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Emirates 24/7

Emirates 24/7

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Fujairah, DP World sign deal for two new ports under 50-year concession

Fujairah, DP World sign deal for two new ports under 50-year concession

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, witnessed the signing of an agreement between DP World and the Fujairah Ports Authority to develop two multi-purpose ports under a 50-year concession: Al Rughailat Container Port and Dibba Al Fujairah Port.The agreement was signed in the presence of Essa Kazim, Chairman of DP World Group, and Mousa Murad, Director of Fujairah Port.Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi said the agreement represents a strategic step that reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to strengthen the emirate's position as a global maritime and logistics hub.He said the project will enhance Fujairah's economic infrastructure, attract quality investments, improve supply chain efficiency and create new employment opportunities, while supporting sustainable development goals and reinforcing the UAE's competitiveness as a major centre for global trade.The development of the two ports is expected to enhance logistical flexibility across the UAE by providing greater capacity, wider trade options and stronger connectivity with regional and international shipping routes.The project will create a new deep-water trade gateway for Fujairah capable of accommodating the latest generation of large container vessels.Al Rughailat Port is designed to handle up to 2.5 million TEUs annually, in addition to 1.7 million tonnes of general cargo and 190,000 car equivalent units (CEUs). Dibba Al Fujairah Port will add up to 3.6 million tonnes of annual general cargo handling capacity.DP World and the Fujairah Ports Authority plan to integrate each port with a dedicated logistics zone, creating a comprehensive trade and logistics ecosystem on the Arabian Sea.The project is expected to strengthen Fujairah's growing role in global maritime trade, leveraging its strategic location on the Arabian Sea and direct access to key international shipping routes.Once operational, the two ports will increase DP World's total container handling capacity in the UAE from 19.4 million TEUs to nearly 22 million TEUs, while significantly expanding capacity for general cargo and roll-on/roll-off vessel operations.The ports will be connected to Jebel Ali through DP World's logistics network and integrated with Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), allowing traders to move goods more efficiently between ports, logistics hubs and end markets.The project will be implemented in phases, with construction expected to take between 24 and 30 months from the start date.Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Department of Industry and Economy in Fujairah and Chairman of the Fujairah Ports Authority, said the project would contribute to accelerating growth in the trade and logistics sectors and support the wider UAE economy.He added that the Al Rughailat and Dibba ports would provide world-class operational capabilities, expand capacity and help attract new investments to the emirate.Essa Kazim said the UAE's standing as a global trade and logistics hub has provided the foundation for DP World's success over the past four decades, adding that the new investment reflects confidence in the country's future growth.“As an extension of the significant advantages enjoyed by Jebel Ali Port as one of the most important and largest container ports in the world, this project reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the UAE's strategic role at the heart of global trade,” he said.Mousa Murad, Director of Fujairah Port, described the partnership as a transformative development that will provide greater flexibility in maritime trade operations and support a modern economic ecosystem in the emirate.DP World Group Chief Executive Officer Yuvraj Narayan said Fujairah Port and Jebel Ali Port complement each other in providing an integrated supply chain for the movement of goods within and beyond the UAE.“This project will provide additional capacity to support long-term growth and enhance supply chain resilience across DP World's network in the country, giving traders greater flexibility, wider choices and a stronger logistics network for moving goods across the UAE and to global markets,” he said.

