UAE Today — 100 Headlines

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid approved the creation of a federal Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority that reports directly to the Cabinet and consolidates three former digital and data bodies under Minister Omar Al Olama. The authority will set national AI standards, manage government data and support the goal of delivering half of all government services through agentic AI within two years.

Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the formation of a new federal authority unifying the UAE's AI, digital government and data functions. The body is tasked with guiding national AI strategy and operating AI-powered platforms for evidence-based government decision-making.

The UAE Cabinet approved what it called the largest training programme in the history of the federal government, aiming to train 80,000 employees in agentic AI tools and technologies. The plan covers everyone from ministers and senior executives to new joiners across every ministry and authority, delivered via a dedicated digital learning platform.

Sheikh Mohammed said the journey toward UAE Government 4.0 has begun, with a national plan to upskill 80,000 federal employees in agentic AI. The initiative supports the directive to make the UAE the first government in the world to deploy agentic AI across 50 per cent of its services and operations.

The UAE's new Civil Transactions Law, which lowers the age of legal majority from 21 lunar years to 18 Gregorian years, took effect on June 1, 2026. From that age, individuals can sign employment, rental and service contracts, open and manage bank accounts and file lawsuits without parental or guardian consent.

The UAE has unified the age of full legal capacity at 18 Gregorian years under its modernised Civil Transactions Law. The reform also lowers the age at which a minor may seek judicial authorisation to manage assets to 15 years, aligning the country with prevailing comparative legal systems.

Under new Wage Protection System rules effective June 1, private-sector salaries for the previous month must be paid on the first day of each Gregorian month, with later payments classified as delayed. Companies are deemed compliant if they pay at least 85 per cent of total wages due by the deadline, with escalating penalties for non-payment.

UAE exchange houses and banks reported a sharp increase in salary processing volumes as the new first-of-month Wage Protection System deadline came into force. The surge reflects employers rushing to comply with the unified payday rule that began on June 1, 2026.

Dubai scrapped the previous Dh750,000 minimum property value threshold for the two-year real estate investor residency visa where the applicant is the sole owner of the asset. For jointly owned properties, authorities set a minimum share value of Dh400,000 per investor.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation urged private companies with 50 or more workers to achieve a 1 per cent increase in skilled Emirati roles before the June 30, 2026 deadline. Establishments that fail to comply face financial contributions starting July 1 and are encouraged to use the Nafis platform to recruit Emirati jobseekers.

Private firms must meet their half-yearly Emiratisation targets by June 30, 2026, with penalties applied from July 1 for those falling short. The ministry warned it operates a digital field inspection system to detect fake Emiratisation and manipulation of targets.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directed that comprehensive medical insurance be made available for Emiratis across all seven emirates. The move consolidates emirate-specific programmes such as Thiqa, Saada and Enaya under a single federal framework with comparable benefits and chronic disease coverage.

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a federal decree appointing Hamad Ali Mohammed Al Kaabi as Director-General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation. The appointment carries the rank of Ministry Undersecretary.

The Fuel Price Committee set Super 98 at Dh3.95 a litre, Special 95 at Dh3.83 and E-Plus 91 at Dh3.76, all higher than May, while diesel dropped to Dh4.33. The June rates mark the UAE's first pricing update as an independent oil producer following its exit from Opec and Opec+ in May.

Petrol prices rose for a third consecutive month in June, with Super 98 climbing to Dh3.95 from Dh3.66 and Special 95 to Dh3.83 from Dh3.55. Diesel eased to Dh4.33 a litre from Dh4.69, reflecting broader global oil movements.

Dubai 24-karat gold fell below Dh500 a gram in mid-June, with 22-karat around Dh467.75, well off the month's Dh542.50 peak on June 2. Prices came under pressure after stronger US jobs data raised expectations the Federal Reserve could keep rates higher for longer.

Dubai gold rates fell to their lowest levels for June, giving buyers relief after a volatile month that saw 24-karat peak at Dh542.50 on June 2. The decline followed a broader retreat in global bullion prices toward the $4,000 threshold.

From June 1, 2026, a 5 per cent VAT applies to Dubai's Salik road tolls and Parkin parking fees, raising peak tolls to Dh6.30 and off-peak to Dh4.20 even though the base tariffs are unchanged. The Salik tag activation fee also rose from Dh50 to Dh52.50 after VAT.

