Rakbank announced on August 24, that Rakbank Islamic customers can buy, sell and hold Bitcoin through Bitpanda’s regulated virtual asset trading platform directly from the Rakbank mobile app.

The new service combines everyday banking with access to virtual assets, allowing customers to access Bitcoin through Rakbank Islamic while transacting directly from their current or savings accounts in UAE dirhams.

Read more: Dubai Duty Free launches Crypto.com Pay across airport stores

As interest in virtual assets continues to grow, customers are increasingly looking for ways to participate through trusted and transparent channels that align with their personal values. Rakbank’s new offering provides customers with a convenient way to access Bitcoin through a banking experience designed around their financial preferences and values.

By removing the need to transfer funds to and from external exchanges, customers can fund transactions directly from their Rakbank Islamic accounts, creating a more seamless experience while avoiding foreign exchange conversion costs.

Through the Rakbank app, customers can access Bitcoin through the Islamic Banking platform, supported by secure infrastructure and the confidence of banking with Rakbank.

Regulated infrastructure

The service is delivered through Bitpanda Broker MENA DMCC, Bitpanda’s Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)-regulated entity, while Rakbank facilitates access through its mobile banking app in accordance with Shari’ah principles.

Vikas Suri, MD, Wholesale Banking Group – Products at Rakbank, said: “At Rakbank, our focus is on making innovation accessible in a way that reflects our customers’ needs, values and aspirations.

“With this launch, Rakbank Islamic banking customers can access Bitcoin directly through the Rakbank mobile app, funded in UAE dirhams and supported by trusted, regulated infrastructure, while maintaining the Islamic values and principles that guide their financial decisions.

“By combining the convenience of everyday banking with responsible access to virtual assets, we are giving customers greater confidence, clarity and control as they explore this emerging asset class.”

Expanding access to virtual assets

The launch reflects growing customer interest in virtual assets and Rakbank’s commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions while maintaining standards of customer protection, transparency and regulatory alignment.

The milestone also positions Rakbank as the first conventional bank with an Islamic banking window to enable access to virtual asset trading through a regulated partner platform, further expanding access to virtual assets through a secure banking experience.

Bitpanda is one of the world’s leading digital asset infrastructure providers and is regulated by multiple European financial authorities. Its institutional technology business, Bitpanda Enterprise, is trusted by leading global financial institutions.

The launch builds on Rakbank’s strategic partnership with Bitpanda and reinforces the bank’s commitment to responsible innovation through trusted, regulated partnerships. By combining virtual asset innovation with the values and principles that underpin Rakbank Islamic, Rakbank continues to expand customer access to emerging financial technologies through a secure, transparent and customer-centric experience.

Al Ansari Exchange, the UAE’s leading remittance and foreign exchange company and a subsidiary of Al Ansari Financial Services, has partnered with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in association with MDX Technology Solutions ME, to make nol Travel Cards available at selected branches across Dubai.

The collaboration expands Al Ansari Exchange’s portfolio of third-party products while giving residents and visitors greater access to Dubai’s integrated mobility payment system through its extensive branch network.

Expanding access across Dubai

Residents and visitors can now purchase nol Travel Cards from selected Al Ansari Exchange branches, distributed through MDX Technology Solutions ME, the RTA-authorised distributor of nol Travel Cards. The move provides an additional point of access to one of Dubai’s most widely used mobility payment solutions.

Read more: RTA reveals major nol system upgrade with new digital payment features

The partnership also supports Al Ansari Exchange’s strategy of developing a connected physical and digital ecosystem, giving customers convenient access to a broader range of everyday financial and lifestyle services.

One card for transport and more

The nol Travel Card enables cashless payments across Dubai’s public transport network, including the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport and public parking. It is also accepted at more than 14,000 retail outlets across the UAE.

Through the nol Pay App, cardholders can additionally access more than 200 lifestyle offers and discounts.

Commenting on the collaboration, Musad Ibrahim Alhammadi, director of Automated Collection Systems at Corporate Technology Support Services Sector, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: “Expanding the availability of nol Travel Cards through strategic collaborations supports RTA’s efforts to make mobility services more accessible across Dubai. Providing additional distribution channels contributes to wider adoption of digital payment solutions and enhances the travel experience for residents and visitors.”

Ali Al Najjar, CEO of Al Ansari Exchange, added: “As customer expectations continue to evolve, we are expanding the role of Al Ansari Exchange beyond traditional financial transactions by bringing together financial, payment and everyday lifestyle services through both our branch network and digital platforms. Making nol Travel Cards available through our branches complements our broader strategy of creating a seamless customer experience while supporting Dubai’s vision for a smart, digitally connected city.”

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has appointed Pedro Uria-Recio as chief AI officer, creating a new executive role to accelerate the bank’s artificial intelligence strategy as part of its Vision 2035 transformation programme.

The appointment underscores ADIB’s ambition to embed AI across its operations to improve customer experience, strengthen risk management, enhance operational efficiency and equip employees with advanced digital tools.

