Abudhabi ,January 1, 2026 : UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone call today with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, during which they discussed fraternal relations and ways to strengthen cooperation for the benefit of both countries and their peoples.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the latest developments in the region and issues of mutual interest.
Dubai , January 1 , 2026 : The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah rang in 2026 with a spectacular 15-minute drones and fireworks display that set a new Guinness World Records title for the ‘Largest aerial display of a phoenix formed by multirotors/drones’.
The highlight of the celebration was an awe-inspiring drone performance that transformed the night sky into a living canvas. At the heart of this display was the record-breaking Phoenix, a mythical symbol of renewal, optimism, and rebirth, echoing Ras Al Khaimah’s own transformation and ambition to continuously reimagine its future. This display was brought to life by 2,300 drones, including 1,000 state-of-the-art pyro drones that ignited the Phoenix wings in a dramatic blaze of light as it soared above Ras Al Khaimah’s waterfront. The spectacle continued with another striking drone formation named ‘The Welcome’ – a human form rising from the sea with open arms, embodying the emirate’s spirit of warmth, openness, and hospitality.
Following the drone show, a precisely timed fireworks countdown to midnight ignited a six-kilometre-long fireworks display stretching from Marjan Island to Al Hamra. Hundreds of fireworks erupted in perfectly choreographed waves, cascading along the coastline in a dazzling symphony of color, sound, and light.
Thousands of spectators across Ras Al Khaimah’s beachfront resorts and at the New Year’s Eve Festival were treated to an array of live stage performances and vibrant festivities, making it a truly memorable night for everyone in attendance. Earlier in the evening, families and residents of the emirate also enjoyed an early fireworks display at Corniche Al Qawasim.
Commenting on the achievement, Phillipa Harrison, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), said: “New Year’s Eve in Ras Al Khaimah is about bringing people together. With this year’s show, we wanted to create a celebration that could be shared by our entire community and everyone visiting Ras Al Khaimah at this special time. While achieving a new Guinness World Records title is great, what truly matters are the memories created for those who celebrated with us. 2025 was a year of significant progress for Ras Al Khaimah, and tonight was about celebrating that and welcoming the new year with optimism and excitement for what is to come.”
With this latest Guinness World Records achievement, Ras Al Khaimah adds to its impressive legacy of record-breaking displays, reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s leading destinations for innovative and emotionally resonant New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Dubai , January 1 , 2026 : Global Village, the region’s leading multicultural family
destination for entertainment, shopping, dining, and attractions, welcomed 2026 with an
unforgettable night of celebrations, lighting up the skies with seven spectacular fireworks and
dazzling drone shows marking New Year moments across seven countries.
Alongside, the Main Stage set the rhythm for the night with an energetic live DJ
performance, while roaming entertainment brought every corner of the park to life. Guests
ended their last night of 2025 with extended hours by experiencing the richness of more than
90 explored across 30 cultural pavilions, enjoyed shopping from over 3,500 shopping outlets,
and savoured flavours from 250+ dining options across the Floating Market, Happiness
Street, Fiesta Street and more.
Families also enjoyed over 200 rides and attractions at Carnaval, along with new favourites
such as Dragon Kingdom, Gardens of the World, and The Little Wonderers for younger
adventurers.
Global Village once again stood out as the region’s favourite destination for unforgettable
family moments, celebrating major events season-round and ringing in 2026 with unity,
culture, and spectacular entertainment.
Dubai , January 1, 2026 : Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) transported more than
2.8 million passengers during New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, achieving ridership growth of over 13% compared to last year’s over 2.5 riders.
This was delivered as part of an integrated traffic and operational plan that included the management and regulation of traffic movement and implementation of temporary road closures across the Emirate, in
direct coordination with Dubai Event Security Committee, as well as relevant authorities and strategic partners. The results reflect the readiness and efficiency of the transport system and its ability to
ensure smooth mobility and public safety, while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global destination capable of managing major events in line with the highest international standards.
The total number of users of public transport, taxis, e-hailing services,
and shared mobility during New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations exceeded 2,836,859 passengers, marking a 13% increase compared to New Year’s Eve 2025, when ridership stood at 2,502,474 passengers.
Metro services on the Red and Green Lines were used by 1,249,636 passengers, while Dubai Tram carried 58,052 passengers. Public buses and bus-on-demand buses recorded 503,264 passengers during the night. Taxis transported 661,538 passengers, and marine transport services ferried 76,745 passengers across all modes. E- hailing services transported 286,135 passengers and shared mobility services carried 1,489 passengers. RTA reaffirmed that the approved traffic and operational plan contributed to ensuring the smooth and safe movement of the public
to the celebration sites, within the framework of integrated coordination with the concerned authorities and strategic partners in Dubai.
