Dubai Police have impounded an SUV and a quad bike after drivers were caught performing stunts at a family camping site in Al Ruwayyah. This follows the seizure of five vehicles last week for similar activities.

The confiscated vehicles will only be released upon payment of an impoundment fee, which can go up to Dh50,000. Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, emphasized that reckless driving poses a danger to road users and is not just a nuisance.

Stricter fines were implemented last year for traffic offenses, with penalties reaching Dh50,000 for reckless driving and running red lights. Confiscated vehicles involved in illegal road races face a stiffer penalty of Dh100,000.

Road safety experts urge friends and peers to discourage dangerous driving and promote safe practices.

Dubai has introduced a new public joint stock company (PJSC) named ‘Parkin’ to oversee operations related to public and private parking spaces. Established for a duration of 99 years, the company, with financial and legal autonomy, will be responsible for creating, planning, designing, operating, and managing public parking spaces.

It will also issue permits to individuals for subscribing to public parking, operating it, and reserving spaces. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will delegate certain responsibilities through a franchise agreement with Parkin PJSC.

The company’s shares are fully owned by the Government of Dubai, allowing individuals to own shares through public or private subscription. The ownership percentage of the government must not fall below 60 percent.

A resolution by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has formed the board of directors, chaired by Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan. The board will oversee strategic plans, policies, asset management, organizational structure, and contract validations for Parkin.

Starting January 15, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has announced a new minimum top-up amount of Dh20 for Nol cards. Currently, the minimum top-up is Dh5, but the new regulation will require users to maintain a minimum balance of Dh15 for a round trip on the Metro transit network.

The Nol card, a prepaid smart card, is widely used for payment across various public transport modes in Dubai, including the Metro, buses, trams, and waterbuses. Additionally, it serves as a payment method for taxi fares, parking, park entrances, museums, and numerous shops and restaurants in the city.

The Nol Plus loyalty program offers cardholders rewards and benefits, allowing them to earn points for various transactions, which can be used to top up their Nol account or obtain discounts at selected establishments.

Rafael Nadal and Emma Raducanu, both making comebacks from long-term injuries, showcased promising performances in their respective matches. Nadal, in the Brisbane International, secured a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory against Jason Kubler, displaying excellent determination and aggression.

Meanwhile, Raducanu, in the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland, went toe-to-toe with world No 25 Elina Svitolina, ultimately losing in three sets (6-7, 7-6, 6-1).

Despite the loss, Raducanu demonstrated significant improvement, gaining confidence ahead of the Australian Open. Nadal and Raducanu’s comebacks continue to capture attention and optimism in the tennis world.

Lawyers in the UAE have reported a surge in inquiries related to divorce at the beginning of the new year, often referred to as “Divorce Day.”

This phenomenon is characterized by an increase in separations or divorce requests after the festive season, where family tensions, including financial concerns, intensify.

Family law experts note a “flurry of inquiries” in the first week of 2024, with concerns related to compatibility, financial strain, and increased time spent together during the holidays being cited as contributing factors.

The survey reveals an early uptick in divorce-related consultations compared to previous years, reflecting a trend observed globally.

President Sheikh Mohamed witnessed the swearing-in ceremony of four newly appointed UAE ambassadors, including those to various nations and Unesco.

The ceremony at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi saw Sheikh Mohamed extending his best wishes to the ambassadors, urging them to enhance the UAE’s relations with their host countries and emphasizing the importance of expanding mutual interests.

The oath was taken by ambassadors to Bahrain, Peru, Bulgaria, and Unesco. The newly appointed ambassadors expressed their appreciation for the confidence placed in them.

The UAE strongly condemns statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

The UAE rejects these calls and criticizes any actions promoting further escalation in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes the need for an urgent ceasefire and immediate delivery of humanitarian aid.

The US State Department also criticizes the remarks, describing them as “inflammatory and irresponsible.” The Israeli ministers presented the migration of Palestinians as a solution to the conflict, coinciding with ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza and increased violence in the West Bank.

The UAE has announced its public holidays for 2024, offering residents 13 days off, including four long weekends. The New Year kicks off with a 3-day weekend on January 1. The Eid Al Fitr festival in April provides a generous 6-day break. Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha in June result in a 5-day holiday.

The Islamic New Year in July offers a day off, and the date for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday is yet to be specified. The year concludes with a grand 4-day National Day celebration on December 2 and 3. These breaks, coupled with annual leaves, provide ample opportunities for travel and relaxation.

Here is a table summarizing the UAE public holidays for 2024:

Note: Dates for Islamic holidays may vary based on moon sightings, and the date for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday is not specified in the article. Additionally, the actual dates for holidays marked as “not specified” will be announced by relevant authorities closer to the occasion.

Ethiopian national Hannan Mohamed Abdurehman won $1 million in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Series 445, becoming the third Ethiopian to win since 1999.

The announcement was made at the New Year’s draw at Dubai International Airport. Unfortunately, Abdurehman is currently uncontactable. Indian national Gowda Ashok Gopal, based in Mumbai, also won $1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 446.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, two luxury vehicles were awarded in the Finest Surprise draw. Indian national Lahiz Mohammed won a Mercedes Benz, while Afghan national Mustafa Wali Mohammad became the first Afghan to win a Harley-Davidson Sportster S motorbike.

The Jebel Ali Hindu Mandir in Dubai experienced a significant increase in devotees on the first day of the New Year, with 40,000 worshippers attending, marking a rise of 12,000 compared to the previous year.

The General Manager, Mohan Narasimhamurthy, emphasized successful crowd management efforts, including separate queues for different groups.

The relocation of the temple from Bur Dubai to Jebel Ali was welcomed by many due to improved parking and crowd control. The temple has become a popular attraction for tour operators, with an average of seven to eight tour buses daily and visitors from over 40 different nationalities.