Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, has approved plans to develop 17,080 affordable residential units in the city.
The first phase of the 1.46 million-square-metre project spans six sites in Al Mueisim 1, Al Twar 1, Al Qusais Industrial 5 and Al Leyan 1.
The announcement, aimed at skilled professionals in the emirate, is part of Dubai’s Affordable Housing Policy and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
“We are committed to offering a range of housing options and we welcome all ideas that contribute to a cohesive and prosperous society that embraces diversity – Dubai is a city for everyone," Sheikh Hamdan said.
The new residential units will be offered at affordable rental rates, with access to key infrastructure and essential services.
The project will be overseen by the Supreme Committee for Urban Planning and implemented by the Dubai Land Department, Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority, the General Directorate for Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, Dubai Civil Defence and Dubai Real Estate Corporation.
The new residential projects were among several initiatives approved by Sheikh Hamdan at the Executive Council of Dubai’s March meeting.
Enhancing educational quality
Other policy's approved include teacher training initiatives to enhance Arabic language and Islamic studies.
The Dubai Protocol for Curriculum Enhancement and the Emirati Teacher Recruitment and Training Programme are among the initiatives being introduced.
They aim to increase the number of Emirati teachers in Arabic language and Islamic studies, focusing on teaching methods from early childhood to pre-primary levels.
“This policy is a collaborative effort involving education providers, experts, and parents to equip students with a strong foundation in these essential subjects,” Sheikh Hamdan said. “It presents an opportunity to strengthen the capabilities of future generations, enrich school curricula, modernise learning tools, and empower Emirati teachers.”
New flexible legal consultant pilot
Sheikh Hamdan also approved a one-year pilot phase to allow for flexible working in the legal profession. The Independent Legal Consultant Project will enable Dubai citizens to practise legal consultancy independently, without the need to establish a physical office.
“The legal profession is evolving and we encourage Emiratis to explore the opportunities in this dynamic field," Sheikh Hamdan said. "Dubai remains a hub for entrepreneurship, supporting innovative work models that promote work-life balance and enhance quality of life.”
The pilot phase covers real estate and personal status law, and all applicants must have a minimum of two years of legal experience, as well as meeting other criteria such as passing an assessment and completing a training programme in the relevant field.
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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