From Emaar’s $27bn project and the UAE’s first $27m jackpot to a RAK merger and a Dubai $980 coffee, here are 10 stories you may have missed
Culture & Society
Latest in Culture & Society
Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA)
Abu Dhabi launches ADAFSA Golden List to reward top food safety performers
Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority launches Golden List under Zadna Rating to reward excellence
Female CEOs
78% of Middle East female business leaders confident in growth: KPMG
KPMG report shows 78% of Middle East female leaders optimistic about growth, but urge greater clarity on AI and people investment strategies
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi unveils AI-powered robot cleaners to sweep city streets
Abu Dhabi launches Robosweeper autonomous cleaning vehicles on the Corniche, advancing smart city innovation and efficiency goals
Museum
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi: Dinosaurs, meteorites and a blue whale go on display November 22, 2025
Dinosaurs, meteorites and a blue whale will headline Abu Dhabi’s new Natural History Museum, opening 22 November 2025 with 13.8 billion years of life on show
crime
UAE refers 9 suspects to court for organised gang crimes
UAE Public Prosecution has referred nine Arab nationals to court for crimes endangering state security, public order, and social peace
border regulations
Saudi Arabia arrests over 23,000 in nationwide crackdown on residency and labour violations
Saudi Arabia arrested more than 23,000 people in one week during a nationwide crackdown on residency, labour and border violations
The UAE Lottery
UAE Lottery announces first $27m jackpot winner
Check your tickets to see if you have won $27m grand prize in the UAE Lottery on Saturday, October 18
Abu Dhabi real estate
UAE Golden Visa boost, Abu Dhabi investment powerhouse; Dubizzle IPO; Dubai real estate analysis – 10 things you missed this week
UAE expands Golden Visa benefits, IHC announces a $33bn mega merger, and Abu Dhabi goes fully digital —and more news from this week
Artificial intelligence
iDo: Abu Dhabi unveils digital marriage contracts – no paperwork, no visits
Abu Dhabi launches new AI-powered TAMM service lets couples tie the knot online, with certified digital contracts and zero paperwork
museums
Zayed National Museum to open December 3 2025 in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District
Zayed National Museum opens 3 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District, celebrating UAE history and Sheikh Zayed’s legacy
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi expands nature reserves to 20% of total land under Sheikh Mohamed directive
UAE President directs Abu Dhabi to expand protected areas to 20% of its land, adding new reserves to boost biodiversity and sustainability
KHDA
Dubai RTA expands nol card to cover retail, parking and education services
Dubai RTA expands nol card beyond transport, enabling parking, retail and student service payments through deals with KHDA, Parkin and PayPal
Federal Authority for Identity Citizenship Customs and Ports Security
UAE announces major new Golden Visa benefits
UAE Golden Visa holders gain new global benefits, including 24/7 consular support, emergency travel assistance, and humanitarian coverage
domestic workers
UAE unveils one-stop Work Bundle for Domestic Worker visas and services
The UAE expands Work Bundle with Domestic Worker Services, streamlining visa, medical and ID processes under Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme
National Center of Meteorology (NCM)
UAE weather warning: Heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas forecast this week
UAE authorities warn of unstable weather from Friday to mid-next week, with rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas forecast
New Saudi visa rules, new mall in Dubai, UK talent exodus, UAE record property sales – 10 stories you missed this week
Saudi Arabia’s new visa rules, Dubai’s $4.2bn mall launch, record UAE property sales, and more — here are the top 10 stories this week