Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially launched the commercial operations of autonomous taxis in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, marking a major milestone in the emirate’s push toward smart mobility.

The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Apollo Go and WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), both globally recognised leaders in autonomous driving technologies, a WAM report said.

Read more-UAE begins mapping air corridors for air taxis, cargo drones

WeRide vehicles are now accessible to the public via the Uber app, while Tawasul Transport oversees fleet management and daily operations. Meanwhile, Apollo Go, a subsidiary of Baidu, is offering its services through the Apollo Go app, working alongside Dubai Taxi Company to support local operations.

Smart mobility vision in action

The rollout reflects Dubai’s broader strategy to adopt cutting-edge transport solutions and translate ambitious mobility goals into tangible, real-world initiatives.

Officials say the move strengthens Dubai’s position as a global hub for autonomous driving innovation, supported by advanced infrastructure, a clear strategic roadmap, and highly developed smart systems.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to shaping the future of mobility,” the RTA said in a statement, underscoring the importance of innovation in public transport.

The initiative also aligns with the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to transform a significant portion of journeys in the city into autonomous trips in the coming years.

Residents and visitors in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, two of Dubai’s most vibrant coastal neighbourhoods, can now book autonomous rides seamlessly through either the Uber app or the Apollo Go app.

The first phase of deployment includes 100 autonomous taxis integrated into Dubai’s transport network. Authorities have confirmed that the fleet will gradually expand in response to rising demand and continued technological advancements.

High safety standards and advanced technology

Prior to the launch, the autonomous vehicles underwent extensive operational trials across designated roads in Dubai. These tests were designed to evaluate system performance and ensure readiness under real traffic conditions, adhering to the highest safety standards.

The vehicles operate using an advanced ecosystem powered by artificial intelligence, high-definition mapping, and deep learning algorithms. This enables real-time decision-making and smooth navigation through complex urban environments.

Autonomous taxis are capable of interacting safely with dynamic traffic scenarios, including intersections, traffic signals, pedestrians, and surrounding vehicles — all while fully complying with road regulations.

According to officials, the system is backed by significant global experience, with fleets collectively logging over 150 million kilometres of safe driving and completing more than 10 million autonomous trips worldwide.

“This proven track record has been instrumental in developing scalable and reliable solutions for commercial deployment,” the statement added.

Fuel prices in the UAE are set to rise significantly in April 2026, with sharp increases across all petrol categories and diesel.

According to figures reported by Al Bayan, the revised rates will come into effect from April 1.

• Super 98 petrol will increase to Dhs3.39 per litre, up from Dhs2.59 in March.
• Special 95 petrol will rise to Dhs3.28 per litre, compared to Dhs2.48 previously.
• E-Plus 91 petrol will cost Dhs3.20 per litre, up from Dhs2.40.
• Diesel has recorded the steepest jump, climbing to Dhs4.69 per litre from Dhs2.72 in March.

The increases mark a sharp month-on-month rise in fuel costs, reflecting heightened pressures in global energy markets.

The UAE adjusts fuel prices monthly in line with international oil benchmarks, meaning domestic rates typically track global supply and demand dynamics.

Celestyal has confirmed the cancellation of all April 2026 departures as its ships wait to reposition to Athens, Greece.

The line’s fleet is currently positioned in the Arabian Gulf, with Celestyal Discovery in Dubai, UAE, and Celestyal Journey in Doha, Qatar. All guests and non-operational crew have been disembarked, while both vessels remain fully operational; their departure from the region will take place in accordance with safety guidance from the relevant authorities.

Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, all sailings scheduled for April 2026 have been cancelled.

The next planned departures are:

• Celestyal Discovery – May 1, 2026 (3-night Iconic Greek Islands)
• Celestyal Journey – May 2, 2026 (7-night Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia)

Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “Our priority remains the safety and confidence of our guests, crew and partners. While we know this will be disappointing, taking this decision now provides greater clarity and flexibility for those affected.

“Our teams are working closely with guests and travel partners to support rebooking options and ensure a smooth transition, and we remain focused on returning to service in the Mediterranean as soon as it is safe to do so.”

All impacted guests have been offered a full refund or a future cruise credit, and will be supported by Celestyal’s teams, who will provide rebooking options and assistance.

