Author: Arabian Media staff

Key Takeaways If you want to retire in 20 years, make a plan now to pay down debt and begin saving as much as you can. Maximize contributions to multiple retirement accounts, such as Roth IRA accounts, brokerage accounts, high-yield savings accounts, and 401(k) accounts. Frequently revisit your retirement plan and current finances so you can make adjustments and hit your goals. If you’re 20 years out from retirement, you might currently be focused on paying off student loans, managing a sizeable mortgage, or paying higher living expenses. However, time is on your side, and with the right mix of…

Joseph Eapen, CEO of Asian Paints/Image: Supplied Asian Paints, one of Asia’s most respected names in construction solutions, has taken a bold step into the Middle East with the launch of CureAssure – the world’s first internal curing concrete additive. Recently approved by Dubai Municipality and validated by ICC-ES, this patented technology is set to transform a process that has long been considered routine but often problematic in the region: concrete curing. Traditionally, curing depends on external water application to hydrate concrete, a method that is labour-intensive, inconsistent, and particularly unsuited to the Gulf’s arid climate. CureAssure changes that dynamic.…

Image: RTA/ X Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun a series of rapid traffic improvement measures on Al Thanya Street, a key corridor connecting Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Wasl Road, aimed at enhancing traffic flow and pedestrian safety. The works include upgrading the existing roundabout on Sheikh Zayed Road’s service road leading to Al Thanya Street, constructing a signalised junction at the intersection of Street 10 and Al Thanya Street, and developing walkways with traffic signals for safer pedestrian movement. Scheduled for completion in early September , the project is part of the RTA’s strategic plan to…

Image: Supplied RRS International Development has officially broken ground on the NH Collection Ras Al Khaimah Al Marjan Island Hotel & Apartments, a $100m mixed-use project developed in collaboration with Minor Hotels. The milestone marks the arrival of the NH Collection Hotels & Resorts brand on Al Marjan Island for the first time and follows the success of its debut branded residential offering in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Oversubscribed at launch, the project has generated strong investor demand. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Rakesh Mirchandani, co-founder of RRS International Development and partner at RRS Capital Management, said: “This groundbreaking is more…

Image credit: Dubai Media Office/ Website In a major step to enhance aviation security, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), in collaboration with the Dubai Police General Command, has officially launched the Digital Security Screener Licensing System for all security screeners operating across Dubai’s airports. The initiative is aligned with both national and international standards and reflects the shared commitment of the two entities to develop specialised competencies and ensure long-term sustainability in aviation security, a Dubai Media Office report said. The launch ceremony was attended by top government officials, including Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director General of the DCAA; Major…

Image credit: Getty Images In a significant move to attract foreign investment and top-tier talent, Oman has officially launched its much-anticipated 10-year “Golden Residency” programme, offering long-term residency to eligible investors and skilled professionals through seven distinct investment routes, starting from OMR200,000. The announcement was made during an event on Sunday, August 31, in Salalah, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) under the theme ‘Sustainable Business Environment’. The event was held under the patronage of Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, governor of Dhofar, and attended by senior officials from both the public and private…

Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) has issued a warning about the increasing risks of using open public wi‑fi networks after recording over 12,000 breaches through such connections since the start of the year, according to a recent report by state news agency, WAM. According to the council, these incidents account for nearly 35 per cent of all cyberattacks reported in the UAE this year, underscoring the vulnerabilities posed by unsecured networks that hackers exploit to steal passwords, banking details, and personal information. The CSC stressed the need for caution when connecting to free…

Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Indian expatriates in the UAE will need to submit passport photographs that meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards starting September 1, the Indian Consulate in Dubai announced last week. The change follows a directive from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, communicated to embassies and consulates globally. Here are the new passport photo specs for Indian passports The updated regulations require photos in colour, sized at 630 × 810 pixels (or 2×2 inches if printed), against a plain white background. The face must occupy 80–85 per cent of the frame with a neutral expression,…

Image credit: Getty Images In a major push to elevate food safety standards and regulatory oversight, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, in coordination with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), has introduced a comprehensive update to the Food System Violations Table, designed to protect public health and ensure fair compliance across the food sector. Read more-Saudi’s new rules: Fine dining to look different now The updated table, published on the ministry’s website introduces a more nuanced classification system for violations, taking into account the size of food establishments and the nature of their economic activities. The move is…

Image: Parkin Dubai’s public parking operator, Parkin, has introduced two new paid parking zones in Al Jaddaf: Zone 326C (on-street) and Zone 326D (off-street), as part of the city’s peak and off-peak tariff system. The zones, announced on August 31, will enforce charges from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 10pm. Paid parking tariffs for new zones Tariffs are set at Dhs4 per hour during peak periods and Dhs2 during off-peak hours. Zone 326C has a maximum fee of Dhs16 for four hours, while Zone 326D’s ceiling is Dhs20 for 24-hour parking. Parking remains free on Sundays and public holidays. Clear…