UAE residents warned about risks of using built-in charging ports in furniture

Residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon have the opportunity to purchase a flying car that can be used on roads, parked at home, and then transformed into an aircraft for short flights. This is becoming possible due to the preparation of the Chinese company Aridge to bring its personal flying vehicle to the market.

Unlike electric air taxis developed by companies such as Joby Aviation, which are intended for commercial passenger transport, the Land Aircraft Carrier model from Aridge is aimed at individual consumers. It combines a six-wheeled ground vehicle with a detachable electric aircraft capable of carrying two people.

Tan Van, co-founder and vice president of Aridge, and general manager of XPENG Design, detailed in an interview with Khaleej Times the principles of the two modules' collaboration, system technologies, and what potential buyers in the UAE should know before commercial implementation.

The Land Aircraft Carrier consists of two separate components: a ground vehicle that transports the aircraft, and a two-seater electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft located in the rear compartment. Owners can drive the vehicle to a designated flight zone, after which the aircraft deploys. The connection and disconnection process is automated and requires only one button press, as described by Van.

He noted that the mechanism that can connect and disconnect with one touch is built using at least seven systems and over a thousand parts. After activation, the vehicle opens the rear compartment and releases the flying module. This module descends to the ground, while a specialized pneumatic suspension system helps it adapt to various surfaces and soil conditions.

After completing the flight, the aircraft can be returned to the vehicle via autonomous docking. Cameras identify the aircraft and guide the ground vehicle to it, while the suspension adjusts the height to ensure precise alignment of the two modules. Then, the vehicle takes the required position and retrieves the aircraft into its rear compartment. Van reported that the reconnection process takes about four to five minutes.

Unlike air taxis focused on commercial services, Aridge targets private users who wish to own and operate their own flying apparatus. With the Land Aircraft Carrier, owners do not need to rent hangar space or store the aircraft at an airport; the flying module can be stored inside the ground vehicle itself, and the owner can park in their personal spot, adhering to applicable parking and transport regulations.

The company has received approximately 7,000 pre-orders worldwide, of which about 600 came from markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. However, owning the vehicle does not guarantee the ability to fly at any time; the aircraft must first obtain the necessary aviation permits, and the rules governing the activities of private operators and flight locations in the UAE are still under development.

Van specified that Aridge must first obtain type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Following this, the company will seek approval through the General Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE (GCAA), which will allow the aircraft to be legally operated in the country. He emphasized: 'First, we need to achieve our goal in China. We need type certification from CAAC. After that, we will get VTC. It is already valid under Chinese type certification, and then we can fly here legally.'

Aircraft operation will not be possible in any open area; it will depend on approved flight zones, airspace regulations, and infrastructure created by local authorities. Aridge has entered into an agreement with Ras Al Khaimah to create a regulatory sandbox for testing the technology under the supervision of UAE aviation authorities. The company is also willing to share existing infrastructure with other electric aerial vehicle operators, including Skyport vertiports being built for Joby's air taxi operations.

Residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who suspect side effects after taking medications are strongly advised to report them to the relevant health authorities. This is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at enhancing medication safety levels.

The Emirates Drug Authority (EDA) has launched a campaign titled 'Speak Up .. Stay Safe.' This campaign is conducted in collaboration with five health authorities and calls on patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to share information about possible adverse reactions.

The campaign was announced on Wednesday, November 4th, and is part of the global MedSafetyWeek 2026, which runs from November 2nd to 8th. Authorities emphasized that reporting suspected side effects helps identify potential safety issues requiring further investigation, even if the drug has already received marketing approval.

Residents can use the EDA's DAWA intelligent tool to register suspected side effects of medicines and other medical products. This tool simplifies the process of submitting experiential information, after which reports are forwarded to specialists for assessment according to established procedures.

The tool was developed and approved through a partnership between EDA and the Uppsala Monitoring Centre and supports continuous monitoring of drugs available on the market. EDA also strongly recommended that patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals utilize official reporting channels.

Dr. Ruqaiya Aqeel Al Bastaki, Executive Director of the Medical Products Regulatory Sector at EDA, noted that drug safety monitoring does not cease after a product receives approval and enters the market. She explained that responsibility remains throughout the entire lifecycle of the drug, as new information regarding its impact on patients continues to emerge.

Reports provided by residents and healthcare professionals are analyzed alongside other scientific data. This information allows authorities to identify potential danger signals that require deeper investigation. According to Al Bastaki, an effective drug safety control system depends on cooperation among regulatory bodies, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies, patients, and caregivers.

She also stressed that reporting should become an integral part of responsible drug use, rather than being limited only to informational campaigns. The nationwide campaign unites EDA, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Emirates Health Services, Dubai Health Authority, Abu Dhabi Department of Health, and Sharjah Health Authority.

