Formula One remains committed to holding the 2026 season finale in Abu Dhabi, chief executive Stefano Domenicali has said, moving to ease uncertainty over the race amid continuing regional tensions.

The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled to take place at Yas Marina Circuit from December 3-6, with the race again set to close out the championship.

Concerns had been raised over whether the event could be moved because of the regional situation stemming from the Iran war. F1 cancelled races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia earlier this year, while alternative options had previously been discussed should the final Middle East rounds be unable to go ahead.

However, speaking during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort, Domenicali said Formula One remained focused on delivering its existing calendar.

“The calendar, as I said, is confirmed so there are still a few tickets to be sold in Abu Dhabi, so everything is progressing well and we stay focused on delivering the calendar we promised at the beginning of the year,” he told Formula One’s official website.

The confirmation keeps both the Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled for November 27-29, and Abu Dhabi finale on the calendar.

Domenicali had previously acknowledged contingency planning around the final races of the season, with Imola among the venues reportedly considered as an alternative if the Middle East events could not take place.

Abu Dhabi preparations continue

Abu Dhabi officials and race organisers have also stressed that preparations for the December event remain on track.

Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said the emirate was looking forward to welcoming Formula One fans back for the season finale.

“Hosting Formula 1 since 2009 has been a testament to our ambition to bring the world together through exceptional experiences and major international events,” Al Hosani said.

“The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix creates meaningful opportunities for our tourism, hospitality and events sectors and we are proud to build on this long-standing partnership.”

Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO of race organiser Ethara, said its focus remained on delivering the event in December.

“Preparations are progressing across every aspect of the event, and we look forward to welcoming the Formula 1 community back to Abu Dhabi,” he said.

The race weekend will again be accompanied by the Yasalam after-race concert series, with Andrea Bocelli, Zara Larsson, Lewis Capaldi and Imagine Dragons among the acts announced.

Organisers said ticket availability for the Grand Prix is now limited.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is helping customers adopt more sustainable lifestyles by improving the efficiency of their electricity and water consumption while making better use of resources at home.

Through innovative digital services available on its website and smart app, DEWA enables customers to monitor consumption patterns, identify opportunities to reduce waste and make informed decisions. These tools support a more environmentally sustainable community while helping residents maintain high standards of comfort and well-being at home, a WAM report said.

Turning consumption data into action

Supporting Dubai’s vision for a more sustainable future, DEWA continues to promote the responsible and efficient use of resources through its ‘Enjoy Sustainable Vibes This Summer’ campaign. The initiative encourages customers to integrate sustainability into their daily routines by adopting responsible practices that improve consumption efficiency.

Read more-DEWA’s CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer on taking Dubai’s infrastructure model global

The Smart Living initiative, available through DEWA’s website and smart app, allows customers to view billing details, explore tariff slabs and monitor their usage trends on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. This gives customers access to data that can help them make more informed decisions about their electricity and water consumption.

The journey towards smarter consumption begins with a few simple steps. By accessing the Consumption Assessment Tool through the Smart Living dashboard, customers can answer questions about their consumption habits, property characteristics, number of occupants and electrical appliances used in their homes.

Personalised recommendations for households

The survey helps customers better understand how their daily choices affect electricity and water use. It also identifies opportunities to improve consumption efficiency and adopt more sustainable practices.

After completing the assessment, customers receive a detailed report outlining their household consumption profile, along with tailored recommendations and practical guidelines designed to improve efficiency based on the characteristics of their home.

DEWA developed the Consumption Assessment Tool to turn consumption data into actionable insights, recognising that accurate information is essential for effective decision-making. The tool helps customers understand the factors influencing their electricity and water use while encouraging simple behavioural changes that can contribute to long-term sustainability.

Alerts help detect unusual consumption

DEWA’s High Water Usage Alert service enables customers to quickly detect potential leaks in water connections after the meter. Customers receive instant notifications when unusual increases in consumption are detected, helping them take prompt action to repair leaks and reduce water loss.

For added peace of mind during travel and summer holidays, DEWA also offers the Away Mode feature. The service sends regular consumption reports and alerts via email on a daily or weekly basis, allowing customers to identify unusual consumption patterns while they are away from home.

On-street paid parking is expanding across Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) as PARKONIC extends its parking operations to more areas of the community.

The expansion is being supported by integration with SALIK, allowing drivers to benefit from automatic parking fee payments and a more seamless parking experience.

Drivers are advised to check the parking zone before leaving their vehicles, as operating hours and rates vary depending on the location.

Two zones, different parking hours

Zone P107 operates as a 24-hour paid parking zone.

Parking in Zone P112, meanwhile, is subject to charges from 8:00am to 10:00pm, with parking free from 10:01pm to 7:59am.

Parking rates also vary according to the time of day, while free parking applies on Sundays and public holidays.

Drivers can identify the applicable rules by checking the zone code displayed on the nearest parking sign. The signage provides information on parking hours, rates and payment options for that particular location.

