Sharjah Airport has announced the gradual resumption of flight operations on Saturday morning following widespread weather-related disruptions that affected air traffic across the UAE over the past several hours.

Adverse weather conditions, including dense fog and periods of strong winds, forced operational adjustments at the airport, leading to the cancellation of six flights and the diversion or rescheduling of 21 others to alternative airports, according to a report by the Emirates News Agency (WAM). The measures were taken to ensure the safety of passengers and flight crews amid fluctuating weather conditions.

Read more-New routes, more flights: How UAE-based airlines are reshaping connectivity

The airport confirmed that its operational activities are continuing, with specialised teams actively working to address delays and reorganise flight schedules in close coordination with airlines. Officials said weather developments are being closely monitored, and necessary measures are being implemented in line with approved safety standards.

Sharjah Airport also urged passengers to stay informed about their travel plans by checking flight statuses through the airport’s official website, airline applications, or by contacting their respective carriers directly, noting that weather-related changes may still occur.

Weather forecast signals continued caution

The disruptions come as the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) had on February 7, forecast unstable weather conditions across parts of the UAE over the coming days.

According to the NCM, humid mornings, partly cloudy skies and a chance of rainfall are expected from Saturday, February 8, through Wednesday, February 11. Morning humidity and possible mist are likely on several days, particularly over coastal, western and internal areas, potentially reducing visibility during early hours.

Cloud cover is expected to increase at times, with a chance of rain over islands and some coastal, northern and eastern regions, especially on Saturday night, Sunday and Tuesday. Temperatures are forecast to rise through Monday before easing slightly over coastal and western areas by Tuesday.

Winds will generally be light to moderate but may freshen at times and shift in direction. Sea conditions are expected to range from slight to moderate, becoming rough at times in the Arabian Gulf, particularly in northern areas.

The NCM has urged residents to exercise caution during misty conditions and advised sea-goers to remain vigilant during periods of stronger winds.

Adani Enterprises said on Tuesday that a US agency is conducting a civil investigation into the company’s transactions that may have involved Iran or parties subject to US sanctions.

The flagship firm of billionaire Gautam Adani-led group said it received a request for information from the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on February 4, following voluntary discussions over a Wall Street Journal report from June 2025 that alleged Adani-linked firms imported Iranian liquefied petroleum gas into India using shipping routes that may have been designed to evade US sanctions.

WSJ had also said in the report that Gautam Adani was trying to get US President Donald Trump’s administration to drop bribery charges against him in a separate case.

At the time of the report, Adani Enterprises had strongly denied “any deliberate engagement” in sanctions evasion or trade involving Iranian-origin liquefied petroleum gas.

On Tuesday, the firm said it had “proactively and voluntarily” initiated discussions with OFAC over allegations raised in the media report, adding that the US agency had indicated that it is conducting a civil investigation into certain company transactions processed through US financial institutions that may have involved, directly or indirectly, Iran or parties subject to U.S. sanctions.

Adani Enterprises said the OFAC communication did not include any findings of violations or non-compliance and that it does not expect any financial impact from the matter.

The company said that it had stopped all liquefied petroleum gas imports from June 2 last year and that LPG accounted for 1.46 per cent of its revenue in fiscal 2025.

Shares of the company, which fell more than 3 per cent after the disclosure, came off lows to trade 0.3 per cent lower by 12:15 p.m. IST.

The Adani group has been under sustained scrutiny since early 2023, when US short seller Hindenburg Research accused it of stock manipulation and accounting irregularities, allegations the conglomerate has denied.

The group has since faced heightened regulatory, legal and market pressure, including U.S. prosecutors examining separate foreign bribery allegations.

Nasdaq Dubai has welcomed the listing of a $500m bond issued by Arab Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade (Al Masraf), marking the bank’s debut in the international debt capital markets and further reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for fixed-income issuances.

Issued under Al Masraf’s $5bn Medium Term Note (EMTN) Programme, the five-year bond matures on 29 January 2031 and carries a coupon of 5.113 per cent per annum, equivalent to a credit spread of 125 basis points over US Treasuries. The issuance attracted strong investor demand, with the order book peaking at more than $1.3bn, representing an oversubscription of 2.6 times.