2 hours ago
UAE weather: Dubai to stay at 40°C as temperatures in internal parts of UAE reach 49°C

UAE weather: Dubai to stay at 40°C as temperatures in internal parts of UAE reach 49°C

Dubai: Summer weather continues. Remember the sunscreen, sunglasses and umbrellas when you are out and about.Thursday's forecast brings more sunshine, no rain or dust, and temperatures of up to 49°C inland.According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the weather will remain fair across the UAE, with only some low clouds expected to develop over eastern areas on Thursday morning.Winds will also stay light to moderate, reaching up to 30km/h, while sea conditions are going to remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.The temperature across cities along the coastal area will remain in the low 40s, but inland the temperatures are expected to be higher, with Al Ain forecast to reach 45°C and temperatures across the interior climbing to 49°C. Meanwhile, Fujairah is expected to be the coolest emirate with a high of 36°C.If you're heading out early or late in the day, humidity levels could rise to 85 per cent in coastal areas, making the night and Friday morning feeling quite muggy.Light to moderate winds and slight sea conditions are also forecast, so the weather will largely feel quite settled across the UAE.Maximum and minimum temperatures across the UAE on Thursday:Abu Dhabi: 42°C - 31°CDubai: 40°C - 32°CSharjah: 42°C - 32°CAjman: 41°C - 32°CUmm Al Quwain: 43°C - 32°CRas Al Khaimah: 43°C - 32°CFujairah: 36°C - 31°CAl Ain: 45°C - 30°CLiwa: 46°C - 32°C

3 hours ago
MOHRE introduces payment through Tabby for service fees and fines up to AED20,000

MOHRE introduces payment through Tabby for service fees and fines up to AED20,000

The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has launched a new service allowing customers to pay service fees and fines in instalments through Tabby, in a move aimed at making payments more flexible and improving access to digital government services.The ministry said on its digital platforms that customers can now spread the cost of service fees and fines over four to 12 months, for transactions of up to AED20,000, using MOHRE's digital channels.Commenting on the launch of the service, H.E. Mohammed Saqr Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services at MOHRE, said that the Ministry continues to enhance its service ecosystem by adopting innovative digital payment solutions and expanding partnerships with financial service providers, which contributes to providing more flexible payment options for customers and supports the delivery of efficient, seamless, and accessible government services that meet customers’ needs in line with the best practices in this field.

3 hours ago

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Sonam Wangchuk: Engineer and educator leading India’s student-led protest movement

Sonam Wangchuk: Engineer and educator leading India’s student-led protest movement

