Latest news with #Dh25
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
UAE farmer showcases unique 4kg homegrown organic mango variety at Khorfakkan Festival
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel UAE farmer Saeed Al Maeli took everyone by surprise at the Mango Festival in Khorfakkan after he showed mangoes weighing nearly four kilogrammes, which he grew on his farms in Fujairah. The mangoes left even the seasoned cultivators baffled. However, they do not taste as sweet as the ones found in fruit four-kilogramme fruit is called Malda mango . It is slightly tangy and works well for pickles and curries, according to Khaleej Times. He sold these mangoes for Dh25 and says people come looking for them every about the Malda mangoes, Saeed called them 'unique' and said that this variety came out after years of careful hybrid cultivation, mixing cuttings and seeds from different trees. 'Not everything succeeds. But when it works, the result is something unique. This nearly 4 kg mango is one of those outcomes,' he said, according to Khaleej further asserted that the fruit does not catch the attention of the buyers for its sweetness but for its size and look. The other factor that he highlighted was how well it works in traditional dishes. 'It's not something you find in regular markets,' he said. He also stated that families buy it to make chutneys, pickles, or mango curry, and some people even come just to see his farms in Fujairah, Saeed grows over 35 varieties of mangoes, and he has hundreds of trees spread across his land. Saeed, who says that he started farming out of interest, also grows tomatoes, papayas, figs, dragon fruit, and other seasonal fruits. His ability to grow mangoes through most of the year makes him stand out from the crowd, as this is something many people don't expect to hear about farms in the near his stall at the festival, where he displayed the heavy Malda mango, Saeed said that people stop and ask, Is this real?.At festivals like the Khorfakkan Mango Festival , many farmers like Saeed get access to local residents, tourists, and restaurant owners looking for organic produce, which allows them to sell directly and build a connection with the buyers. 'They ask questions; they want to know how it's grown, whether it's organic, what we use – it builds trust,' he agree that the interest in UAE-grown mangoes is increasing. And as more people try these home-grown fruits, it's giving local farmers a platform to grow and experiment. In Saeed's case it's quite simple. 'Mango farming is not just about selling fruit,' he said. 'It's about making something with your own hands, something that grows from the land you live on.'
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Time of India
UAE man jailed for paying Dh30,000 to sorcerers and sharing wife's private photos to win her back
The man's attempts included contacting three different sorcerers, spending Dh30,000 overall, before the authorities intervened and arrested him/ Representational Image A man in the UAE has been sentenced to six months in prison after being convicted of engaging in sorcery and violating the privacy of his estranged wife and her family. The Fujairah Court of Appeal upheld the initial ruling, which also included the confiscation and destruction of materials seized during the investigation. The case came to light after the wife filed a police report, accusing her husband of using black magic against her, their children, and her relatives. Her suspicions were confirmed when she was contacted by a spiritual healer who provided her with WhatsApp messages and photos that directly implicated her husband. According to a report by Emarat Al Youm , the husband admitted during police interrogation that he had gone online in search of someone who could cast love spells to restore his failing marriage. He found a woman from another Arab country promoting herself on social media as an expert in 'bringing back loved ones.' He contacted her via WhatsApp and paid her Dh20,000. As part of the ritual, he sent her personal images of his wife, a video of himself, and their phone numbers. Things took a turn when the woman demanded an additional Dh25,000. When he refused, she threatened to expose his actions by sending the compromising content to his wife. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Undeterred by the threat, the man turned to another practitioner, paying Dh10,000 for a second attempt at spellwork. When that too failed, he contacted a third woman who didn't initially request money, but before anything could proceed further, he was apprehended by authorities. Meanwhile, the wife had already moved out of their home two months earlier and had initiated divorce proceedings due to alleged abuse. Her suspicions regarding her husband's use of sorcery were further confirmed when a woman — believed to be connected to the earlier 'spiritual healer' — contacted her from outside the UAE and offered evidence of his actions for Dh35,000. Refusing to pay without seeing proof, the wife was sent photos, a video, and images of magical rituals. These materials were handed over to the police. The Public Prosecution brought four formal charges against the man: Engaging in fraudulent activities and sorcery with unknown individuals (whose phone numbers were later traced), Endangering others, Violating personal privacy by transmitting private images through WhatsApp, Illegally possessing and distributing private materials. These charges fell under the UAE's cybercrime and fraud laws and were classified as misdemeanors. The initial court found the evidence compelling and handed down a six-month prison sentence, along with an order to confiscate and destroy the incriminating digital materials. The man appealed the ruling, denying all charges in court. However, the appellate court rejected his claims, citing clear evidence and sound legal reasoning in the original verdict. The appeal was dismissed, and the six-month jail sentence was officially upheld by the Fujairah Court of Appeal. The case has garnered public attention for highlighting the intersection of digital privacy, superstition, and the misuse of technology in personal relationships. No further charges were reported against the spiritual healers involved, though their identities and phone numbers were part of the investigation. The court's final decision underlined the UAE's firm stance against sorcery, fraud, and cyber-enabled privacy violations.
