Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a new package of road development works in Nad Al Sheba 3, paving the way for improved mobility and safer travel for residents in one of the emirate’s rapidly growing residential districts.

The project included paving approximately two kilometres of internal roads, installing road markings, creating additional parking spaces, and adding 50 lighting units along with directional traffic signs.

Read more-Dubai’s RTA rolls out 45 traffic upgrades

The improvements are expected to significantly enhance traffic flow and provide smoother access to nearby schools and community facilities.

According to officials, the development forms part of broader efforts to upgrade infrastructure and support Dubai’s expanding population.

Supporting urban growth

The works are aligned with RTA’s ongoing strategy to improve road networks and infrastructure across the emirate to meet the demands of urban development and population growth.

A report from the Dubai Media Office noted that the initiative is designed to improve traffic flow and enhance road safety for motorists while also supporting more sustainable mobility options for residents and visitors.

“RTA continues its sustained efforts to enhance the efficiency of infrastructure across the Emirate of Dubai to meet the demands of urban development and population growth,” the report said, adding that the improvements also contribute to enhancing quality of life across the city.

The completed works represent one phase of a broader development plan covering internal roads in Nad Al Sheba 3 and Nad Al Sheba 4. The wider project includes road paving, the construction of traffic links, and the allocation of dedicated cycling and pedestrian tracks.

Additional parking facilities are also planned to better serve residents as the community continues to grow. Authorities expect the entire project to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

Safer access for school zones

As part of the latest phase, RTA paved roads surrounding Kings’ School in Nad Al Sheba 3, including Street 60, Street 62, Street 63 and Street 65.

The works also involved installing directional signage, applying road markings and implementing traffic-calming measures in line with approved technical standards. These upgrades are intended to improve safety for students, parents and nearby residents while facilitating smoother traffic during peak school drop-off and pick-up periods.

Officials estimate that the improvements could reduce traffic delays in the area by up to 35 percent.

Nad Al Sheba has witnessed steady infrastructure development in recent years as residential communities, service centres and educational facilities continue to expand. The area is now home to more than 30,000 residents.

Its proximity to major corridors such as Dubai–Al Ain Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road further strengthens its importance as a key link connecting several parts of the emirate.

Artificial intelligence lab Anthropic, which is currently locked in a dispute with the Pentagon, unveiled its Claude Partner Network on Thursday, a programme designed for partner firms to help enterprises adopt its Claude AI model.

Anthropic is committing an initial $100m to this network for 2026 to provide training, technical support and joint market development for partner organisations.

The company expects to invest even more over time.

Partners joining the network from Thursday will receive immediate access to a new technical certification and be eligible for investment under the programme.

Membership in the Claude Partner Network is free

The company plans to expand its partner-facing team fivefold, adding dedicated applied AI engineers, technical architects and localised go-to-market support in international markets.

Membership in the Claude Partner Network is free and open to any organisation involved in bringing Claude to market.

The AI firm is seeking a stay from a US appeals court after the Pentagon said the company was a supply-chain risk, pending a judicial review of the case, adding that the designation could cost it billions of dollars in lost revenue.

The Dubai PropTech Hub, an initiative of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), in partnership with Dubai Land Department, has released a new white paper titled PropTech 2033, outlining the future growth trajectory of the emirate’s PropTech sector.

The report analyses 18 strategic agendas from the UAE and the United Nations to map the next phase of PropTech development in Dubai. These include the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040.

Taking into account economic, social and environmental sustainability considerations, the analysis identified 833 global PropTech business models focused on improving quality of life and driving economic growth in the real estate sector. The study also found that just two of these business models alone could generate more than AED53bn annually for Dubai’s economy.

The white paper highlights a structural shift in the global built environment, noting that PropTech is evolving beyond digital tools toward AI-native, system-level urban infrastructure that integrates planning, operations, sustainability and user experience. According to the report, this transformation is redefining how value is created across the real estate ecosystem.

The research concludes that Dubai is well positioned to lead this next phase of urban innovation, supported by its strategic policy frameworks, regulatory environment, technological ambition and global economic vision.

