Author: Fahad Al Sheri

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Fahad Al Sheri has spent the better part of five years in the UAE watching how quickly this country moves — and making sure readers are never the last to know. As UAE News & Business Editor at What's Hot in UAE, he covers the policies, infrastructure projects, and regulatory changes that shape daily life across all seven emirates.His work sits at the intersection of government affairs and ground-level impact. A new bridge that cuts your commute by nine minutes. A change to end-of-service rules that affects your contract. A metro expansion that unlocks a new part of the city. These are the stories Fahad follows from announcement to delivery.Before joining What's Hot in UAE, Fahad contributed to regional business and current affairs coverage across several UAE-based platforms, developing a network of sources within government communications, urban planning, and the private sector. He reads every official gazette update so you don't have to.Based in Dubai, he covers the UAE with the attention to detail that only comes from genuinely living inside the story.Follow Fahad's work on Muck Rack and Mastodon.

The UAE traffic law sends a clear message: reckless driving carries consequences far beyond fines. The new Federal Traffic Law introduces licence suspensions of up to three years, jail terms, and minimum fines of Dh10,000 for serious traffic offences. It’s a bold step in the country’s ongoing drive to make UAE roads among the safest in the world. A Zero-Tolerance Approach to Dangerous Driving The updated UAE traffic law is designed to target high-risk motorists who treat roads like racetracks. Those who drive under the influence, endanger lives, or operate vehicles while suspended will now face much harsher punishment. At…

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The internet broke this morning. Not entirely, but enough to send millions into mild panic as Snapchat, Ring doorbells, and even the UK tax website suddenly stopped working. The culprit? Amazon Web Services, the invisible backbone holding up much of the digital world. Around 8am UK time—that’s midday here in the UAE—reports started flooding in. DownDetector lit up red across continents. Users couldn’t send Snaps, access their banking apps, or even continue their Duolingo streaks. For a few hours, the modern internet felt remarkably fragile. What Actually Happened Amazon Web Services experienced what it diplomatically called “increased error rates.” Translation:…

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Something fundamental has shifted on Dubai’s roads, and plenty of drivers still haven’t clocked it. The Dubai Police AI traffic system is now watching live feeds across the city’s busiest corridors. It’s scanning thousands of camera frames every second, flagging dangerous behaviour without waiting for a patrol car to arrive. Five specific violations now trigger automatic detection: not wearing seatbelts, using phones while driving, blocking traffic flow, stopping in live lanes, and tailgating. Update (30 July 2026): Gulf News reports Dubai Police’s AI radar network has since expanded to detect eight offences in total, adding speeding, red-light jumps and lane…

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For years, the rhythm of expatriate life in the Gulf was defined by the two-year visa cycle—a constant state of dependency on a sponsor, punctuated by the low-grade anxiety of renewal. Long-term planning felt like a luxury, and true stability was always just out of reach. But a fundamental shift is underway. The GCC Golden Visa is a reality. Across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a new landscape of long-term residency programs has emerged, offering a powerful solution to the old uncertainties. This is more than just a new visa category; it’s a paradigm shift. The rise of GCC Golden…

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✅ Updated June 2026 — UAE Golden Visa via real estate investment: minimum property value AED 2 million (must be owned outright or under a specific approved mortgage scheme). Visa is valid for 10 years, renewable. Covers investor + spouse + children + domestic staff. Apply via the Dubai Land Department (DLD) if purchasing in Dubai. Abu Dhabi and other emirates have separate portals. Off-plan properties qualify only from developers on the approved RERA/DLD list. A seismic shift is underway in the world of global talent. A growing wave of skilled professionals and entrepreneurs, particularly from Western hubs like the…

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After a short hiatus, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi flights are back on the radar — and the return comes with a pleasant surprise for travellers: airfares starting from just Dh312. The ultra-low-cost European carrier has officially reopened bookings for flights to Abu Dhabi, signalling a fresh start for budget-friendly travel between the UAE and Europe. According to Wizz Air’s website, new services from Katowice and Krakow in Poland will begin from 20 November 2025, marking the airline’s re-entry into the UAE market less than a year after suspending local operations. A Comeback Few Saw Coming Earlier this year, Wizz Air…

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A South African female cricket player wearing a green and yellow uniform holds up her bat in celebration on the field. She is wearing a helmet with a visor and gloves, with the word 'PROTEAS' and the team logo visible on her jersey.

How do you bounce back after being bowled out for just 69 runs at a World Cup? If you’re South Africa’s women, you come roaring back with skill, pride, and fire. Just three days after their lowest-ever World Cup total, South Africa World Cup win headlines were being written again — this time for all the right reasons. In Indore, they delivered a masterclass in resilience as Tazmin Brits powered her way to a record-breaking century, leading her side to a statement victory over New Zealand. What unfolded wasn’t just redemption — it was revival. From Rock Bottom to Record…

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Saudi Arabia buys EA in a jaw-dropping $55 billion takeover that changes everything. The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund just made gaming history alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. For players across the UAE and beyond, this seismic shift promises fresh possibilities and a few big questions. A Deal That Rewrites the Rulebook Electronic Arts is no longer answering to Wall Street. The company behind Fifa, The Sims, Battlefield, and Apex Legends now belongs to a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. This isn’t just another acquisition—it’s the second-largest gaming buyout ever recorded, trailing only Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard purchase.…

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A group of people embracing in a communal hug, some taking photos with smartphones, in a well-lit indoor space. World Biohack Summit

What To Know The future of human optimisation will take centre stage at the World Biohack Summit 2025 in Dubai. Hosted at the luxurious JW Marriott, Marina, this event is designed to unlock human potential through biohacking innovations focused on longevity, peak performance, mental wellbeing, recovery, and age reversal. It is set to be one of the most comprehensive wellness and science gatherings of the year. A Five-Dimensional Approach At the heart of the summit is a 5 Dimensional approach to biohacking. Experts will break down the concept into tangible practices that attendees can integrate into their lives: Immersive Experiences…

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Apple’s September 9, 2025 event delivered groundbreaking announcements that Apple Event September 2025 will be remembered for across the UAE and Middle East. The iPhone Air redefined smartphone design whilst the iPhone 17 Pro targeted creative professionals working in Dubai’s thriving media industry. Meanwhile, AirPods Pro 3 introduced real-time translation capabilities perfect for the UAE’s multicultural environment. These launches represent Apple’s most significant technological leap since the original iPhone. The company demonstrated clear intent to dominate premium markets whilst expanding accessibility across price points. Every product announcement reinforced Apple’s ecosystem integration strategy, creating seamless user experiences particularly valuable in the…

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