As schools across the UAE welcome students back on Monday, 31 August, a Dubai mother has sparked a wider conversation about the rising cost of school uniforms, saying two formal shirts alone cost her AED 180.
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ABU DHABI, 31st August, 2026 (WAM) -- The Family Care Authority (FCA), affiliated with the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has launched the Life Skills Programme to develop the personal and social skills of children and youth, helping them build character, communicate effectively, make decisions and navigate everyday challenges.The programme reflects the efforts of the FCA and the Ministry of Education to provide a supportive environment for the development of children and youth, while strengthening the role of families and educational institutions in shaping well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills needed to keep pace with future changes.Targeting children and youth aged 7 to 18, the programme is being held across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra during the summer break and will continue until the end of the year. It features a series of interactive training workshops that combine learning with practical application, enabling participants to acquire hands-on skills that can be applied in their daily lives.Hanan Juma Alrayssi, Acting Executive Director – Counselling & Integration Sector at the FCA, said, “Investing in children and youth is an investment in the future of our society. Equipping them with life skills from an early age and during the formative years of adolescence strengthens their self-confidence, enhances their ability to interact with others, make decisions and take responsibility, and prepares them to build healthy and positive relationships while contributing effectively to the development of their community.”She added that the Authority remains committed to supporting all segments of society through the design and implementation of impactful programmes and initiatives focused on human development and empowerment at every stage of life. These efforts aim to strengthen individuals’ ability to face challenges and adapt to change, thereby promoting family stability and contributing to a more aware, cohesive and sustainable society.”Dr. Omar Al Dhaheri, Assistant Undersecretary for School Operations at the Ministry of Education – Abu Dhabi, said that the ministry views life skills as an important part of education, helping students turn the knowledge and values they gain into positive practices.He explained that the programme provides children and young people with interactive opportunities to learn through experience, dialogue and participation. This helps them better understand themselves, express their views, deal with different life situations, and continue their education with confidence.The programme focuses on a comprehensive set of life skills, including character building, leadership, emotional intelligence, thinking and communication skills, social responsibility, Emirati values and etiquette, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and positive thinking. Together, these components support the development of participants’ character and personal capabilities.The programme is delivered through eight specialised training workshops covering a range of topics, including rights and responsibilities, assertive communication, systematic thinking, understanding banking services, public speaking, conflict resolution, managing feelings of frustration, and online awareness and safety.
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ABU DHABI, 31st August, 2026 (WAM) -- The UAE's renewable energy capacity has grown more than 63-fold over the past decade, rising from 129 megawatts in 2015 to more than 8.2 gigawatts in 2025, according to Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and InfrastructureIn statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Olama said the UAE had made significant progress across the energy sector, including expanding clean energy, developing the national electricity system, strengthening grid interconnection and deploying modern technologies and data to manage the grid and enhance its readiness.He said the progress reflected a clear national vision aimed at building a secure and sustainable energy system capable of meeting future demand, through cooperation between federal and local entities, national companies and the private sector.Al Olama added that clean energy accounted for 32.4 percent of electricity generation in 2025, with the UAE targeting a 35 percent share by 2031.Electricity generated from clean energy sources exceeded 62.4 gigawatt-hours in 2025, while installed clean energy capacity reached 13,805 megawatts, spanning nuclear power, photovoltaic and concentrated solar power, wind energy and waste-to-energy.Total electricity generation in the UAE reached 192,735 gigawatt-hours in 2025, compared with consumption of 174,524 gigawatt-hours.Al Olama said the figures reflected continued progress in diversifying the energy mix and improving the readiness of the national electricity grid. The ministry is working with its partners to develop the electricity market, strengthen grid interconnection projects, expand clean energy and deploy modern technologies for grid monitoring and resource management.He pointed to the launch of Emirates Monitoring Centre, the first national facility of its kind to provide real-time monitoring of the UAE's integrated power network by linking all four electricity utilities. A study to develop a renewable energy management programme was also prepared and implemented in cooperation with Siemens as part of the centre's second phase, supporting grid monitoring and coordination among entities involved in the national electricity system.Al Olama said energy-related transformational projects included initiatives to recycle electric and hybrid vehicle batteries and promote green industrial transformation, as well as two studies and two pilot projects aimed at developing clean-energy solutions, improving resource efficiency and supporting the expansion of electric transport.He said national energy projects and policies had won local and international awards in clean energy, sustainability and electricity markets.Al Olama said the ministry would continue working with its partners to develop the national energy system and improve its efficiency and readiness, supporting energy security and enabling the sector to keep pace with economic and population growth while advancing national clean-energy, sustainability and climate-neutrality targets.
