News

Two new long-term visas have launched in Abu Dhabi.

A new programme known as Thrive has now been launched in UAE’s capital allowing all talented professionals, students and investors to settle down with their families.
As per the initiative’s criteria, certain sectors including culture, healthcare, research and development (R&D), real estate and other special talent sectors will be considered eligible for the Golden Visa.

Thrive #InAbuDhabi launches, with long-term visas and paths to citizenship to empower talent working, creating and studying to make the emirate their home, contributing to growth in #AbuDhabi’s priority sectors. pic.twitter.com/GVzFBS5SlT
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) February 11, 2021

A breakdown, per the TAMM Golden Visa website, of the criteria includes the following.
10-year Investor Visa
A minimum Dhs2 million capital deposit in an investment fund/bank account inside Abu Dhabi.
Established a company of Dh2 million or more in Abu Dhabi or a partner in an existing or a new company with a financial contribution of at least Dh2 million.
Own a company that regularly pays federal government taxes of Dhs250,000 per year or more.
Be a partner in a company that pays federal taxes, with a financial contribution of at least Dhs250,000 in taxes per year or more.
Investments must be retained for at least two years after the visa has been issued.
5-year Real Estate Visa
Invest in a property of a gross value of not less than Dh2 million.
If the property or portfolio of properties are mortgaged, the minimum cash down payment of Dhs2 million of the value is required to be eligible for the visa.
The investment must be retained for at least two years after the visa is issued.
Entrepreneurs can get a 5-year visa if:
An existing project with a capital of a minimum of Dhs500,000
An approved accredited business incubator in Abu Dhabi
High School students can get a 5-year visa if:
They’ve achieved high grades from a high school in Abu Dhabi.
Have a recommendation from the Ministry of Education
University graduates can get a 10-year visa if:
It’s from an accredited university in Abu Dhabi
The student has a cumulative GPA of at least 3.8
More information regarding the initiative can be found on tamm.abudhabi
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Feature image: Instagram @visitabudhabi More

For the last couple of weeks, the UAE has been engulfed in a layer of thick fog.

While it’s made driving conditions difficult and visibility strained, it’s also made for some incredible photos on Instagram, some of which have been captured by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
As the fog continues on, some spectacular photographs have been taken of the thick fog engulfing the Dubai skyline at night.
The shots were taken by photographer ‘Abdullah Dubai UAE’, who regularly shares snaps from across the country, and were also reposted by Dubai Media Office on Instagram.
Landmarks in the photos include the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai peeking through the fog; the Dubai Frame just rising above the clouds; and buildings which line up with Sheikh Zayed Road.
Take a look at the shots below.

Dubai skyline

Dubai skyline

Dubai skyline

Dubai skyline

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Images: Abdullah Dubai Instagram More

Amidst the rising daily cases of COVID-19 in the UAE, three emirates recently announced they would be returning to 100 per cent online learning.
Last week Ajman announced schools would be returning to e-learning fully on February 9. Sharjah then followed this precedent two days later making the same announcement on February 11.

Then just yesterday, on Sunday February 14, Umm Al Quwain announced it would be making the switch to full online learning in schools “until further notice”.
Similarly, the Ras Al Khaimah Ministry of Education and the Emergencies, Crisis and Disaster team announced that all schools and nurseries would be switching to online learning until further notice.

At present in Dubai, malls can only operate at a maximum of 70 per cent capacity with live entertainment in venues suspended a couple of weeks ago. Music is allowed in hotels and restaurants but only to a limited level, restricting it to 70 decibels of instrumental-only.
All Dubai brunches have been cancelled as stated in a circular issued by Dubai Tourism, until the end of February with restaurants being mandated to close by 1am.
Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, it was announced by the Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee on February 7, parties and gatherings are prohibited. Meanwhile, the number of people at marriage ceremonies has been limited to 10 and a maximum of 20 people can attend funerals and mourning services.
The maximum capacity of malls in the UAE’s capital is capped at 40 per cent and gyms are now limited to 50 per cent capacity.
For a complete guide on the current COVID-19 restrictions emirate by emirate click here.
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Feature image: Instagram @dubai  More

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced the joyous news they are expecting their second child together.
The news was announced via a spokesperson for the couple, alongside a sweet black and white photo of the pair sitting in the sun together whilst Meghan cradled her small bump.

