Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with the Dubai Road Naming Committee, has announced the renaming of Al Faghi Street in Al Khawaneej to Sheikh Zayed Farm Street, recognising the site’s historic role in the formation of the UAE.

The decision highlights the national importance of Sheikh Zayed Farm, a landmark closely linked to the country’s founding journey. According to a WAM report, the site was declared the UAE’s third union site by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, alongside Union House and Arqoob Al Sedira.

Officials said the designation reflects the location’s national symbolism and honours the historic meetings held there during the crucial stages leading to the establishment of the Union.

Site played major role in UAE’s founding journey

Sheikh Zayed Farm holds deep historical significance in the UAE’s modern history. In March 1971, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan stayed at the farm for nearly two weeks, where he held a series of meetings and discussions with the Rulers of the emirates.

Those meetings marked a major step toward the formation of the Union and helped pave the way for the signing of the Union Agreement and Constitution in July 1971.

The renaming initiative aligns with Dubai’s wider efforts to preserve and commemorate locations of national and cultural importance. Authorities said linking roads and urban landmarks to sites tied to the nation’s heritage helps strengthen national identity and keeps the UAE’s history alive for future generations.

Today, Sheikh Zayed Farm remains one of the UAE’s most prominent national landmarks, symbolising unity, authenticity and the vision of the Founding Fathers. The site continues to reflect the values that helped shape the UAE into a global model for development, stability and quality of life.

In a major move aimed at enhancing regional trade and streamlining cargo movement, the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, in cooperation with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, has announced a new exemption from truck toll gate fees for cargo vehicles arriving from the Sultanate of Oman and operating within approved logistics corridor routes across the Emirate of Sharjah.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the logistics corridor linking Sharjah’s ports and border crossings with Oman while reinforcing supply chain resilience and operational efficiency across the UAE, a WAM report said.

Under the new measure, cargo trucks entering through the Khatmat Malaha and Al Madam border crossings will be exempt from truck toll gate fees, provided the shipments comply with the initiative’s approved conditions and routes.

Officials said the move is designed to facilitate the smooth movement of goods, reduce operational costs for transport companies and clients, and improve the overall efficiency of logistics services operating across the country.

Strategic crossings to drive faster cargo movement

Authorities highlighted the strategic advantages offered by both border crossings, noting that their locations play a key role in accelerating trade and cargo operations between the UAE and Oman.

Khatmat Malaha border crossing, in particular, benefits from its close proximity to the Port of Sohar in Oman, located roughly 70 kilometres away. Officials said this significantly shortens cargo transit times and supports faster movement of goods between the two countries.

The crossing is also connected to a comprehensive network of highways linking ports, free zones, industrial areas and commercial hubs throughout the UAE. This connectivity is expected to further improve nationwide supply chain efficiency and support seamless freight movement across the Emirates.

Meanwhile, the Al Madam border crossing continues to gain importance due to its strategic position at the intersection of major transport corridors. The location enables efficient access to both land and maritime transport networks, helping facilitate imports, exports and re-exports throughout the wider region.

Its direct connection to the Wilayat of Mahdha in Oman’s Al Buraimi Governorate further strengthens its role as a key logistics gateway between the two countries.

Officials also noted that the importance of the crossing is likely to grow alongside the continued expansion of the Al Rawdah Economic Zone, which is expected to enhance integration between industrial and commercial sectors while boosting connectivity between regional markets.

UAE customs authorities stress supply chain resilience

The General Administration of Customs and Ports Security at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) said the latest facilitation measure reflects the UAE’s wider strategy of strengthening operational readiness and building resilient supply chains capable of adapting to changing market conditions.

In a statement, the Administration said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to introduce practical and proactive solutions that ensure the uninterrupted flow of trade and cargo movement between the UAE and Oman.

“The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to introduce practical solutions designed to maintain the smooth flow of trade and goods movement between the two brotherly nations under various circumstances and market conditions,” the Administration said.

Officials added that the UAE Customs sector remains committed to working closely with strategic partners and regional and international entities to develop integrated facilitation systems that support global trade flows and reinforce supply chain resilience.

The Administration also emphasised that such measures align with the UAE’s broader vision of transforming challenges into opportunities through smart and innovative trade solutions.

“These efforts contribute to consolidating the UAE’s position as a regional and global trade hub while enhancing its economic competitiveness at both the regional and international levels,” the statement added.

Cost savings and operational gains expected

Industry stakeholders are expected to benefit significantly from the exemption, particularly companies operating across the transport, logistics and freight sectors.

