Weeks before welcoming his first child, Vinod Puthiya Purayil’s life took a joyous turn as he won $1 million in the Dubai Duty-Free Millennium Millionaire raffle. The 29-year-old, originally from Kannur, Kerala, called the win a “gift from above” for his growing family. Purayil, an equipment operator at Dnata, won with ticket number 1880, purchased…

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…