Pedro will lead the next phase of the bank’s AI strategy, focusing on scaling AI responsibly across the organisation while building the governance, infrastructure and internal capabilities needed to support long-term adoption.

The move forms part of ADIB’s Vision 2035, which aims to position the lender as the world’s most innovative Islamic bank by making banking faster, simpler and more personalised.

“Artificial intelligence is not simply a technology initiative; it is one of the principal transformation enablers of our strategy and our ambition to become the world’s most innovative Islamic bank,” said Mohamed Abdelbary, group CEO of ADIB.

“Our objective is to embed AI across ADIB in ways that deliver tangible value: making banking simpler, faster, and more personalised for our customers, giving our colleagues better tools and insights, strengthening decision-making and risk management, and improving the way we operate.”

Abdelbary added that Pedro’s experience in translating AI and data into measurable business outcomes would help accelerate the bank’s AI adoption while maintaining strong governance and accountability.

Pedro joins ADIB with more than two decades of experience in artificial intelligence, data and technology leadership. Most recently, he served as Chief Data & Artificial Intelligence Officer at CIMB Bank in Malaysia, where he led the deployment of generative AI, agentic AI and advanced analytics across the banking group.

He has also held senior leadership positions at True Corporation, Axiata Group and McKinsey & Company, advising organisations on technology, digital transformation and innovation. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a degree in Telecommunications Engineering.

“I am delighted to join ADIB at a defining stage of its transformation,” Pedro said.

“Vision 2035 sets a clear and ambitious direction for the Bank, and AI will be one of the key enablers of delivering that ambition.”

“My focus will be on turning that potential into tangible outcomes for customers, colleagues, and the Bank: deploying AI responsibly at scale, building strong internal capabilities and creating solutions that make banking more intelligent, personalised, and efficient.”

The appointment builds on ADIB’s existing digital banking platform, with the bank saying more than 94 per cent of its transactions are now conducted through digital channels.

ADIB serves more than 2.7 million customers and added 125,000 new customers in the first half of 2026. The bank said continued investments in technology, AI and talent will support the next phase of its growth under Vision 2035.

Dubai Police has urged vehicle owners to settle accumulated traffic fines and keep their registrations up to date, warning that unpaid penalties can result in vehicle impoundment, legal action, heavier financial burdens and the suspension of vehicle-related transactions.

The warning comes as the force steps up its enforcement and public-awareness efforts, with officials also urging families to prepare children mentally and physically for the new academic year.

Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, called on drivers and vehicle owners to regularly review their traffic records and address outstanding fines before they escalate into more serious consequences.

497 vehicles seized over accumulated fines

Suwaidan revealed that field teams from the Traffic Violations Monitoring Department seized 497 vehicles during inspection campaigns in the first half of this year after identifying accumulated traffic fines.

Some of the vehicles had fines running into tens of thousands of dirhams, while several owners had failed to renew their vehicle registrations for years, he said.

Read more: Here’s how many lost items Dubai Police returned in 2025

The official stressed that allowing fines to accumulate and driving vehicles with expired registrations reflects irresponsible behaviour and a disregard for regulations intended to protect lives and property, a Dubai Police media report conveyed.

“Driving an unregistered vehicle poses a serious risk to the safety of both the driver and other road users, especially if the vehicle has not undergone technical inspection to confirm its roadworthiness,” Suwaidan said.

He explained that traffic fines are not simply a mechanism for collecting penalties. They are also intended to deter dangerous driving, discourage repeat violations and strengthen compliance with traffic laws.

Repeated violations, he noted, increase the risks faced by drivers and other road users and can contribute to accidents, fatalities, injuries and material losses.

Suwaidan said Dubai Police would maintain a firm approach to vehicles with accumulated fines and continue inspection campaigns targeting vehicles involved in traffic violations or operating with non-renewed registrations.

He added that leniency in settling fines or leaving a vehicle unregistered does not remove the owner’s legal responsibility.

Dubai Police uses an integrated system of smart technologies to identify wanted vehicles and locate them on roads, in parking areas and in public spaces, helping officers improve enforcement efficiency and take swift legal action.

Police urges owners to act before enforcement

Before taking legal action, the General Department of Traffic contacts vehicle owners through phone calls, text messages and email, urging them to settle outstanding fines and renew their vehicle registrations.

According to Suwaidan, the campaigns are not solely focused on impounding vehicles. They are also designed to raise traffic awareness and encourage greater responsibility among drivers.

He urged vehicle owners to update their contact information with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai so they can receive notifications and alerts about fines.

Drivers are also encouraged to check their traffic records regularly instead of allowing penalties to build up until they become difficult to pay.

Dubai Police provides several channels for checking and paying fines around the clock, including its smart app, website, self-service kiosks and Smart Police Stations (SPS).

Vehicle owners can also use flexible instalment options to manage outstanding traffic fines, including through the Dubai Police app, the “Tabby” service and interest-free instalment arrangements offered in cooperation with authorised entities.

“These options help vehicle owners manage their financial obligations, settle accumulated fines, and avoid the legal and financial consequences of delayed payment,” Suwaidan said.