As India witnesses a fresh wave of agitation over educational reforms, the cancellation and controversy surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), and growing anger among young people over corruption and governance, one figure has emerged as the movement's most trusted public face: Sonam Wangchuk.He does not belong to the generation leading the protests, but student groups and activists associated with the agitation have increasingly rallied around the Ladakh-based engineer and education reformer. Because they see him as a credible voice untainted by mainstream political rivalries.After participating in an indefinite hunger strike in Delhi for more than twenty days, Wangchuk was reportedly moved to a private hospital following court intervention. The events have once again brought national attention to a man who has spent decades working on education, sustainability and regional development in India's Himalayan frontier.Early life and educationBorn in 1966 in the remote village of Uleytokpo in Leh district, Sonam Wangchuk grew up in what is now the Union Territory of Ladakh. His father, Sonam Wangyal, was a politician from the Indian National Congress who became a minister in the Jammu and Kashmir government. As a child, Wangchuk moved to Srinagar with family and enrolled in a school there. By his own account, this was an experience that proved difficult because of language barriers and ethnic differences. The challenges he faced in the education system would leave a lasting impression on him and later shape his life's work.In 1977, Wangchuk moved to New Delhi and studied at a Kendriya Vidyalaya before pursuing Mechanical Engineering at the Regional Engineering College in Srinagar, graduating in 1987. Decades later, he expanded his expertise by undertaking two years of higher studies in Earthen Architecture in France, completing the programme in 2011.Abhijeet Dipke, head of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), holds the hand of Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike, at Jantar Mandir, on July 18, 2026. (File photo: Reuters)Unconventional choicesRather than pursuing a conventional engineering career, Wangchuk turned his attention to Ladakh immediately after graduation. In 1988, he founded the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, better known as SECMOL. The organisation aimed to address the educational shortcomings faced by students in the region and soon became one of the most significant experiments in alternative education in the Himalayas.Over the years, Wangchuk established a reputation as an innovator who sought practical solutions to local problems. One of his most famous inventions is the Ice Stupa, a water-conservation technique designed for Ladakh's cold desert climate. The system stores water in winter as towering cone-shaped ice structures that gradually melt during spring and summer, supplying water when it is needed most. The innovation attracted international attention and strengthened his standing as an engineer focused on sustainability and climate adaptation.His contributions earned him some of Asia's most prestigious honours, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the Rolex Award for Enterprise. He also became an adviser and consultant to various governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in the development of Ladakh. Seeking to further transform education in the region, he later founded the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), an institution intended to create locally relevant and innovation-driven models of learning.Bollywood controversyDespite his achievements, Wangchuk is perhaps best known to the wider Indian public because of a long-running debate over the Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots, starring Aamir Khan. For years, many viewers believed he inspired the character of Phunsukh Wangdu AKA Rancho, the eccentric inventor portrayed in the film.Wangchuk himself has repeatedly dismissed the claim. The film was a loose adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's Five Point Someone, which contains no character named Phunsukh Wangdu.The controversy most recently resurfaced when an actor of 3 Idiots linked Wangchuk's hunger strike to the film's celebrated protagonist. Aamir Khan stated that he had not met Wangchuk before the film was made, but Wangchuk later revealed that the two had in fact met at an award function before the movie's production began. According to Wangchuk, he had suggested a different film project centred on Siachen and the challenges faced by people living in that region. That project, however, never materialised.In fact, Aamir Khan's production team had visited his school in Ladakh intending to shoot the climax sequence there. However, they were allegedly denied permission because they brought plastic materials to the site, forcing the filmmakers to use another school nearby.When asked directly whether he was the inspiration for Phunsukh Wangdu, Wangchuk offered a simple answer: No, I am not Phunsukh Wangdu. I am Sonam Wangchuk. I don't work in films; I work in real life.Campaign for Ladakh and arrestIn recent years, Wangchuk has increasingly combined his work on education and sustainability with public advocacy. He was arrested in September 2025 during a campaign demanding full statehood for Ladakh, along with constitutional protections for indigenous land, culture and local communities under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Authorities accused him of instigating protests and later pursued allegations concerning funding-rule violations related to his organisation.As soon as he was arrested, Wangchuk was flown out of Leh, detained under the National Security Act and lodged in a jail in Rajasthan. He remained in custody for approximately 170 days before being released in March 2026 after a prolonged legal battle and intervention by the Supreme Court.Fight for education reformsWangchuk's latest political avatar emerged after the creation of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in India, a youth-led political movement launched in May 2026. Although not a registered political party, the organisation positioned itself as a vehicle for frustrated and politically disillusioned young people, focusing on issues ranging from judicial reforms and electoral integrity to media reform and educational accountability.Sonam Wangchuk, an Indian education reformer, who has been on hunger strike, gestures as he recieves a back massage during a sit-in protest. (Reuters)Following the controversy surrounding the NEET examination, student organisations and the CJP sought support from respected public figures. Wangchuk, with his record as an educator, innovator and advocate of non-violent protest, became a natural choice. In late June, he joined students at Delhi's Jantar Mantar protest site and participated in an indefinite hunger strike demanding comprehensive reforms to the examination system and resignation of the Education Minister.Today, Wangchuk stands at the intersection of education, environmental innovation and civic activism, along with the country’s youth, at a critical moment. Whether building ice stupas in Ladakh, founding alternative educational institutions or lending his voice to student movements, he has cultivated an image of a reformer who seeks practical solutions rather than political power. It is this reputation that has made him one of the most influential and trusted figures in the current movement for educational reform.