The transaction drew interest from a broad base of regional and international investors, including global fund managers, banks, private banks, pension funds and insurance companies. The mandate for the issuance was announced on 16 January, with pricing completed on 22 January following a series of investor meetings held across Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the UAE.

Rated ‘A’ by Fitch Ratings, the bond is listed on both Nasdaq Dubai and the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market.

To mark the listing, Fuad Mohamed, CEO of Al Masraf, rang the market-opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai alongside Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM), and senior representatives from both organisations.

Fuad Mohamed, CEO of Al Masraf, stated: “The strong investor demand, reflects the investors’ belief in Al Masraf’s renewed strategic direction, reinforced management, and the positive strides on financial metrics over the last 12 months. Our capital market debut in the Bank’s Golden Jubilee year allows us to penetrate the international markets and reach out to a diverse investor base while at the same time reinvigorates the relations with our esteemed regional partners.”

Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and DFM, said: “Al Masraf’s debut bond listing reflects strong and sustained investor confidence in high-quality regional issuers and underscores the continued development of the UAE’s debt capital markets. The strong response to this issuance reflects the quality of the credit and the continued appeal of Dubai as a venue for international debt listings, reinforcing the role of Dubai’s markets in supporting regional issuers’ access to global capital.”

Nasdaq Dubai currently hosts more than $147.3bn in outstanding debt securities, reflecting the scale and diversity of sovereign, financial institution and corporate issuers accessing Dubai’s international debt capital markets.

Read: Majid Al Futtaim lists $500m Sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

Ajman is taking a bold step toward becoming a fully smart city with the launch of an automated system for issuing residential villa building permits for UAE nationals.

The Municipality and Planning Department – Ajman (MPDA) unveiled the initiative this week, which aims to streamline construction procedures, improve service quality, and enhance engineering outputs across the Emirate.

The move aligns with Ajman Vision 2030, which seeks to transform the city into a modern, attractive, and high-quality environment for residents and investors alike, according to a report by WAM.

Read more-Robots to build homes next? Dubai launches world’s-first villa challenge

Under the new mechanism, five-star-rated engineering offices are authorised to approve architectural and structural plans directly, without prior review by MPDA engineers. While approvals will now be faster, post-audit inspections will continue to ensure compliance with local building codes and technical standards, ensuring that speed does not compromise safety or quality.

Dr Eng Mohammed Ahmed bin Omair Al Muhairi, executive director of MPDA’s Infrastructure Development Sector, emphasized the goal of the initiative: “This system is designed to enhance the citizen journey and significantly reduce the time required to issue building permits.”

MPDA has initially selected eight five-star-rated engineering offices to participate. These offices were chosen based on their strong professional track records and consistent adherence to technical standards. “These offices will serve as role models, encouraging others to improve performance and join future expansion phases of the automated issuance mechanism,” Al Muhairi added.

Four pillars of the initiative

According to Al Muhairi, the program rests on four strategic pillars:

1. Smart transformation and streamlined procedures, leveraging technology to reduce bureaucracy.
2. Enhanced service quality and customer satisfaction, creating a faster, more efficient experience for citizens.
3. Improved technical performance and engineering output quality, maintaining high standards across all projects.
4. Partnership with the private engineering sector, fostering collaboration to support sustainable urban development.

“These pillars are essential to modernising Ajman’s infrastructure while ensuring that quality and safety remain top priorities,” he said.

Building a smart city through public-private collaboration

Eng Ahmed Sultan Al Nuaimi, acting director of the Buildings Department, highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative. “This effort reflects Ajman’s commitment to building a smart city that meets residents’ needs efficiently,” he said.

Al Nuaimi also noted the importance of collaboration between government and private sectors: “The initiative strengthens public-private partnerships based on trust and shared responsibility, ensuring that high-quality services are consistently delivered.”

The first phase of the programme specifically targets five-star-rated engineering offices, citizens who own residential villas, and government entities involved in the construction sector. By focusing on these key stakeholders, MPDA hopes to create a streamlined system that can be gradually expanded to include more offices and projects in the future.

Faster permits, higher quality

Experts say that automating the permit process through trusted engineering offices can have a transformative effect on Ajman’s construction landscape. Not only does it reduce waiting times for approvals, but it also ensures technical rigor is maintained through post-audit reviews.

Industry observers have praised the initiative as a model for other emirates. By combining digital transformation with professional accountability, Ajman is positioning itself as a hub for modern, efficient, and sustainable residential development.