As part of the initiative, the Dubai PropTech Hub has opened applications for its inaugural “Global Landing Pad” programme, designed to help international PropTech scale-ups expand into Dubai and the wider Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. The programme will connect participants with mentors and industry experts, including leading developers and operators such as Binghatti, Majid Al Futtaim, Union Properties, Sobha and Transguard Group.

Mohammad AlBlooshi, chief executive officer of DIFC Innovation Hub commented: “DIFC’s PropTech 2033 whitepaper demonstrates that PropTech is no longer a peripheral enabler of real estate, but an engine of economic growth, productivity, and urban resilience. This whitepaper reinforces DIFC’s commitment to positioning Dubai as the global epicentre for PropTech innovation and sustainable urban growth, whilst accelerating the Emirate’s ambitions of doubling the economic contribution of the sector by 2033.”

Majid Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at Dubai Land Department, said: “The PropTech 2033 white paper reaffirms Dubai’s commitment to future-proofing its real estate sector through innovation, data, and advanced technologies that strengthen transparency and investor confidence. This direction is reflected in the Dubai PropTech Hub, established in partnership between Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Land Department, and reinforced by hosting PropTech Connect Middle East. Together, these initiatives advance the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033, enhancing global competitiveness and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Dubai’s real estate ecosystem.”

Based at the DIFC Innovation Hub, the Dubai PropTech Hub currently tracks 231 UAE-based PropTech companies, with strong activity in listings, investment and marketing platforms. The report highlights significant opportunities to expand into areas such as climate resilience, productivity enhancement and AI-driven property operations.

Dubai’s PropTech ambitions are also aligned with the expansion of DIFC into the Zabeel District, which will include more than one million square feet dedicated to innovation, including what is expected to become the world’s largest innovation hub and the first purpose-built AI Campus. The expansion forms part of Dubai’s strategy to position itself among the world’s top four global financial centres under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), while incorporating sustainable infrastructure, energy-efficient design and smart mobility systems.

Dubai has rapidly become one of the world’s leading hubs for dermatology and aesthetic medicine, attracting international expertise, advanced technologies and patients from across the globe.

For Dr Faiez Ghanam, founder of a dermatology and cosmetic clinic in the city, the opportunity lies not only in aesthetics but also in restoring a strong scientific focus to dermatological care. Drawing on experience from earlier clinics in Syria and Qatar, he has built a practice that aims to balance medical dermatology with advanced cosmetic procedures.

In this interview, Dr Ghanam discusses the motivation behind launching his clinic in Dubai, how the practice differentiates itself in a competitive market, and the trends shaping the future of dermatology and aesthetic medicine.

What motivated you to establish your own dermatology and cosmetic clinic in Dubai, and how has your original vision evolved since launch?

My goal has always been to establish a comprehensive centre for dermatological diseases in Dubai based on scientific practice and continuous advancement.

I noticed that this speciality was gradually being neglected, with many dermatology centres and doctors focusing primarily on cosmetic procedures rather than medical treatment. As a result, patients suffering from dermatological diseases were often being overlooked and their conditions were not receiving the necessary scientific attention in terms of diagnosis and treatment.

This has been my passion since establishing my first clinic in Syria and later expanding with a clinic in Qatar. From the beginning, I have been committed to maintaining a balance between treating dermatological diseases and offering the latest non-surgical cosmetic procedures using the most advanced global technologies.

Dubai is a highly competitive market for aesthetics and dermatology. How do you differentiate your clinic from others in the sector?

Dubai is indeed a highly competitive market due to the presence of diverse international expertise, and investment in the city is very promising.

However, I have always avoided competing on price. Instead, my focus has been on delivering the highest possible quality by investing in the most advanced medical devices available globally and building a fully integrated medical team.

This includes specialised dermatologists, cosmetic doctors, and a highly trained team of nurses and specialists who hold advanced certifications. Our competition is therefore based on quality and uniqueness in treatment approaches rather than pricing.

