Dubai Times

UAE Football Fans Gather at Home and Abroad as the 2026 World Cup Begins

Thousands of UAE residents have travelled to North America for the tournament, while fan zones, hospitality venues, and digital platforms across the country prepare to serve large domestic audiences following every match.

Dubai World Trade Centre Events Supported 94,000 Jobs and Generated Billions for the Economy

An economic impact study found that exhibitions, conventions, and trade shows hosted by the Dubai World Trade Centre remain a major driver of employment and activity across hospitality, aviation, and logistics.

AHS Properties Acquires Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai for Dh1.1 Billion

The acquisition of the prominent Sheikh Zayed Road hotel marks a significant expansion of AHS Properties' luxury real estate portfolio and reflects continued strength in Dubai's premium hospitality market.

Dubai Islamic Bank Raises $1 Billion Through Sustainable Sukuk Issue

The UAE's largest Islamic bank successfully priced a $1 billion sustainable sukuk, attracting strong international demand and highlighting investor appetite for sharia-compliant financial products.

Hub71 Startups Raise $2.7 Billion in Funding

Abu Dhabi's technology ecosystem said startups supported by Hub71 have collectively secured $2.7 billion in investment, reinforcing the UAE's role as a leading venture capital and innovation hub in the Middle East.

GCC Railway Project Reaches Halfway Point in Construction

The cross-border rail network linking all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries has passed the 50 percent completion mark, advancing a major regional logistics and connectivity project led by the UAE.

UAE Industrial Exports Reach Record Dh262 Billion as Manufacturing Expands

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology said industrial exports climbed to an all-time high, underscoring the progress of the "Make it in the Emirates" initiative and the increasing contribution of manufacturing to national output.

UAE Records Dh17.4 Billion Federal Budget Surplus

Official figures showed a strong fiscal surplus driven by growing non-oil revenues, disciplined public spending, and continued expansion across diversified sectors of the economy.

UAE Introduces Stricter Salary Payment Rules for Private-Sector Employers

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation now requires companies to transfer at least 85 percent of employees' wages on the first day of every month, with escalating penalties including immediate work permit suspensions for delays.

UAE Lowers Legal Age of Adulthood from 21 to 18

A new federal decree has reduced the legal age of full capacity to 18 Gregorian years, strengthening the rights, financial independence, and legal responsibilities of young adults.

UAE Establishes Federal Authority for Artificial Intelligence and Data

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced a new federal body that will unify oversight of artificial intelligence, digital government services, and data regulation under a single structure reporting directly to the Cabinet.

Oil Prices Fall Below $80 a Barrel as Markets Welcome US-Iran Peace Framework

Global energy prices dropped to a three-month low after expectations of a US-Iran accord and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz sharply reduced geopolitical risk premiums.

UAE President and Donald Trump Hold G7 Talks on Middle East Security

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and US President Donald Trump met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France to discuss the new US-Iran peace framework and efforts to stabilize the Middle East.

US-Iran Peace Agreement Set to Reopen Strait of Hormuz and End Regional Hostilities

A memorandum of understanding mediated by Pakistan has been reached to halt hostilities and lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with a formal agreement expected to be signed in Geneva later this week.

UAE and Egypt Reaffirm Strategic Partnership in High-Level Bilateral Talks

The UAE President and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi have held talks focused on strengthening economic cooperation and regional stability. Both sides reaffirmed long-standing diplomatic and strategic ties between the two countries.

UAE Reaffirms Commitment to Water Security as Abu Dhabi Expands Sustainability Agenda

The upcoming Water and Power Week aligns with the UAE’s broader sustainability strategy and its role as co-host of the 2026 UN Water Conference. Officials say water security remains a key national and global priority.

Dubai Cashless Strategy Advances as Public Services Shift to Digital Payments

Dubai’s transition toward a cashless economy is accelerating as public services, including parking systems, move further toward digital-only payment platforms. Authorities are encouraging residents to adopt digital channels for governmen...