“We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother,” the spokesperson for the Sussexes said. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”

Baby news! “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother,” says a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.” pic.twitter.com/GrqSiBxaXa
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) February 14, 2021

The joyous news comes after Meghan revealed that she had a miscarriage back in July 2020. In November, the duchess penned an open letter for the New York Times where she opened up about the “pain and grief” she has suffered.
The piece was written by Meghan to encourage more people to speak about their loss and heartbreak, as well as the importance of checking in on people to ask whether they are okay.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their first child together, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, in May 2019 after announcing their pregnancy while they were on a royal tour of Australia.
It’s not known how far along Meghan is in her current pregnancy, but it can be assumed we can expect another baby Sussex coming in the summer of this year.
Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and soon-to-be big brother Archie!
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Feature image: Twitter/Misan Harriman More

Last week, the UAE Hope Probe made history by becoming the first Arab-led mission to reach Mars’ orbit.
Now, five days after reaching its destination, the first images of the Red Planet taken by the Hope Probe have been unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.

“The first picture of Mars captured by the first-ever Arab probe in history, 25,000 km above the Red Planet’s surface,” His Highness said.

من ارتفاع ٢٥ ألف كم عن سطح الكوكب الأحمر .. أول صورة للمريخ بأول مسبار عربي في التاريخ
The first picture of Mars captured by the first-ever Arab probe in history, 25,000 km above the Red Planet’s surface pic.twitter.com/Qgh2Cn3JPF
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 14, 2021

The photo was also posted by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
The Hope Probe’s journey to Mars
After launching from Tanegashima Island in Japan in July 2020, the Hope Probe travelled 493.5 kilometres to the Red Planet arriving in its orbit on February 9, 2021.
As noted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, there was “a 50 per cent success rate; though the failure rate is 50 per cent” of the probe entering Mars’ orbit. The UAE became the first Arab country – and fifth in the entire world – to reach Mars.
Upon the success, the President of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Khalifa said, “This historic achievement would not have been possible without the persistence and determination to implement the idea that emerged at the end of 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who followed it up closely until its success.”
Sheikh Mohammed also posted a pivotal, but simple phrase on Twitter upon the probe’s success: “Mission accomplished.”

تمت المهمة بنجاح
Mission Accomplished #العرب_إلى_المريخ pic.twitter.com/BxPQiJM0Sq
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 9, 2021

It is indeed mission accomplished.
Celebrating the achievement
In celebration of the incredible achievement, the Burj Khalifa lit up with a proud message for the country the world’s tallest building calls home.
“Congratulations to all Arabs,” the message said. “Congratulations to the UAE. A great beginning to the next 50. Mission accomplished.”
What’s next?
The probe is being spearheaded by the UAE in order to gain a full picture of what the atmosphere of Mars is like.
Since the probe has now reached the Red Planet, data will be collected over a two-year period, but this could be extended by another two years meaning the Hope Probe has the potential to be in space until 2025.
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Feature Image: Sheikh Mohammed Twitter More

The UAE has reached an incredible milestone in its quest to vaccinate the population of the country against COVID-19.

It was announced on Saturday by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) that 103,469 had been vaccinated in the last 24 hours, taking the total amount of doses administered to five million.
This milestone in the vaccination process bodes well for the nation’s aim to vaccinate half of the population by the end of March and also showcases the UAE as one of the leaders in the world in vaccination rates.
At present, there are four COVID-19 vaccinations being administered in the UAE.
READ: The 4 COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available in the UAE
The first vaccine to be approved in the UAE was the Sinophram vaccine, followed by the Pfizer vaccine being permitted in Dubai towards the end of last year.
In January, Russia’s Sputnik V was approved for emergency use. And now, just recently, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved in Dubai.
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Feature Image: Pexels More

As of late, COVID-19 restrictions around the UAE has increased in order to curb the further spread of the virus.
In Dubai, restaurants are required to close at 1am and ensure safe social distancing measures with a maximum of seven people allowed per table. Music is allowed in hotels and restaurants but only to a limited level, restricting it to 70 decibels of instrumental-only tracks.

Authorities have been conducting regular checks on establishments to ensure guidelines are being followed. However, one extremely popular was recently found to breach those restrictions and was forced to close.
Per The National, CZN Burak, located in Downtown Dubai, was shut down on Friday after a check was conducted by the Department of Economic Development, in partnership with Dubai Tourism and Dubai Municipality.

The Turkish restaurant, founded by popular chef Burak Ozdemir who has over 20 million followers on Instagram, is reportedly set to reopen today following the temporary closure.
A spokesperson for the restaurant explained that they have been “overwhelmed” by the number of patrons visiting, but highlighted that they will be using this “as an opportunity to implement better and stricter safety measurements to ensure the compliance with the local government regulations”.
The Turkish-Middle Eastern restaurant is the first Dubai-based establishment for the chef, which opened on Christmas Day 2020.
It was even visited by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai on its launch day.
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Images: CZN Burak Instagram More