Dubai began applying 5 per cent VAT to Salik tolls and Parkin parking services on June 1, 2026, increasing the cost of daily driving despite no change to the underlying tariffs. Cash payments at physical parking meters are also being phased out as part of the emirate's digital strategy.

A new report indicates UAE salary growth is moderating in 2026, with real wage increases of around 1.6 per cent as the era of aggressive pay rises cools. Companies are expected to award selective rather than across-the-board increases amid rising living costs in housing and education.

The RTA is rolling out a series of road improvements this month, including a new lane on Sheikh Zayed Road for traffic joining from Hessa Street towards Abu Dhabi. The works are aimed at improving flow and reducing congestion on key routes.

A new bridge connecting Sheikh Zayed Road to Dubai Harbour, reported 90% complete, opens to traffic in June for motorists from both Deira and Jebel Ali. It is expected to cut travel time from 12 minutes to around 3 minutes and ease congestion around the harbour.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced the 42km Gold Line, described as the largest public transport project in Dubai's history, set to serve 1.5 million residents. The fully underground route runs from Al Ghubaiba through 15 districts including Business Bay, Meydan and JVC.

The completed Hessa Street improvement project slashes travel time from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Khail Road from 15 minutes to just 4. The upgrade is part of the RTA's broader push to ease congestion on Dubai's busiest corridors.

Emaar is launching a Dh200 billion master-planned urban district designed for 150,000 residents. The development features mixed-use towers, villas, green spaces and a 20-minute-city lifestyle concept.

At a City Briefing at Dubai Opera, over 1,700 leaders gathered as DET's Helal Saeed Almarri outlined plans for the second half of 2026. The agenda spanned tourism, retail and events strategy amid regional developments.

GDRFA Dubai and the Dubai Land Department signed an MoU to integrate residency and real estate services under a single system. The move streamlines Golden Visa, property and retiree residency processes for residents and investors.

Dubai widened its First-Time Home Buyer programme to include more developers, homes and mortgage options for residents. The expansion follows Dh5 billion in first-home sales under the scheme.

TENX Properties announced the 10X Land Expo 2026, showcasing premium land investment opportunities exceeding Dh100 billion. Organisers say it is among the largest land-focused real estate exhibitions ever held in the region.

BNW Developments announced a Dh20 billion pipeline of projects for 2026 in Dubai's property market. The launch underscores continued developer confidence in the emirate's real estate sector.

Analysts say Dubai's 2026 property market is being defined by scarcity, smart selection and shifting demand. The next cycle favours well-located, quality stock as buyer preferences evolve.

Dubai Municipality launched Saeed, an AI-powered virtual spokesperson serving as the official digital face of the entity. The assistant communicates the Municipality's achievements, services and projects to the public in an interactive and reliable manner.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Projects and Infrastructure Centre unveiled a Dh55 billion portfolio of 24 PPP projects at ADIS 2026. The schemes span transport, infrastructure and social services, with tenders rolling out through 2026 and 2027.

Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth visited Abu Dhabi's Zayed National Museum and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The high-profile visit spotlights the capital's growing cultural tourism appeal.

Visitors can now access Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi on one ticket, priced from Dh120 for two museums and Dh170 for three. Children under 18 enter free with every pass.

Abu Dhabi's new HR Law, effective from January 2026, introduces merit-based hiring and flexible leave for government employees. Officials say it transforms how the government identifies, develops and supports talent with clearer career pathways.

The Central Bank of the UAE projects real GDP growth of around 5.6% in 2026, driven by non-oil sectors, diversification, robust banking assets and sustained tourism momentum. The forecast follows 2025 GDP expansion of 6.2% to Dh1.9 trillion ($517.2 billion).

The UAE economy gained pace in early 2026, powered by a strong banking sector, expanding trade and rising investment inflows. Non-oil activity remained the principal engine of growth across the diversifying economy.

The World Bank expects the UAE economy to expand by 5% in 2026, rising to 5.1% in 2027, underpinned by diversification and resilient non-oil output. The projection reinforces the country's standing as one of the Gulf's fastest-growing economies.

