The Dubai Expat Diaries

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has given the go ahead for VoIP phone calls to be allowed in the UAE, but only four companies have the license to offer these services – Etisalat, du, and the satellite firms Thuraya and Yahsat. Skype which arguably is the most popular among consumers, is still banned and can enter [...]

It seems the 5 – 15% services charges, that we are often hit with while eating out, is illegal after all. Only restaurants and cafes operating in hotels are allowed to add these charges to the bill. Which is good news for those of us who dine out frequently, as we get to decide how [...]

Dubai is set to make history today, with the opening of its very own superscraper and the world’s tallest building Burj Dubai scheduled to open at 8pm. Major General Mohammad Eid Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department of Protective Security and Emergency Department at Dubai Police told Gulf News: “His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin [...]

Dubai’s favourite beach bar, Barasti (Le Meridien Mina Seyahi on Jumeirah Beach Dubai) has launched what it calls it’s “biggest promotion ever”. It certainly sounds like it! Check out the details from the official press release: How to play – Barasti Big Deal Barasti Big Deal is our biggest promotion ever! We’ve teamed up with [...]

According to Gulf News, expats who wish to bring their families here will now be required to earn minimum AED 10,000 and also rent an independent accomodation: Major General Nasser Al Awadi Al Menhali, director general of the Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD), said the decision was made after a study by the Ministry of [...]

The Dubai Summer Surprises is back again with lots of fun family events and shopping offers to keep us entertained this long, hot summer. Starting from June 11, this popular festival is scheduled to go on till August 14, with a wide range of attractions all over Dubai. If you are planning to book a [...]

Dubai Mall is hosting a month-long shopping festival from April 30 – May 29, with exciting shopping deals and giving shoppers who spend AED 500 or more the chance to win AED 10,000 cash in daily raffles, not to mention the Grand raffle at the end giving away a million Dirhams to one lucky shopper. 

RTA has launched a new service called “mpark” which will enable Dubai residents to pay their parking fees more conveniently through their mobile phones.  This will make it very easy to extend the parking time without having to rush to the parking machine each time for another ticket. This service will initially cover Dubai Media [...]

Rihanna’s first gig in Dubai, originally scheduled for May 28, has been cancelled after all. She has been quoted as saying “it’s just not the right time for her”. It seems she is to keen to perform in this region but at a later date.

US pop star Rihanna has scheduled her big comeback concert since the Chris Brown controversy with a performance in Dubai. It is going to be held on May 28 but no other details about the concert are out yet.