4 hours ago
Five days in Dubai changed her life: Now she's 50kg lighter, golf-obsessed and never leaving

Five days in Dubai changed her life: Now she's 50kg lighter, golf-obsessed and never leaving

Dubai: It was a total of five days in Dubai – two on the way to her holiday in Vietnam and three on her way back to England. That’s all it took for English expat Alexandra Christmas to decide to move to the city for good.“When I arrived back at Birmingham airport, I realised I needed to get my plans together to relocate,” she said.The reason was simple. She had finally found a city that felt like home.“I’ve lived in many countries when I was younger – different countries in Europe and for a few years in Australia, and honestly, nowhere felt like home. I genuinely feel like I was trying to find a place which held all the values I wanted to live by and gave me all the opportunities I was looking for,” she said.The move that changed everythingA little over two years since, the 33-year-old recruitment consultant has seen her life change in more ways than one.In 2024, she weighed 115kg and had never even touched a club. Today, she’s dropped 50 kilos and golf has become her entire personality, with Christmas even building a consultancy business around the golf course.“I’d always wanted to do business on a golf course – it’s a massive gap, a lot of business is done on the golf course. So, I honed in on that. I started with a golf community group and in about three weeks since I landed in Dubai, I started taking golf lessons and we just developed from there,” she said.Today, she spends every minute of the day around golf. If she’s not playing at the course, she is practising at the range. Other parts of the day, she’s either talking about golf or scrolling through golf videos. She runs an Instagram account - @golfgirl.dxb – sharing her golf journey and has become an ambassador for Prosports, a UAE-based golf retailer and distributor.Ask her what makes golf so addictive, and she doesn't hesitate – it's a game that has a way of taking over your life.“The golf community out here is incredible. You get to meet so many people. You could literally meet a stranger at the start of a session and spend four to four-and-a-half hours with them and by the end of it you talk about whether or not you want to potentially do it again,” she said.“Sometimes you might meet someone and not meet them ever again, sometimes it turns into a business opportunity, sometimes you make a friend,” she said.Even after the round ends, the social aspect continues in the clubhouse, she says, making golf feel like a lifestyle rather than just a sport.But what keeps her hooked the most is the challenge, discipline and total mental focus it requires from a person.“With golf you’re never the best, right? You’re always striving to get better and there may be days when you have a good rank and you want to come back again because of it, and there may be days when you completely lose your swing and that’s the thing that brings you back again. That’s the thing about golf – it just channels all of your energy,” she said.Bringing her A-gameChristmas credits the big change in her life to the decision to move to Dubai.“I just wasn’t in a place physically and mentally that I felt was going to be the right kind of headspace in Dubai – you have to be on you’re A-game to be successful here, don’t you,” she said.Determined to make a fresh start, she embarked on a weight-loss journey that included prescription medication, alongside regular exercise, to better match the ambition driving her.This ambition, she says, she has seen everywhere around her in Dubai, with an ‘everything is possible’ mindset, making her the biggest advocate for the city.“Positivity is key. It makes such a difference when you surround yourself with positive, hardworking people, and that's what I've found here. Then you look at how Dubai has grown over the years. To bring together people from all over the world and create something like this is honestly hard to comprehend. It's not just the infrastructure or the investment behind it, but the ability to attract people from every corner of the world and build a community together. That's absolutely incredible,” she said.For Christmas, there is no question about where she sees her future.“Even as someone who has been here for a short time, this was never a short-term move for me,” she said.“I’m not leaving. This is my home now.”A golf family, a golf futureChristmas with her seven-year-old Rottweiler, Nala.Today, Christmas lives in Dubai with her seven-year-old Rottweiler, Nala, but already has a picture of what that future looks like.“The dream that I tell everyone is – a course-facing villa in Jumeirah Golf Estates with a golf husband and two golf children my golf prodigies,” she says with a laugh.And that’s a dream she’s working on every single day. One swing at a time.