Dubai Police turns attention to children ahead of new school year

The force’s wider public-safety messaging also extends to families, with the Child and Woman Protection Department at Dubai Police’s General Department of Human Rights urging parents to prepare children mentally and regulate their sleeping schedules ahead of the new academic year.

The department said advance preparation and consistent sleep routines can help children transition more smoothly into school, strengthen their self-confidence and give them a greater sense of safety and reassurance.

“Advance preparation helps ease back-to-school anxiety, especially for children starting a new learning experience or transitioning to a different educational stage,” the department said. “Positive conversations with children about what to expect at school also help them feel more confident and reassured about their school day.”

Parents were advised to gradually adjust children’s bedtimes and wake-up times before classes begin so that their routines align with the school schedule. Creating a calm sleeping environment and ensuring children receive adequate rest were also highlighted as important steps.

The department added that encouraging children, listening to their concerns and reinforcing their confidence in their ability to manage the school day can help them begin the academic year with a positive mindset.

Taken together, the latest messages from Dubai Police underline the importance of preparation and responsibility, whether on the road or at home. For vehicle owners, that means addressing fines and registration requirements before enforcement action is taken. For parents, it means helping children establish healthy routines and feel prepared for the return to school.

Suwaidan ultimately urged drivers to make traffic compliance a lasting habit, stressing that settling fines is a legal responsibility, while avoiding violations in the first place remains the best way to protect lives, property and safety on Dubai’s roads.

The UAE is set for a hot but increasingly unsettled stretch of weather, with convective cloud formation expected over parts of the country and chances of rainfall developing across eastern and southern areas through the week.

According to the National Center of Meteorology’s weather bulletin for Monday, August 24, conditions will be fair to partly cloudy, while convective clouds may develop eastward during the afternoon and could be associated with rainfall.

The weather pattern comes as the country remains under the influence of an extension of a surface low-pressure system from the east, accompanied by an extension of an upper-air low-pressure system.

Read more: Unusual weather system to bring clouds and rain to UAE

Temperatures will remain high, particularly across internal areas, where maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 44°C and 48°C. Coastal areas and islands are expected to see highs of between 38°C and 43°C, while temperatures in mountainous areas will range from 33°C to 37°C.

Minimum temperatures will range from 30°C to 34°C along the coast and islands, 28°C to 32°C inland, and 25°C to 30°C in mountainous areas.

Humid nights and breezier conditions

Humidity is expected to increase overnight and into Tuesday morning over some coastal areas.

Maximum relative humidity could reach between 70 and 90 per cent across coastal areas and islands, compared with 60 to 80 per cent inland and 65 to 85 per cent in the mountains.

Winds on Monday will generally remain light to moderate, although they may freshen at times. Southeasterly to northeasterly winds are expected across the country, generally travelling at 10 to 25 km/hr.

Wind speeds could reach 35 km/hr across coastal and internal areas and as much as 40 km/hr in mountainous locations.

Sea conditions are forecast to remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

Rain chances expand on Tuesday

The possibility of rainfall is expected to become more widespread on Tuesday, August 25.

Conditions will again be fair to partly cloudy, but convective clouds are forecast to form over eastern and southern areas during the afternoon, with rainfall possible.

Southeasterly to northeasterly winds will remain light to moderate but could freshen at times in association with cloud activity. Wind speeds will range from 10 to 25 km/hr and could reach 40 km/hr.

The stronger gusts may also cause blowing dust.

Despite the more unsettled conditions over land, seas are expected to remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea.

Stronger winds and wider rainfall chances by midweek

Wednesday and Thursday could bring the most active weather of the forecast period.

On Wednesday, August 26, convective clouds are expected to develop over eastern and southern areas during the afternoon and extend towards some internal locations.

Rainfall may accompany the cloud formation.

Winds are also forecast to strengthen, with southeasterly to northeasterly winds blowing at 15 to 30 km/h and reaching up to 45 km/h at times.

Fresh to strong winds associated with clouds could cause blowing dust and sand, potentially making conditions noticeably more unsettled in affected areas.

A similar pattern is expected on Thursday, August 27, with fair to partly cloudy skies overall but convective cloud development again forecast across eastern and southern areas before extending towards parts of the interior.

Rainfall will remain possible, while winds could once again reach 45 km/h and generate blowing dust and sand.

Sea conditions, however, are expected to remain slight in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea on both days.

Conditions ease slightly towards Friday

By Friday, August 28, the chance of convective cloud formation is expected to become more focused over eastern areas.

The day will remain fair to partly cloudy, with convective clouds possible eastward during the afternoon.

Winds will initially be southeasterly before becoming northwesterly, with speeds of 10 to 25 km/h and gusts reaching 40 km/hr.

Freshening winds associated with clouds may continue to raise blowing dust in some areas.

The Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea are again forecast to remain slight.

Overall, the five-day outlook points to a continuation of intense late-August heat alongside increasingly active afternoon cloud development, particularly across the east and south, with rainfall chances extending into some internal areas during the middle of the week.