Paid parking is being rolled out across two major Dubai residential communities, with Discovery Gardens already live and International City set to follow from February, marking a shift in how residents and operators manage shared parking infrastructure.

Regulated parking came into effect in Discovery Gardens on January 15, 2026, following confirmation from Dubai Holding Community Management. The system is being operated by parking services provider Parkonic, with enforcement supported by new zone signage installed across the neighbourhood.

Under the new framework, paid parking applies daily from 8am to midnight, with exemptions on Sundays and public holidays. Each residential unit is entitled to one free parking permit, while additional vehicles require a paid subscription. Hourly tariffs in Discovery Gardens are set at Dh4 from 8am to 5pm, rising to Dh6 from 5pm to midnight.

For residents with multiple vehicles or those parking regularly in the evenings, the costs add up. A four-hour evening stay at peak rates translates to around Dh24 per day, or approximately Dh480 over a standard 20-day work month, adding a new line item to household expenses.

A similar model will be introduced in International City from February 1, 2026, with operations overseen by Parkin. Paid parking tariffs will apply from the same 8am to midnight window, with one free permit allocated per residential unit and paid subscriptions required for additional vehicles.

International City will follow Dubai’s standard parking tariff structure, starting at Dh2 for 30 minutes and Dh3 for one hour, with long-stay parking capped at Dh25 for up to 16 hours.

The introduction of regulated parking in both Discovery Gardens and International City is aimed at improving turnover and access in communities where dedicated parking is limited. For operators and community managers, the move reflects a broader push toward structured parking management in high-density residential areas, while residents will need to adapt routines and budgets to account for the new charges.

Read: Salik, Dubai Airports sign 10-year deal for e-wallet parking at DXB

Aggregate investment by national oil companies (NOCs) across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to remain elevated over the next two to three years, even as oil prices soften and global peers scale back spending, according to a new report by S&P Global Ratings.

In its GCC 2026 Energy Outlook: Capex, Capacity, Consolidation, S&P Global Ratings said GCC NOCs are expected to spend an average of $115bn–$125bn annually between 2025 and 2027, driven primarily by production capacity expansion and, to a lesser extent, investments in lower-carbon energy sources

While spending levels remain high, the pace of capital expenditure growth is expected to moderate compared with previous years, as production from major upstream and LNG projects begins to come on stream. This contrasts with international oil companies, where capex is forecast to remain flat or decline in 2026 amid lower oil prices and tighter capital discipline.

Capacity expansion remains the priority

According to the report, capacity expansion in the UAE and Qatar, alongside capacity maintenance in Saudi Arabia, remains the principal driver of spending. ADNOC is targeting an increase in oil production capacity to five million barrels per day by 2027, while QatarEnergy continues to expand LNG output through its North Field expansion programme.

Despite these commitments, S&P Global Ratings expects GCC NOCs to adopt a more cautious spending approach as mega projects move into the production phase. Even so, the agency does not expect this level of investment to materially strain free operating cash flows, given strong balance sheets and relatively low leverage across most GCC NOCs.

“We expect the ratings on most NOCs to remain resilient even if moderately lower oil prices reduce their cash flows, as global oil demand continues to rise steadily,” said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Rawan Oueidat.

Beyond upstream oil, GCC NOCs are increasingly directing capital toward gas, LNG and less carbon-intensive energy sources, in line with national energy transition strategies and sustainability agendas. The report highlights growing investments in LNG capacity, international gas assets, renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, even though these still represent a smaller share of overall capex.

Strong cash generation from upstream operations is expected to continue underpinning these diversification efforts, allowing NOCs to expand clean-energy portfolios while maintaining credit quality.

Implications for oilfield service companies

While elevated capex supports overall activity levels, S&P Global Ratings cautioned that a more measured approach to spending by GCC NOCs could have downstream implications for oilfield service providers, particularly drilling companies.