Al Etihad
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Festival opens submissions for first ‘Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition'
16 June 2025 14:14 ABU DHABI (WAM) Submissions are now open for the inaugural Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition, launched by the Abu Dhabi Festival and organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF).The new global platform, created to amplify rising voices in contemporary music, aims to nurture creative talent, elevate young composers and champion innovation that will shape the future of music on the world to emerging and established composers up to the age of 50 from around the world, submissions for the inaugural competition are now open until 15th September will be announced on December 15, 2025, with the first-place winner receiving Dh130,000, a professional recording opportunity, and a world premiere performance with world-renowned partner orchestras at the 23rd edition of Abu Dhabi Festival in April second-place winner will receive Dh50,000, along with a performance opportunity, global recognition and mentorship. The third-place winner will be awarded Dh25,000 and access to welcomes submissions from composers worldwide who must anonymously submit original, unpublished and unperformed works for consideration. Awards will be presented in two categories: orchestral compositions of up to 10 minutes, and solo works for piano up to 5 minutes, the featured instrument of the inaugural will be evaluated by a distinguished jury of renowned international composers and conductors across seven criteria, including originality, creativity and the ability to convey elegance, as well as intellectual depth. Technical proficiency, compositional technique, emotional impact and the integration of traditional instruments, melodies or rhythms from diverse musical heritages and styles will also be compositions will also be professionally recorded as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival Composers' Platform more than a decade and a half ago, the platform supports music composers from around the world in presenting their work in Abu Dhabi and on the global stage. To date, the platform has produced 36 original compositions and 80 co-commissions, creating high-quality recordings that preserve both traditional and contemporary music.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Indian expats strike luck in UAE big ticket raffle, wins Dh150,000 each
After years of trying, Indian expats in the UAE win Dh150,000 each in the latest Big Ticket draw, with some sharing their winnings among friends/ Live Screen Grab As anticipation builds for the Dh25 million Big Ticket grand prize draw on July 3, five lucky individuals have already secured a windfall of Dh150,000 each in the latest round of winnings, among them, several Indian expatriates who have spent years in the UAE building lives, working hard, and hoping for a breakthrough. This month's Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draw turned dreams into reality for a delivery rider, a businessman, a former UAE shop owner, and other long-time residents who placed their bets with persistence, patience, and a dash of hope. Kerala Delivery Rider Strikes Gold After Six Tries Abdulla Pulikkoor Mohammed, a 34-year-old delivery rider from Kerala, has been living in Abu Dhabi for the past nine years, supporting his family back in India. Despite having purchased only six Big Ticket entries, he hit the jackpot this time, sharing the winning ticket with a group of 12 friends. 'Receiving the winning call made me feel happy. I plan to split the prize money with my friends and use my share to clear some loans,' he told Khaleej Times . 'Big Ticket is truly doing wonders, and I believe everyone should take part.' His win is a reflection of how even modest participation, when shared and consistent, can lead to big rewards. Businessman From Kerala Wins in Just Seven Months Another Indian expat, Salihrahman Pallipadath, a 37-year-old businessman, has been living in Ajman for 15 years with his family. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Good News: You May Be Richer Than You Think Undo Though he first learned about Big Ticket two years ago, he only started buying tickets seven months ago, also as part of a group of 11 friends. 'Receiving the winning call was a great experience – I'm truly happy,' Pallipadath said. 