Officials said the removal of toll gate fees will help reduce transportation costs, shorten delivery times and improve operational performance for cargo operators moving goods through the designated logistics corridors.

The facilitation measure also builds on a broader package of incentives and logistics services already introduced under Sharjah’s logistics corridor framework.

These measures include accelerating customs procedures and enabling cargo clearance processes to be completed directly at border crossings, helping companies reduce waiting times and improve overall operational efficiency.

Authorities said the combined initiatives are intended to create a more responsive and competitive logistics ecosystem capable of supporting increasing regional and international trade demand.

Sharjah strengthens position as regional logistics hub

The latest initiative further underscores Sharjah’s growing role as a strategic logistics and trade centre within the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

Officials said the measure reflects strong coordination between infrastructure authorities, customs bodies and transport entities across the emirate, supporting efforts to build an integrated transport and logistics environment that can respond effectively to evolving trade requirements.

The Administration also praised the level of customs and trade cooperation between the UAE and the Sultanate of Oman, highlighting its role in supporting bilateral trade growth and advancing the GCC Customs Union framework.

Analysts say the move is expected to strengthen trade connectivity between the two countries while supporting broader regional efforts to enhance supply chain integration and logistics competitiveness.

As regional trade volumes continue to rise and demand for faster cargo movement grows, the latest toll exemption initiative positions Sharjah as an increasingly important gateway for freight and logistics operations linking the UAE with Oman and beyond.

The Gulf’s aviation sector witnessed a flurry of major developments in May 2026, as regional carriers unveiled ambitious network expansions while Bahrain imposed urgent travel restrictions in response to an escalating Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.

In Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways officially launched its inaugural direct service to Salalah on May 21, marking a significant expansion of the UAE carrier’s regional network and strengthening tourism ties between the UAE and Oman.

Announcing the new route, Etihad said the year-round service will initially operate with two weekly flights before increasing to five flights per week from June 15, to align with Oman’s famous Khareef season, when Salalah’s mountains and coastline transform into lush green landscapes that attract thousands of visitors from across the Gulf each year.

The launch represents Etihad’s second destination in Oman, complementing its long-standing Muscat operations, which celebrate 20 years in 2026, a WAM report said.

“Launching services to Salalah marks an exciting new chapter in Etihad’s commitment to strengthening connectivity to Oman,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways.

“For 20 years now, our operations to Muscat have played an important role in connecting communities and cultures, and this new route builds on that proud history,” he added.

Neves described Salalah as “a truly unique destination,” highlighting its beaches, cultural heritage and seasonal greenery during the Khareef months.

The airline said the route is expected to provide travellers from Abu Dhabi and passengers across Etihad’s wider international network with a quick summer getaway option, with flight times taking less than two hours.

flydubai expands African network with Libya return

Just one week earlier, on May 14, Dubai-based carrier flydubai announced another significant regional development with the launch of direct flights to Benghazi, Libya.

The airline will begin operations to Benghazi Benina International Airport on June 17, 2026, becoming the first UAE carrier to operate direct flights between Dubai and Libya’s second-largest city.

Flights will depart from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, further strengthening aviation links between the UAE and North Africa at a time when Gulf carriers continue expanding into underserved markets.

The new route will also improve access for Libyan travellers connecting through Dubai to flydubai’s broader international network.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO at flydubai, said the move reflects the airline’s continued expansion strategy amid rising travel demand.

“The launch of our new operations to Libya marks another milestone in our network expansion strategy and reinforces our commitment to opening underserved markets and establishing new air links between countries,” Al Ghaith said.

“We have recently been scaling up our operations with a continued focus on adding new routes and frequencies as travel demand increases, and by the summer, our network is expected to grow to more than 100 destinations,” he added.

With Benghazi joining the network, flydubai’s East and North Africa footprint has now expanded to 13 destinations.

Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional SVP of Commercial Operations at flydubai, said the airline remains focused on strengthening its African operations.

“We are pleased to announce the launch of flights to Benghazi, further expanding our network in Africa,” he said.

The airline also confirmed that it has resumed operations across most destinations in its network over recent weeks, including routes across the GCC, the Middle East, Europe and Russia.

In addition, flydubai said seasonal summer operations to popular leisure destinations such as Bodrum, Dubrovnik, Mykonos, Santorini and Tivat are scheduled to restart from 22nd May 2026 as travel demand rises ahead of the peak holiday season.

