UAE Times

Plans for the Pakistan e-passport UAE rollout have hit a last-minute snag. The Pakistani Embassy has confirmed that the launch, originally scheduled for July 20, has been postponed “until further notice” due to unavoidable technical and administrative reasons. In its statement, the Embassy said acceptance and processing of applications under the e-passport category will remain suspended until a new date is announced. No revised timeline has been given yet.

The UAE’s rail journey is only just getting started. Since its launch, the Etihad Rail Abu Dhabi Fujairah train has been steadily building momentum, connecting the capital to the east coast in just 1 hour and 45 minutes. The service currently runs three daily round trips between Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed bin Zayed City station and Fujairah, with tickets starting from Dh55 in Comfort Class and Dh120 in Premium Class.

Beating the summer heat is easier when there’s this much going on. Dubai Summer Surprises 2026, now in its 29th year, is running from July 2 through August 30, filling the city with sales, concerts, and family-friendly events under the theme “Make it a Dubai Summer.” Nearly 100 hotel and attraction deals are on offer this year, ranging from five-star staycations to more budget-friendly options, with several properties running family-focused programming to mark the UAE’s Year of the Family.

If you regularly drive through Khalifa City, some relief is on the way. The Abu Dhabi E20 highway expansion has officially launched, aiming to ease one of the capital’s busier traffic corridors. The Department of Municipalities and Transport confirmed the project will widen the E20 from three lanes to five in each direction. That’s on top of 10.5 kilometres of new ramps and loops, four additional bridges, 1.5 kilometres of internal roads, and eight upgraded traffic light junctions.

Travellers heading to or from Kuwait this weekend should double-check their bookings, as Emirates Etihad Kuwait flights cancelled notices have gone out for July 19 and 20 due to ongoing operational concerns linked to regional tensions. Etihad Airways confirmed that flights EY653 and EY654, which normally connect Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, will not operate on these two days. Emirates has also cancelled a number of its Dubai-Kuwait services during the same period.

A viral claim about blasts in Downtown Dubai has been confirmed as a Dubai explosions report false, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO). The confusion began after Reuters said witnesses in the Business Bay area reported hearing loud booms one evening. GDMO quickly stepped in, stating there was no such incident and urging the public and media outlets to rely only on official sources during fast-moving news events.

The UAE has once again called for an immediate end to fighting as the US-Iran conflict continues to shake the Gulf region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is deeply concerned about the latest strikes and asked all sides to show restraint before things get worse. Officials say a peaceful path forward should include stopping the fighting right away, going back to the negotiating table, and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and safe.

The UAE Union Pledge Day is being celebrated across the nation today, honouring one of the most meaningful moments in the country’s history. Observed every year on July 18, the day commemorates the moment in 1971 when the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, along with the Rulers of the other emirates, signed the Declaration of the Union and the UAE Constitution.That historic meeting laid the groundwork for the official formation of the UAE on December 2, 1971.

Big update for the Pakistani community living in the UAE. Starting Monday, the Pakistan e-passport UAE rollout officially kicks in, changing how passport applications are processed. The Pakistani Embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed that from July 20, 2026, all new passport applications at the Embassy and the Consulate General in Dubai will only be accepted in the e-passport category. This move brings Pakistan in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

The UAE AI talent shortage has become one of the biggest challenges facing businesses as the country pushes to become a global artificial intelligence leader. Companies are investing heavily in AI, but many are struggling to hire professionals with the skills needed to build and manage advanced AI systems. With the UAE aiming to become a world leader in AI by 2031, closing the skills gap has become just as important as investing in technology.