Standard Chartered has positioned the UAE as an Islamic finance connector capable of routing Shariah-compliant capital towards high-growth markets in Asia and Africa, as the bank projects global Islamic finance assets will reach $7.5 trillion by 2028, up from $5.5 trillion in 2024. The bank published those figures in its report, Islamic Banking for Financial Institutions: The Islamic Finance Connector Era, released alongside a Standard Chartered press release on the state of the global industry. Where UAE Islamic finance capital currently falls short Only 6 per cent of global sukuk capital currently reaches South Asia and Africa, the report said,…
Author: Catherine Smith
Indian expats seeking passport renewal at the new UAE centres now have 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across all seven emirates, run by Alhind Tours & Travels, with the Indian mission targeting clearance of the current appointment backlog by 15 August 2026. The network serves a community of 4.3 million Indian nationals in the UAE. The flagship facility, at UW Mall in Bur Dubai, covers 12,000 square feet and has more than 70 counters, with a stated capacity of 8,000 applicants per day. Alhind Tours & Travels has said its target is for no applicant to spend more than…
Indian passport walk-in services are now available at all 16 Indian Consular Application Centres across the UAE, the Consulate General of India in Dubai confirmed on 6 August 2026, as the new outsource operator Alhind Tours and Travels works to clear a backlog ahead of India’s Independence Day on 15 August. Consul General Dr Vishnu Vardhan Reddy held a media briefing that day, acknowledging there would be ‘teething problems’ as the new system stabilises, but said processing times were expected to improve soon. Who can use Indian passport walk-in services at UAE centres According to the Embassy of India in…
Dubai Police have warned residents about part-time job fraud after a young man was unwittingly recruited to launder money for a criminal gang through his personal bank account. The case involves a man identified only as ‘S’, who responded to a remote work advertisement on social media. He was told he had been accepted for the role on a preliminary basis. The fraudsters posed as an external financial services company and asked ‘S’ to open a bank account in his name, or to use an existing one, for what they described as administrative purposes. Money began arriving in his account…
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has issued Dh19.19 million in fines for telemarketing violations in the UAE, with 9,433 personal mobile numbers disconnected as the crackdown on illegal cold-calling intensifies. The authority recorded 3,301 violations against individuals as of June 2026. A further 92,748 numbers were flagged by the public during the same period, leading to the disconnections. What the penalties mean for individuals using personal numbers Personal mobile numbers are reserved for personal use under the regulations. Anyone caught making marketing calls from a personal number faces an initial fine of Dh5,000 and suspension of all…
Abu Dhabi has published a safety guidelines handbook covering heavy rain, strong winds, hail and fog, as the Abu Dhabi Media Office weather page confirmed the emirate is in a period of unstable conditions running from 3 August to 7 August 2026. The handbook, available on the Abu Dhabi Media Office website, sets out what residents should do before, during and after adverse weather, and lists emergency numbers for use when in danger. What the Abu Dhabi weather safety handbook says Several instructions run across all weather types. Residents are told to stay away from trees and electricity poles, keep…
A UK barrister has become the first foreign lawyer admitted to the UAE Roll of Advocates, after five years appearing before Abu Dhabi’s Civil Family Court, and says others will follow as the court draws more complex cross-border disputes. Byron James, a partner at Expatriate Law, was sworn in this week following a process that included judicial observations, practical training, and a series of examinations. His admission comes under Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Decision No. 21 of 2024, which established a formal register of foreign lawyers with right of audience before the court, split into two rolls: one covering First…
A Dubai Police emergency call trace led officers to an unconscious woman near Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in the early hours of the morning, after her distress call fell silent seconds after it connected. The call came in to the Operations Room at 3.30am. The woman, speaking in Arabic, managed only a few words: ‘Brother, I’m at the intersection…’ Her voice was faint. Then the line went quiet. The call handler picked up within three seconds. How the Dubai Police emergency call trace worked Using the emergency call location system, the operator pinpointed her phone to the Nad Al…
A Filipino baker based in Jebel Ali took home the Dh20 million Big Ticket Abu Dhabi grand prize on 3 August, ending 15 years of monthly ticket purchases with a group of 10 friends. Reynaldo Herboso’s winning ticket, number 267822, was purchased on 13 July and drawn during the Series 289 live event. The final number was selected by the group’s Bangladeshi member. ‘I have been buying for 15 years continuously. Fifteen years, and that is a long time. I am so happy,’ Herboso said when hosts Richard and Bouchra called to share the news. Herboso said he was overcome…
The National Media Authority has taken legal action against two individuals for publishing offensive content during a live broadcast on social media, suspending one violator’s publicity permit for three months. The NMA announced the penalties on 3 August, saying the content was disrespectful towards Emirati culture, violated standards of civilisational heritage and national identity, and offended “prevailing values in society”. The authority said it will not tolerate the use of digital platforms to generate views or engagement at the expense of societal values, or content that stirs controversy or undermines national identity. What the law says on live broadcast and…