During the holy month of Ramadan, working hours across both the public and private sectors are traditionally reduced to accommodate the spiritual needs of those fasting. For the federal government, the standard schedule shifts to a four-and-a-half-day work week, with employees typically on duty from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM from Monday to Thursday, and […]
Malayalam cinema is gearing up for a sentimental milestone as Jayaram and his son Kalidas Jayaram return to the big screen together in the upcoming family entertainer “Aashakal Aayiram” (A Thousand Hopes), releasing on February 6, 2026. This marks their first full-length collaboration in 22 years, since the award-winning Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum (2003), where Kalidas […]
In a significant update effective February 2, 2026, the Indian government has simplified customs regulations under the Baggage Rules, 2026, primarily by scrapping the long-standing value-based caps on gold jewellery. For years, UAE expats were restricted by both weight and a rupee limit (₹50,000 for men and ₹1,00,000 for women), which had become increasingly difficult […]
The introduction of Glydways in the UAE represents a fundamental shift in how cities approach mass transit, moving away from heavy rail and towards a flexible, software-driven infrastructure. Unlike traditional buses or trains that operate on fixed schedules and stop at every station, Glydways utilizes a fleet of autonomous electric pods that function on-demand. Passengers […]
At the World Laureates Summit in Dubai today, February 2, 2026, legendary cryptographer and Turing Award winner Prof. Whitfield Diffie delivered a striking vision of our near future. He predicted that by the year 2050, artificial intelligence will likely handle 98% of all human tasks. Far from a sci-fi “war with machines,” Diffie argued that […]
During the recent trailer launch for the upcoming film Aashaan on January 31, 2026, Malayalam megastar Mammootty delivered a stirring tribute to veteran actor Indrans, marking his journey from a marginalized comedian to a powerhouse of Indian cinema. Mammootty reflected on the 1990s, an era where Indrans was frequently relegated to roles that focused on […]
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has officially approved a Dh500 million ($136 million) masterplan to redevelop Umm Suqeim Beach. The project aims to turn the 3.1-kilometre stretch—located between the Burj Al Arab and Kite Beach—into one of the world’s most advanced and sustainable urban beach destinations. Spanning approximately […]
The launch of Dubai+ marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s digital media landscape. Approved by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on January 28, 2026, the platform is designed to be a comprehensive digital media ecosystem. It serves as a free, family-focused destination that brings together local, Arab, and international series and […]
In a historic leap for regional transportation, Etihad Rail has successfully completed the first-ever magnetic levitation (maglev) rail trials in the Middle East. Conducted at the Al Faya Depot in Abu Dhabi in late January 2026, the test utilized cutting-edge “passive levitation” technology developed in partnership with the Italian engineering firm IronLev. Unlike traditional trains […]
Kerala has marked a historic milestone at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, securing investment commitments totaling $14 billion (approximately ₹1.18 lakh crore). Shifting from its traditional focus on merely showcasing potential, the state government successfully signed several Expressions of Interest (EoIs) with global investors from the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Spain. Industries Minister […]