Sharjah has achieved a remarkable milestone in public safety, with 99.7 per cent of residents reporting they feel safe across the emirate, according to the latest 2024 data released by Sharjah Police.

Major General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, announced the results, highlighting the community’s growing trust and satisfaction with the emirate’s security efforts. Public confidence in Sharjah Police now stands at 97 per cent

, reflecting strong institutional performance and community engagement.

Key findings from the report:

• 99.7% feel safe during the day
• 99.3% feel safe at home at night
• 99.3% feel safe in public areas at night
• 98.6% feel safe walking alone at night
• 98.9% feel safe on the road, whether driving or using public transport
• 96.7% trust their local police station

Major General bin Amer credited the achievement to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, whose support has been instrumental in enhancing the emirate’s safety and quality of life.

He thanked the Executive and Consultative Councils of Sharjah and praised the Department of Statistics and Community Development for its scientific approach in collecting public safety data.

According to Brigadier General Omar Ahmed Boualzoud, Director-General of Criminal Security and Ports, the impressive safety figures reflect the effectiveness of the Sharjah Police’s advanced preventive strategies, which prioritise public well-being at the heart of all operations.

Officials stressed that this success is not just a result of internal policing efforts but also the active cooperation of the public, which continues to play a vital role in maintaining safety and community harmony in Sharjah.

Emirates’ next-generation Airbus A350 is now operating daily flights between Dubai and Muscat, making the Omani capital one of the first regional cities to welcome the airline’s latest wide-body aircraft.

Originally scheduled to begin on July 1, the launch was brought forward by a week to meet growing summer travel demand. The daily A350 service operates as flight EK866, departing Dubai at 2:15am and arriving in Muscat at 3:30am. The return leg, EK867, departs Muscat at 4:40am and lands in Dubai at 5:55am, timed to offer seamless onward connections to Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

The new Airbus A350 features a three-class configuration with 312 seats: 32 lie-flat Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout, and 259 Economy seats in a 3-3-3 setup. Passengers across all classes benefit from enhanced comfort features, including higher ceilings, wider aisles, upgraded cabin lighting, ergonomic seating, high-speed Wi-Fi, and Emirates’ award-winning in-flight entertainment system.

The move reinforces Emirates’ long-standing commitment to Oman and expands the A350 network across the region.

In response to increased summer travel, Emirates has also added two more weekly flights on the Dubai, Muscat route, operating on Thursdays and Saturdays. Flight EK862 departs Dubai at 7:55am and arrives in Muscat at 9:05am. The return flight, EK863, departs Muscat at 11:25am and arrives in Dubai at 12:30pm.

Royaloak Furniture, one of India’s largest organised furniture retail chains, has announced its entry into the UAE market as part of a broader international expansion strategy. With an operational history spanning over 15 years and a customer base exceeding 5 million, the brand has opened three stores in the UAE—located in RAK Mall (Ras Al Khaimah), Lulu Mall (Fujairah), and Silicon Central Mall (Dubai)—each spanning nearly 20,000 square feet.

The move comes at a time when the UAE’s furniture and home décor industry is witnessing steady growth, driven by a combination of increased real estate development, rising urbanisation, and a growing population of design-conscious consumers. According to industry estimates, the UAE furniture market was valued at approximately USD 5.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.4 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.18%.

Royaloak’s entry adds momentum to the region’s expanding mid-to-premium furniture segment. The brand is known for its “Country Collection” that showcases curated pieces inspired by American, Italian, and Malaysian designs. The company sources products from manufacturing hubs across Asia and Europe, aiming to balance aesthetic appeal with functional quality.

“Our UAE expansion is aligned with market demand and retail opportunity,” said Mathan Subramaniam, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Royaloak. “What sets us apart is a vertically integrated model—from sourcing to distribution—which ensures both product consistency and affordability. With our dedicated warehouse in the UAE, we are equipped to provide fast, reliable delivery and a localised shopping experience.”

The stores are designed to cater to a wide demographic—offering furniture for living rooms, bedrooms, offices, dining areas, and outdoor spaces, in addition to home décor and mattresses. Each outlet is supported by Arabic-speaking staff to ensure culturally attuned customer service.

In tandem with its retail footprint, Royaloak has launched a dedicated UAE e-commerce platform, while also partnering with Amazon UAE and Noon to strengthen its omnichannel presence. The brand’s UAE entry is not just an expansion strategy but also a commitment to job creation and customer-centric innovation in one of the Middle East’s most competitive retail landscapes. The company plans further expansion across the Emirates in the coming year