The National Anti-Drug Agency (UAE) held its 11th Ramadan council in Fujairah to explain why “intellectual fortification of children is the foundation of drug prevention”, and why everyday family habits, from open conversation to safer tech use, can reduce drug risks and behavioural deviation.
Key Takeaways: Drug prevention awareness in Fujairah
- The National Anti-Drug Agency ran its 11th Ramadan council during Ramadan in Fujairah.
- Speakers said the family role in protecting children from drugs starts with dialogue, values, and early awareness.
- Parents were urged to supervise children’s technology and social media use safely, without breaking trust.
Hosted at the majlis of Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Marshadi, Director General of the Fujairah GIS Center and an associate professor at United Arab Emirates University, the session brought together community members for a practical discussion on prevention. Dr. Humaid Jassim Al Zaabi moderated the council, which sits within wider UAE Ministry of Interior efforts that treat Drug Prevention as a shared responsibility, not only an enforcement issue.
The item highlights a UAE community-based prevention approach that frames drug risk reduction as a family and social responsibility, not only law enforcement. It also links youth protection to digital safety and social media monitoring, an increasingly important lifestyle and public-safety issue in the UAE. That is why the council focused on youth awareness programs that start at home, then extend into schools, peer groups, and online spaces.
| Detail | What was stated |
|---|---|
| Event | 11th Ramadan council |
| Theme | “Intellectual fortification of children is the foundation of drug prevention.” |
| Location | Fujairah Emirate, at the host’s majlis |
| Host | Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Marshadi |
| Moderator | Dr. Humaid Jassim Al Zaabi |
| Main focus | Family dialogue and parenting, plus safe monitoring of children’s technology and social media use |
What was discussed at the National Anti-Drug Agency Ramadan council in Fujairah?
Participants returned to one core message: prevention starts before a problem appears. In Fujairah, the council framed “intellectual fortification” as building a child’s ability to question harmful ideas, resist pressure, and recognise risky behaviour early. That includes consistent family dialogue and parenting, clear boundaries, and age-appropriate conversations about choices and consequences.
The speakers also linked prevention to behavioural deviation prevention. The point was simple: when families spot early warning signs, such as sudden secrecy, sharp changes in friends, or risky online behaviour, they can intervene earlier and seek guidance before harm escalates.
How are UAE families advised to protect children from drugs, according to the council?
The council’s guidance focused on what families can control day to day. Parents and guardians can keep communication open, ask direct questions, and listen without turning every conversation into an interrogation. That approach supports Family & Parenting goals by building trust, which makes it more likely children will speak up if they face pressure from peers or encounter suspicious content online.
It also reinforced Community Awareness as a practical tool. When families coordinate with schools, relatives, and trusted community figures, they reduce isolation and improve early detection of harmful patterns. In Fujairah, this community approach aligns with national efforts to keep prevention messages consistent across home, education, and public spaces.
How can parents monitor children’s social media use safely?
The council encouraged safe oversight of technology use, not blanket bans. Parents can set clear rules for screen time, discuss which apps are appropriate, and agree on what “private” means in a family context. The goal is to reduce exposure to harmful content and risky contacts while keeping children comfortable enough to report problems.
This is where Social Media Safety becomes part of prevention. Children can encounter drug promotion, coded language, or risky challenges online. Families can counter that by teaching children how to block and report suspicious accounts, and by keeping regular check-ins that focus on safety rather than punishment.
The council’s message targets families raising children and teenagers, so it does not apply in the same way to adults who make independent choices without parental supervision. It also does not replace the role of schools, healthcare professionals, or law enforcement. Instead, it explains what families can do first, at home, to reduce risk and support early intervention.
It is also not a call for intrusive surveillance. The emphasis stayed on safe, proportionate monitoring that respects a child’s age and maturity, and on building resilience through conversation and values.
Parents can start with one change this week: schedule a calm, regular family conversation about online habits and peer pressure, then agree on simple rules everyone understands. If something feels off, act early and seek trusted guidance. Prevention works best when families, schools, and community institutions move in the same direction, which is exactly what the National Anti-Drug Agency council aimed to reinforce during Ramadan in Fujairah.
Dubai announces Dh34bn Metro expansion with 42km Gold Line
Dubai Metro Gold Line: 42km underground route
Dubai Metro Gold Line plans were announced on April 24, 2026, as part of a Dh34 billion metro expansion in Dubai. Residents and businesses face a major shift in how they move across the city, with a new underground line designed to cut cross-city travel time and ease pressure on busy roads.
Dubai Metro Gold Line: Dh34bn expansion plan
Dubai authorities announced a major Dubai Metro expansion that includes a new 42km Gold Line designed as a fully underground route. The planned line is set to connect 55 major areas across Dubai, running between Al Ghubaiba and Jumeirah Golf Estates, and is designed to serve around 1.5 million residents.