The report noted that a moderation in spending growth is likely to reduce rig demand, rationalise average day rates, and weigh on the profitability of regional oil drillers, even as utilisation rates remain relatively high due to limited new rig supply.

“We think that oil drillers’ rating headroom could shrink as a result, but we do not expect any rating pressure in the short term. Industry consolidation could help balance rig supply and demand and subsequently support day rates,” Oueidat commented.

S&P Global Ratings added that earnings visibility, backlog strength and consolidation will remain key factors in assessing the credit profiles of regional drilling companies, particularly amid continued sensitivity to oil price movements.

Despite softer oil prices and slower capex growth, the report concludes that GCC NOCs are well positioned to absorb market volatility, supported by conservative financial policies and strong liquidity buffers. Even under a more challenging macroeconomic environment, their spending plans are unlikely to trigger credit stress in the near term.

However, for oilfield service providers, particularly drillers, the outlook remains more mixed, with weaker pricing power and heightened exposure to changes in upstream investment decisions likely to shape sector performance over the medium term.

Read: From energy leadership to 91% homeownership: Inside UAE’s achievements in 2025

It doesn’t take long to get a read on a car. Some vehicles project a quiet confidence from the first glance, while others feel unmistakably modern the moment you step inside.

The most successful models tend to carry an added sense of personality, revealed through small details that shape how a vehicle fits into everyday life. On UAE roads, that balance matters as much as raw specifications. Daily driving can move quickly from a morning commute to a spontaneous coffee stop and on to an after-work visit to the nearest Carrefour. A car that feels comfortable and intuitive throughout those transitions becomes part of the routine rather than a distraction from it.

That is the positioning behind Lepas, Chery Group’s new global new-energy brand. Framed around the idea of “Drive Your Elegance,” Lepas is aimed at buyers who value comfort, refinement, and design-led usability as much as performance numbers. Much of the development focus has been placed on the cabin and how it supports the driver and passengers across everyday journeys.

A brand built around three core ideas

The Lepas name is anchored in three concepts that the brand consistently references as the foundation of its identity and design approach.

“Leopard” represents harmony between speed, power, and elegance, forming the basis of what Lepas describes as its nature-inspired “leopard aesthetics.” The philosophy emphasises control and precision in motion, with exterior and interior forms shaped to reflect biomechanical efficiency. Through advanced, platform-based technologies, the brand aims to deliver a driving experience that feels dynamic and responsive while remaining refined.

“Leap” speaks to global ambition and a decisive move toward a future where mobility feels seamless across markets. It reflects the intent to cross geographical and cultural boundaries, offering an experience designed to translate well from one region to another. In LEPAS terms, it represents both the courage to innovate and the capability to deliver technology-driven mobility with worldwide reach.

“Passion” centers on the driver. It acknowledges that vehicle choices are guided as much by taste as by logic, and that the daily relationship between car and owner matters. Within the Lepas framing, the vehicle becomes a partner in a vibrant lifestyle, aligned with drivers who value individuality and refuse to settle for the mundane.

Those three ideas converge most clearly in what Lepas calls an “exquisite space.” The phrase reflects a cabin designed to feel intentional from the moment occupants step inside, with an emphasis on comfort and practicality rather than idealised driving scenarios. The result is a more lifestyle-led interpretation of premium, supported by nearly three decades of engineering scale from Chery Group.

Interior features underline that approach, including a full LCD instrument panel, a large central touchscreen, and connectivity options such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Comfort and convenience elements range from power-adjustable seating and wireless charging to a panoramic sunroof, air purification, and rear-seat amenities such as folding tray tables and reading lamps.

Performance, range, and safety focus

Under the hood, Lepas models are built around the Chery Super Hybrid System, combining a 1.5 litre turbo engine with dual electric motors.

The setup delivers a combined output of around 315 horsepower, supported by an 18.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. Electric driving range is rated at approximately 95 to 100 kilometres, while total range exceeds 1,300 kilometres when combining battery and fuel.