Sharjah , December 30 , 2025 : His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved the emirate’s 2026 general budget with total expenditures of approximately AED44.5 billion, reflecting a 3% increase over 2025.
The budget focuses on financial sustainability, economic competitiveness, and social welfare, while strengthening security and ensuring the sustainability of energy, water, and food resources. It aims to enhance government capacity to fund strategic projects, expand housing solutions for citizens, and develop a robust tourism infrastructure supporting cultural, recreational, and social tourism.
Infrastructure receives the largest allocation at 35% of the budget, followed by economic development at 30%—up 17% year-on-year—and social development at 23%. Government administration, security, and safety account for 12%, reflecting increased emphasis on institutional capability and public safety. Capital projects make up 35% of total spending, while salaries and wages account for 30%, operating expenses 25%, subsidies and aid 12%, and debt servicing 15%.
Public revenues in 2026 are projected to rise by 26% compared to 2025, driven by improved collection efficiency and digital transformation initiatives. Operating revenues represent 69% of total revenues, while tax revenues are expected to more than double year-on-year.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Finance Department, said the budget aligns with the Ruler’s vision and the Executive Council’s strategic priorities, aiming to enhance financial sustainability, efficiency, and competitiveness across economic, social, cultural, infrastructure, and tourism sectors. The budget also supports digital transformation, streamlined government services, and measures to reduce the cost of doing business.
The 2026 budget prioritises job creation, skills development, investment in human capital, and strengthening Sharjah’s position as a global hub for culture, science, and tourism. It is aligned with the emirate’s 2023–2030 financial plan and is designed to address global challenges such as inflation and economic uncertainty while safeguarding the interests of citizens, residents, and businesses.
Dubai , December 29 , 2025 :
The total proceeds of the 120th open auction of distinctive vehicle number plates, launched by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on the evening of Saturday, 27th December, reached AED 109,026,000, representing the highest revenue recorded in the history of distinctive number plate auctions since their launch. Plate number BB12 recorded the highest value at the auction at AED 9.66 million, followed by plate number AA25 at AED 8.04
million, plate number BB30 at AED 6.74 million, and plate number CC100 at AED 4.21 million. These results underscore the success of the strategy adopted by RTA in managing both open and electronic auctions. The strategy is founded on neutrality and transparency, while ensuring equal opportunities for all those wishing to acquire distinctive number
plates, which carry symbolic value for their owners. RTA offered 90 distinctive vehicle number plates, comprising two,
three, four, and five-digit numbers, from the codes AA, BB, CC, K, N, O, R, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z at its 120th open auction. The
auction took place at Al Joud Ballroom at Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City at 4:30 pm. Registration opened on Monday, 22nd December, with participants able to register through RTA’s website at www.rta.ae, Customer Happiness Centres in Umm Ramool, Deira, and Al Barsha or at the auction venue itself. Priority was given to
those who registered in advance. The sale of number plates was subject to a 5% value-added tax.
Participation in the auction required customers to have a traffic file in the Emirate of Dubai, submit a security cheque payable to RTA in the amount of AED 25,000, and pay a non-refundable participation fee of AED 120 at Customer Happiness Centres. RTA also enabled payment by credit card through its website.
Dubai,December 29,2025 : Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2025 has begun announcing weekly winners for its citywide Shop, Scan & Win campaign, offering shoppers the opportunity to win from a total cash prize pool of up to AED 1 million. Running from 5 December 2025 until 11 January 2026, the campaign rewards everyday shopping with weekly cash prizes and live winner celebrations held as part of DSF Nights.
As part of the promotion, shoppers who spend AED 200 or more at any participating outlet can scan the QR code on their receipt to enter the digital raffle. Entries are collected weekly, with six winners selected every week across 15 participating malls and community centres in Dubai.
Each Wednesday, raffle winners are announced, following which selected winners are invited every Monday to the DSF Stage for a live celebration experience. During these DSF Nights events, winners spin the wheel and instantly reveal their cash prizes, which range across multiple tiers starting from AED 10,000 up to AED 33,333.
Adding to the emotional resonance of the campaign, the inaugural weekly draw witnessed a particularly memorable moment on stage when two winners discovered they were long-lost friends who had not seen each other for years. Their unexpected reunion during the live announcement created a heart-warming moment, reinforcing the community-driven spirit at the heart of Dubai Shopping Festival’s citywide celebrations.
Several winners shared heartfelt reactions upon being selected, describing feelings of surprise, excitement, and gratitude. One winner noted it was their first-ever win after living in Dubai for 19 years, while others spoke about plans to use their winnings for family celebrations, personal commitments, and upcoming holidays.
Powered by Raffle Tech, the Shop, Scan & Win campaign combines simple digital participation with on-ground excitement, making it easy for shoppers to enter while ensuring transparency and efficiency in winner selection and prize distribution.