Global Coalition of More Than 80 Countries Condemns Drone Incident Near Barakah Nuclear Plant

More than 80 countries have joined a coalition condemning a reported drone incident near the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. The UAE has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and energy facilities.

UAE Condemns Security Incident in Sweden and Reaffirms Opposition to Violence

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned a recent shooting incident in Sweden, reiterating its opposition to violence and support for international peace and stability.

Abu Dhabi Announces Water and Power Week to Address Global Resource Challenges

Abu Dhabi will host its first Water and Power Week in December 2026, focusing on water scarcity, infrastructure efficiency and the role of artificial intelligence in utilities. The event will coincide with the UN Water Conference co-host...

UAE Lowers Legal Age of Adulthood to 18 Under New Federal Law

The UAE has enacted a new federal law reducing the legal age of adulthood from 21 lunar Hijri years to 18 Gregorian years. The change aligns legal definitions of civil capacity across labour, criminal, and civil frameworks.

UAE Launches Unified Private Sector Salary Payment Deadline Effective June 2026

A new federal regulation requires all private sector salaries in the UAE to be paid by the first day of each Gregorian month starting June 2026. The policy, implemented through the Wage Protection System, aims to standardise payroll timi...

Henley Report Confirms UAE Remains Leading Destination for Millionaire Migration

The latest Henley Private Wealth Migration Report shows the UAE continues to attract high-net-worth individuals despite regional uncertainty. The country remains a preferred destination for wealth relocation and long-term residency plann...

Dubai Airports Cites Security Concerns as Partial Barrier to Full Airline Recovery

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths says some foreign airlines remain cautious about fully restoring operations due to lingering regional security perceptions. The airport continues engagement with carriers as part of efforts to normalise ...

International Airlines Resume Flights to Dubai as Route Recovery Continues

Major international carriers are gradually resuming services to Dubai International Airport during June and July, including Aeroflot and Turkish Airlines. The return of key routes signals continued recovery in global air connectivity.

Dubai Introduces Five Percent VAT on Public Parking Services

A new five percent value-added tax on paid parking services across Dubai has come into effect, covering on-street and off-street parking as well as permits and seasonal cards. The measure is part of wider fiscal adjustments affecting urb...

Parkin Expands Parking Management Across Major Dubai Retail Destinations

Dubai parking operator Parkin has expanded its management portfolio to include facilities at major retail hubs such as Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, and Marina Mall. The system integrates real-time data through the Parkin app to regulate...

Dubai Airports Cargo Operations Show Strong Recovery Despite Gradual Passenger Rebound

Cargo activity at Dubai International Airport is recovering strongly, operating at around 75 percent of normal levels even as passenger traffic continues to rebuild. Freight performance remains a key support for Dubai’s broader logistics...

Dubai Ruler Praises 20 Million Egyptian Participants in Arab Reading Challenge

Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has welcomed the participation of 20 million Egyptian students in the Arab Reading Challenge. The literacy initiative will conclude its final stage in Dubai this October and continues to ...

Abu Dhabi Chamber and Invest Shanghai Sign Trade Pact to Expand China–UAE Investment Flows

The Abu Dhabi Chamber and Invest Shanghai have signed a new agreement aimed at boosting cross-border trade and investment. The deal follows a sharp rise in Chinese company participation within the Abu Dhabi Chamber, signalling deeper com...

Real Estate Tokenisation Gains Momentum as UAE Digital Asset Regulation Evolves

Institutional interest in real estate tokenisation is increasing in the UAE as the country expands its digital asset ecosystem. Legal experts caution that while tokenisation can improve liquidity and investor access, it also raises compl...

UAE Strengthens Diplomatic Posture Following US-Iran De-escalation Agreement

UAE officials have reiterated their commitment to diplomacy following the US-Iran agreement, emphasising regional security and economic cooperation as central pillars of foreign policy. The statement comes as Gulf states reassess the evo...