Top 10 stories of the week: UAE holidays, visa-free travel and US-Iran conflict developments

1. Dubai's ruler emphasizes the value of family time during holidays, stating that the greatest investment isn't the number of cities visited, but the moments created with loved ones.

2. Dubai has declared Friday, August 28, as a public holiday for government entities to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, with employees resuming work on Monday, August 31.

3. Pakistani passport holders now have access to 29 destinations for visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or electronic travel authorization, including 11 visa-free countries, 15 visa-on-arrival destinations, and three requiring an electronic travel authorization.

4. India's 180-day overseas funds rule has raised concerns among UAE-based Non-Resident Indians about credit card linked offshore accounts being reassessed by international banks in Zurich, Singapore, London, and parts of West Asia.

5. Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket program returns for its fourth season, offering UAE residents aged 18 and above the chance to have a personal dream fulfilled without purchasing a ticket.

6. Indian tourists can now receive a free UAE entry visa when booking eligible holidays in Abu Dhabi through participating travel partners and online agencies, valid from August 1 to October 31, 2026.

7. The UAE has entered the final phase of its traditional peak summer season, with temperatures expected to ease as the country transitions to cooler months. The final period of Al Qayz, known as Marakhiyat Al Qalaid, runs from August 11 to September 3.

8. A 24-year-old Indian expat from Dubai was found dead in a hotel in Mangaluru, Karnataka, prompting police investigation. The incident occurred less than two months after the death of his sister in Kerala.

9. The United States military has launched its first-ever multinational attack drone task force, Task Force Falcon Strike, comprising personnel from the United States and regional partners to operate attack drones across air, surface, and undersea systems.

10. Iran reportedly had knowledge of US President Donald Trump's location and floor during the NATO summit in Turkey in July, as US intelligence detected a potential missile threat during the summit.