Expat News

UAE Residents Begin Christmas Celebrations With Lights, Décor and Shopping

The festive spirit shines bright as the UAE transforms for the holiday season. Residents and tourists have begun to indulge in Christmas celebrations at iconic Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi and Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah, Al Habtoor Winter Garden, Wafi Mall, Mall of the Emirates, BurJuman Centre, Deira City Centre, and Al Seef. With stunning decorations, lively bazaars, night markets and exclusive festive offerings, the UAE promises something special for every age and interest, solidifying its place as a global holiday favourite.

Average Price Of Dublin Home Is Now Over €600,000

The average price of a home in Dublin, Ireland, is now over €600,000. With the latest official figures showing prices nationally rising at an annual rate of almost 10%, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) confirmed the average price paid for a home in the capital in October 2024 was €603,453, up from €542,271 a year earlier. That is 12 times the average full-time salary, which is notionally put at €50,000, and reflects the huge affordability challenge facing buyers. The CSO confirmed the average price paid for home nationally in October 2024 was €429,212, up from €382,510 in the same month last year. The latest figures come ahead of a predicted slowdown in new home completions this year, which are expected to come in slightly below last year's total of 33,000. However, housing output is expected to increase again in 2025 and 2026.

Now, Residents Can ‘Bus Pool’ In Dubai

Passengers in Dubai can now 'bus pool' to their destination by sharing minibus rides through a booking system on smart apps. Initially, it will be available in Deira, connecting to central business districts, such as Business Bay, Dubai Mall, Mirdif, and Dubai Festival City. The plan is to gradually expand the service to cover all parts of the Emirate. The fare will be variable, based on the distance travelled and demand for the service. Additionally, the service provides passengers with options for single trips, or weekly and monthly subscriptions. The seating capacity of these buses ranges between 13 and 30 passengers. The minibuses will operate on demand, with bookings facilitated through three smart applications: Citylink Shuttle, DrivenBus, and Fluxx Daily 

Chennai-born Indian-American Teen Crowned Miss India USA 2024

Caitlin Sandra Neil has been crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey, US. Ms Caitlin, 19, is a second-year student at University of California. "I want to leave a positive lasting impact on my community and focus on women's empowerment and literacy," Caitlin was quoted as saying in a media release. Born in Chennai, India, Ms Caitlin has been living in the US for the last 14 years. She wants to be a web designer, and also pursue a modelling and acting career.