Dubai Times

Spicy Food Is Linked to Lower Death Risk — but It Is Not a Miracle Cure

Large studies associate regular chilli consumption with lower overall and heart-disease mortality, while evidence on cancer, ageing and digestive health remains intriguing but inconclusive.

UAE Sports Federations Expand Use of Artificial Intelligence in Athlete Training

National sports organizations are increasing the use of machine-learning analytics and smart monitoring systems for performance optimization, injury rehabilitation and talent identification.

Tadej Pogačar Extends UAE Team Emirates-XRG Contract Through 2032

UAE Team Emirates-XRG signed Tadej Pogačar to a long-term extension through 2032 while confirming that the star cyclist will end his 2026 season early to recover following his Vuelta a España crash.

UN Declares 2027-2036 International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a UAE-co-sponsored resolution establishing a 10-year framework for integrating cultural heritage into sustainable development and community resilience policies.

Dubai RTA Completes Al Qiyadah Junction Upgrade to Reduce Congestion

The Roads and Transport Authority completed road improvements at Al Qiyadah that are expected to cut congestion by 15% and shorten daily travel times for motorists.

Dubai Museum of the Future Closes Temporarily for Major Exhibition Redesign

The Museum of the Future suspended public entry for an interior overhaul incorporating more than 1,000 visitor suggestions, with redesigned interactive exhibitions planned for its fifth-anniversary reopening in early 2027.

Arab Media Summit Prepares to Host 10,000 Professionals in Dubai

The regional media gathering is set to bring about 10,000 editors, content creators and digital specialists together across eight forums in mid-September to discuss the future of journalism and media.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Airports Handle Strong Passenger Volumes as Conference Season Begins

Airports in both emirates recorded robust traffic as business travellers returned for major exhibitions, ministerial meetings and international corporate events.

International Property Show Brings Global Investors and Developers to Dubai

The International Property Show is preparing to open alongside AIM Congress at Dubai World Trade Centre, presenting residential, commercial and mixed-use projects to international investors.

GISEC GLOBAL Prepares Dubai Cybersecurity Gathering on Emerging Enterprise Threats

Government agencies, technology executives and information-security specialists are preparing for the mid-September GISEC GLOBAL exhibition at Dubai Exhibition Centre, focused on emerging cybersecurity risks.

Dubai Tightens Advertising Rules for Private Aesthetic Clinics

The Dubai Health Authority introduced new standards banning unverified medical claims, misleading before-and-after images and paid influencer promotions that fail to disclose relevant medical risks.

Dubai Opens 26 New Private Schools and Nurseries

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority said 26 new private education institutions are opening for the academic year, adding thousands of student places across Dubai.

UAE Revises Nafis Employment Support and Introduces Child Allowance

New rules for Emirati private-sector employment support took effect in September, adjusting salary subsidies and introducing a monthly allowance of AED 600 for each eligible dependent child.

UAE Introduces Minimum Excise Price for Electronic Smoking Liquids

The Ministry of Finance set a minimum excise price of one dirham per millilitre for e-cigarette and vaping liquids from September 1, 2026, as part of efforts to standardize taxation and strengthen compliance.

UAE Showcases Defence and Aerospace Technology at El Alamein Airshow

Emirati aviation, space and defence organizations exhibited advanced technologies at the international airshow in Egypt, with the Tawazun Economic Council and ADNEC Group leading efforts to develop international partnerships.

Middle East Energy Marks 50th Edition With Focus on Grid Integration and Clean Power

The Dubai conference concluded its three-day programme with policymakers and industry leaders discussing renewable integration, decarbonization and stronger regional electricity infrastructure.

UAE Backs Cross-Border Electricity Grids for Long-Term Energy Security

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure highlighted regional grid interconnections alongside large-scale renewable and nuclear projects as central to building more resilient power systems for future economic growth.

UAE President Holds Talks With Bahrain’s King on Bilateral Cooperation and Regional Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan hosted King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Abu Dhabi for discussions on expanding cooperation across strategic sectors and reviewing regional and international developments.

DAMAC Reaches 50,000 Home Handovers as Construction Pipeline Expands

DAMAC Properties said it has delivered 50,000 homes, with development activity across communities including DAMAC Lagoons and DAMAC Hills supported by more than $2.72 billion in construction contracts awarded during the first half of 2026.

Dubai Property Market Delivers 104 Projects Worth AED 111 Billion in First Half

More than 104 real estate projects valued at AED 111 billion were completed across Dubai during the first half of 2026, with tens of thousands of residential units handed over to buyers.

Dubai Continues AED 1.5 Billion Economic Relief Package for Businesses and Tourism

Municipal authorities are rolling out targeted support including suspension of selected hotel and restaurant taxes as Dubai seeks to support commercial activity and visitor demand following regional economic pressures.