How important has Dubai been to the clinic’s growth, and what makes the city an ideal base for building and scaling a premium dermatology and aesthetic practice?

Dubai is a global destination for people travelling for investment, residency and increasingly for medical treatment.

One of the city’s biggest advantages is accessibility. Patients from almost every nationality can reach Dubai easily, which means many of my international patients can access our centre here more conveniently than in other locations.

In addition, Dubai provides access to the latest global technologies and facilitates communication with specialised international companies. The regulatory environment is also flexible, making it easier to import advanced medical equipment and resources.

For these reasons, Dubai was the first choice when it came to investing in science and medicine.

How do you approach investment in new technologies, treatments and talent, and what role does innovation play in driving the clinic’s growth?

Continuous development is the most important factor in advancing our medical centre. We constantly update our technologies and ensure that we are aligned with the latest therapeutic devices and techniques.

However, these technologies must be globally recognised and approved by leading regulatory authorities in Europe, the United States and other regions.

Another key element is investing in the development of the medical team through training courses, scientific workshops and participation in international medical conferences and exhibitions.

In simple terms, staying up to date in every aspect—technology, knowledge and training—is essential, alongside relying on precise scientific references to achieve advanced clinical outcomes for our patients.

From a business perspective, how do you define and measure success for the clinic today?

From a business perspective, the venture has been very successful. The centre has developed steadily and continues to grow and prosper in a very satisfying way.

This consistent growth reflects both patient trust and the strong demand for high-quality dermatological care in Dubai.

Looking ahead, what trends in dermatology and aesthetic medicine do you believe will shape your strategy over the next three to five years?

My long-term ambition is to establish a fully integrated specialised dermatology centre that provides comprehensive care from A to Z.

This would include advanced treatments, modern medical technologies and personalised treatment plans tailored to each patient based on precise diagnosis.

The centre would also include a fully integrated pharmacy department to support these treatments, as well as the latest cosmetic procedures.

In addition, we aim to develop an advanced training department dedicated to educating medical professionals—including doctors, specialists and nurses—on the latest dermatological treatments and technologies. This would include certified programmes in laser technologies and professional skincare practices within a comprehensive and accredited framework.

Gold prices fell on Thursday, weighed down by a firmer US dollar and waning hopes for near‑term US interest‑rate cuts as higher energy prices stoked inflation concerns.

Spot gold was down 0.4 per cent at $5,153.79 per ounce as of 0545 GMT. US gold futures for April delivery fell 0.4 per cent to $5,159.20.

The US dollar firmed 0.2 per cent, making dollar-priced bullion more expensive for holders of other currencies.

“I think the USD strength and interrelated rates story is a slight headwind for gold despite the actual violence that’s taking place, which is otherwise supportive of gold,” said Nicholas Frappell, global head of institutional markets at ABC Refinery.

Iran said the world should brace for $200-a-barrel oil after its forces struck merchant ships on Wednesday, while the International Energy Agency urged a massive release of strategic reserves to blunt one of the worst oil shocks since the 1970s.

Oil prices rose over $100 a barrel, adding to inflation pressures, as Iran stepped up attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle East.

Iran has deployed about a dozen mines in the strait, according to sources, a move that could complicate efforts to reopen the narrow waterway, a key route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Tankers in the strait have been stranded for more than a week, and producers have suspended output as storage nears capacity.

Goldman Sachs has delayed its forecast for US Federal Reserve rate cuts, and now expects quarter-point reductions in September and December, citing rising inflation risks linked to the Middle East conflict.

In economic data, the US consumer price index rose 0.3 per cent in February, matching forecasts and accelerating from January’s 0.2 per cent increase. CPI rose 2.4 per cent in the year to February, also in line with expectations.

Investors are now awaiting the release of January’s delayed Personal Consumption Expenditures index on Friday.

Spot silver fell 0.5 per cent to $85.33 per ounce. Spot platinum lost 0.3 per cent to $2,162.24, while palladium rose 0.3 per cent to $1,642.05.