Day: January 13, 2026

Sharjah , January 13 ,2026 : In the presence of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, the second edition of the UAE Libraries Forum opened on Tuesday at the Authority’s headquarters in Sharjah.

The forum, organised by the Emirates Library and Information Association, is themed “Libraries Between Artificial Intelligence and the Humanity of Knowledge”.

The two-day forum brings together a distinguished group of local and international experts in library and information science, aiming to strengthen the role of libraries in supporting culture and knowledge and to explore opportunities for digital transformation, innovation and the ethical use of artificial intelligence in library environments.

As part of the forum’s activities, Sheikha Bodour inaugurated the Manuscripts Exhibition, featuring a curated collection of rare manuscripts and historically significant books that reflect the depth of Arab and Islamic intellectual heritage. She also inaugurated the pavilions of participating entities, which showcase innovative projects and services in the libraries and information sector, enhancing cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Sheikha Bodour honoured partners and supporters whose initiatives have advanced the association’s mission and strengthened its institutional presence.

Dubai , January 13 , 2026 : DUBAI, 13th January, 2026 (WAM) — Dubai Police have issued a public warning about the growing misuse of artificial intelligence in forging official and unofficial documents, a tactic increasingly used to commit financial fraud and bypass the law.

The alert was issued by the Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, urging institutions, companies, and members of the public to remain vigilant and carefully verify any documents received via email or social media.

As part of Dubai Police’s ongoing #BewareofFraud campaign, the Anti-Fraud Centre stressed the importance of digital awareness across all segments of society. Fraudsters, the centre explained, are exploiting rapid technological advances, including AI tools, to produce forged documents that may appear professionally written and well formatted at first glance.

Despite their polished appearance, many forged documents contain warning signs that specialists can detect. These include inaccurate or inconsistent information, wording that differs from approved official templates, and the use of fake signatures or stamps.

Dubai Police advised the public not to rely solely on the appearance of documents. Verification should include checking the source, reviewing digital file details such as creation and modification dates, and confirming the presence of official reference numbers that can be traced.

The Anti-Fraud Centre emphasised that using artificial intelligence for document forgery is a criminal offence punishable by law. It also highlighted that strong digital awareness among the public remains the first line of defence against fraud.

Dubai Police called on anyone who suspects a fraud attempt to report it immediately through the Dubai Police smart app, by calling 901, or via the eCrime platform dedicated to reporting cybercrimes.

Dubai Police highlighted that UAE law imposes strict penalties on document forgery, whether official or unofficial. Under Article 252 of Federal Decree Law No. 31 of 2021 on Crimes and Penalties, forging an official document is punishable by temporary imprisonment for up to 10 years, while forging an unofficial document is punishable by imprisonment.

In addition, Article 253 stipulates that anyone who forges a copy of an official document and uses it, or knowingly uses a forged copy, faces temporary imprisonment for up to 5 years. If the forged copy relates to an unofficial document, the penalty is imprisonment.

With regard to electronic documents, Article 14 of Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes states that anyone who forges an electronic document belonging to a federal or local government entity, or a public authority or institution, is punishable by temporary imprisonment and a fine ranging from AED150,000 to AED750,000.

If the forgery involves electronic documents issued by entities other than those specified above, the penalty is imprisonment and a fine ranging from AED100,000 to AED300,000, or either of these penalties. The same penalties apply to anyone who knowingly uses a forged electronic document.

Dubai, January 13 , 2026 :
As part of an initiative to welcome tourists and visitors to a healthier lifestyle, welcome souvenir stickers featuring the “Dubai Cycling Pass” are now being distributed to passengers arriving at Dubai Airport. The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), involves handing out welcome mementos embedded with a QR code to travelers arriving at Dubai International Airport.

The project is implemented under the theme “From Airport to Track,” with the aim of connecting visitors to the city’s sports and fitness culture from the moment they arrive in Dubai for tourism. By scanning the QR code on the sticker, passengers can access complete information about the Dubai Cycling Pass initiative. Details such as approved cycling tracks across the city, bicycle rental and sales centers, and other useful guidelines are available at their fingertips. Through this initiative, tourism goes beyond sightseeing to become an experience that promotes physical activity and well-being.

Health and an active lifestyle are key elements of Dubai’s tourism vision. Beyond luxury hotels and shopping destinations, open spaces connected to nature, cycling tracks, and walking paths are increasingly becoming major attractions in the city. The Dubai Cycling Pass represents a practical expression of this vision.

The project was inaugurated on January 10, 2026, at the Nad Al Sheba Cycling Track. In its first phase, nine selected, officially approved cycling tracks across different parts of the city have been included. The journey, which extends from tracks in the city center to routes surrounded by forests and desert landscapes, showcases Dubai’s geographical diversity along with its commitment to a health-friendly urban environment.

Key features of the initiative include a digital cycling passport, a virtual stamp system, a manual cycling passport, and symbolic gifts for active participants. The program is designed to consistently encourage both visitors and residents to engage in physical activities.

The General Directorate stated that the Dubai Cycling Pass will play a vital role in strengthening Dubai’s position as an active tourism destination, while also fostering health awareness within the community and promoting a sustainable lifestyle. The initiative, which brings together tourism and health culture, is seen as a clear reflection of Dubai’s future urban vision.