ADX and DFM showcased robust 2026 growth at an HSBC conference, with foreign investors driving record trading activity on both exchanges. ADX recorded Dh85 billion in trading in Q1, up 22% year-on-year, while DFM's average daily trading value rose 56%.

FAB and Emirates NBD posted resilient Q1 2026 results, with both lenders showing income growth despite regional geopolitical tensions. Emirates NBD's balance sheet expanded beyond Dh1.2 trillion on strong lending growth.

UAE lenders are positioned for another strong year in 2026, supported by rising profits, double-digit loan growth and healthy capital buffers. Robust credit demand and low non-performing loan ratios underpin the sector's upbeat outlook.

FAB emerged as the largest bank in the Middle East and Africa by assets at the end of 2025, with reported total assets of $382.2 billion, narrowly overtaking Qatar National Bank. UAE lenders broadly expanded their balance sheets over the period.

ADNOC Gas reported a resilient Q1 2026 net income of $1.1 billion but cautioned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could weigh on Q2 results. The company approved a quarterly dividend of $941 million payable in June.

ADNOC Drilling reported its strongest first-quarter performance on record, with net profit of about $347 million driven by high fleet activity and long-term contracts. The board recommended a dividend of $262.5 million paid in early June.

The UAE announced Dh171 billion in industrial agreements at Make it in the Emirates 2026, including Dh48.5 billion in investments and Dh19.2 billion in financing, with over 200 deals signed across chemicals, healthcare, logistics, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. SMEs and start-ups made up 61 percent of the event's 1,200-plus exhibitors at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.

The UAE listed an additional Dh1.1 billion of Islamic treasury sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai, raising total outstanding federal sukuk on the exchange to Dh7.5 billion. The issuance comprised two tap offerings of 3.49 percent sukuk due 2027 and 3.779 percent sukuk due 2033.

ALEC Holdings raised $381 million in its Dubai IPO after the offering was oversubscribed more than 21 times, marking the UAE's largest construction-sector listing. The strong demand underscored buoyant investor appetite for new DFM listings.

Non-oil trade between the UAE and Turkiye climbed to $45.2 billion as their CEPA partnership deepens commercial ties. The milestone reflects the UAE's expanding network of trade deals, which helped non-oil foreign trade exceed $1 trillion in 2025.

UAE-based businesses, families and investors deployed more than $119 billion into the domestic economy in 2025, exceeding the country's $45.6 billion in foreign direct investment by more than 2.5 times. The figure, highlighted at Make it in the Emirates 2026, ranks the UAE fifth globally on real growth of domestic capital formation.

ADNOC's listed companies posted combined Q1 2026 revenue of $11.8 billion, EBITDA of $3.7 billion and net profit of $2.2 billion. The results highlighted the strength of the UAE energy group's portfolio across drilling, gas and oilfield services.

A viral video of a passenger sitting on the open door of a moving car prompted Dubai Police to issue a stark safety warning against reckless driving. The offence carries a Dh2,000 fine, 23 traffic points and a 60-day vehicle impoundment.

Public Prosecution is investigating a network that sent fake SMS messages offering to settle minor traffic fines for as little as Dh4, stealing victims' bank details. Of 35 reports filed across the emirates, 29 came from Dubai alone.

Sharjah's CID arrested four men accused of running multiple fraud schemes targeting people inside the UAE and abroad. Methods included fake delivery scams in which suspects impersonated shipping and insurance firms to demand bogus fees.

Dubai's Court of Cassation cancelled a Dh150 million joint fine on businessman Balvinder Singh Sahni, known as Abu Sabah, in one of the emirate's largest money-laundering cases. It upheld a five-year jail term, a Dh500,000 fine, confiscation of illicit proceeds and deportation.

Dubai Police warned residents about fraudulent calls and SMS messages impersonating officers and demanding immediate traffic-fine payments via malicious links. Authorities urged people never to click payment links or share bank details with unverified senders.

The NCM forecasts hot and dusty conditions with inland temperatures approaching 47°C and overnight humidity climbing along coastal areas. Residents are advised to stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity during peak heat.

Temperatures are forecast to soar to 48°C this week alongside dusty winds and rough seas in the Arabian Gulf. The NCM warned of reduced visibility from blowing dust and choppy conditions for mariners.