Bahrain imposes Ebola-linked travel restrictions

While Gulf airlines continued expanding regional connectivity, Bahrain moved swiftly this week to tighten border controls amid growing health concerns linked to an Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.

On May 19, 2026, Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) announced the temporary suspension of entry for non-Bahraini travellers arriving from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

The restrictions took immediate effect on Tuesday, May 19, following updated guidance issued by the World Health Organisation regarding the worsening Ebola situation in the affected countries.

According to a statement carried by Bahrain News Agency, the suspension applies not only to passengers travelling directly from the three African nations but also to travellers who had visited those countries within 30 days prior to arriving in Bahrain.

Bahraini citizens returning from the affected countries will still be permitted entry but will undergo approved health protocols upon arrival at Bahrain International Airport.

Authorities said entry procedures at the airport have already been updated to strengthen health screening measures and ensure compliance with public safety requirements.

The Civil Aviation Affairs stressed that all travellers must comply with instructions issued by relevant authorities and confirmed that the suspension measures would remain in place for 30 days from 19th May, subject to continuous review depending on developments surrounding the outbreak.

Officials also noted that the list of affected countries could be revised if the Ebola situation changes in the coming weeks.

The move underscores how regional governments continue balancing aggressive tourism and aviation growth with heightened health and safety vigilance as international travel volumes rise across the Middle East ahead of the busy summer season.

Q Mobility has announced revised Darb toll gate fees, parking regulations and customer service timings for the Eid Al Adha holiday in Abu Dhabi, with several services set to operate free of charge during the festive period.

According to the company, Darb toll gate fees at Sas Al Nakhl, Al Maqta’, Rabdan and Al Saadiyat will be suspended from Monday, May 25 until Friday, May 29, 2026.

Regular toll charges will resume on Saturday May 30, 2026 under the approved schedule.

Read more-Dubai’s Salik, Parkin fees to increase with 5% VAT rollout

However, toll fees at the Al Qurm and Ghantout gates will continue operating around the clock throughout the holiday period, with motorists required to pay Dhs4 per crossing, according to a WAM report.

Free public parking during holiday

Q Mobility also confirmed that public parking across Abu Dhabi, excluding multi-storey parking facilities, will be free from Monday, May 25, until Friday May 29, 2026.

Standard parking tariffs will resume on Saturday, May 30, 2026 in line with approved regulations. The company added that multi-storey parking fees will remain applicable 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to standard tariff rates.

The announcement is expected to ease movement for residents and visitors travelling across the emirate during the Eid Al Adha break, one of the busiest holiday periods of the year.

Customer centres to close temporarily

Regarding customer services, Q Mobility said Driver Licensing Centres in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, including the main Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre in Al Ain City, will remain closed from Monday May 25, until Sunday, May 31, 2026.

Operations at the centres are scheduled to resume on Monday, June 1, 2026 during regular business hours.

The company also confirmed that digital services will continue to operate 24/7 through its official platforms, including the website, the Darb application and the TAMM platform.

Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company (IHC) has executed a Dhs110m ($30m) transaction using DDSC on ADI Chain.

International Holding Company said the transaction was carried out on ADI Chain, an institutional Layer-2 blockchain developed by ADI Foundation, using DDSC, a UAE dirham-backed stablecoin.

The company said the transfer validates the operational readiness, scalability and resilience of the DDSC ecosystem as it moves from development into live deployment.

DDSC was launched following approval from the Central Bank of the UAE and is the result of a collaboration between IHC, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Sirius International Holding, with infrastructure support from ADI Foundation.

IHC said the system is designed to support secure, compliant and efficient digital transactions for institutions, businesses and individuals, enabling value transfer and settlement across global markets.

The company said the latest transaction demonstrates the capability of the infrastructure to handle high-value and high-frequency financial flows, including cross-border payments, treasury operations and trade settlement.

“The UAE’s digital infrastructure is live, resilient, and ready to support real institutional financial activity,” said Syed Basar Shueb, chief executive of IHC.

He said the execution of Dhs110m in DDSC on ADI Chain signals a shift toward institutional-grade digital assets being operational at scale, not just theoretical use cases.

IHC said the milestone comes amid rising demand for faster, more transparent and compliant alternatives to traditional payment systems, particularly in emerging markets where cost and operational complexity remain challenges.

The company said the focus will now shift to broader institutional participation, expanded use cases and the development of cross-border payment and trade corridors linking the Middle East with global markets.

Read: IHC Q1 2026 profit nearly doubles on investment gains, portfolio growth