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UAE Passport Ranks Among World’s Top 10 for the First Time

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The UAE passport has moved into the top 10 of the Henley Passport Index for the first time. The country is ranked ninth with visa-free access to 185 countries, marking an increase of 152 countries since the index began in 2006.

“[This] is the result of deliberate and concerted efforts by the Emirati government to position the UAE as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment,” says Juerg Steffen, chief executive of Henley & Partners, the London global citizenship and residence advisory firm, which compiles the index. “Our research has consistently shown a strong correlation between a country’s visa-free score and its economic prosperity. Nations with higher visa-free scores tend to enjoy greater GDP per capita, increased foreign direct investment and more robust international trade relationships.”

Meanwhile, Singapore reclaimed the top spot with access to 195 destinations, the only country to do so. It is followed by France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain, which all tie for second with 192 countries. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea and Sweden are in third with 191 destinations.

The UK hangs onto fourth place, along with Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland with access to 190 countries. Australia and Portugal round out the fifth spot with 189 destinations.

Meanwhile, the US continues its descent, dropping to eighth with 186 destinations. The UK and US jointly held the top spot on the index a decade ago in 2014. Afghanistan remains at the bottom with access to only 26 countries – the lowest score recorded in the history of the Index.

“The general trend over the past two decades has been towards greater travel freedom, with the global average number of destinations travellers are able to access visa-free nearly doubling from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024,” says Christian H Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners. “However, the global mobility gap between those at the top and bottom of the index is now wider than it has ever been, with top-ranked Singapore able to access a record-breaking 169 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan.”

The Most Powerful Passports For 2024

1-Singapore (195 destinations)

2-France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain (192)

3-Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden (191)

4-Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom (190)

5-Australia, Portugal (189)

6-Greece, Poland (188)

7-Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Malta (187)

8-United States (186)

9-Estonia, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates (185)

10-Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (184)

For the past 19 years, the Henley Passport Index has been tracking global freedoms in 227 countries and territories around the world, using data from the International Air Transport Association (known as Iata).

Alongside the passport data, the company released the results of several other studies, such as the world’s ‘most open’ countries and rise of global millionaires.

The World’s ‘Most Open’ Countries

Additionally, the Henley Openness Index ranks 199 countries according to the number of nationalities they allow entry to without a prior visa. The top 20 “most open” countries are all small island nations or African states, except for Cambodia. There are 13 completely open countries in the world that offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to all 198 passports in the world (not counting their own): Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Maldives, Micronesia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Samoa, Timor-Leste and Tuvalu.

At the bottom of the index, three countries score zero, permitting no visa-free access for any passport: Afghanistan, North Korea and Turkmenistan.

Sharjah and Dubai’s Rise of The Millionaire

The company also released several other studies, including the 20 fastest-growing cities in the world for millionaires. Sharjah recorded a growth rate of 95 per cent, coming ninth on the list, while Dubai is 18th. They are the only cities in the Middle East to make it. The study says Sharjah has 4,100 millionaires and 11 people with a net worth of more than $100 million. While Dubai has 72,500 millionaires, 212 people with more than $100 million and 15 billionaires.

The research by global data intelligence firm New World Wealth ranks Shenzhen and Hangzhou in China first and second, with growth rates of 140 per cent and 125 per cent, respectively.

Bengaluru, which recorded a 110 per cent growth in millionaires between 2013 and 2023, is third; Austin and Guangzhou are joint fourth with a 110 per cent increase.

According to the data, the region with the most billionaires is, unsurprisingly, the Bay Area with 68, which is home to the US’s tech epicentre Silicon Valley.

With 20 years of experience across print, TV, and digital journalism, Sudhashree is a seasoned media professional with a keen eye for news. A true news bug, she thrives on curating stories that capture the pulse of fashion, film, and all things trending. Deeply immersed in the fast-evolving media landscape, she swears by the power of social media to shape narratives and spark conversations.

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Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.

