Dubai Times

Russia’s A7 Builds a State-Linked Payments Network Beyond Western Sanctions

The two-year-old platform says it handles almost one-fifth of Russia’s foreign-trade payments, while Western governments accuse it of helping Moscow bypass financial restrictions through crypto and opaque settlement channels.

UAE Sets August Thirty-First Start Date for Unified 2026-2027 School Year

The UAE Ministry of Education confirmed that public and private schools will begin the new academic year on August 31, prompting preparations for traffic management around major roads including Sheikh Zayed Road.

Dubai Metro Blue Line Tunneling Advances on Thirty-Kilometer Network Expansion

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is accelerating underground construction on the Blue Line, which will include fourteen stations connecting Dubai Creek Harbour, Silicon Oasis and International City by 2029.

UAE Financial and Insurance Sector Expands Seventeen Point Three Percent in Early 2026

Federal statistics show financial and insurance activities grew 17.3 percent year on year, making the sector one of the strongest contributors to the UAE’s economic expansion and non-oil growth.

Masdar Expands Global Renewable Energy Portfolio Toward One Hundred Gigawatts

Abu Dhabi-based Masdar is advancing utility-scale solar, wind and green hydrogen projects across Central Asia, Africa and Europe as it works toward a one hundred gigawatt renewable energy portfolio.

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Considers Six Point Three Billion Dollar AI Data Center Investment in Japan

Mubadala Investment Company is evaluating a major investment to build one of Japan’s largest advanced artificial intelligence data centers, extending Abu Dhabi’s international push into digital infrastructure.

UAE Non-Oil Foreign Trade Hits Record High as Exports Surge Nearly Twenty-Four Percent

The UAE recorded more than four hundred and fifty-two billion dirhams in non-oil exports during the first half of 2026, with the Ministry of Foreign Trade attributing the increase to the expansion of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Ag...

UAE Economy Expands Three Percent in First Quarter as Non-Oil Growth Strengthens

The UAE’s real gross domestic product reached four hundred and eighty-five billion dirhams in the first quarter of 2026, with non-oil sectors growing 4.8 percent and accounting for nearly eighty percent of the economy.

Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s Father and Longtime Agent, Dies at 68

The quiet figure who backed Lionel Messi’s early move to Barcelona and later managed his career died in Rosario after a prolonged illness.

AI’s Next Bottleneck Is Power, Not Just Nvidia Chips

As data centres multiply, technology companies are competing for electricity, grid connections and round-the-clock generation.

Meta Raises AI Spending Target to as Much as $145bn Despite Pressure Over Returns

The company’s capital spending is consuming most of its free cash flow as it races to turn new AI models and products into a commercially durable business.

Joe Biden’s Cancer Has Spread Beyond His Bones, Hunter Biden Says

Dubai Maritime City Advances Infrastructure for Commercial and Waterfront Development

Infrastructure work at Dubai Maritime City is progressing across marine zones planned for commercial shipyard expansion and waterfront residential development.

Dubai Retailers Launch Back-to-School Promotions Ahead of September Term

Major department stores and shopping malls across Dubai are rolling out discounts on school supplies, electronics and clothing as retailers prepare for increased spending before the new academic year.

Dubai Summer Surprises Enters Final Weeks Before August 30 Conclusion

Dubai Summer Surprises is entering its closing phase with citywide retail promotions, ten-dirham dining offers and live entertainment scheduled through August 30.

Dubai World Trade Centre Announces Busy Autumn Exhibition Calendar

Dubai World Trade Centre has unveiled a full programme of international conferences, industrial exhibitions and trade fairs for the autumn business season, supporting corporate activity and business tourism.

Dubai Municipality Expands Smart Waste Collection and Robotic Street Cleaning

Dubai Municipality is deploying connected waste containers and autonomous cleaning equipment across tourism areas and public parks to maintain cleanliness during the summer period.

Dubai Civil Defence Tightens High-Rise Fire Safety Requirements

Dubai Civil Defence is reminding property managers to maintain fire-safety standards and conduct regular evacuation drills across residential and commercial high-rise buildings.

UAE Enforces Midday Outdoor Work Restrictions During Summer Heat

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has intensified inspections at construction sites and other outdoor workplaces to ensure compliance with midday work restrictions intended to protect workers from heat exhaustion.

Dubai Culture Updates Heritage Protection Rules for Al Fahidi District

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has introduced revised guidelines for preserving historic architecture in Al Fahidi while regulating commercial development as tourism activity continues in the district.

UAE Economy and Tourism Sector Maintains International Visitor Demand Through Summer

Dubai’s tourism sector is sustaining international visitor flows and hotel occupancy during the summer, helped by marketing focused on indoor entertainment and attractions suited to hot weather.

Dubai Financial Markets Maintain Steady Investor Liquidity in Major Equities

Financial markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are recording steady trading activity, with institutional investors maintaining interest in leading banking, financial services and real estate shares.

