A week in review: Here are the top stories from Dubai this week
Here’s your must-read guide to the city’s biggest news stories…
In a fast paced city like Dubai, it can be hard to keep up with all the city’s happenings. Which is why we’re bringing you the week in review: a short, digestible overview of the weeks biggest news announcements, trending stories and top happenings.
From an announcement amending government fees, to a giant climbing wall, here’s all the top stories from Dubai this week.
Sheikh Mohammed to pay medical bills of British teacher injured in Dubai
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai will cover the full medical bills of a British teacher who was seriously injured in Dubai. 24-year-old Rebecca Chisholm is currently undergoing treatment at Rashid Hospital after suffering serious injuries from a horse riding accident. Sheikh Mohammed directed authorities to take care of Chisholm, ‘after being informed about her family’s inability to cover the medical bill’, according to a statement from Dubai Media Office. The British teacher has so far undergone two surgeries to stem the bleeding and relieve the pressure in her brain. She began to regain consciousness on May 12, according to the statement, but is not out of danger, and faces a long recovery ahead.
World’s tallest indoor climbing wall to open in Abu Dhabi in 2020
Abu Dhabi’s brand new, $100 million (Dhs367,000,000) sports facility, CLYMB, is set to open its doors early next year, developer Miral has confirmed. CLYMB, which was first announced in 2016, will bring the world’s widest flight chamber and tallest indoor climbing wall to Yas Island when it opens. In an interview with Arabian Business, Miral CEO Mohammed Abdullah Al Zaabi said that he’s “very happy” with construction progress of the new sports facility.
Dubai Majlis Garden wins silver medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a prestigious annual gardening competition which takes place annually in London, UK. The show, which has been running since 1913, is frequented by the British royal family and sees 157,000 visitors each year. This year, a stunning creation by Visit Dubai and and British garden designer Tom Hoblyn was awarded a silver-gilt medal (second place) in the final competition. Called Dubai Majlis Garden, the landscape included a teardrop water feature and Mediterranean planting as well as a majlis for people to meet and relax in.
Eid Al Fitr 2019: UAE private sector holiday declared
On the occasion of Eid Al Fitr 2019 the UAE private sector will enjoy an extra-long weekend from Monday June 3 (Ramadan 29) until Shawwal 3, according to a circular from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. First reported by Gulf News, The news is still yet to be announced across their social media channels. We won’t know until confirmation from the UAE Moon Sighting Committee if the last day of the holiday will fall on Thursday June 6 or Friday June 7, as this depends on the length of the holy month. Either way, for those that typically work Sunday to Thursday, work will resume on Sunday June 9. Public sector workers are off from Friday May 31 to Saturday June 8.
Sheikh Hamdan’s wedding ceremony to take place on Thursday June 6
The wedding celebration of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai, and his two brothers, will take place on Thursday June 6. According to Gulf News, images of the invites began circulating on social media on Monday, detailing information on when and where the celebration will take place. The government media office then confirmed the news.The invite further details that the celebration will take place at 4pm on Dubai World Trade Centre on Thursday June 6.
Fees for over 1,500 UAE government services to be waived or amended
In a bid to promote economic growth, the UAE is set to waive or amend fees on over 1,500 federal government services. The decision was made by the UAE Cabinet, and in a statement on Tuesday May 28, the move was described as something that will ‘enhance the national economy, reduce costs to business owners and increase the competitiveness of the UAE’. Although details of which government services fees were not given, the statement said that it covers services provided by the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization.
Six days of free parking in Dubai announced for Eid Al Fitr
If you’re staying in Dubai for Eid Al Fitr, things just got a little bit sweeter as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have announced that all paid parking zones will be free to use for six days during the Eid break. This applies to all public parking except for multi-level parking terminals. Free parking in Dubai will be activated on Sunday June 2 until Friday June 7. Paid parking will be re-activated on Saturday June 8, when the usual charging fees resume.
UAE petrol prices will increase again in June
After three months of steady increase in petrol prices, get ready for another rise. In June, drivers can expect to pay Dhs2.53 per litre for Super 98, up from Dhs2.48 in May. Special 95 will cost Dhs2.42 per litre, an increase of 23 fils from Dhs2.34. Diesel will also be more expensive this month than last, priced at Dhs2.56 per litre for May – that’s an increase of 3 fils.
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