In line with the UAE Digital Economy Strategy and the Central Bank of the UAE’s push to build a secure, inclusive and innovation-driven payments ecosystem, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has introduced the region’s first biometric payment solution using facial and palm recognition technologies.

The initiative has been developed through the CBUAE’s Sandbox Programme and Innovation Hub at the Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF), in collaboration with Network International, a leading fintech across the Middle East and Africa.

Proof of concept at Dubai Land Department

Currently in its Proof-of-Concept phase, the biometric payment solution is being demonstrated at the Dubai Land Department, enabling customers to complete payments by authenticating their identity through facial or palm biometrics. The approach removes the need for physical cards or mobile devices, offering a fully contactless payment experience.

The solution is enabled by Network International and powered by PopID, combining biometric authentication with secure payment processing infrastructure.

Read: Murat Cagri Suzer on Network International’s blueprint for an AI-driven cashless society

Commenting on the initiative, Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services at CBUAE and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the EIF, said, “The Central Bank of the UAE reaffirms its commitment to driving innovation and supporting the nation’s digital transformation. The introduction of biometric payment solutions represents a strategic step to delivering more secure and seamless payment experiences, setting new benchmarks for trust and convenience in financial transactions, while aligning with the UAE’s vision of building a world-leading, innovation-driven digital economy.”

Advancing the future of payments

Murat Cagri Suzer, group chief executive officer, Network International, said, “Network International is proud to lead the way in facilitating biometric payments, working closely with the Central Bank of the UAE to build a future-ready payments ecosystem. Biometric payments represent the next frontier in digital commerce, combining convenience, security, and efficiency. We thank the Central Bank of the UAE for their visionary leadership and trusted partnership as we advance the UAE’s position as a global hub for financial innovation and a digital-first economy.”

The pilot reflects the CBUAE’s broader efforts to test emerging payment technologies within controlled environments before potential wider deployment, reinforcing the UAE’s ambition to remain at the forefront of next-generation financial services and digital payments innovation.

Nigel Farage used an appearance in Dubai this week to deliver a familiar message: Britain is in decline and Reform UK is positioning itself as the political force to reverse it.

Farage, the leader of Reform UK, is in the UAE this week as part of a visit that included a closed-door lunch with high-net-worth individuals and a private evening event in Dubai on Tuesday.

He was joined by former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who recently defected to Reform, and property tycoon Nick Candy, a Reform supporter.

Invitations were sent to a select group of expatriates and Emiratis.

“What I’ve noticed is that nearly all of London now lives in Dubai,” Farage told the crowd.

“They fled for a variety of reasons, and one of the reasons is a bloke called Sadiq Khan, who is the Mayor of London. It is a complete disaster. Law and order is collapsing, we’re taxing everybody out of the country,” he said.

Looking ahead, Farage struck a more optimistic note — at least for Reform supporters.

“When we’re in government, some of the Brits will come back to London. At least I hope some of you might come back to London for some of the year,” he said.

Farage described the current moment as a “remarkable period” in British politics.

Reform UK has led opinion polls for much of the past year, although support has softened in recent weeks. YouGov polling shows backing for the party at around 25 per cent, down from highs of 29 per cent. A general election does not need to be held until mid-2029.

‘Massive historical change going on’

His combative, populist style — often compared to that of US President Donald Trump — was on full display in Dubai.

“Unlike the UAE, where you’re booming, we’re in decline. Britain is broken. Nothing works anymore. We’re led by incredibly weak and totally useless and characterless men and women in politics,” Farage told the audience of several hundred.

“There’s a massive historical change going on, and Reform is that historical change. And we’re optimistic. We’re bullish. We know we can turn the situation round, make Britain attractive, make London attractive. And actually, a stronger Britain will be an even better partner for all of you here. It will work for both of us,” he said.

As Reform’s electoral prospects have improved, it has begun to attract senior figures from the Conservative Party. Zahawi, a former chancellor and long-serving Tory, is among the highest-profile defectors.

Zahawi was born in Iraq but fled to the UK as a refugee from Saddam Hussein’s regime. He reportedly spends a significant amount of time in Dubai, where he owns property, according to Bloomberg.

Addressing the same Dubai audience, Zahawi framed his return to frontline politics as a personal reckoning.

“I thought I was long retired from politics, except my wife always suspected, because I remain tax domiciled in the UK, that I wanted to go back into politics. And the choice was very simple, and actually Nigel referred to it when we did our press conference together, which is: you’re either going to fight or you’re going to flee. And I’ve chosen to fight,” Zahawi said.

“We have to fight. We have to reclaim England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Why? Because it matters. And that matters to everybody here. Many of you here, and I’ve spoken to you tonight, have assets in the UK, have businesses in the UK. And I have to tell you, if you put country before party, you will come down to only one conclusion, which I came to, which is that we had to get behind Nigel Farage and Reform to get rid of the shower that is the government,” he said.

Referring to the Labour government that took office in 2024, Zahawi echoed Farage’s argument that Britain is on the wrong trajectory.

“My old party took about 14 years to reach the level of chaos and civil war and civil strife that we’ve seen within the space of 14 months. The country deserves better.”

“Many of you here — and I’ve spoken to you tonight — have assets in the UK, have businesses in the UK,” Zahawi said.

Zahawi’s comments come against the backdrop of growing concern in the UK about high-net-worth individuals leaving the country, following the Labour government’s decision to end non-domicile tax benefits in April 2025.

Under the new rules, the UK moved from an open-ended tax break for non-doms to a four-year window, after which qualifying individuals are taxed on their worldwide income and gains.

