Tue, May 19 2026

6 days ago

Sharjah Archaeology Authority Opens World Heritage Office To Safeguard UNESCO Sites And Future Nominations

The Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) has launched the Sharjah World Heritage Office to strengthen the management of World Heritage sites in the emirate and coordinate the protection of listed, nominated, and potential sites in line with international standards. The launch follows an Emiri Decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, approving the authority’s organisational structure. It also coincides with the inscription of Faya on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025, marking a more advanced phase in managing Sharjah’s cultural and natural heritage through an integrated framework covering research, nominations, documentation, and coordination with relevant entities. The office is responsible for developing and managing nomination files for sites of Outstanding Universal Value in the emirate, and for the administrative oversight of sites inscribed on the World Heritage List and the Tentative List. It also prepares digital databases, accurate records of cultural heritage sites, and specialised studies that support World Heritage work, strengthening monitoring, documentation, and protection efforts while enhancing the emirate’s readiness for future international nominations. In addition, the international AED2 million Faya Research Grant programme established by the Sharjah government for the Faya World Heritage Site will be […]

6 days ago

Flydubai Says It Has Revised Pakistan Flight Schedule

Flydubai on Wednesday said it has revised its flight schedule to Pakistan. The Dubai-based carrier said affected passengers are being contacted for rebooking and refunds. “Flydubai has recently revised its flight schedule to Pakistan. Customers whose flights have been affected are being contacted directly regarding their rebooking and refund options. Customers who have booked through a travel agent are advised to contact them directly,” a Flydubai spokesperson said in the statement. Flydubai operates flights to major Pakistani cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, Faisalabad, Quetta, Sialkot and Multan. On May 13, flydubai’s website showed that travellers could not book flights to Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. Booking options were unavailable for the three cities until October 24-25. However, flight booking options were available to other Pakistani cities, including Faisalabad, Karachi, Multan, Quetta, and Sialkot, as of May 13. “We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our passengers’ travel plans,” the spokesperson added. The Dubai carrier has been operating at reduced capacity due to the regional military conflict. A statement posted on Flydubai’s website on March 31 said flight durations and transit times in Dubai may be longer than usual due to the temporary rerouting of some flight paths. It advised passengers […]

6 days ago

UAE Ready To Deal With Any Health Threats, Including Hantavirus

UAE authorities have reaffirmed the readiness of the country’s national health monitoring and response system to deal with any emerging health developments, particularly those related to the Hantavirus, while stressing that the situation does not currently pose pandemic concerns. The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and the Ministry of Health and Prevention said the UAE’s approved health preparedness and surveillance measures continue to undergo regular evaluation and review in line with international best practices and approved standards. The remarks came during a meeting of the National Team for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management for Human Epidemics, chaired by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, under the supervision of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, and attended by members of the national team and strategic partners. During the meeting, officials discussed the latest developments related to the Hantavirus, alongside the UAE’s approved health monitoring and response systems, precautionary measures and coordination mechanisms with relevant entities at the local, national and international levels. The team confirmed the continued implementation of preventive monitoring measures as part of the UAE’s proactive approach to strengthening public health preparedness and enhancing response capabilities for communicable diseases. Authorities also stressed […]

6 days ago

Dubai Updates Driving Licence Tests: RTA Introduces Collision Warning, Lane Assist

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has updated its driver training curriculum for applicants seeking a light vehicle driving licence, bringing it in line with modern vehicle technologies and international safety standards. Focus on advanced driver assistance systems The revised programme integrates training on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which are now widely featured in new vehicles. These include forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane-keeping support systems, parking assist functions, night vision systems, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and both conventional and adaptive cruise control. Alignment with global standards According to Sultan Al Akraf, Director of Drivers Licensing at RTA, the updated curriculum aligns with internationally recognised standards set by the CIECA. He said the initiative is aimed at improving road safety, shaping driver behaviour, and reducing traffic accidents by ensuring learners understand the latest in-vehicle technologies. Integrated into training programmes Al Akraf noted that the updated content has been introduced in collaboration with driving institutes across Dubai and has been incorporated into: Enhancing safety and future readiness The RTA said the changes reflect its broader strategy to enhance road safety, support smarter mobility, and deliver innovative, sustainable transport services that improve customer experience. Officials added that […]

6 days ago

UAE Launches First-Of-Its-Kind National Emirati Nurses Programme

The UAE Readiness and Response Programme “Jaheziya” has launched the “Emirati Nurses” initiative, a first-of-its-kind national programme aimed at developing Emirati nursing leaders and strengthening the country’s emergency preparedness capabilities through internationally accredited training and specialised medical education. Launched to coincide with International Nurses Day (May 12), the initiative brings together a network of global healthcare and emergency response institutions, including the European Centre for Disaster Medicine, the American Nurses Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the American Emergency Services Foundation. The programme is being implemented in coordination with educational, healthcare, ambulance, police, civil defence and emergency response institutions across the UAE under a unified framework focused on emergency readiness and rapid response. Dr Adel Al Shamri Al Ajmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Zayed Giving Initiative, President of the UAE Doctors Initiative and CEO of the UAE Readiness Programme “Jaheziya”, said the initiative would act as a national accelerator for Emirati nursing professionals through specialised institutional and community-based training, research programmes and continuous professional development. He said the initiative aims to enhance critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills among nursing staff while strengthening the long-term retention and qualification of Emirati healthcare […]