The cruise line continues to monitor the situation closely and will resume movement of its vessels when conditions allow. Preparations are already under way for the return to service, with sailings set to resume from May 2026.

Authorities in Sharjah confirmed on Monday that a drone incident targeting a telecommunications facility in the emirate’s Central Region caused no casualties, as officials moved to contain the situation and urged the public to rely on verified information.

In a statement posted on X in Arabic by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau—translated into English—the authorities said the administrative building of Thuraya Telecommunications Company had been targeted by a drone originating from Iran.

Read more: Drone attack on Kuwaiti tanker off Dubai brought under control, KPC says

“Competent authorities in the Emirate of Sharjah are dealing today, Monday, March 30, with an incident resulting from the targeting of the administrative building of Thuraya Telecommunications Company in the Central Region with a drone coming from Iran, and no injuries were recorded,” the statement said.

Officials added that response teams are actively managing the situation and that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The statement also included a public advisory urging residents and businesses not to circulate unverified information. Authorities stressed the importance of relying on official channels for updates, amid heightened regional sensitivities and the potential for misinformation during fast-moving developments.

Investment in Middle East renewable energy projects rose 28 per cent last year as the region pushed ahead with large-scale infrastructure and grid development designed to support rising energy demand, according to a new report from Ansarada.

The 2026 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Outlook Report, produced with Infralogic, said global investment in renewable projects reached $496bn, driven in part by the surge in AI compute requirements.

Renewable energy investment in the Middle East reached $12.9bn in 2025, up from $10.1bn in 2024.

Based on a survey of 150 senior executives across APAC, EMEA and the Americas, the report shows the Middle East emerging as a strategic growth market, with 25 per cent of respondents identifying it as a top destination for renewable investment.

As Western markets contend with grid congestion and permitting delays, the report says the region’s sovereign-backed development model allows “rapid supply chain mobilisation and bankable pipelines” that avoid the grid-connection bottlenecks seen in Europe and North America.

The report highlights the region’s integrated delivery model, which develops renewables and transmission infrastructure in parallel. “The Middle East demonstrates what’s possible when projects are designed and delivered holistically,” said Justin Smith, MD at Ansarada.

“Building renewables and transmission together represents a fundamentally different approach than the fragmented delivery model common in Western markets,” Smith added.

AI-driven power demand to contribute to growth in the renewables sector

AI-driven power demand is adding to the pressure. With more than $500bn in AI infrastructure capital expenditure forecast for 2026 and US data centre energy use projected to reach 409 TWh by 2030, 37 per cent of global respondents and 36 per cent in EMEA cited AI compute requirements as the main driver of new renewable development.

The UAE’s emergence as a regional AI hub is expected to increase demand for integrated renewable and storage systems capable of supporting compute-intensive operations.

“AI compute demand is the single biggest driver of new renewables development,” Smith said.

The report shows battery storage becoming core infrastructure, with 34 per cent of EMEA respondents expecting strong growth in large-scale systems. But it also points to operational and financial pressures, with 44 per cent of respondents in EMEA citing macroeconomic uncertainty and high interest rates as key concerns.

Despite high adoption of procurement technology, the report identifies persistent fragmentation in project delivery. While 91 per cent of respondents use purpose-built procurement software, organisations still rely on an average of three to four disconnected systems, and 55 per cent continue to use email for sensitive bidder communication. “Organisations think they’ve digitised, but they’ve actually created a ‘Frankenstack’ of disconnected tools,” Smith said.

Only 37 per cent of respondents globally said their most recent procurement process was “very efficient”, falling to 8 per cent in EMEA and 29 per cent among government agencies. Although most said their internal processes were transparent, 43 per cent acknowledged limited clarity for external stakeholders, raising the risk of disputes.

ESG requirements are becoming more embedded in procurement across the region. In EMEA, 80 per cent of respondents said ESG is deeply integrated into their processes, and 90 per cent rated transparency and auditability as very important. Without auditable ESG data, the report warns that some projects may not qualify for tendering or financing. “That integrated approach, combined with proper digital infrastructure for procurement, separates projects that deliver from those that stall,” Smith said.