Dubai Introduces Interest-Free Monthly Rent Payment Scheme

Dubai authorities unveiled a programme allowing residential tenants to divide annual rent into 12 interest-free monthly payments through participating banks, reducing reliance on large upfront rental cheques.

Etihad Rail to Launch Abu Dhabi-Dubai Passenger Service on September 30

Etihad Rail said passenger trains will begin serving Dubai on September 30, connecting Abu Dhabi with the new Al Yalayis station near Jumeirah Golf Estates in about 57 minutes.

Dubai Hosts AIM Congress as UAE Foreign Investment and Non-Oil Trade Reach New Highs

AIM Congress 2026 opened at Dubai World Trade Centre as the UAE highlighted AED 177.3 billion in foreign direct investment inflows and AED 1.937 trillion in non-oil foreign trade during the first half of the year.

S&P Affirms UAE at AA/A-1+ With Stable Outlook

S&P Global Ratings maintained the United Arab Emirates’ sovereign rating, citing consolidated net assets estimated at 147% of GDP, low public debt and expected economic expansion supported by higher oil production capacity.

UAE President and Trump Discuss Bilateral Ties and Middle East Stability

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about expanding economic and security cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the United States, alongside diplomatic efforts aimed at regional ...

Dubai Mallathon Concludes Three-Month Indoor Summer Fitness Program

Dubai’s Mallathon initiative has ended after three months of providing air-conditioned walking and jogging spaces in participating shopping centers during the hottest part of the year.

Dubai Business Events Partners With Entertainment and Leisure MENA 2027

Dubai Business Events has become a destination partner for the Entertainment and Leisure MENA 2027 summit as the emirate seeks to attract international investors and showcase its attractions and entertainment sector.

Dubai Prepares Major Property and Investment Events at World Trade Centre

The International Property Show and AIM Congress are preparing to bring thousands of delegates to Dubai for discussions on sustainable development, cross-border investment and property technology.

Dubai Health Authority Expands Telehealth Across Primary Care Services

Dubai Health Authority has launched an upgraded digital platform offering remote specialist consultations, prescription delivery and chronic-disease monitoring through mobile applications.

Dubai Museum of the Future Closes for Major Exhibition Overhaul

The Museum of the Future has temporarily closed for an extensive redesign of its galleries incorporating more than 1,000 suggestions from the public, with reopening planned for the first quarter of 2027.

Dubai Future Foundation Launches Global Generative AI Hackathon

The Dubai Future Foundation has opened an international competition for developers and artificial intelligence engineers to create scalable software addressing challenges in smart government and healthcare.

UAE Highlights Expansion of UAE PASS and Digital Government Services

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority is promoting UAE PASS and other digital government systems at international technology forums as the country expands online public services.

UAE Expands Digital Visa and Emirates ID Renewal Services

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security has upgraded its online services to allow residents and investors to renew residency visas and update Emirates IDs using automated biometric verification.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority Expands Smart Grid Infrastructure

DEWA has installed additional smart substations and automated distribution systems to strengthen electricity reliability as residential development expands across Dubai’s suburban areas.

Dubai RTA Deploys AI and Sensors Across Smart Mobility Corridors

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has installed artificial intelligence and internet-connected sensors on key routes to monitor traffic, reduce congestion and improve bus and taxi punctuality.

AIM Congress 2026 to Highlight UAE’s Record AED 1.937 Trillion in Non-Oil Trade

The AIM Congress is preparing to open at Dubai World Trade Centre with a focus on investment trends and the UAE’s record AED 1.937 trillion in non-oil foreign trade during the first half of 2026.

Dubai Reports Strong Summer Growth in International Visitor Arrivals

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism says international visitor numbers remained strong during the summer, supported by seasonal campaigns, indoor attractions and competitive hotel offers.

Emirates and Flydubai Increase Capacity Ahead of Dubai’s Autumn Events Season

Emirates and Flydubai are increasing flight frequencies and operational readiness ahead of an expected rise in business travelers, tourists and conference delegates during Dubai’s busy autumn calendar.

UAE Sets Minimum Excise Price of AED 1 Per Millilitre for E-Cigarette Liquids

The Ministry of Finance has introduced a minimum excise price of AED 1 per millilitre for liquids used in electronic smoking devices as part of tighter taxation and compliance rules.

UAE Sets September Fuel Prices With Super 98 at AED 3.80 a Litre

The UAE Fuel Price Committee has set September 2026 retail rates at AED 3.80 per litre for Super 98 petrol and AED 4.30 per litre for diesel, reflecting changes in international energy prices.

UAE Introduces New Nafis Salary Support and Child Allowance Rules

Updated Nafis rules have taken effect for Emiratis working in the private and banking sectors, including an AED 600 monthly allowance for each eligible child and revised salary-support brackets.