The Gold Line is planned as an underground metro corridor, which means construction and operations are designed to run below street level rather than on elevated tracks. Fully underground metro projects typically rely on tunnel-boring technology to create tunnels with less surface disruption than open-cut digging, while station construction still requires phased works, utility diversions, and traffic management around key sites.
What commuters should expect next
For daily travel in Dubai, the planned Gold Line expands the number of direct journeys and transfer options across the metro network, especially for people travelling between older hubs and newer residential districts. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is the main entity residents will watch for next steps, including route maps, station locations, construction phasing, and any changes around access, traffic diversions, or feeder connections near stations.
| Project detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Expansion value | Dh34 billion |
| Gold Line length | 42km |
| Alignment type | Fully underground |
| Route endpoints | Al Ghubaiba to Jumeirah Golf Estates |
| Coverage | 55 major areas |
| Planned users served | Around 1.5 million residents |
| Announcement date | April 24, 2026 |
- Project value: The Dubai Metro expansion is valued at Dh34 billion.
- Line design: The Dubai Metro Gold Line is planned as a 42km fully underground route.
- Key connection: The route is described between Al Ghubaiba and Jumeirah Golf Estates.
- Coverage target: The plan connects 55 major areas and is designed to serve around 1.5 million residents.
Verify updates through official RTA channels and Dubai Media Office announcements before changing commute plans. Avoid relying on unofficial route maps until station locations and timelines are confirmed.
Parkin signs multi-year Binghatti deal for 1,200 Dubai parking spaces
Parkin to run 1,200 parking spaces at Binghatti sites
Parkin has signed a multi-year parking management deal with Binghatti Holding Ltd to operate around 1,200 parking spaces across selected Binghatti developments in Dubai. A move that aims to make parking accessible and payments more consistent, reducing delays around busy building entrances.
Under the agreement, Parkin will operate a defined portfolio of approximately 1,200 spaces at Binghatti properties in Dubai, according to a statement shared online by Dubai Media Office. The announcement also referenced senior executives, including Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, and Katralnada Binghatti, CEO at Binghatti Holding as having signed the contract for the proposed partnership which includes the deployment of advanced digital parking technologies across the managed Binghatti sites as the programme is rolled out.
A central element of the plan is to incorporate managed parking spaces into the Parkin app, uniting privately operated parking with the digital platform that many drivers already use to find and pay for parking. Practically, this app integration enables clearer parking regulations, more efficient customer support, and standardized operations across multiple locations, replacing isolated, building-specific systems.
In Dubai, where high-density towers and mixed-use developments often strain access roads and drop-off zones, well-managed private parking can significantly ease traffic flow and reduce congestion during peak hours. For Binghatti communities, streamlined parking operations enhance the experience for both tenants and visitors, while Parkin continues to grow its managed parking presence across the city.
Drivers can expect a smoother experience when arriving at participating Binghatti locations, particularly those who previously encountered varying rules across different buildings. With parking spaces now visible in the Parkin app, users can manage everything through one convenient platform instead of juggling multiple building systems.
- Agreement: Multi-year deal between Parkin and Binghatti Holding Ltd
- Scope: Parkin to operate approximately 1,200 parking spaces
- Location: Selected Binghatti developments in Dubai
- Next step: Parking spaces expected to be integrated into the Parkin app
The rollout of Parkin’s parking management operations at selected Binghatti locations is scheduled to begin in Q2 2026, with advanced digital parking technologies introduced as sites come online.
DMCC growth 2025: Free zone adds 2,300+ firms, tops 26,000 members
DMCC adds 2,300+ firms in 2025, tops 26,000 members as tech leads
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) reported strong growth in 2025, adding more than 2,300 companies and taking its total membership to over 26,000. DMCC said the tech cluster has surpassed 4,000 companies, making it the biggest segment by number of firms within the free zone.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), one of Dubai's premier free zones and business districts centered around Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), announced that technology has become its largest business sector. This growth is fueled by emerging clusters in cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence (AI), and gaming. DMCC highlights these developments as part of its broader mission to serve as a global hub connecting trade, technology, and finance from Dubai.
The growth comes from DMCC's cluster model, where companies in the same field join a shared system that includes licensing, community programs, and access to service providers. For example, crypto and digital-asset companies need strong compliance like customer checks and risk controls. AI and gaming companies usually need more engineers and cloud infrastructure.
For the UAE economy, significant annual growth in a major Dubai free zone typically drives increased activity in professional services, including legal, audit, and compliance sectors. It also boosts demand for banking and fintech solutions supporting trade flows. Additionally, this growth accelerates Dubai's efforts to attract foreign direct investment and diversify into the digital economy, complementing its well-established trade and commodities foundation.
For entrepreneurs and international companies, DMCC's growth is closely tied to the functioning of free zones in Dubai. Businesses establish themselves within a regulated free-zone framework, secure licenses through the authority, and leverage Dubai as a hub for regional operations and trade-related services. DMCC’s ecosystem model organizes firms by sector, enabling businesses to easily connect with suppliers, access talent, and obtain specialized support including banking, legal, accounting, and logistics services.