'I plan to use the prize money to renew my company visa. I'll continue purchasing from Big Ticket, and I encourage others to do the same. It's a luck-based raffle, and everyone should keep trying.' His story is one of perseverance and optimism, especially significant in the face of everyday business pressures and long-term responsibilities as a UAE-based entrepreneur. Former Sharjah Shop Owner Wins After a Decade of Tries Babulal Gautam, a 68-year-old from Mumbai, India, is another Big Ticket success story. He lived in Sharjah in 2014, where he ran a shop before returning to Mumbai. He's been buying Big Ticket entries for ten years, a full decade of trying that finally paid off. 'I actually missed the winning call, but I saw the email and was overjoyed. I kept checking and rechecking to make sure it was real. After a whole decade of trying, it finally happened,' he said. Known for his practical outlook, Gautam shared a piece of advice for hopefuls: 'I'm more of a scientific person and don't believe in luck much, so I believe the first step to winning is to simply buy a ticket.' His long journey with the raffle is a reminder of the patience and persistence that many expats maintain in the face of uncertain rewards. Also among the Dh150,000 prize winners is Shaji Memana, another Indian expat originally from Kerala. Memana bought his winning ticket online, and the news of his win came as an unexpected joy. Countdown to the Dh25 Million Grand Prize The next major Big Ticket event is the live grand prize draw on July 3, where the staggering Dh25 million jackpot will be awarded. In addition to the main prize, three winners will take home Dh75,000 each. Leading up to the grand event, Big Ticket will also hold weekly E-draws, with upcoming dates as follows: Week 1: June 10 Week 2: June 17 Week 3: June 24 Week 4: July 1 With decades-long participation from the Indian community, especially among expats, Big Ticket continues to hold deep emotional and financial appeal. It offers not just a shot at fortune, but a moment of recognition and relief for thousands working hard across the UAE.
Gulf Insider
29-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
UAE Central Bank Orders Halt To Minimum Balance Hike
In a major new development, the Central Bank of the UAE on Tuesday instructed all banks operating in the country to suspend planned increases to the minimum balance requirement for personal accounts, pending a formal review of the policy's impact on consumers. In a circular obtained by Emarat Al Youm, the Central Bank explicitly addressed recent reports indicating that several major banks were preparing to raise the minimum required balance from Dh3,000 to Dh5,000, starting June 1. The move, which would have subjected non-compliant customers to monthly fees of up to Dh105, had already been implemented by at least one leading institution. 'With reference to what has been circulated in the media and social platforms about some banks' intention to raise the minimum balance to Dh5,000, the Central Bank has decided to study the impact of this increase on customers,' the circular read. 'Accordingly, banks are instructed to suspend the increase and refrain from applying it until further notice.' The decision follows Emarat Al Youm's earlier report that several major banks had planned to implement the new Dh5,000 threshold starting June 1, in line with updates to Central Bank regulations. One leading bank had already enacted the change, with others expected to follow suit in the coming weeks. The announcement of the potential increase triggered widespread public criticism, with account holders voicing concern over the financial burden on lower-income residents and small businesses. Under the now-paused policy, customers who failed to maintain a Dh5,000 balance in their current accounts would have been charged a monthly fee of Dh25, unless they met certain exemption criteria. These included transferring a salary of at least Dh15,000 per month, maintaining an aggregate account balance of Dh20,000 or more, or having an active credit card, overdraft, or loan with the bank. Customers with monthly salaries below Dh5,000 and no qualifying banking products would have been automatically charged the fee, with some banks reportedly planning to increase the penalty to Dh 100 or more, depending on the account type.