UAE Space Agency Advances Satellite and Interplanetary Mission Preparations

Scientific and engineering teams in Abu Dhabi are reviewing progress on satellite programmes and interplanetary research initiatives as the United Arab Emirates expands its national space capabilities.

UAE Prepares New AI and Deep-Tech Startup Cohorts Through Dubai Future Foundation

The Dubai Future Foundation has launched new accelerator cohorts for regional and international technology founders working on artificial intelligence, cloud computing and related deep-tech solutions.

UAE Accelerates Digital Identity Adoption Through UAE PASS

The UAE’s digital government programme is reporting widespread use of the UAE PASS application, which provides citizens and residents with a unified digital identity for secure access to government and other services.

Dubai Roads and Transport Authority Deploys Smart Traffic Signals on Major Highways

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is introducing AI-driven traffic signal optimisation along major corridors including Sheikh Zayed Road to improve vehicle flow during peak commuting periods.

Dubai Health Authority Expands Telemedicine Services Across Primary Care Centres

The Dubai Health Authority is rolling out upgraded virtual consultation services across community clinics, aiming to improve access to preventive care and reduce appointment waiting times.

Emirates Reschedules Some China Flights as Typhoon Dolphin Approaches East Asia

Emirates has asked passengers travelling between Dubai and destinations including Shanghai and Hangzhou to check flight status information as severe weather linked to Typhoon Dolphin causes operational disruptions.

Dubai Schools Prepare for Unified Academic Year Starting August 31

Public and private schools across Dubai are completing preparations for the 2026-2027 academic year, while municipal authorities and police coordinate traffic measures ahead of the August 31 return to classrooms.

Masdar and Dubai Clean Energy Projects Expand Renewable Power Capacity

Renewable energy developers in the United Arab Emirates are increasing capacity across utility-scale solar projects, supporting the country's longer-term target of reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century.

UAE Advances Coastal Conservation and Marine Biodiversity Programmes

UAE environmental authorities are expanding monitoring and rehabilitation work for vulnerable coral reef ecosystems along the national coastline as they seek to protect marine habitats from climate pressures.

UAE Central Bank Maintains Tight Liquidity Oversight as Domestic Credit Demand Holds Firm

The UAE Central Bank is maintaining close supervision of commercial banks and mortgage lenders, with prudential measures focused on financial stability as domestic lending demand remains steady and global interest rates fluctuate.

Etihad Rail Expands Freight Testing Across UAE Industrial and Port Corridors

Etihad Rail is advancing operational tests on freight routes linking major manufacturing centres and ports, with the programme aimed at improving domestic logistics efficiency and reducing transport-related emissions.

Dubai International Airport Handles Heavy Passenger Traffic During Peak Summer Travel

Dubai International is managing high passenger volumes as the peak summer travel period reaches its busiest phase, with families and international visitors moving through the airport during the seasonal holiday return.

ADQ and Mubadala Expand Global Investments in Technology and Renewable Energy

Abu Dhabi sovereign investment firms ADQ and Mubadala are advancing international investments in artificial intelligence, advanced technology and renewable energy as the United Arab Emirates pursues longer-term economic diversification.

UAE Fuel Prices Rise in August as Global Market Trends Push Up Retail Costs

The UAE Fuel Price Committee raised August retail fuel rates, with Super 98 petrol set at three dirhams and sixty fils per litre, increasing refuelling costs for motorists across the country.

Emirates and South African Airways Add Nine Routes Under Expanded Codeshare Partnership

Emirates and South African Airways are adding nine domestic and regional connections through Johannesburg, expanding travel links across Africa as the airlines strengthen their commercial partnership.

UAE Economy Grows Three Percent in First Quarter as Non-Oil Sectors Support Expansion

The United Arab Emirates recorded three percent year-on-year GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026, with continued economic diversification and strong non-oil activity supporting overall expansion.

UAE Confirms Paid Public Holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday on August 28

The United Arab Emirates will grant federal government and private-sector employees a paid holiday on Friday, August 28, for Mawlid Al Nabawi, creating a three-day weekend through Sunday, August 30.

Trump’s Top General Seeks an Exit Strategy From Iran War, Report Says

General Dan Caine has reportedly warned senior officials that further escalation could backfire and that air power alone is unlikely to deliver the administration’s aims.

Brock Lesnar Retires From Wrestling, Closing a Career of Rare Athletic Range and Lasting Controversy

The 49-year-old former NCAA champion, UFC heavyweight champion and WWE headliner announced that his SummerSlam loss to Oba Femi was his final match.

UAE Sets August 28 as Paid Public Holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday

Federal government and private-sector employees across the UAE will receive a paid holiday on Friday, August 28, to mark Mawlid Al Nabawi, creating a three-day weekend for residents.