News

UK billionaire buys one of Dubai’s priciest homes at Emirates Hills

Published

7 months ago

May 15, 2025

Spread the love

Dubai’s luxury property scene has added another billionaire to its list of high-profile buyers — Lakshmi Mittal, one of the UK’s richest residents, is now the owner of a palatial mansion in Emirates Hills, often dubbed the “Beverly Hills of Dubai.”

The India-born steel magnate, who leads ArcelorMittal, the world’s second-largest steelmaker, purchased the lavish estate earlier this year, according to sources familiar with the deal. While the property was originally listed for a staggering Dh735 million, it reportedly sold for around half that amount (Dh367), still placing it among the most expensive homes ever sold in Dubai.

The Baroque-style villa is known for its extravagant detailing, including interiors decked out in gold leaf. It sits in one of Dubai’s most exclusive gated communities, a favourite among royalty, celebrities, and ultra-wealthy investors.

Billionaires Move East

Mittal’s latest acquisition comes amid growing interest from global elites in Dubai’s booming property market, which has seen a surge in demand since the pandemic. Fellow Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s family has also snapped up luxury property in the emirate.

This move also coincides with a broader exodus of high-net-worth individuals from the UK, driven by recent tax reforms. At 74, Mittal is said to be evaluating his residency options after the UK scrapped its non-domiciled tax regime, a long-standing system that allowed wealthy foreigners to avoid UK tax on overseas income for up to 15 years.

He hasn’t yet made a final decision about leaving the UK, but sources say the recent changes have prompted serious consideration. If he does relocate, it would mark a significant shift for Britain’s business elite. Other billionaires such as Nassef Sawiris and Bart Becht have already moved out of the UK.

A Global Footprint, With Deep Ties to the UK

Despite the Dubai purchase, the Mittals’ presence in the UK remains strong. They still list their Kensington mansion as a primary residence and run LK Advisers, their family office, from central London. The Mittal Foundation has donated over £20 million to healthcare and medical causes in the UK, cementing the family’s philanthropic legacy.

They’ve also made headlines for importing fine art, jewellery, and rare wines into the UK over the past decade, reflecting their status as one of Britain’s most influential billionaire families.

Related Topics:ArcelorMittal Beverly Hills of Dubai Dubai Emirates Hills Lakshmi Mittal luxury property mansion property realestate UKbillionaire

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

News

Dubai-India travel: Security procedures triggered for Emirates flight following bomb threat email, flight lands safely

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Authorities at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport activated full emergency protocols on Friday after receiving a bomb threat email linked to Emirates flight EK526 travelling from Dubai (DXB) to Hyderabad (HYD).

According to GMR officials, the threat email landed in the airport’s customer support inbox around 7.30am on December 5. Despite the alert, the flight continued under strict monitoring and landed safely at 8.30am.

Once on the ground, the aircraft was immediately moved to an isolated bay. Passengers were safely deboarded, and security te

ams carried out standard bomb threat checks. Investigations are currently underway.

Emirates confirmed the incident in a statement to local media, saying authorities had alerted them to a “potential security threat” to EK526.
“All standard security procedures were implemented by the relevant local authorities with full co-operation from Emirates’ ground teams,” the airline said, adding that “the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain the highest priority.”

Authorities say all threats are being investigated, and extra security measures remain in place at the airport.

News

Driving through Abu Dhabi this week? Here are the road closures you need to know about

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Abu Dhabi motorists can expect some delays over the next few days, with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) announcing a series of partial road closures across key routes in the capital. Drivers are being urged to plan, allow extra travel time, and follow diversions to avoid congestion.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street

A major set of phased lane closures will take place near Sheikh Zayed Bridge from Tuesday, December 9 to Monday, December 22, 2025.

Three left lanes will be closed from 12am on December 9 until 10pm on December 15.
Two right lanes will then shut from 10pm on December 15 until 6am on December 22.

Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Street

Another temporary closure is scheduled on Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Street from 5pm on December 5 until 5am on December 8.

Authorities explained that these restrictions are part of ongoing road enhancement projects designed to improve traffic flow and safety across the city. Motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes wherever possible during the maintenance period.

News

Sharjah Police give deadline to remove National Day stickers, or face fines

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

If your car is still sporting National Day decals, it’s time to take them off. Sharjah Police have announced that all vehicle owners must remove their UAE National Day celebration stickers by Saturday, December 6, and those who miss the deadline will face violations.

The reminder follows a crackdown during the 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations, where authorities impounded 106 vehicles and nine motorbikes for dangerous and irresponsible behaviour on the roads.

According to Sharjah Police, the violations included:

Creating loud noise and disturbing residents
Driving recklessly and endangering others
Operating vehicles without a valid licence

Police officials urged motorists to celebrate responsibly and avoid turning festivities into safety risks.

However, there has been a shift in decorating trends this year. Many residents opted for cleaner, simpler, more elegant designs to showcase their UAE pride ahead of the long weekend, and demand for custom decals surged.

Authorities are now urging residents to ensure all celebratory stickers and decorations are removed by the set deadline to keep roads safe and avoid penalties.