Author: Editorial team

Home UAE Global Village opens season 31 with colour, culture and celebrations Thousands gathered as the region’s leading multicultural destination welcomed visitors to a new season of entertainment, dining, shopping and cultural experiences By Pictures: Salem KhamisPublished: 14 October 2026, 19:42 (UAE)Updated: 14 October 2026, 19:56 (UAE)1 min read Global Village opened the gates to Season 31 on Tuesday evening, welcoming visitors to ‘A More Wonderful World’ with a vibrant mix of cultural performances, entertainment and family experiences. Picture: Salem Khamis Source: Emirates 24|7

DUBAI, 14th October, 2026 (WAM) — In support of the ‘Dubai Cashless’ strategy, and complementing its efforts to enhance the integration of customs services and digital payments in a way that helps simplify procedures, improve the customer experience, and raise the efficiency of doing business, Dubai Customs announced that its cashless payment transaction rate reached 99.3% of total payment transactions in the first half of 2026, compared with 99.4% in 2025 and 99.2% in 2024. These results reflect the development of the organisation’s digital infrastructure, the efficiency of its electronic payment systems, and its commitment to providing a smooth and…

The UAE economy grew 6.2 per cent in 2025, supported by a 6.8 per cent expansion in non-oil GDP, as the country continued to deepen economic diversification and attract record levels of foreign investment, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said on Wednesday.Speaking at the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum, Al Marri said non-oil activities accounted for more than 79 per cent of the UAE’s GDP during the first half of 2026, highlighting the growing contribution of sectors outside hydrocarbons.He said the next stage of diversification should focus less on adding sectors and more on increasing the…

After more than two decades of candid confessions and unforgettable rapid-fire rounds, Karan Johar is preparing to serve his final cups of Koffee. The ninth and final season of Koffee With Karan premieres today, October 14, with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan taking the couch for the opening episode.For UAE fans who have followed the show over the years, the farewell season will be available on STARZPLAY, following its recently announced regional partnership with JioHotstar.Since making its debut in 2004, the celebrity chat show has become a pop-culture phenomenon, offering audiences a glimpse into the lives of Bollywood’s biggest stars. From…

Dubai: In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued Decision No. (25) of 2026, forming the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Appreciation Award for Community Service. The Board is chaired by His Excellency Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, while the Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai serves as Vice Chairman. The Board’s members include Saeed Mohammed Harib Al Falahi, Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri, Ahmed Majid Al Badwawi, Mohammed Hassan Al Shehhi, and Hend Mohammed Fekri, along with a…

ABU DHABI, 14th October, 2026 (WAM) — The next generation of world-class wrestlers are set to take to the mats in Abu Dhabi next month after Real American Freestyle (RAF), the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the UAE Wrestling Federation announced a partnership to bring the wrestling promotion’s first international youth tournament to the Middle East – RAF NEXT GEN Abu Dhabi. Registration is now open across all weight classes. Athletes can register here, with limited places available in each division. Interested participants are encouraged to secure their spot as early as possible.…

Home UAE Hamdan bin Mohammed attends graduation of Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Development Program cohort The programme’s 2025-2026 cohort graduated during the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, following a nine-month leadership development journey. Emirates247 Published: 14 October 2026, 17:29 (UAE)Updated: 14 October 2026, 17:55 (UAE)3 min read His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, attended the graduation of the 2025-2026 cohort of the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Development Program, organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid…

Dubai: Global gold prices were stable in Wednesday trading, hovering near the $4,160-an-ounce level as caution prevailed in financial markets ahead of key US inflation data that could influence the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions. Concerns over rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions also continued to weigh on investor sentiment.Spot gold was steady at $4,159.45 an ounce, while US gold futures for December delivery rose 0.1% to $4,182.60 an ounce. The precious metal’s stability comes despite higher global oil prices amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.Ilya Spivak, Head of Global Macroeconomics at Tasty Life, said gold’s ability to maintain…

DUBAI, 14th October, 2026 (WAM) — German and Indian companies will showcase sustainable water and energy solutions at the 28th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) from 20th to 22nd October at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The German Pavilion will feature 20 specialised companies, many of which have been regular exhibitors for years. They will showcase products and innovations aimed at reducing emissions, protecting the environment and improving operational efficiency across sectors including energy, water, renewable energy, low-carbon hydrogen, environmental sustainability, automation, software, artificial intelligence (AI) and smart metering. Saeed…

ABU DHABI, 14th October, 2026 (WAM) — The Urban Planning and Permits Centre (UPPC) at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), has issued Circular No. 9 of 2026 regulating the roles and responsibilities of supervision consultants and contractors across all construction stages. The circular aims to accelerate project delivery, clarify stakeholder accountability, and enhance oversight efficiency while upholding strict quality and safety standards. The circular applies to all new and ongoing building projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It covers structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) works, as well as any additional scopes or phases specified by…