UAE residents can look forward to a generous dose of leisure time in 2024, with the announcement of at least 13 public holidays by the country’s Cabinet. The schedule includes four extended weekends, with the longest break spanning six days.

Calendar of Public Holidays

• Happy New Year: 3-Day Weekend
  • Date: January 1
  • Details: The first official holiday of the year falls on a Monday, offering residents a delightful three-day weekend to kickstart 2024.
• Eid Al Fitr: 6-Day Break
  • Date: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 (Gregorian calendar dates are: Tuesday, April 9, till Friday, April 12.)
  • Details: Marking the end of Ramadan, this Islamic festival provides a substantial break of about six days, incorporating the regular Saturday-Sunday weekend.
• Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha: 5 Days Off
  • Date: Dhul Hijjah 9 to the third day of Eid Al Adha (Gregorian calendar dates are: Sunday, June 16, to Wednesday, June 19. Including the weekend (Saturday, June 15)
  • Details: Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha create a combined holiday period of five days, including the weekend.
• Islamic New Year: 1-Day Holiday
  • Date: Muharram 1
  • Details: Falling on Sunday, July 7, this one-day holiday marks the second new year of 2024, providing a day off for those without a Sunday weekend.
• Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
  • Date: Rabi Al Awwal 12
  • Details: The exact Gregorian date is not immediately clear, but it is observed on this Islamic month.
• National Day: 4-Day Holiday
  • Date: December 2 and 3
  • Details: The year concludes with a lengthy holiday period, encompassing December 2 and 3 (Monday and Tuesday). Combined with the regular weekend, this creates a four-day holiday.

The 2024 public holiday calendar promises ample opportunities for residents to plan vacations or enjoy staycations. With four extended weekends, UAE residents have the chance to make the most of their leisure time throughout the year.

The World Gold Council, in collaboration with partners in the UAE and other nations, is advocating for standardized rules on the amount of gold and jewelry travelers can carry in their hand luggage. 

Currently, different countries have varying regulations, including financial limits or weighing gold items during entry or exit. The initiative aims to address concerns about the lack of transparency in the hand-carrying of gold, which may contribute to illicit trade and the use of gold for illegal purposes. 

In the UAE, discussions are ongoing with key partners to establish standardized rules, considering factors such as permissible forms of gold, personal limits, pre-approval procedures, tracking, and risk minimization. 

The goal is to facilitate legitimate hand-carrying of gold for tourists while addressing potential non-compliance with responsible sourcing, anti-money laundering, and tax regulations. 

The World Gold Council emphasizes the need for a standardized approach to create recommendations applicable across countries and promote transparency in the gold trade.

Philippine President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is scheduled to visit Dubai on November 29 to attend COP28 and engage with the large Filipino community. 

This marks the first visit by a Philippine president to the country in 14 years. During the visit, President Marcos is expected to address economic concerns among Filipinos, including the rising prices of commodities. 

Additionally, the Filipino community seeks insights into the government’s stance on issues such as mining, decarbonization, and the transition to clean energy. 

The president will meet with his countrymen at the Dubai World Trade Centre, where community leaders and residents will express their expectations and concerns.

The weather in the UAE is expected to be dusty with a chance of rain, particularly in coastal, western, and northern areas due to the formation of convective clouds.

Temperatures will decrease towards the west, and humidity is anticipated during the night and Thursday morning, possibly leading to mist in some internal and northern areas. 

Light to moderate winds are expected, and the sea conditions will be moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman Sea.

The UAE is anticipating the onset of winter in the third week of December, following a notable weather event in Dubai’s Expo area where a record-breaking 65.8mm of rainfall occurred over the weekend. 

This heavy rainfall, the highest in Dubai’s history, is considered a precursor to the winter season, characterized by lower temperatures and increased precipitation. The widespread rainfall affected various emirates, causing disruptions such as road closures and flight cancellations. 

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM567543) predicts a shift in wind patterns, potential blowing dust, and sand due to winds reaching 40 km/hr. 

The NCM expects continued rainfall in the coming months, facilitated by convective cloud formation and ongoing cloud-seeding missions. Dr Ahmed Habib from the NCM clarified that the transition from autumn to winter will last until March, influenced by surface low pressure systems and a westward jet stream.

Aramex, in collaboration with Dronamics, is set to introduce drone deliveries in the UAE as early as 2024. 

The initiative aims to leverage Dronamics’ cargo drone technology and Aramex’s fleet management capabilities to enhance parcel delivery efficiency. The drones will be equipped with advanced connectivity, navigation systems, and safety features like parachutes and collision avoidance. 

This innovative service is expected to provide up to 80% faster, 50% cheaper, and 60% lower carbon emissions compared to traditional transport methods. The companies plan to conduct pilot flights in 2024, with a focus on optimizing technology utilization and improving customer experience. 

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s commitment to innovation in logistics and transportation.

Australia’s cricket team secured victory in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 final against India, winning by six wickets in Ahmedabad. Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam congratulated Australia on Instagram, praising their commanding performance.

Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar acknowledged India’s journey to the final but noted that luck did not favor them in the crucial match. He highlighted Australia’s ability to handle pressure in big matches. 

In the final, India set a target of 240, with KL Rahul and Virat Kohli making significant contributions. Australia faced some early setbacks but recovered, with Travis Head’s remarkable century earning him the Player of the Match award. 

This victory marked Australia’s sixth World Cup triumph.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh announced on Tuesday that the militant movement is close to reaching a truce agreement with Israel. 

Negotiations aim to secure the release of approximately 240 hostages, mostly Israelis, seized on October 7. The conflict escalated with Hamas killing around 1,200 people in a cross-border assault, leading to an Israeli retaliation campaign. 

Intense negotiations mediated by Qatar are underway, with a tentative deal involving a five-day truce, the release of 50 to 100 prisoners (including Israeli civilians), and approximately 300 Palestinians from Israeli jails. 

US President Joe Biden expressed optimism about a potential deal, and the International Committee of the Red Cross is working to address humanitarian issues related to the conflict.

Indian comedian Vir Das made history at the 2023 International Emmy Awards by winning the comedy award for his Netflix special, ‘Vir Das: Landing.’ He shared the award with the UK show ‘Derry Girls – Season 3.’

The nominated comedy special faced competition from shows in France and Argentina. Das, who wore a traditional black bandhgala set for the ceremony, expressed gratitude on Instagram, reflecting on his journey and acknowledging the support he received. 

This win follows his 2021 International Emmy Nomination for ‘Best Comedy’ for ‘Vir Das: For India.’ The International Emmy Awards ceremony, featuring nominees from 20 countries across various categories, took place in New York City.