6 days ago

UAE Designates 16 Individuals, Five Entities On Its Local Terrorist List Over Lebanon’s Hezbollah Links

The UAE has designated 21 individuals and entities on its Local Terrorist List over alleged links to Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The designation was issued under Cabinet Resolution No. (63) of 2026, through which the UAE Cabinet approved the inclusion of 16 individuals and five entities on the list of individuals and organisations supporting terrorism (Local Terrorist List), in accordance with UAE laws and regulations. The move forms part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts, both domestically and internationally, to disrupt and dismantle networks linked to the financing of terrorism and related activities, whether directly or indirectly. Compliance and asset-freezing measures Under the resolution, all regulatory authorities are required to identify any individuals or entities connected through financial or commercial relationships with those listed, and to take necessary measures in line with applicable UAE laws, including freezing assets within 24 hours. The decision reflects the UAE’s firm and longstanding commitment to combating terrorism and extremism in all forms, and to preventing the financing of terrorist groups and organisations, as part of broader efforts to enhance security and stability and address threats to regional and international peace. The UAE continues to intensify its counterterrorism efforts through a comprehensive approach combining security and ideological measures, […]

7 days ago

One Trade Name Only: Dubai Tightens Shopfront Signage Rules

Dubai has moved to tighten control over commercial shopfront signage across the emirate, introducing stricter visual and technical standards aimed at reducing urban clutter, improving road safety and preserving Dubai’s architectural appearance as part of its long-term city beautification strategy. Under directives from the Dubai Civility Committee, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) said businesses will now be required to comply with detailed regulations governing the placement, size, lighting and design of trade-name signage, including restrictions limiting each storefront to a single trade name and banning animated or excessive visual displays. The measures are based on the guidelines set out in the Outdoor Advertising Manual, introduced in 2024, in line with leading global standards, and issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality, in coordination with Mada Media, the entity responsible for regulating, developing, and managing the out-of-home advertising sector in Dubai. The approved technical manual sets out the specifications, requirements, and standards governing the installation of trade-name signage on commercial shopfronts. Under the framework, each commercial establishment is permitted to display one trade name only, with more than one advertisement or trade name on a shopfront prohibited, in line with the approved measurements set […]

1 week ago

UAE Secretly Carried Out Attacks On Iran, Making It An Active Combatant

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become an active combatant in the Iran war, according to fresh reporting in The Wall Street Journal. Last week saw the US-Iran ceasefire briefly break down, during which time the US struck some Iranian coastal sites and the Iranians sent drones and missiles on several Gulf states once again. Iran also reportedly tried to attack three American warships carrying out Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ operations. But even before this, during the intense missile exchanges of early April (before the ceasefire), the UAE also ‘secretly’ attacked Iran: “The United Arab Emirates has carried out military strikes on Iran, people familiar with the matter said, casting the Gulf monarchy as an active combatant in a war in which it has been Iran’s biggest target,” WSJ writes. As for whether the UAE was active in hitting Iran last week, this remains unknown. There’s much that may yet be revealed in the future, amid the current fog of war. At this moment, however, the UAE has yet to publicly disclose these prior alleged offensive attacks on the Islamic Republic. But WSJ reports: The strikes, which the U.A.E. hasn’t publicly acknowledged, have included an attack on a refinery on Iran’s […]

1 week ago

Sharjah Deploys Firefighting Robots In Hazardous Zones

The Sharjah Civil Defense has officially integrated the ‘Thermite’ firefighting robot into its emergency response portfolio, marking a major leap for the UAE’s safety infrastructure. This smart technology is specifically designed to enter ‘no-go’ zones where extreme temperatures, toxic smoke, or the threat of explosions make human entry impossible. By utilizing these robots, the Civil Defense can now combat intense blazes in chemical plants, oil warehouses, and narrow tunnels without risking the lives of first responders. Controlled remotely from up to one kilometer away, the robot can deploy high-pressure water and foam for several hours in harsh conditions. Beyond extinguishing flames, it provides critical cooling and smoke ventilation in confined spaces like basement floors. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Interior, aligns with the UAE’s broader vision to lead the world in artificial intelligence and innovative civil protection. Developed alongside global experts, the Thermite robot ensures that Sharjah remains a futuristic destination for safety and disaster management. READ MORE: Sharjah Permanently Closes Kalba Medical Fitness Center

1 week ago

UAE Teen Drowns After Slipping Into Unfenced Ras Al Khaimah Dam

A 16-year-old Emirati boy drowned after slipping into Athen dam in the Wadi Al Aeem area of Ras Al Khaimah, in a tragedy that has sparked renewed calls for stronger safety measures around open water bodies. The incident happened shortly after Asr prayer, at around 4.30pm, on Sunday, when the teenager was riding a bicycle with his cousin near the dam, according to his father, Jumaa Ali Al Mazrouai. Speaking to Gulf News, Al Mazrouai said the two boys stopped near the dam and began walking along the edge of the water before the teenager suddenly lost his footing and fell in. “The dam was completely full of water and there was no fence separating the land from the water,” the grieving father said. Al Mazrouai said his son and his cousin had mud and clay stuck to their feet while walking near the Ras Al Khaimah dam, prompting them to move closer to the water to wash off the dirt. “The mud was very thick, and their feet got stuck in it as soon as they stepped in,” the father told Gulf News. “As my son tried to move, he slipped and fell into the water. It was the […]

© Copyright 2026, Gulf Insider All Rights Reserved   | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com