4 hours ago
Planning to invite family or friends to Dubai? GDRFA explains the visit visa process

Planning to invite family or friends to Dubai? GDRFA explains the visit visa process

Dubai: Dubai has just launched a special ‘Dubai Invite’ programme, encouraging residents to become ambassadors, and if you are planning to participate, there are different 30-, 60- or 90-day visit visas that you can apply for.The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai has recently promoted the single- and multiple-entry tourist visas that residents can choose from, if they wish to invite the friends or family members to the city.Here is all you need to know.Different visa optionsThese are the different visa durations that are available to residents applying for a visit visa for a family member or friend:30 days60 days90 daysAccording to GDRFA, sponsors also have the option to extend the visa for up to 120 days.Required documentsBefore applying, make sure you havePersonal photograph of the sponsored person.Passport of the sponsored person, which should be valid for at least six months.Documents proving the relationship or purpose of the visit.Any additional documents required based on the case.How to submit the applicationApplications can be submitted through:The GDRFA website - www.gdrfad.gov.aeThe ‘DubaiNow’ appAmer Customer Happiness CentresOnce you submit the application, along with the required documents and pay the fees for the visa you choose, the visa is processed within 48 hours.The cost of the visa depends on the duration you apply for, and whether you choose a single- or multiple-entry visa. For a full breakdown of costs and the application process, click here.

5 hours ago
Want to sponsor your parents in the UAE? Key document requirements explained

Want to sponsor your parents in the UAE? Key document requirements explained

Dubai: If you are looking to bring in your parents to live with you in the UAE, there are certain documents that you need to obtain before you begin the sponsorship process.As reported by Emirates 24|7 earlier, while parents are not included in the 'dependents' category for issuing a family visa by default, you can visit an immigration department to prove that your parents are dependent on you, in order for a family visa to be issued under your sponsorship.The submission process and minimum eligibility requirements are strictly regulated, so it is important to ensure that you not only meet the eligibility criteria, but also have all your paperwork in order, before you begin your application process.Here are the key documents you will need to arrange.1. Dependency AffidavitAccording to Miruna Lupascu, Legal Consultant and Elnaggar Partners, the primary document you will need is an affidavit or dependency certificate, which is issued by your home country’s embassy or consulate in the UAE.“This certificate must formally declare that you are the sole provider and supporter of your parents and that they have no other caregivers or family members to support them in their home country,” she said.Miruna Lupascu, Legal ConsultantThe document must be attested by the consulate or embassy, and subsequently attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).It then needs to be translated into Arabic by a certified legal translator.2. Relationship and marital status proofYou would also need to provide the following documents when applying to sponsor your parent:Birth certificate: An attested birth certificate proving the parent-child relationship.Mandatory sponsorship of both parents: “Under standard regulations, you must sponsor both parents together unless there is a valid legal exception. If one parent is deceased or if they are divorced, you must provide an attested death certificate or attested divorce certificate, fully legalised via MOFA and translated into Arabic,” Lupascu said.3. Financial and accommodation thresholdMinimum salary: You must provide proof of a minimum monthly salary of AED 20,000 (or AED 19,000 if your employer provides accommodation). You would need to provide a bank statement for the past three to six months, and an attested employment contract or salary certificate.Registered tenancy contract: An active, registered tenancy contract, such as an Ejari in Dubai, showing suitable accommodation. According to Lupascu, this should typically be a minimum of a two-bedroom property.4. Medical and administrative documentsPassports of both the sponsor and the parents, with a minimum of six months’ validity.Emirates ID of the sponsor.Satisfactory results from a UAE medical fitness test for each parent.Proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage in the UAE.Once you have all the documents in place, you can visit the General Directorate for Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai, if you are planning to apply in Dubai, or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), if you are planning to apply from any other emirate. You can also check out our guide to applying for a family visa here with the step-by-step process you need to follow to get the visa issued.