Sharjah , January 13, 2026 : The Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), in collaboration with the Indian Business and Professional Council in Sharjah, convened the Sharjah–India Business Roundtable to strengthen economic cooperation and expand joint investment opportunities between Sharjah and India.

The roundtable highlighted Sharjah’s growing role as a regional gateway for Indian businesses, with discussions focused on priority sectors including manufacturing, technology and logistics. Bilateral trade between Sharjah and India reached AED 14.39 billion in 2025, supported by the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Sharjah currently hosts more than 41,000 Indian companies across free zones and the mainland, while Indian investments have generated over 3,600 jobs in the emirate over the past five years. Indian investor activity in Sharjah’s real estate sector totalled AED 6.1 billion over the past nine months.

Senior officials from Sharjah and India attending the roundtable reaffirmed confidence in continued growth in 2026, citing Sharjah’s stable regulatory environment, diversified economy and strong infrastructure. Speakers highlighted the emirate’s appeal for Indian companies seeking regional expansion and long-term investment opportunities.

The roundtable forms part of Invest in Sharjah’s strategy to strengthen partnerships with high-growth markets, attract quality foreign investment and reinforce Sharjah’s position as a competitive and sustainable business destination.

Dubai , January 13 , 2026 : Messe Frankfurt Middle East has unveiled Intersec Global, a new unified international brand bringing together the world’s leading security, safety and resilience events under a single global platform headquartered in Dubai.

The new identity was officially launched during a press conference at Intersec 2026 with key partners including the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence, the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) and NAFFCO, positioning Dubai as the world’s convening hub for safety, security and resilience.

Intersec Global marks the evolution of the long-running exhibition into a connected international ecosystem that unites governments, regulators, industry leaders and innovators to address global security challenges across physical, digital and human domains.

The platform will serve as the flagship for a global portfolio of events, including Intersec Europe, Intersec Saudi Arabia, Intersec Shanghai, Intersec Buenos Aires, and the Secutech series across Asia, strengthening international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Messe Frankfurt Middle East said the new identity reflects both Intersec’s global reach and the UAE’s growing role in shaping international standards for resilience, crisis preparedness and security innovation.

Intersec 2026, the largest edition to date, continues at the Dubai World Trade Centre until 14 January.

Dubai , January 13, 2026 : Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to launch a new pilot
initiative on school transport pooling during the first quarter of 2026, as part
of ongoing efforts to advance a smart and sustainable transport system and
enhance the efficiency of daily mobility for school students, in collaboration
with Yango Group and Urban Express Transport.
The announcement follows the signing of two memoranda of understanding
by RTA with the two companies to pilot the implementation of the initiative.
Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, signed the
memoranda of understanding on behalf of RTA. Islam Abdul Karim,
Regional Head of Yango Group signed on behalf of the company, while Dr.
Mohammad Al Hashimi, Founder and CEO of Urban Express Transport,
signed on behalf of the company.
Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, RTA,
said:
“In recent years, a noticeable increase has been observed in the number of
private vehicles used to transport students to and from schools, which
directly affects traffic flow around school zones. Through this initiative, RTA
aims to offer an alternative school transport solution at affordable rates,
helping to improve traffic movement and deliver a more efficient daily
mobility experience.”
He added: “The pilot initiative will be implemented in accordance with the
highest approved safety and security standards governing school transport,
and in full compliance with the regulatory and legislative frameworks in
force across the Emirate. The initiative will incorporate smart technological
solutions for trip management, vehicle tracking, and operational monitoring,
ensuring efficiency and service quality for parents and students alike.”

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He further explained: “The initiative involves the operation of shared buses
serving multiple schools located within defined geographic zones,
contributing to faster student arrival times and playing a key role in
improving traffic flow around school areas across Dubai.”
He added: “The initiative aims to explore innovative school transport
models based on the principle of pooling, supporting better vehicle
utilisation, reducing traffic congestion during peak hours, and raising safety
and quality standards in student transport services. The initiative also
aligns with Dubai’s strategic directions in digital transformation and
environmental sustainability.”
He concluded: “The pilot represents a step change towards developing new
models for school transport in Dubai. It will pave the way for assessing
outcomes, measuring operational and societal impact, and studying the
potential for wider rollout in the future, thereby reinforcing Dubai’s position
as a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility solutions.”
Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group said: “School
transport is one of the most complex and congested daily mobility
challenges in any city, sitting at the intersection of safety, efficiency, cost,
and daily family routines. Through this pilot with RTA, we are introducing a
data-driven school transport pooling model that groups students travelling
along similar routes into shared buses operating on optimised routes and
schedules. By improving route planning, vehicle utilisation, and real-time
operational oversight, the initiative aims to reduce peak-hour traffic
pressure, enhance service reliability, and deliver a safer, more affordable,
and more convenient experience for families.”
Dr. Mohammad Al Hashimi, Founder & CEO of Urban Express
Transport, said: “In collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority
(RTA), Urban Express Transport is proud to support this strategic school
transport optimisation project, which aims to reduce congestion, improve
bus utilisation, and enhance the daily travel experience for students.
Through innovative approaches such as school bus pooling and flexible
services, the initiative contributes to safer, more affordable, and sustainable
mobility solutions in line with Dubai’s long-term transport vision.”