Dubai will reintroduce a 30% municipality tax on alcohol sales from January 1, 2025, as confirmed by retailer African + Eastern. The tax, initially lifted in January 2023 as part of a 12-month trial, was extended until the end of December 2024. However, the Dubai Municipality has now announced the tax’s reinstatement, requiring all hospitality…
Indian expatriates in the UAE can now surprise their loved ones in India through Swiggy, the popular on-demand platform. UAE residents can log into the app using their local phone numbers and place orders for food, gifts, and even restaurant bookings in India. “We deliver to almost 700 cities across India. People from here [in…
India is rapidly emerging as the world’s fastest-growing luxury market, offering unprecedented opportunities for GCC retailers and e-commerce platforms. A new report, India Unveiled: The Glittering New Luxury Frontier by CXG, highlights the evolving landscape, revealing key trends and market projections for sectors ranging from fashion and jewellery to wellness and digital commerce. India’s transition…
Aravind Appukuttan, an Indian expatriate based in Sharjah, has won the incredible Dh25 million grand prize in the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draw (series 269). This life-altering win will be shared with 20 friends, as Appukuttan revealed during the announcement. The winning ticket, number 447363, was purchased on November 22 after two years of dedicated…
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced new Variable Road Toll Pricing (Salik) and Variable Parking Tariff Policies as part of its plan to enhance traffic management in the city. These measures will take effect in 2025 to optimize traffic flow and parking availability. Salik Toll Pricing Details The Variable Salik system, set to…
The PAN 2.0 Project is an ambitious e-governance initiative in India, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the Income Tax Department and led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Announced on November 25, 2024, this project aims to modernize the taxpayer registration system in India by implementing Digital PAN/TAN services. The Indian…
A new digital platform introduced in the UAE is set to transform how Arabic is taught and learned. The ZAI Platform, an open-source learning hub, offers innovative tools and resources for Arabic teachers and non-native speakers, making education more accessible and impactful. Designed as a free resource, the platform provides educators with materials to foster…
Boho Café, located in Emirates Financial Towers, has become a standout spot in DIFC, thanks to its innovative menu that puts Karak tea in the spotlight. Offering everything from a budget-friendly Dh1.99 cup to a lavish Dh5,000 gold-infused version, the café has redefined how this beloved Indian beverage is enjoyed. Owner Sucheta Sharma explained the…
UAE authorities have issued new directives outlining prohibited items in check-in and cabin baggage for flights between India and the UAE. Passengers are urged to comply with regulations from airports, customs, and civil aviation authorities. Notably, items permitted in check-in baggage may still be restricted in cabin luggage. Below is a detailed list of key…
Calling all book enthusiasts! The world’s largest book sale, Big Bad Wolf, is back in Dubai for its sixth edition. Mark your calendars: from November 29 to December 9, 2024, the much-anticipated event will offer a whopping 75% off on over two million books. Whether you’re into bestsellers, biographies, children’s books, graphic novels, cookbooks, or…
Indian travelers planning a trip to Dubai will now face stricter visa application requirements. The Dubai Emigration Department has updated its guidelines, making it mandatory for applicants to upload hotel booking documents with QR codes and a copy of their return ticket on the Emigration Department’s website when applying for a tourist visa. These changes…
Paytm, owned by One97 Communications (OCL), has announced the extension of its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service to select international locations, allowing Indian users to make cashless payments while traveling abroad. The service is now available in popular destinations, including the UAE, Singapore, France, Mauritius, Bhutan, and Nepal. With this update, Paytm users can conveniently…