Weekly draws continue throughout the festival, with raffle entries closing every Wednesday and live Spin-the-Wheel celebrations taking place every Monday, until the campaign concludes on 11 January 2026.
Bahrain , December 29 ,2025 : Sustainability Forum Middle East (SFME) has announced National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) as a Forum Partner for its 4th edition, to be held on 27–28 January 2026 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bahrain, under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil & Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, and with the support of the Supreme Council for Environment.
Held under the theme “Advancing Alignment, Innovation, and Implementation for Energy and Climate Transformation”, the Forum will open with a special address by H.E. Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and will bring together more than 400 senior leaders from government, business, and the sustainability and climate sectors across the region and internationally.
As Bahrain’s national bank, NBB continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability through a strong ESG framework aligned with Bahrain’s Economic Vision and national climate goals. The Bank recently launched its Sustainable Finance Framework, supporting the financing of green and social projects in areas such as renewable energy, clean transportation, green buildings, and community development.
As part of the programme, Zaina Alzayani, Group Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at NBB, will participate in a panel on unlocking climate finance, exploring innovative financial instruments and strategies to support decarbonisation, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth across the GCC and wider MENA region.
The Forum’s 2026 edition will feature high-level national vision discussions, expert panels, and practical workshops addressing transition finance, energy transformation, industrial decarbonisation, emerging technologies, carbon markets, and human capital development. High-impact workshops will be led by organisations including KPMG, UNDP, and Anthesis Group.
SFME 2026 is supported by Lead Partners SAFA and Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), Strategic Partner UNDP, and Forum Partners from across key regional industries, reinforcing the growing role of collaboration in advancing sustainable finance and climate action in the Middle East.
Sharjah, December 22, 2025
Sharjah is expanding its global cultural footprint with the launch of the newly renamed Sharjah
Animation and Comics Conference (SACC), an expanded evolution of the Sharjah Animation
Conference reaffirming the emirate’s commitment to nurturing creative industries and
championing storytelling in all its forms.
The 2026 edition will debut a dedicated ‘Animation and Comics Market’, making a major step in
expanding industry opportunities for creators. Set to run from 26-29 March 2026, the fourth
edition marks a significant milestone in the event’s growth. Spanning a space three times larger
than last year, SACC 2026 will introduce an expanded program featuring bigger stages, larger
exhibition areas, more hands-on workshops, and immersive activations.
As part of its expanded mandate, SACC will launch the official census of Arab illustrators,
authors, artists, animators, and creatives working across the Middle East and North Africa. This
initiative aims to create the first comprehensive mapping of the region’s creative community. All
Arab creators are invited to participate and contribute to building a unified, long-term Arab
creative ecosystem.
Organised annually by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), SACC has become one of the
region’s most influential gatherings for illustrators, animators, publishers, producers and
emerging creators. The previous edition in May 2025 drew more than 5,000 visitors from around
the world, hosting over 70 international experts exploring the rising intersection of AI-driven
innovation and human imagination.
Khoula Al Mujaini, Executive Director of SACC, reaffirmed that the conference continues to build
on the cultural vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme
Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour
bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA).
“Sharjah has always believed in the power of creativity to drive knowledge, innovation, and
cultural exchange. Through the Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference, we are not only
connecting creators from across the region and the world, but also nurturing a vibrant
ecosystem where Arab talent can thrive, collaborate, and shine on the global stage. SACC 2026
represents our commitment to building a future where storytelling and imagination shape
industries, inspire communities, and elevate the region’s creative voice internationally,” she
said.
Sharjah, UAE – December 22, 2025 – The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has recorded AED 5.8 billion in total sales across its flagship real estate projects, achieving 96.4% of units sold across Maryam Island, Sharjah Sustainable City, and Ajwan in Khorfakkan. Together, these developments comprise 4,520 units, of which 4,358 have been purchased by local and international buyers.
Maryam Island, a waterfront joint venture with Eagle Hills, achieved 99% sales with AED 3.14 billion in transactions, while Sharjah Sustainable City, developed with Diamond Developers, fully sold its 1,252 units generating AED 2.5 billion. Ajwan Khorfakkan has sold 62% of its 185 units, totaling AED 271 million, and will feature premium residences alongside leisure and tourism amenities.
The performance underscores Shurooq’s contribution to Sharjah’s urban development and the UAE’s non-oil economy, with real estate representing 7.6% of national non-oil GDP. The results also reflect strong investor confidence and the growing global appeal of Sharjah’s property market.
Yousif Ahmed Al Mutawa, Shurooq’s Chief Real Estate Officer, said the results highlight the authority’s role in driving Sharjah’s urban transformation and providing long-term investment value. He confirmed that new landmark real estate projects are planned to strengthen Sharjah’s competitiveness and promote sustainable growth.