Residents are expected to experience smoother, faster approvals, giving them more confidence to invest in new properties or upgrade existing villas. This approach also benefits the engineering offices themselves, offering them a greater role in shaping the emirate’s built environment.

Looking ahead: Expansion and continuous improvement

The MPDA plans to monitor the first phase closely, collecting feedback from citizens, engineering offices, and government entities. This data will inform further enhancements and potential expansion phases.

“The success of this initiative depends on continuous improvement, transparent auditing, and close collaboration with our private sector partners,” Al Muhairi explained.

By fostering a culture of efficiency, accountability, and innovation, Ajman aims to deliver on its Vision 2030 promise: a modern emirate where residents enjoy a high quality of life, and construction projects are handled with both speed and excellence.

Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), the governing body of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), has reported another year of sustained growth, underpinned by strong expansion activity across its healthcare ecosystem. During the year, 27 per cent of existing business partners expanded their operations, with nearly one in three choosing to upsize within the district.

The expansion reflects rising confidence in DHCC as a long-term destination for healthcare, wellness and related investment. Over the past year, the number of active facilities operating across DHCC increased to 487, while the workforce expanded by 30 per cent to reach 12,941 professionals.

Investor momentum also strengthened, with new projects rising 26 per cent year-on-year, reinforcing DHCC’s role in supporting Dubai’s ambition to become a world-class healthcare hub under the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.

The announcement coincides with Dubai Healthcare City’s participation at World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai 2026, where the ecosystem is being showcased against the backdrop of growing global demand for integrated healthcare destinations.

Issam Galadari, CEO of Dubai Healthcare City Authority, said: “The scale of expansion we are seeing across Dubai Healthcare City is a clear indicator of confidence in the fundamentals of the ecosystem. When nearly one in three business partners choose to grow within DHCC, it reflects sustained demand, long-term commitment and the strength of our value proposition as an integrated healthcare destination. This momentum is being translated into tangible development across both phases, positioning DHCC for its next stage of growth.”

Phase 1: Integrated clusters drive Dhs1.3bn development plan

As part of its previously announced Dhs1.3bn development plan for Phase 1, DHCA is advancing the next stage through the launch of two integrated clusters.

The first cluster, spanning 21,110 square metres, introduces a residential-led environment featuring standard residences, branded residences and co-living spaces. These will be complemented by retail and convenience amenities designed to create a vibrant, community-focused setting.

The second cluster, covering 15,150 square metres, will form the commercial and healthcare core, bringing together medical offices, clinics and corporate spaces alongside retail offerings tailored to healthcare professionals, patients and visitors.

Phase 1 also includes several anchor projects. Among them is Pixel DHCC, the district’s first LEED Platinum-certified office building, designed by P&T Architects and Engineers, offering 13,000 square metres of flexible office space with ground-floor commercial units.

Another key development is Ibn Sina+ DHCC, a purpose-built medical complex and advanced extension to the existing Ibn Sina medical complex. Designed by Dubai-based Design and Architecture Bureau (DAR) and spanning 5,800 square metres, the facility will be connected via a seamless walkway and will house surgical, diagnostic, outpatient and medical office facilities.

Supporting infrastructure across Phase 1 includes multi-storey car parks with electric vehicle charging, Salik-integrated smart parking and full accessibility features to enhance mobility and ease of access.

Phase 2: Dhs5.4bn pipeline gains momentum

Development across DHCC Phase 2 continues to progress at pace, with 58 per cent of projects now committed, representing total investment of Dhs5.4bn. As of January 2026, infrastructure delivery across Phase 2 has reached up to 80 per cent, reflecting strong execution momentum.

Key projects include Ketura by Ritz-Carlton, Kempinski Residence and Dubai Creek Garden by Global Partners, a landmark residential masterplan spanning 127,000 square metres. Healthcare developments include Asan Medical Center – Gastroenterology Specialized Hospital, Prime Heart and Lung Specialized Hospital, Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital, as well as the expansion of the Swiss Scientific School.

As Phase 2 infrastructure moves towards completion in 2026, DHCC remains focused on enabling investment, advancing medical innovation and supporting Dubai’s vision for a resilient, diversified and knowledge-based economy.

Read: From policy to patients: How the UAE is scaling healthcare innovation at WHX 2026