEL IN ABSENTIA
■ The daughter of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Ana Corina Sosa, accepts the award on behalf of her mother, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall, Norway, on Wednesday. Machado has...
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RTA’s smart command centre drives Dubai’s mobility vision
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is advancing its strategic vision for seamless and sustainable mobility, placing the Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC³) at the heart of traffic management and transport coordination across the...
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Abu Dhabi to invest Dh240b in new infrastructure drive
Abu Dhabi plans to double its population capacity under a new 2040 urban plan, backed by more than Dh240 billion in infrastructure projects aimed at sustaining economic growth and improving quality of life, according to Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman...
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Goa club fire kills 25; GM held, owner flees
Alate-night blaze at a popular nightclub in Goa has killed at least 25 people — including tourists and migrant workers — and raised urgent questions over fire safety, illegal construction and regulatory failures in one of India’s busiest party...
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Handshake, car ride and high stakes as Modi hosts Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi yesterday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening defence, energy and trade ties even as India faces mounting pressure from Washington over its continued purchase of Russian oil. Prime Minister...
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ZAYED NATIONAL MUSEUM HOSTS EID AL ETIHAD CEREMONY
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the emirates, Dr...
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UAE LEADERS: FUTURE BEGINS WITH OUR PEOPLE
The UAE’s leadership marked the 54th Eid Al Etihad with deeply personal messages that placed people, families, and identity at the heart of the nation’s future. In statements rich with reflection and resolve, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin...
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54TH EID AL ETIHAD CELEBRATIONS LIGHT UP NATION
■ The Sharjah Museums Authority marked UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad with special activities and community events as celebrations swept across the nation with vibrant displays of joy, pride and national unity. Government buildings, public spaces and...
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UAE reaffirms support for a Palestinian state
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reaffirmed the UAE’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations and inalienable rights. In a letter to the Chairman of United Nations Information System...
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DXB gears up for record year-end with 10m flyers
Dubai Airports, the operator of the world’s busiest hub Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC), has issued a travel advisory urging passengers to plan ahead as DXB gears up for a record-breaking yearend travel wave. A whopping 10...
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UK to impose ‘tourist tax’ on visitors to cities
Mayors in England will now be able to impose a new “tourist tax” on visitors under new budget measures announced yesterday, a move that could increase travel expenses for UAE residents heading to London and other major cities. The policy is part of a...
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