For business owners exploring company formation in Dubai, the key figures highlight both strong competition and exciting opportunities: an increasing number of firms are selecting DMCC, while the ecosystem is expanding in sectors like crypto, AI, and gaming. The crucial next step is to identify the appropriate license category for your business activities and understand the compliance requirements before finalizing your setup timeline.
- Free zone: DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), based in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) area of Dubai, UAE
- 2025 intake: More than 2,300 new companies joined, according to DMCC
- Total membership: Over 26,000 member companies, according to DMCC
- Largest ecosystem: Technology, with more than 4,000 tech companies, according to DMCC
- Key growth drivers: New clusters in crypto, AI and gaming
A growing DMCC membership base drives increased hiring, boosts demand for office space in JLT, and strengthens business for service providers supporting new company formations. The expansion of technology as DMCC's leading ecosystem aligns seamlessly with the UAE’s broader focus on knowledge-based industries such as software, fintech, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and digital trade services.
Nafis salary support up to AED 3,000 outlined as UAE extends programme to 2040
Nafis outlines salary support up to AED 3,000
The UAE has extended the Nafis salary support program until 2040, providing eligible Emiratis working in the private sector with financial assistance of up to AED 3,000. This initiative aims to strengthen incentives for Emiratis to secure and retain jobs outside government roles.
The extended Nafis program now includes a child allowance with no limit on the number of children covered, broadening family support for eligible Emiratis in the private sector. Alongside wage top-ups, the expanded benefits package offers additional family support, emphasizing relief for household expenses.
For Dubai and the wider UAE, this extension through 2040 signals a long-term commitment affecting both employees and employers. Emirati jobseekers can benefit from increased take-home pay, making private-sector opportunities more attractive. Companies benefit by accessing a larger pool of Emirati candidates, aiding recruitment in competitive, fast-growing industries.
A common scenario involves a private-sector employee considering a transition from a government role; the salary top-up helps clarify the financial benefits and reduces the risk of switching jobs. For families, targeted support connects workforce participation with broader social stability objectives.
- Programme: Nafis (extended until 2040)
- Support amount: Salary packages of up to AED 3,000
The Nafis extension to 2040 functions as a comprehensive long-term strategy specifically designed to significantly enhance both the employment opportunities for Emiratis and their retention rates within various private-sector roles across the country. This initiative aims to create sustainable job growth and provide ongoing support for Emirati workers to thrive in the competitive private sector over the coming decades.
DHCA waives late penalties for Dubai Healthcare City renewals
DHCA waives penalties for licence renewals
Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) has introduced Dubai Healthcare City Authority measures, a new economic relief measures for commercial licence renewals, including waivers of reinstatement fees and late renewal penalties for licences renewed between April 1 and June 30, 2026. This initiative helps Dubai Healthcare City businesses reduce compliance costs and improve cash flow by offering instalment payment options.The DHCA’s support package aims to assist partners within Dubai Healthcare City and promote sustainable growth across the healthcare and life sciences sectors. It applies to all commercial licences within the DHCC community, encompassing hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, educational and research institutions, and supporting service providers.Under this relief, businesses renewing their commercial licences during the April to June 2026 period will have reinstatement fees and late penalties waived. Additionally, DHCA offers structured instalment plans for renewal fees, including the acceptance of post-dated cheques, with payment schedules extending until September 30, 2026.Commercial licences are vital for daily operations in Dubai Healthcare City, enabling firms to contract suppliers and maintain service continuity. By eliminating penalty charges during the waiver period and allowing phased payments, DHCA’s measures help businesses avoid escalating fees and manage their licensing status while preserving working capital.Operators who missed their renewal deadlines can use this window to become compliant without incurring reinstatement or late fees and spread renewal payments over an agreed instalment plan extending to the end of September. Businesses are advised to coordinate their finance and compliance deadlines with DHCA and confirm eligibility and payment plan details directly.| Measure | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Waiver of reinstatement fees and late renewal penalties (commercial licences) | Renewals completed April 1 – June 30, 2026 |
| Instalment payment plans for renewal fees (including post-dated cheques) | Payment plans available until September 30, 2026 |
- Authority: Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA)
- Relief offered: Waiver of reinstatement fees and late renewal penalties for eligible commercial licence renewals
- Waiver window: Renewals completed between April 1 and June 30, 2026
- Payment option: Renewal fees can be paid via structured instalments, including post-dated cheques, up to September 30, 2026
Ensure you confirm your commercial licence renewal date and agree on any instalment plans with DHCA before the respective deadlines of June 30 and September 30, 2026.The Dubai Healthcare City Authority measures waiver is positioned as a partner-support measure designed to promote sustainable growth and business continuity across the Dubai Healthcare City ecosystem.