Performance figures include a claimed 0–100 km/hr time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h, with support for DC fast charging. The drivetrain features dual-motor all-wheel drive, aligning with the brand’s emphasis on control and responsiveness.

Safety and driver assistance systems are positioned as a core part of the offering. Features include up to eight airbags, comprehensive braking and stability systems, and a wide suite of advanced driver assistance technologies such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot detection, and a 360-degree camera system.

With Al Ghurair Mobility confirmed as its regional partner, LEPAS is expected to launch in the Middle East in the first half of 2026, with the UAE identified as one of its key markets. The move marks the next step in Chery Group’s global expansion strategy, bringing a design-driven, comfort-focused interpretation of new-energy mobility to a region where daily usability and premium feel carry increasing weight in purchase decisions.

Emirates has announced the addition of four weekly flights between Dubai and Manila, effective April 2, as part of its broader growth strategy in Southeast Asia and its long-term commitment to the Philippines.

The additional services will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flight EK330 will depart Dubai at 12:45hrs, arriving in Manila at 1:25hrs the following day. The return service, EK331, will depart Manila at 3:25hrs and arrive in Dubai at 8:25hrs. All timings are local.

The new flights will be operated by Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 304 seats in Economy Class. With the expanded schedule, Emirates will offer enhanced connectivity for corporate travellers, marine customers and the Filipino diaspora across its global network, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain, the United States, Kuwait, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Portugal and South Africa.

The expanded services also improve connectivity for passengers travelling between Manila and key markets in Canada and the United States, as well as late-morning European departures such as Milan, London, Budapest and Athens via Dubai.

Passengers travelling on the Dubai–Manila route will continue to benefit from Emirates’ onboard and ground services across all classes, including regionally inspired cuisine, complimentary beverages and access to the airline’s ice inflight entertainment system. The platform offers more than 6,500 channels of on-demand content in over 40 languages, including Tagalog, featuring movies, television programmes, music, games, audiobooks and podcasts.

Tickets are available through emirates.com, the Emirates App, online and offline travel agents, and Emirates retail stores.

Cargo capacity boost

In addition to passenger services, the expanded schedule will also increase cargo capacity between the UAE and the Philippines. Each Boeing 777-300ER can carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo in its bellyhold with a full passenger load. The four additional weekly flights will strengthen trade flows between Manila and Dubai, as well as key markets across Europe, the United States and the Indian subcontinent.

The expansion follows the recent signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and the Philippines. With established operations in Manila and Cebu/Clark, Emirates is well positioned to support growing bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

More than three decades in the Philippines

Emirates launched services to Manila in 1990 and has steadily expanded its footprint in the Philippines, including a circular service to Cebu and Clark. The airline currently operates 28 weekly flights to the country, which will increase to 34 weekly services following the introduction of EK330/331.

Through its partnership with Philippine Airlines, Emirates also provides onward connectivity to domestic destinations beyond its own network, including five points via Manila, seven via Cebu and three via Clark, with convenient baggage check-through to final destinations.

Last year, Emirates opened its first Emirates World Store in Southeast Asia, located in Manila. The retail space allows customers to experience elements of the airline’s onboard products, including the A380 lounge bar, and browse a selection of Emirates-branded merchandise and travel accessories.

Read: Emirates A380 returns to London after mid-air landing gear fault on New Year’s Eve

The UAE achieved significant growth across its energy, infrastructure, maritime transport, housing, and digital transformation sectors in 2025, demonstrating its ability to pair long-term strategic planning with tangible execution, according to a WAM report.

The achievements reflect a government approach built on innovation, operational efficiency, and improving quality of life, showing how national strategies are effectively translated into measurable outcomes that enhance the UAE’s global competitiveness.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure issued 3,567 housing support decisions in 2025, totaling Dhs2.546bn, covering grants, loans, and financing solutions.