Many of those affected have chosen to relocate to the UAE in recent years.

Wealth migration firm Henley & Partners estimates that the UAE recorded a net inflow of 9,800 dollar millionaires in 2025, with collective investable wealth of around $63bn.

By contrast, the UK experienced a net loss of 16,500 high-net-worth individuals last year, collectively holding an estimated £66bn in liquid investable assets, according to Henley & Partners.

Meanwhile, Farage will return to London following a further event, hosted by GB News, on Wednesday 28 January in Dubai.

An Emirates flight from Dubai to Newcastle was diverted to Edinburgh on January 27 after adverse weather conditions disrupted landing operations in northern England, causing a significant delay for passengers.

The Boeing 777-300ER, operating as flight EK35, was scheduled to land at Newcastle International Airport shortly after 11.20am local time. Flight tracking data shows the aircraft circled over the Newcastle and Sunderland area before abandoning its approach and diverting north to Scotland.

According to data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft made two unsuccessful landing attempts before the flight crew activated the 7700 emergency transponder code. The code is a standard aviation signal used to indicate a general emergency or urgent situation and allows air traffic control to prioritise the aircraft and coordinate appropriate responses.

The activation of the 7700 code does not point to a specific issue and can be used in a range of scenarios, including technical concerns, medical situations, or operational challenges linked to weather conditions.

Following the aborted landing attempts, the aircraft diverted to Edinburgh, where it landed safely without further incident. The plane remained on the ground at Edinburgh Airport for approximately two hours before resuming its journey to Newcastle.

The flight eventually arrived at its original destination with a delay of around three hours and 15 minutes.

Read: Emirates plans multi-billion-dirham cabin crew village for 12,000 staff

Dubai has launched the DIFC Zabeel District, a Dhs100bn ($27.23bn) expansion of its financial free zone aimed at doubling the emirate’s financial capacity.

The project was unveiled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who described the expansion as a “key step” in advancing the financial sector both locally and globally.

“Dubai continues to enhance its status as a leading global business and finance hub by launching landmark, futuristic projects,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “In Dubai, we do not wait for change, we make it. We transform dreams into a reality that speaks the language of leadership.”

The new district covers an expansive 7.1 million square foot site with a total gross floor area of 17.7 million square feet.

Once complete, it will allow the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to accommodate over 42,000 companies and a workforce exceeding 125,000 people.

Focus on technology

Central to the expansion is a significant push into emerging technologies. More than one million square feet will be dedicated to future technologies and artificial intelligence, including what officials described as the world’s first purpose-built AI Campus.

The Innovation Hub will triple in scale to meet the needs of 6,000 businesses and 30,000 tech specialists, supported by a new Gaming & Immersive Technologies Hub.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of DIFC, noted that the development aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to double the emirate’s economy by 2033.

“DIFC Zabeel District is a new, strategic step in DIFC’s journey, and a launchpad for a new era of innovation and progress in global finance,” Sheikh Maktoum said.

Masterplan and connectivity

The expansion will consist of six phases, with the first expected to welcome the public in 2030 and the full masterplan slated for completion in 2040. A signature bridge will connect the new Zabeel District to the existing DIFC Gate District.

In addition to financial services, the project integrates education and lifestyle elements:

Essa Kazim, governor of DIFC, stated that the expansion would “fast-track DIFC’s contribution to Dubai’s economic growth” and redefine the financial industry across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, added that the district would “set a new benchmark for integrating work and wellbeing,” serving as a magnet for global talent and powering the next 20 years of growth.

The launch ceremony was attended by senior UAE leadership, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and other senior officials from the DIFC Authority and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

India’s confirmation of new Nipah virus cases has prompted heightened vigilance across parts of Asia, with neighbouring countries tightening health screening measures at airports and land borders as a precautionary response.

Indian health authorities have confirmed two cases of the Nipah virus in the eastern state of West Bengal, both involving healthcare workers who are currently receiving treatment in intensive care. The state borders Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, placing regional authorities on alert amid concerns over cross-border movement.

According to India’s Ministry of Health, 196 individuals who were identified as close contacts of the infected patients have been traced, monitored and tested negative for the virus. Officials said all identified contacts remain asymptomatic, adding that there is currently no indication of wider community transmission.

Airport screenings

In response to the developments, Thailand has begun screening passengers arriving from West Bengal at three international airports that handle direct flights from the region. Nepal has also introduced health checks for arrivals at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, as well as at several land border crossings with India.

The screening measures are largely precautionary and include health declarations, temperature checks and symptom monitoring, reflecting lessons learned during previous global health emergencies. Authorities in both countries have said no positive cases have been detected so far among screened travellers.

The Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals such as fruit bats and pigs to humans, and in some cases through person-to-person contact or contaminated food. The virus is associated with a high fatality rate, estimated to range between 40 per cent and 75 per cent, and there is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment.

The World Health Organization has previously classified Nipah as a priority pathogen due to its epidemic potential and high mortality risk. The incubation period typically ranges from four to 14 days, and symptoms can vary widely. Early signs may include fever, headache, muscle pain and vomiting, while severe cases can progress to respiratory illness or encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can be fatal.

Despite the virus’s severity, Indian health officials have sought to reassure the public and international partners. The health ministry said available data suggest there is no immediate cause for public concern, emphasising that the situation remains under control and that surveillance and containment protocols are firmly in place.

For airlines, travel operators and companies with regional mobility exposure, the episode highlights the continued importance of health risk preparedness and monitoring of cross-border screening requirements, even as global travel continues to normalise.

Read: GCC airlines announce US flight cancellations: What travellers need to know