As Dubai prepares to set world records at the Burj Khalifa, the city landmark showed off a different side this week, as it starred in a viral video shared by Sheikh Hamdan.
Meanwhile the city police force shared news about efforts to clamp down on international suspects in crime and a global megastar was linked with a massive gig in the city in January.
It has been another major week for news in the Middle East, with holidays, weather and a major entrepreneur scheme hitting the headlines.
Looking ahead to next year strategic holiday booking plans were revealed and there is even a chance for UAE workers to get a full year off.
Don’t worry if you missed any of the biggest stories, Arabian Business has you covered.
Check out the 10 biggest stories of the past week.
Dubai rain: Giant umbrella on top of Burj Khalifa in Sheikh Hamdan Instagram video
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai shared a stunning CGI video to capture the mood of the city as rain fell.
Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa could be seen splitting open in the middle and a giant umbrella appeared to open up to protect the world’s tallest building from the rain.
UAE holidays 2023: How to get 58 days off with just 24 of annual leave
UAE workers will be able to take 58 days of holiday in 2023 by using just 24 of annual leave if they make the most of booking public holidays.
The UAE has announced prospective holiday dates for occasions such as Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, the Islamic New Year and National Day.
Dubai Police arrest 432 crime lords – force support lands mafia leaders, murder suspects, drug cartel bosses
The arrests by Dubai Police have come in the past two years and led to the force extraditing 379 wanted persons to international police in more than 30 different countries.
Dubai Police have also repatriated 65 wanted fugitives from abroad for various criminal charges such as premeditated murder, armed robbery, assault leading to death, jewellery theft, attempted theft, and other financial crimes with total financial claims of AED517,981,823 ($141m).
Dubai’s Emirates pulled by reindeers for Christmas in viral video
The passenger aircraft, identified as the Airbus A380, was shared by the airline on its official Instagram page.
“Captain Claus, requesting permission for take-off. Merry Christmas from Emirates,” the caption said.
UAE weather warning: rain forecast, flood alerts
The UAE saw unstable weather conditions this week and even issued a yellow alert for weather as rain and temperatures fell.
The National Centre of Meteorology in the UAE (NCM) warned people in the country to be aware of “unstable weather conditions”. Clouds, rainfall and rough seas were seen and the weather bureau issued flood alerts in the country.
Dubai New Year’s Eve: road closures, metro timings, traffic plan revealed
Preparations have been set on a smart plan mapped out by Dubai Police in conjunction with the RTA which will use 10 thousand cameras to smart monitor the roads by the Enterprise Command and Control Centre of the RTA.
“The committee is fully prepared to secure the New Year’s celebrations. It held several coordinative meetings with representatives of all concerned bodies during which a joint and unified security plan was developed covering various fields to secure tourist areas and commercial centres and ease traffic during the Eve of the New Year 2023,” said Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Acting Assistant Commandant for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police and Acting Chairman of the Executive Committee for Securing International and Local Events.
Beyonce in Dubai: Singer to play $24m gig at Atlantis The Royal in January
Beyonce will perform a Dubai show early in 2023, according to media reports in the UK.
The megastar singer has not staged a full-length concert since 2018, but has been tempted by a $24m offer to play at an Atlantis Hotel in Dubai, reported the Sun newspaper.
The 43-storey Atlantis The Royal hotel is expected to host its Grand Reveal celebrity-packed opening party at the end of January and it seems likely that Beyonce in Dubai in 2023 will be part of the hotel’s opening plans.
UAE workers offered one year paid leave
The UAE is introducing a scheme which gives workers a year off if they leave to set up a business.
Starting on January 2, 2023 the UAE government will start implementing the Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment scheme for UAE national employees of the federal government.
The scheme is a world-first and is one of the project is part of the so-called “Projects of the 50” initiatives announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, last July.
Andrew Tate arrested on human trafficking and rape investigation
Tate was arrested along with his brother Tristan and two other Romanian suspects after a raid on their properties in Bucharest.
Tate was originally expected to be detained for 24 hours, Romanian anti organised-crime unit prosecutors said in a statement carried by Reuters.
UAE mandatory insurance begins on January 1, here’s how to get $16,338 job loss cover
The UAE is introducing mandatory UAE unemployment insurance from January 1, 2023.
The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) first announced the Unemployment Insurance Scheme for all government and private sector employees back in October and it is about to come into effect.
The MOHRE has now issued a video guide on social media to explain the benefits and costs of the UAE unemployment insurance.
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