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Glam Crown Dubai debuts to celebrate all forms of beauty

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In a city renowned for redefining opulence alongside originality, a Dubai-based socialite and former pageant winner is preparing to break new ground with The Glam Crown – an upcoming fashion show and beauty pageant that promises more than just sparkle. Scheduled for November 15 later this year in Dubai, the event – a first-of-ots-kind platform – aims to blend glamour with grit by spotlighting diversity, confidence, and self-expression across all ages and abilities.

“This isn’t just about crowns and catwalks,” says Piyali Chatterjee, crowned Mrs. Elegant UAE 2021 and founder of Artisan Beautique that’s behind the event. A respected beautician, entrepreneur, and former educator of children with special needs, Chatterjee is using her platform to challenge traditional beauty norms. “It’s about showing that beauty doesn’t come in one shape, shade, or size. Every woman, every child, every participant has something uniquely powerful – and beautiful – to offer.”

A platform for all walks of life

What sets The Glam Crown apart is its commitment to representation. The event will feature a special segment for children of determination aged as young as three to 12, giving them the chance to shine on a professional runway – complete with styling, gentle makeovers, and a magical stage experience.

Adults will participate in categories such as Mr, Miss, and Mrs Glam Icon UAE, with curated designer wear, grooming sessions, ramp walk training, and wellness consultations. A parallel fashion showcase for teens and adults includes styling support and exposure to leading local photographers and influencers.

The event will also welcome plus-size contestants, new mothers, and individuals who often find themselves excluded from mainstream beauty narratives. “Dubai is a city that embraces difference,” Chatterjee notes. “We’re just reflecting that spirit on our runway.”

Beyond the mirror: health, wellness, and empowerment

This isn’t a typical pageant. Alongside the fashion and festivities, The Glam Crown includes interactive sessions with a certified aesthetic doctor, gynaecologist, fitness coach, and professional beautician. “These sessions aim to promote a holistic understanding of beauty – rooted in confidence, hygiene, and well-being,” says Chatterjee explaining how the fashion show for teens and adults will include personalised ramp walk training sessions, designer stage wear, styling and grooming tips from seasoned beauty experts.  

Meanwhile, the show for young children of determination – open to anyone between three and 12 – will be offered free of charge. “It is a heart-warming celebration of joy and self-expression. Participants enjoy fun walk training, a gentle, skin-safe mini makeover, a designer outfit for the ramp, and a magical stage experience, complete with professional photos and delightful surprises,” adds the Indian expat who’s lived in Dubai for over a decade now.

With over 300 guests anticipated and growing buzz across the region, the event is set to unite emerging designers, aspiring models, and influential digital creators for an unforgettable celebration of fashion, empowerment, and community.

For Chatterjee, who manages two thriving salons in the UAE and continues to mentor women in beauty and confidence, The Glam Crown is a culmination of years of experience—and a bold step forward. “This is not just a show – it’s a movement,” she says. “If even one child of determination walks off that ramp feeling proud, or one woman finds her voice through this platform, we’ve done something meaningful.”


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UAE announces fuel prices for June 2025

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The UAE fuel price committee on Saturday announced petrol and diesel prices for the month of June 2025.The Fuel Prices Monitoring Committee has kept the prices unchanged from the month of May.

Super 98 petrol will cost Dh2.58 a litre, compared to Dh2.58 a litre in May, while Special 95 will cost Dh2.47 a litre, compared to Dh2.47 a litre the previous month.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKT3ZanTxNB/?igsh=cnB3Y3JubnR1Y2lk

E-Plus category petrol will be available for Dh2.39 a litre, compared to Dh2.39 a litre in May, while diesel will now cost Dh2.45 a litre, compared to Dh2.52 a litre the previous month.

The UAE deregulated fuel prices in 2015, aligning them with market fluctuations.

Fuel prices in the UAE are tied to movements in the global oil market, which has experienced significant volatility since the beginning of the year.

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