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ABU DHABI, 31st August, 2026 (WAM) -- The Ministry of Defence has denied media reports claiming that Al Menhad Air Base was targeted by missiles, confirming that such reports are false.The Ministry affirmed that the Armed Forces remain on a high state of readiness to respond to any threats that may arise, in a manner that safeguards the UAE’s sovereignty, security and stability.The Ministry also urged the public to rely on official sources for information and to refrain from circulating rumours or inaccurate information.
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ABU DHABI, 31st August, 2026 (WAM) -- The Ministry of Defence announced that the UAE Air Force responded to a UAV detected over the country’s territorial waters, approaching from Iran.The Ministry affirmed that the Armed Forces remain on a high state of readiness to address any potential threats, while air defence systems continue to monitor and safeguard the country’s airspace around the clock.
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Emirati official Anwar Gargash has dismissed as false the claims circulating on social media that the UAE is cancelling residency visas for nationals of certain countries.
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ABU DHABI, 30th August, 2026 (WAM) -- The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced that the interchange connecting Khalifa City and Zayed City over the E20 has reopened in time for the school year.A significant portion of the highway from and to Abu Dhabi City will have two additional lanes accessible to motorists, bringing the total to five in both directions.With works on most of the western segment now complete, the E20’s eastern part will also feature a new interchange and additional lanes due to open in Q1 2027.Previously, the DMT announced that the arterial road’s development project will increase lanes from three to five in both directions and include two new bridges and 10.5 kilometres of new ramps and loops.The project’s extensive scope also features 1.5 kilometres of internal roads and eight safety-enhancing traffic light junctions across Khalifa City and neighbouring districts.
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ABU DHABI, 30th August, 2026 (WAM) -- Abu Dhabi Police urged motorists to come to a complete stop when the side-mounted “STOP” arm on school buses is extended, and to maintain a distance of at least five metres.Abu Dhabi Police said this ensures that students can cross safely and protects their safety while boarding and alighting from the bus.Abu Dhabi Police confirmed that motorists who fail to stop when they see the “STOP” sign displayed by school buses transporting students will be subject to a fine of AED 1,000 and 10 traffic black points.Abu Dhabi Police stressed that students’ safety is a shared responsibility, urging motorists to exercise caution and vigilance around schools and school buses and to comply with traffic regulations that help provide a safe environment for students.
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DUBAI, 30th August, 2026 (WAM) -- Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded two contracts for Al Meydan Street Development Project, one of RTA’s key strategic projects to enhance Dubai’s main road network, at a total cost of AED 1.161 billion.Given the scale of the project, the works have been divided into two contracts to accelerate delivery, realise traffic and development benefits, strengthen the road network’s readiness to accommodate future growth, and support urban development and development projects across the emirate.The project includes the development of several key intersections along Al Meydan Street through the construction of 3,700 metres of bridges and 17 kilometres of roads, in addition to cycling tracks that will enhance connectivity with the existing cycling network.The project will serve a number of residential and development areas with a combined population of more than 500,000 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Roads and Transport Authority, said, “RTA continues to deliver strategic projects to develop Dubai’s road network, guided by the leadership’s vision, which regards investment in infrastructure as a fundamental pillar of comprehensive development, enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness and reinforcing its position as a leading global city in which to live, work and invest.“RTA follows a proactive approach to planning and delivery, focused on developing an integrated and highly efficient road network that keeps pace with urban, population and economic growth and delivers high levels of traffic flow and mobility flexibility. This contributes positively to quality of life and supports the objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”He added, “Al Meydan Street is one of Dubai’s key strategic corridors, running parallel to and supporting Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. The project will strengthen connectivity across the main road network, provide alternative routes that improve traffic distribution, enhance traffic flow, and increase mobility efficiency between key areas.