Over 10,000 tickets have already been sold ahead of Etihad Rail’s launch, and despite this strong demand, the booking system remains open for future journeys. Tickets can be reserved via the website etihadrail.ae or through the mobile app.

Etihad Rail station rollout timeline:

The national rail network will continue its phased opening across the rest of the emirates over the coming months:

Major changes are coming for the Indian diaspora in the UAE regarding consular services. Under the newly issued Passports (Amendment) Rules from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), global passport application fees are set to increase by up to 75 per cent starting July 1. The fee hike applies globally.

Under the new fee structure, a standard 36-page fresh or reissued passport for adults now costs Dh450, up from Dh285, while a 60-page passport costs Dh630, compared with the previous fee of Dh380.

For Tatkal (urgent) applications, the fees have increased to Dh900 for a 36-page passport and Dh1,080 for a 60-page passport, up from Dh855 and Dh950, respectively.Fees for replacing lost or damaged passports have also increased significantly.

A replacement 36-page passport now costs Dh900 under normal processing and Dh1,350 under the Tatkal service. Meanwhile, a replacement 60-page passport costs Dh1,080 under normal processing and Dh1,530 under Tatkal.

Parents and students, get ready for the grand summer exodus. Schools across the UAE will officially close their doors for the summer holidays on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The summer vacation spans a full eight weeks, giving families plenty of time to travel or enjoy indoor attractions. The new 2026–2027 academic year is officially scheduled to commence on Monday, August 31, 2026.

This update unifies the city's parking grid, bringing areas designated by yellow signboards in line with the blue-sign zones that already operate until midnight. The extended hours apply across the entire emirate, including:

Public parking will remain free on Fridays and official public holidays. However, this exception does not apply to specific, designated 7-day zones where fees are mandatory throughout the week and during holidays.

Running under the vibrant theme "Make it a Dubai Summer," the 60-day festival is organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE). This year promises an action-packed calendar designed to keep both residents and tourists entertained all summer long.

This structural shift will transform how businesses record, report, and monitor commercial transactions. If your business hasn't already partnered with an ASP, treating this July deadline as an operational priority is essential to avoid potential tax reporting disruptions down the road.