Parking rates at a glance

For Zone P107, which operates as a 24-hour paid parking area, rates are:

• 12am–4pm: Dhs4 per hour
• 4pm–8pm: Dhs6 per hour
• 8 pm –12am: Dhs4 per hour

For Zone P112, which has 14 hours of paid parking, rates are:

• 8am –4pm: Dhs4 per hour
• 4am–8pm: Dhs6 per hour
• 8pm–10pm: Dhs4 per hour
• 10:01pm–7:59am: Free

Free parking is also available on Sundays and public holidays.

Drivers are encouraged to check the signage in their specific zone before parking to ensure they are aware of the applicable hours and rates.

Parkin links parking with local shopping

The latest expansion follows a separate initiative launched by Parkin in April.

Called Spots for Shops, the programme allows drivers to validate their parking fees through the Parkin app by shopping at participating neighbourhood businesses.

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The initiative is designed to turn routine parking stops into opportunities to support local retailers, while helping businesses increase visibility and attract more customers.

What drivers need to know

In Dubai, where nearly 90 per cent of residents rely on private vehicles, parking can play an important role in determining where consumers shop, dine and spend time.

Bringing convenience to neighbourhood businesses

Large retail destinations have traditionally benefited from free and abundant parking, giving shoppers an added incentive to visit malls. Smaller neighbourhood businesses, by comparison, can face the challenge of operating near paid public parking.

Spots for Shops seeks to narrow that gap by allowing customers to offset parking costs through qualifying purchases.

Under the programme, customers park in a paid Parkin space near a participating business, pay the applicable fee and make a qualifying purchase based on the merchant’s minimum spend.

The merchant then validates the parking through the Parkin app using the customer’s mobile number. The customer receives instant cashback credited to the Parkin wallet.

The initiative effectively connects parking with everyday spending, giving customers an added incentive to visit local shops and services while supporting Dubai’s neighbourhood retail ecosystem.

Abu Dhabi has reopened its public parks, recreational facilities and municipal beaches after an improvement in weather conditions, following heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning across parts of the emirate.

Abu Dhabi City Municipality said the facilities had resumed operations after being temporarily closed as a precaution during the unstable weather. Events at affected facilities, which had also been suspended, can now resume.

The closures were imposed on Friday after an unusual spell of summer rain swept across parts of Abu Dhabi, accompanied in some areas by thunder, lightning and strong winds.

The weather marked a sharp change after weeks of intense summer heat, with rain at this time of year relatively uncommon in the capital.

The municipality urged residents and visitors returning to beaches to prioritise safety, swim only at designated locations and follow approved safety instructions.

Designated swimming areas include Corniche Beach and Al Bateen Public Beach.

The municipality said it remained committed to providing a safe environment for visitors to enjoy public beaches while complying with safety measures.

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More UAE rain possible

Despite the improvement in conditions in Abu Dhabi, unsettled weather could continue across parts of the UAE over the coming days.

The National Centre of Meteorology forecast fair to partly cloudy conditions on Saturday, with convective clouds expected to develop over eastern, southern and western areas during the afternoon, bringing a chance of rainfall.

The possibility of rain is expected to continue on Sunday, particularly over eastern areas, while further cloud development is forecast on Monday.

The chance of showers is expected to increase again on Tuesday and Wednesday, with convective clouds and rainfall possible across eastern and southern parts of the country.

Before the closures, weather authorities had issued a yellow alert for parts of Abu Dhabi, including Al Wathba and Al Khatim, warning of thunderstorms, strong winds, blowing dust and reduced visibility.

Residents were advised to limit unnecessary time outdoors and follow official weather updates and instructions.

Motorists urged to take care

Abu Dhabi Police also urged motorists to exercise caution during unstable weather and follow safe-driving measures.

Drivers were advised to observe temporary speed limits when activated, maintain a safe distance between vehicles and avoid sudden braking or sharp manoeuvres.

Police also warned motorists against entering valleys or areas where rainwater had accumulated during periods of heavy rainfall.

The UAE’s National Media Authority has taken legal action against a female resident after she published social media content deemed offensive to Emirati women.

The authority also suspended the advertiser permit issued to the woman for three months.

In a statement, the National Media Authority said the content, published on one of the resident’s social media accounts, violated media content standards stipulated in the Media Regulation Law and its executive regulations.

“The authority stressed that it will not tolerate any content that insults Emirati women or diminishes their status and national contributions,” the NMA said.

It also emphasised that social media users must act responsibly when publishing content and respect the UAE’s societal values and national identity.

According to local media reports, the action followed a social media post in which a woman sought models from other countries who could look and sound Emirati for a photo shoot marking Emirati Women’s Day.

The post reportedly referred to a lack of available Emirati women for the shoot.

The National Media Authority did not identify the resident or provide further details on the nature of the legal action being taken.

The case comes ahead of Emirati Women’s Day, which is marked annually on August 28 and recognises the achievements and contributions of Emirati women to the country’s development.

The UAE regulates advertising and media content published across social media and other digital platforms, with individuals carrying out advertising activities required to comply with the country’s media content standards.