The Art Maze – the first-ever art exhibition at the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s famous helipad – is being held from March 23 to March 27.
The show offers a new immersive art gallery experience. Hosted by artists Marcus Schaefer and Sacha Jafri, The Art Maze displays 30 oil and acrylic paintings that are inspired by 30 World Heritage Sites. UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The helipad is suspended 212 metres above sea level and has hosted a number of sporting and cultural events.
‘The Art Maze’ showcases 30 original paintings of Jafri that depict World Heritage Sites in a custom built 12-metre by 12-metre steel labyrinthine designed by Schaefer.
The Art Maze is an invite-only event for VIPs, celebrities, entrepreneurs, HNWI and art collectors.
The launch of the exhibition on the helipad sets off ‘The Art Maze World Tour’. The show will travel all across the globe over the next 24 months.
Schaefer said: “With this heartfelt project, I want to raise awareness, especially in uncertain times with a global pandemic and political instabilities, to remind and honour all people about the beauty of our world, nature, man-made monuments.”
Jafri said: “My vision and inspiration for my artworks for The Art Maze stems from the beauty, the spirit, the history and the anthropology of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Trying to depict the emotion of a culture, a building, a story, a vista, and most importantly, an energy, all inspired me to create this collection which is so special, almost spiritual and otherworldly. It has been an honour for me to celebrate these sites as part of UNESCO’s 50th Anniversary of World Heritage.”
Some of Dubai’s busiest malls are set to introduce AI-powered parking enforcement to address the misuse of spaces reserved for People of Determination (PoD).
Parkin Company has signed a multi-year agreement with Emaar Properties to roll out the system across Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall and Dubai Marina Mall.
The move aims to protect dedicated parking bays, improve compliance, and ease congestion at high-traffic retail destinations frequently visited by residents and tourists.
How the tech works
The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to monitor vehicles entering PoD-designated spaces.
Number plates are scanned and checked against valid permits. If no permit is found, the case is flagged for review at a central control centre. Drivers may face penalties, although a short grace period will allow time to move vehicles in case of mistakes.
On-ground inspections will continue alongside the new technology to ensure compliance with parking rules.
At Dubai Mall, parking systems are already integrated with Salik Company technology, including ticketless entry, number plate recognition, and automatic fee collection.
Stricter parking rules
For shoppers and mall visitors, the change means stricter enforcement of PoD parking rules to ensure these spaces remain available for those who genuinely need them.
It also signals a wider shift towards smart city solutions in Dubai, where AI is increasingly used to improve everyday services, from traffic flow to parking management, while enhancing accessibility and fairness.
Motorists in Abu Dhabi will see changes to their daily commute, as two new toll gates were activated today.
The move, announced by the Integrated Transport Centre, is part of ongoing efforts to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow across key routes in the emirate.
The new toll points will be located on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road in Ghantoot and on Karama Oasis Road at the entry and exit of Sheikh Zayed Road, areas identified through traffic studies as high-density corridors.
Dh4 per crossing
Drivers passing through these gates will be charged Dh4 per crossing, in line with existing toll rules. The system will operate 24/7, with current exemptions continuing for eligible groups, including senior citizens, People of Determination, low-income residents, and retired Emiratis.
To help motorists plan their journeys, authorities have also highlighted alternative routes. Drivers can divert via Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Road or Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, while those travelling through Ghantoot can use Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road.
What it means for drivers
For residents and expats, the new toll gates may mean slightly higher commuting costs, but they are designed to improve travel times and reduce bottlenecks, especially during peak hours.
Officials say the rollout reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to support urban growth and manage increasing traffic volumes, with the impact of the new gates set to be reviewed regularly.
The Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai indicated that passport services, disrupted due to technical issues, are expected to resume on Monday, May 4.
The suspension, announced earlier this week by Pakistan’s missions in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, stems from a major technical glitch that affected systems across multiple countries. Officials confirmed that all in-person processing would remain halted until further notice.
Roughly 800 to 1,000 expats rely on the consulate and embassy every day. That’s a huge volume, and delays have hit people needing passport renewals, visa processing, and residency-related paperwork. For several residents, it has directly affected their travel plans, legal status, and employment.
To ease the impact, missions have advised Pakistani citizens to use the online passport application system for renewals and new requests where possible. Those unable to access digital services are asked to wait for further guidance until operations are restored.