“It will also raise the capacity of north–south traffic corridors by 18% and reduce travel time from Al Manama Street and Dubai–Al Ain Road to Umm Suqeim Street from 30 minutes to 10 minutes, an improvement of 66%. The project will also support the emirate’s rapid urban growth.”He explained that Al Meydan Street Development Project is one of RTA’s key strategic projects to enhance the efficiency of Dubai’s main road network. As a parallel and supporting corridor to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, it will strengthen connectivity between several key residential and development areas.He added that the project forms part of a comprehensive vision to develop Dubai’s strategic road corridors, improve traffic flow, increase network capacity, and deliver sustainable traffic solutions that keep pace with the emirate’s comprehensive development, while supporting urban expansion and current and future development projects.Al Tayer noted that, given the scale of Al Meydan Street Development Project and the diversity of its engineering components, the works have been divided into two contracts to accelerate implementation and delivery while preserving the project’s overall integration. This approach will help maximise the traffic and development benefits of Al Meydan Street, which is of particular strategic importance as a parallel and supporting corridor to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, while also linking several key areas. The project will strengthen connectivity between the main road corridors, improve traffic distribution across the network, and enhance mobility between the north and south of the emirate.Al Meydan Street Development Project extends from its intersection with First Al Khail Street to Umm Suqeim Street, passing through several key roads, including Al Khail Road, Latifa bint Hamdan Street and Al Marabea’ Street. The project also includes the development of Al Marabea’ Street up to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.The first contract covers the development of Al Meydan Street from its intersection with Latifa bint Hamdan Street to Umm Suqeim Street, together with the development of Al Marabea’ Street from Dubai Hills to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, over a total length of approximately 14 kilometres.The scope includes upgrading the intersection of Al Marabea’ Street and Al Meydan Street into a grade-separated interchange with four lanes in each direction. The interchange will comprise bridges extending 1,600 metres in total, with a combined capacity of 14,400 vehicles per hour in both directions. It will provide free-flow movement in all directions and establish a direct connection between Umm Suqeim Street and Latifa bint Hamdan Street.The project also includes a direct connection between Al Marabea’ Street and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, with three lanes in each direction and a combined capacity of 7,800 vehicles per hour. In addition, a 700-metre elevated link will be constructed on Dubai–Al Ain Road towards Nad Al Hamar Street to serve the residential areas of Nad Al Sheba, improve accessibility, and strengthen connectivity with Dubai’s main road network.The second contract covers the development of Al Meydan Street from its intersection with First Al Khail Street, through Al Khail Road, to its intersection with Muscat Street. It also includes approximately 2 kilometres of new surface roads linking Al Meydan Street with Latifa bint Hamdan Street, enhancing integration across the road network, strengthening connectivity between key corridors, and improving traffic flow between residential and development areas.The contract includes surface improvements at the intersection of Al Khail Road and the collector road towards Ras Al Khor Street, as well as converting the signalised intersection of Al Meydan Street and Muscat Street into a multi-level grade-separated interchange that will provide free-flow movement in all directions.The interchange will comprise bridges extending 1,400 metres in total, with four lanes in each direction and a combined capacity of up to 14,400 vehicles per hour in both directions.The contract also includes an integrated cycling network and underpasses beneath Al Meydan Street to ensure continuity of cycling routes and connect them with the existing network, supporting sustainable mobility and providing safe, integrated mobility options.Al Meydan Street Development Project forms part of RTA’s integrated strategy to develop Dubai’s strategic road corridors. It directly complements the recently awarded Latifa bint Hamdan Street Development Project, with the two projects together forming an interconnected traffic network linking some of the emirate’s key arterial roads, including Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Emirates Road, and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. This integration will improve traffic flow, strengthen connectivity between residential and development areas, and provide highly efficient alternative routes that support the sustainability of the road network.Together, the two projects will further enhance connectivity between key corridors, improve traffic distribution across the network, and strengthen infrastructure readiness to accommodate Dubai’s continued urban and population growth. They will also support current and future developments across the areas they serve, including Dubai Hills, Nad Al Sheba, Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens, Dubai District One, Al Barari, and communities along Al Meydan Street and Latifa bint Hamdan Street, with a combined population of more than 500,000. This will be achieved through an integrated, highly efficient road network capable of accommodating anticipated traffic growth and providing sustainable mobility solutions.RTA recently commenced works on the 12-kilometre Latifa bint Hamdan Street Development Project, which will form a new strategic corridor linking Sheikh Zayed Road to Emirates Road via Al Khail Road, Al Meydan Street, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street.The project includes seven bridges extending 2,300 metres in total and eight tunnels extending 900 metres, enhancing traffic flow and improving the efficiency of the road network. The new corridor will have a capacity of approximately 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, while daily trips are expected to exceed 130,000.The project will also reduce travel time between Umm Al Sheif Street and Emirates Road by 54%, from 33 minutes to 15 minutes, and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.
