Dubai to host 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026, launching world’s largest $1m AI film prize and $13.6m fund for creators
Culture & Society
Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR)
UAE announces private sector holiday, 3-day weekend
The UAE has announced holidays for the public and private sectors next week
Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR)
UAE announces holiday for public sector
The authorities announced a holiday for federal government workers for Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday on September 5
AWQAF
Awqaf Dubai delivers $6.3m in real estate endowments during H1 2025
Awqaf Dubai completed AED 23m ($6.3m) endowment real estate projects in H1 2025, supporting mosques, charities, and community services across the emirate
content creators
Dubai’s Creators HQ attracts 2,415 members and 78 global firms in just six months
Creators HQ in Dubai attracts 2,415 members and 78 firms in six months, reinforcing UAE’s vision to lead the global content economy
border regulations
Saudi Arabia arrested over 22,200 last week in residency and labour operations
Saudi Arabia announces more than 22,200 arrests in a single week as it clamps down on residency, labour and security breaches
Dubai police
Dubai real estate boom, UAE education reform; Saudi property rules; Kuwait megaprojects – 10 things you missed this week
Dubai real estate hits $17.3bn, UAE unveils AI school reforms, Saudi opens property to foreigners, Kuwait plans $32bn projects, and more GCC news
Abu Dhabi Police
Abu Dhabi Police seize 377kg of crystal meth hidden in sewing machines
Abu Dhabi Police seized 377kg of crystal meth hidden in sewing machine oil cans, arresting three suspects in a major anti-narcotics operation
Abu Dhabi
Number of foreigners’ civil marriages in Abu Dhabi continues to grow
More than 43,000 marriages registered since the introduction of Law No. 14 of 2021 on Civil Marriage; Over 10,000 in the first six months of 2025
Saudi visas
Saudi Arabia launches Umrah visa platform for international pilgrims
Saudi Arabia launches Nusuk Umrah platform, allowing international pilgrims to apply for visas, book hotels, transport, and services online with ease
Emiratisation
UAE cracks down on 405 cases of ‘Fake Emiratisation’ in private companies, says MoHRE
MoHRE uncovers 405 cases of ‘Fake Emiratisation’ in UAE private firms in H1 2025 and takes legal action against companies violating Emiratisation policies
Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism
Ancient Christian cross unearthed on Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island
DCT Abu Dhabi announces the discovery of an ancient Christian cross on Sir Bani Yas Island, underscoring the UAE’s heritage of coexistence and tolerance
National Center of Meteorology (NCM)
UAE weather: Rain, thunder and lightning forecast
UAE weather authorities forecast rain, thunder and lightning this week
AI
Meet the UAE’s first virtual family: ‘Latifa’ tops community vote
Nearly 14,000 people took part in naming UAE’s first virtual character, paving the way for AI-powered digital ambassadors to promote smart services
diamond
Dubai Police solve heist of extremely rare $25mn diamond in less than a day
‘Operation Pink Diamond’ busts a gang of three criminals, who planned the heist of a 21.25-carat diamond for over a year
Al Barsha
Dubai Municipality interacts with Al Barsha residents for development of two parks
Residents shared ideas on how the two new parks, and a central recreational space of more than 31,000sqft, should be designed
AI
MoHRE processes record 18m smart transactions as UAE pushes digital transformation
UAE’s MoHRE completes 18 million smart transactions in first half of 2025