During the holy month of Ramadan, the UAE has formally established updated working hours for federal government employees. Public sector workers will work from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM Monday through Thursday, according to confirmation from the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (Fahr). Working hours will be further shortened on Fridays, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Employees will therefore put in 1.5 hours less on Fridays and 3.5 hours less on weekdays. These timings will not apply to certain personnel whose job functions need different hours. Federal agencies and ministries are perm
From February 20 to 23, Saudi Arabia commemorated the founding of the first Saudi state in 1727 with a national celebration known as "Founding Day." The Kingdom's rich legacy was showcased through cultural and historical activities held in over 15 cities. Reaffirming the close ties between the two countries, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. With more than 8,000 flags covering significant monume
Singapore has announced intentions to invest roughly S$1 billion (US$744.8 million or RM3.31 billion) to build a cutting-edge semiconductor research and development (R&D) centre. According to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his first budget speech as the country's leader, this project intends to provide researchers and business partners with cutting-edge technologies to accelerate sector innovation. Wong stated that the world's premier IT corporations are eager to grow their presence in Singapore. He emphasised that technologies such as AI and quantum computing stand to benefit from th
The UAE has expanded its visa-on-arrival program for Indian visitors, now accepting individuals with valid visas, green cards, or residency permits from six additional nations. As of February 13, 2025, Indians with valid visas from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea can now use this service at UAE entry ports such as Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central. This expansion builds on the UAE's 2024 visa policy, which previously permitted Indian citizens with valid tourist visas or resident cards from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe
The UAE has announced a $60 million program to promote educational access for visually impaired pupils in Ethiopia. The program intends to fund new schools, improve learning resources, and provide specialised assistance to kids with visual impairments. The agreement was signed by Mohamed Haji Al Khoori, Director General of the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, and Ethiopia's First Lady, Zinash Tayachew. Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, Minister of State and trustee of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, observed the signing, according to state news agency Wam. Led by the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al N
Russia is strategically expanding tourist connections with the Middle East, focussing on important markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. Russia is collaborating with travel industry partners to develop new airline routes, ease visa requirements, and promote bespoke vacation packages to attract affluent Middle Eastern travellers. Russia has long been a popular tourist destination, owing to its rich cultural legacy and renowned buildings such as the Kremlin and Red Square. However, the recovery from the epidemic has been gradual, pushing the government to focus on
According to the Global AI Competitiveness Index published by the International Finance Forum (IFF) and Deep Knowledge Group, the UAE is one of the top ten countries with the most AI companies per million population. The survey examined over 55,000 AI businesses worldwide, assessing their density, funding, and technological breakthroughs. The UAE's strong AI enterprise density ranks it alongside prominent innovation hotspots such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Dmitry Kaminskiy, General Partner of Deep Knowledge Group said, "The UAE's top ten ranking demonstrates how targeted investments ar
On Thursday, Singapore disclosed its initial set of initiatives designed to improve the country's equity market. The proposed measures include the implementation of tax incentives that are intended to attract additional listings and investments, thereby solidifying Singapore's status as a significant financial centre. The Equities Market Review Group, which was responsible for assessing market development strategies, has verified that these proposals have been submitted to the Finance Ministry and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the nation's central
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has formally launched the Blue Residency scheme, a long-term visa initiative designed to recognise those who have made substantial contributions to sustainability, environmental protection, and renewable energy. The statement was made at the 2025 World Government Summit, which was held in Dubai from February 11 to 13. According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), the programme aims to attract top worldwide talent in the green industry. The Blue Residency program provides a 10-year visa to prominent specialists, researchers, innovators, and investors in sustainabil
Singapore has unveiled new AI governance measures designed to improve global AI safety. Recognising AI's cross-border impact, these projects aim to improve technical testing, ensure multilingual safety, and advance AI governance. The statement was made by Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, during the AI Action Summit (AIAS) in Paris, France, on February 10-11. The Global AI Assurance Pilot is a testbed for developing best practices for testing Generative AI applications; the Joint Testing Report with Japan evaluates the safety of Large Language Models (LLMs) a