This year's MedSafetyWeek is running under the slogan: 'Don't Ignore Side Effects, Report Them!' This initiative, now in its 11th edition, is coordinated by the Uppsala Monitoring Centre in collaboration with drug regulators, monitoring centers, and international organizations.

As part of the campaign, virtual seminars will be organized for healthcare professionals to enhance their understanding of drug safety monitoring and managing suspected adverse effects. Awareness events will also take place at the University of Sharjah, where students will attend lectures on pharmacovigilance, the drug safety monitoring process, and receive training on using official reporting channels.

A dedicated webinar for pharmaceutical companies will explain their obligations and requirements for drug safety monitoring. This guide defines the responsibilities of relevant organizations and the requirements for monitoring safety information and managing risks associated with drugs after they have received marketing authorization.

Consumers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have received a warning that a credit limit should not be viewed as a spending goal. According to this warning, if only the minimum monthly payment is made, a card balance of AED 10,000 could take nearly nine years to clear and cost over AED 22,000.

In an interview with Khaleej Times, Ambarin Musa, CEO of Revolut, noted that over AED 12,250 of this total amount would consist solely of interest. She cautioned that even a relatively modest debt can become a long-term financial burden, advising customers to pay off the full statement amount every month or, at least, pay significantly more than the minimum required payment.

The Revolut CEO based her example on a hypothetical monthly interest rate of three percent. The minimum payment is assumed to be five percent of the outstanding balance, including interest, or AED 100, whichever is higher. If the cardholder makes no additional purchases, clearing the debt could take about eight years and nine months, with the total payments amounting to approximately AED 22,257.

In the UAE, credit card interest rates typically range from two to four percent per month, which equates to approximately 30 to 45 percent annually using simple annual calculation. Musa explained that unpaid amounts accrue interest, and if the balance remains unpaid in the following month, the holder begins paying 'interest on interest.'

She stated, 'Even increasing monthly payments by a manageable amount can significantly affect the overall cost of borrowing.'

According to the UAE Central Bank's Q2 2026 lending sentiment survey, financial institutions have adopted a more cautious approach to personal lending, with the overall net demand for lending decreasing by 20.5 percentage points. The decrease in appetite was observed across all lending categories, with the largest drop recorded in auto loans, followed by credit cards and other housing loans (including refinancing and renovations). Appetite for personal lending is expected to recover across all categories in the next quarter, with the overall net balance projected at +13.3 percentage points, with the strongest growth anticipated in credit cards and housing loans.

Musa emphasized that a credit card is a form of borrowing, not an income expansion. She noted, 'Credit cards can be a useful financial tool when used responsibly,' but problems arise when consumers use credit to cover daily expenses they cannot comfortably afford.

She urged residents to set a personal spending limit based on their income, rather than the limit offered by the bank. To maintain spending awareness, she advised budgeting, regularly reviewing transactions, and using real-time spending notifications.

Musa added that a stable income does not guarantee sound money management. Credit cards can create a gap between spending and the person's actual funds in the bank account. High limits can tempt consumers to perceive available credit as extra disposable income. Furthermore, small purchases, especially digital payments, can accumulate quickly because spending feels almost unconscious.

In her view, there is no universal number of cards a salaried employee should have, as it depends on individual circumstances, obligations, and spending habits. Many UAE residents hold several cards to earn cashback, miles, or bonuses.

However, each card can affect a person's Debt Burden Ratio (DBR), which measures monthly debt obligations relative to income. She reported that the maximum DBR in the UAE is usually 50 percent, and banks generally consider five percent of the total card limit when assessing creditworthiness, even if the cards are unused. For a person earning AED 10,000 per month, total monthly debt obligations should generally not exceed AED 5,000 to meet requirements for obtaining additional credit.

Managing multiple cards can also complicate tracking expenses, due dates, and balances, and increase vulnerability to fraud. A common mistake is losing control over total spending across all cards or using one line of credit to pay off another without addressing the underlying spending behavior issue.

Musa stressed, 'Having multiple cards does not necessarily mean greater financial flexibility.' She also mentioned that consumers often underestimate the cost of late payment penalties, cash withdrawal fees, and interest on outstanding balances, which can accumulate quickly even if annual fees are predictable. Many also overlook currency exchange fees on international spending, which are stipulated in the contract terms and fee statements.

She recommended paying bills on time, avoiding cash withdrawals when possible, checking fees before international transactions, and analyzing monthly statements for unexpected debits. Cardholders should also protect their personal financial information and never share one-time passwords or credentials.

For new residents in the UAE, a credit card can be a good way to build a credit score, which can subsequently help in obtaining a mortgage, Musa said. However, it should not be seen as easy borrowing, and a poor rating due to misuse can have the opposite effect. She concluded, 'Financial responsibility lies not in refusing credit cards, but in using them wisely.'