The NCM expects June to bring hot, dry and dusty weather with rainfall well below the long-term average at around 2.8mm nationwide. The national monthly average temperature is forecast at 34.6°C.

The NCM says there is a 98% probability of El Niño conditions prevailing from July to November 2026, bringing temperatures and rainfall near to above seasonal averages. Forecasters warn this could make it one of the hottest summers on record.

The UAE has adopted a unified national health insurance system that standardises coverage across all seven emirates. The system ensures comparable healthcare benefits, emergency care and chronic disease coverage regardless of where citizens live.

A new add-on launched by Policybazaar.ae lets UAE residents lock their health insurance premium at the sign-up price for up to five years. The feature shields customers from annual medical inflation and age-related increases on selected plans in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Dubai-based health workers are supporting international efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in central Africa. The UAE continues to maintain surveillance and emergency preparedness while confirming no cases inside the country.

The UAE Aid Agency has sent medical equipment and vaccines to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support WHO efforts against Ebola. The supplies aim to bolster containment and limit the spread of the virus.

MoHAP announced that medical university faculty members can now practise within healthcare facilities. The reform also removes the six-month post-graduation experience requirement for certain nursing and allied health graduates seeking professional licences.

MoHAP has completed the design phase of a National Unified Digital Platform for healthcare professional registration and licensing. The platform is expected to go live in the second quarter of 2026 to streamline registration across the country.

The UAE has run health emergency simulations as part of preparedness measures for Hajj 2026. The Ministry of Health and Prevention is ensuring every pilgrim is vaccinated before travel.

International visitors flying to Abu Dhabi on Etihad will automatically receive complimentary medical travel insurance for up to 15 days. The cover runs from July through December 2026 with no application required.

A man in his early thirties with a rare implant failure involving multiple broken screws underwent advanced anterior lumbar interbody fusion at PRIME Hospital. The front-access technique avoided previously operated areas and restored his mobility after more than two years of severe back pain.

The National rounds up June's fresh openings, including the Australian cafe Ona in Jumeirah and Wagamama's biggest menu refresh in years with around 25 new dishes. Summer coolers such as matcha colada and wild blossom ginger mint iced tea also feature.

The Kalayaan 2026 festival at Dubai World Trade Centre drew more than 60,000 attendees, making it one of the largest Filipino community gatherings in the UAE. The June 7 event turned a national occasion into a shared celebration through performances, food and interactive activities.

Gulf News lists weekend highlights including BTS cinema screenings, live concerts, comedy shows and family activities. BTS's homecoming concert at Busan Asiad Main Stadium broadcasts live to UAE screens on June 13.

The UAE Ministry of Education has released the timetable for end-of-term exams for the final semester, running June 24 to July 3. The exams apply to grades 5 through 12 in government schools and private schools following the ministry curriculum.

Dubai has unveiled an expanded line-up of tourism, retail and events initiatives for the remainder of the year. The plans build on record international visitation in 2025 as the emirate aims to sustain its momentum.

Gulf News profiles the evolving UAE traveller, who increasingly favours wellness, beauty experiences, farm stays and crowd-free destinations. The shift reflects new priorities reshaping how residents plan their holidays.

As schools across the UAE approach the end of the academic year, students face packed schedules of exams, enrichment activities and celebrations. Educators say the apparent intensity is about fitting events into a shorter timeframe rather than added pressure.

Cambridge International Education has confirmed UAE schools will not sit traditional exams in the June 2026 series. Candidates will instead be assessed through a portfolio of evidence route.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed announced that the emirate aims to become the world's leading hub for developing and deploying advanced AI solutions. He said Dubai will strengthen its regulatory environment and shift focus toward agentic AI while attracting top talent, investment and private-sector involvement.

The initial 200-megawatt phase of Abu Dhabi's 1-gigawatt Stargate UAE AI data centre is due for completion in Q3 2026, with over 5,000 workers already on site. The project, developed by Khazna Data Centres with OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco and SoftBank, follows authorization to import up to 35,000 Nvidia Blackwell chips.