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Rahil Ahmed started out washing dishes in Turkey and later worked as a janitor in Dubai. He now runs his own business in the emirate.
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With UAE schools reopening on Monday, 31 August, a mother in Dubai has drawn attention to what many parents call an increasingly heavy back-to-school expense: uniforms.
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ABU DHABI, 30th August, 2026 (WAM) -- The United Arab Emirates, through the UAE Aid Agency, has sent an aircraft carrying urgent relief aid, consisting of 83 tonnes of food supplies and various shelter and humanitarian essentials, to the friendly Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.The aid will support those affected by the floods and landslides that have struck various parts of Nepal in recent days, resulting in the deaths, injuries, and disappearance of dozens of people and causing extensive damage.The urgent assistance comes in implementation of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to allocate US$10 million to provide relief to those affected, in a manner that supports early recovery and stability, while ensuring the provision of essential supplies and basic necessities for people of all age groups during such difficult and emergency circumstances.The UAE Aid Agency, in cooperation with the UAE Embassy in Nepal, is coordinating with local authorities to ensure the rapid delivery of the various relief supplies to those in need. The agency is also continuing to coordinate with relevant international organisations to strengthen and consolidate relief efforts in the affected areas.
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DUBAI, 30th August, 2026 (WAM) -- Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), toured the Distribution Power division’s complex in Al Ruwayyah to review a range of innovative projects and initiatives enhancing the reliability, efficiency and sustainability of Dubai’s electricity distribution network. Al Tayer was accompanied by Rashid Bin Humaidan, Executive Vice President of Distribution Power, and senior DEWA staff.The tour showcased a wide spectrum of cutting-edge technologies and solutions reshaping Distribution Power’s operations, ranging from artificial intelligence-powered asset management and accredited laboratory services to groundbreaking inspection techniques. Together, these initiatives underscore DEWA’s commitment to operational excellence and reinforce its position as a global leader in smart grid innovation.Al Tayer emphasised that DEWA’s continuous investment in research and development, coupled with a deep commitment to fostering creativity among employees, has resulted in pioneering solutions that significantly enhance the resilience of Dubai’s power network. He noted that these innovations embody a proactive approach to critical asset management by leveraging Big Data and advanced analytics to support strategic decision-making while improving both maintenance protocols and overall operational efficiency.Among the key projects reviewed was the Asset Health Centre, which uses real-time data on asset condition, risk and maintenance requirements to support faster and more informed decision-making. The centre enables risk-based maintenance planning, optimises replacement timing and reduces asset-related risks.Al Tayer was briefed on DEWA’s Distribution Automation programme that strengthens network reliability through RF-Mesh technology, which enables remote monitoring and control from Distribution Control Centres, supporting DEWA’s Smart Grid and enhances the reliability of services.He also inspected DEWA’s accredited laboratories, which continue to deliver significant technical and financial benefits. These include the ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited Cable Lab, which supports root-cause analysis, quality assurance, lifecycle management and external cable testing, while generating significant revenue and savings. Al Tayer also visited the Energy Meter Testing Lab, which conducts accredited testing of energy meters and current transformers and has generated significant revenue.DEWA is the first utility worldwide to use X-ray inspection to examine capacitor bank circuit breakers without affecting their functionality or causing damage, helping to detect internal defects at an early stage and minimise service interruptions.The visit concluded with a review of the Mobile Training Unit, which delivers safety and operational training directly to field teams. Between 2021 and 2025, the unit trained more than 9,200 employees.
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