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These measures contributed to an unprecedented rise in homeownership, pushing the rate among UAE citizens to 91 per cent, positioning the UAE among the highest globally. The country also won the presidency of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) General Assembly for the first time and secured a seat on its Executive Council, reinforcing its influence in global housing and urban development discussions.

Energy sector: Driving efficiency and global leadership

2025 marked the launch of the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance, attracting participation from more than 40 countries and international organisations. This initiative underscores the UAE’s growing role in leading global efforts to reduce energy consumption and enhance efficiency.

The year also saw the publication of the State of Energy Report 2025, the UAE’s election to the Water Council of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the launch of a guidance manual for supporting domestic workers in eight languages, designed to raise awareness about responsible consumption.

In line with its long-term strategy, the National Energy and Water Demand Management Programme 2050 reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to reducing energy demand by 42–45 per cent by 2050 through projects spanning industrial, agricultural, built environment, and transport sectors.

Infrastructure and transport: Roads, projects, and capacity expansion

The ministry developed the National Agenda for Addressing Traffic Congestion, encompassing over Dhs170bn in national transport and road projects through 2030.

The key initiatives include:

• Emirates Road upgrading and capacity enhancement project (Dhs750m investment)
• Increasing Al Ittihad Road capacity by 60 per cent and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road by 45 per cent
• Feasibility study for a Fourth Federal Road, extending 120kms and accommodating up to 360,000 trips per day

The ministry also completed five major transformational projects, including:

• Humanisation of buildings for health and well-being
• Green Recycling Yards Project
• Advancement of green industrial transformation
• Sustainable Farm Irrigation Project
• Recycling of electric and hybrid vehicle batteries

These initiatives illustrate the UAE’s commitment to building efficient, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure.

The UAE reinforced its global maritime role by hosting the World Maritime Day Parallel Event and launching the National Maritime Navigation Centre. The country also secured re-election for the fifth consecutive term to Category “B” membership of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), further consolidating its influence on international maritime governance.

Awards, certifications, and the community engagement

The ministry’s operational excellence was recognized with 41 local, regional, and international awards and 19 ISO certifications, reflecting mature administrative systems and high-quality processes.

Community engagement was strengthened through 30 customer council meetings across the Emirates and 26 agreements and MOUs aimed at expanding partnerships, knowledge exchange, and amplifying the impact of national projects. Additionally, 2025 saw the launch of the first fully integrated digital government services centre in Fujairah, advancing the UAE’s digital transformation agenda.

Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, minister of Energy and Infrastructure, commented on the achievements:

“The year 2025 represents an important milestone in the development journey of the energy, infrastructure, transport, and housing sectors in the UAE. We witnessed tangible progress in strategic projects that reflect the vision of our wise leadership in building an integrated, efficient, and sustainable ecosystem capable of supporting economic growth and enhancing quality of life.”

He emphasised the ministry’s focus on strengthening federal infrastructure, improving energy efficiency, and developing advanced housing solutions to align with citizens’ evolving needs.

“The achievements realised in 2025 confirm the ministry’s ability to translate national plans into concrete, data-driven results through effective governance, efficient resource management, and expanded local, regional, and international partnerships.”

Looking ahead, Al Mazrouei noted:

“We commence 2026 confidently, building on clear results and solid foundations while reaffirming our commitment to the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ Vision, on the path toward the UAE Centennial 2071. The ministry will continue ensuring advanced infrastructure, sustainable energy, and flexible housing solutions that enhance the country’s competitiveness and leadership regionally and globally.”

The UAE’s 2025 achievements across energy, housing, infrastructure, maritime transport, and digital transformation sectors demonstrate a successful model of strategic vision meeting effective implementation. From historic homeownership milestones to global energy leadership, record-breaking infrastructure projects, and international recognition, the UAE has reinforced its position as a regional and global powerhouse, ready to build on these foundations for decades to come.