6 hours ago
Jordan air defences intercept four Iranian missiles on Wednesday

Jordan air defences intercept four Iranian missiles on Wednesday

AMMAN: Jordan air defence systems detected six missiles launched from Iranian territory towards the Kingdom on Wednesday and engaged them immediately upon entering Jordanian airspace, a source at the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces -- Arab Army (JAF) said.In a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency (Petra), the source said that air defence forces intercepted and shot down four of the incoming missiles, while the remaining two fell in remote, uninhabited areas, resulting in no casualties or material damage.

6 hours ago
Dubai South, Emirates NBD partner to simplify off-plan home financing

Dubai South, Emirates NBD partner to simplify off-plan home financing

Dubai: Dubai South Properties has signed a strategic partnership with Emirates NBD to provide tailored off-plan mortgage solutions for homebuyers and property investors.Dubai South Properties, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai South, is currently developing several freehold real estate projects within Dubai South, the city's master development focused on aviation, logistics and real estate.The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Shahid Ahmed, Chief Financial Officer at Dubai South, and Rohit Garg, Group Head of Retail Products and Chief Digital Officer of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD, in the presence of senior representatives from both organisations.Under the agreement, Emirates NBD will offer financing solutions for eligible buyers, helping to meet growing demand in one of Dubai's key growth corridors while providing greater flexibility for homeowners and investors.Shahid Ahmed said: “Our agreement with Emirates NBD will provide eligible buyers with off-plan home financing solutions and greater flexibility as they plan their property investment.”Rohit Garg said: “By delivering tailored, flexible mortgage solutions to prospective homeowners, we are empowering customers to make confident investment decisions, while supporting the city's vision of sustainable urban growth and long-term prosperity.”Through the partnership, Emirates NBD will offer mortgage solutions featuring competitive rates and a streamlined approval process, enabling buyers to gain early financial clarity.Eligible customers will be able to explore financing options for qualifying off-plan properties, subject to the bank's eligibility criteria, terms and conditions.

7 hours ago
Invite loved ones to Dubai and unlock attractive rewards

Invite loved ones to Dubai and unlock attractive rewards

Dubai: Dubai has invited residents to become ambassadors of the city through 'A Dubai Invite', a new programme that offers rewards and benefits to those who invite family and friends to experience the emirate.Developed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the programme will run until 31st October 2026 and is open to Dubai’s diverse resident community.Among the benefits available through the programme are discounts of up to 45 on hotel stays and 100 room rate-equivalent resort credits at participating properties, including W Dubai Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort Marina, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort Waterpark, Melia Desert Palm, ME Dubai by Melia, and selected IHG Hotels Resorts properties across the city.The programme also offers benefits at some of Dubai’s leading attractions, including Aquaventure Waterpark, IMG Worlds of Adventure and Grand Hyatt Waterpark, as well as dining privileges at venues such as Asia Asia, Ula, Papas, The 305, and Lock, Stock Barrel.In addition, Careem is providing complimentary Careem Plus membership and transport rebates on Hala Taxi and other services. All promotions can be redeemed until 31st December 2026.Noor Al Geziry, AVP, Special Projects MENA at DET, said: “Our diverse resident population have always been among our most powerful and trusted ambassadors, with a deep knowledge of the destination and the ability to share their personal experience with their loved ones.“At a time when personal connection and credibility matter more than ever in travel decisions, ‘A Dubai Invite’ speaks directly to what makes this city enduringly compelling: the people who call it home and who understand it best, and the families and friends they welcome here to experience it for themselves.”She added that the initiative reflects Dubai’s ambition to be the best city to visit, live and work in, while also supporting the goals of the UAE’s Year of Family.Residents whose guests arrive between 20th July and 31st October 2026 must register them through the official programme platform by 30th September to access the benefits. Visitor arrivals will be verified through a unified process supported by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-Dubai).Once verified, residents will gain access to benefits across participating hotels, attractions, restaurants and lifestyle destinations. Each resident can unlock up to three verified benefits during the campaign period, receiving one benefit per guest party.

7 hours ago
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