Space42 confirmed that Foresight-3, Foresight-4 and Foresight-5 are now fully operational, expanding its Earth Observation constellation to five SAR satellites. The satellites can capture imagery up to 25cm resolution and see through cloud cover, aiding disaster response and infrastructure monitoring.

du received licences from the Central Bank of the UAE to introduce new digital financial solutions through its EITC unit. The move advances the country's push toward an advanced, future-ready financial ecosystem.

e& reported consolidated revenue of Dh19.4 billion for the first quarter of 2026, up 15.1% year-on-year. Performance was driven by subscriber growth and rising demand across telecom, enterprise, fintech and digital platforms.

The UAE is accelerating its shift from an oil-dependent to an AI-driven economy, with the digital economy at 12 percent of GDP and a target of 20 percent by 2031. PwC estimates AI could contribute $96 billion to the economy by 2030, supported by Stargate UAE's 5-gigawatt capacity and the country's 70 percent workplace AI adoption rate.

The UAE maintained its position as the Gulf's most mature startup ecosystem with 231 venture deals in 2025, while the wider region recorded 581 deals and $3.43 billion in funding. Growth was driven by late-stage liquidity returns and increased international investor participation in the UAE's established regulatory environment.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum directed that GITEX Tech-cation 2026 become the world's largest event dedicated to technology and artificial intelligence, scheduled for December 7-11 at Dubai Expo City. Dubai World Trade Centre is organising the inaugural edition with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to position the emirate as a hub for digital investment and innovation.

Relm obtained a full Virtual Asset Service Provider licence from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. The approval lets its XBASE Virtual Assets unit launch regulated broker-dealer activity from the emirate.

Gulf News has rolled out a dedicated 2026 World Cup hub featuring the UAE's first-of-its-kind match predictor, bracket builder and a podcast with expert analysis. It also spotlights the biggest names now based in the UAE and 'Hawk' forecasts for fans across the Emirates.

Although the UAE national team did not qualify, 13 players from eight Emirati clubs are involved in the tournament. Al Ain's Morocco forward Soufiane Rahimi headlines the group after a transformative season highlighted by a domestic double.

UAE-based fans are staying up for the late kick-offs as the World Cup gets under way across North America. Sports bars, fan zones and public screenings have come alive in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the expanded 48-team tournament.

Referee Omar Al Ali, assistant referee Mohamed Al Hammadi and VAR official Mohammed Obaid Khadim have been selected to officiate at the World Cup. The trio represents the UAE at the tournament running across the US, Canada and Mexico.

The National has published a full match-time guide for UAE viewers as the group stage unfolds. The piece lays out kick-off times, venues and streaming options for every fixture across the three host nations.

The National breaks down the leading contenders as the tournament begins, weighing the credentials of Spain, England, Brazil and defending champions Argentina. Analysts call it one of the most open World Cups in years.

Demand far outstrips supply for the blockbuster India-Pakistan clash, with fans struggling to secure seats. 'Mr Cricket UAE' Anis Sajan is hosting an exclusive Dubai screening for 100 fans, split evenly between the two nations.

The UFC is returning to Abu Dhabi with a blockbuster fight night on Yas Island. The card lands at the Etihad Arena on July 25, with full details to be revealed in the coming weeks.

McIlroy closed at 12 under to finish one shot clear of Scottie Scheffler and defend his Masters title at Augusta National. The win made him a six-time major champion and put him among the elite few to retain the Green Jacket.

A tournament shorn of its biggest names descended into unpredictability at Roland Garros. The National chronicles the anxiety and surprises that defined a wide-open clay-court Grand Slam.

President Trump confirmed the US and Iran have struck an agreement aimed at ending months of escalating conflict, with a signing ceremony slated for Geneva. Tehran framed the outcome as a victory as both sides moved toward halting hostilities.

Senior UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash put the odds of a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at even. He cited slight progress in talks but warned that disputes over enriched uranium and control of the strait remain major obstacles.

The landmark GCC Railway has passed the halfway mark, with full operations targeted by 2030. Spanning more than 2,100km across six Gulf states, the network is set to reshape regional trade connectivity and logistics security.

Gulf sovereign wealth funds have maintained a stronger investment pace through the conflict than in the five years before it, The National reports. Saudi Arabia's PIF deployed $6.1 billion in emerging markets post-war, more than double its developed-market spending.