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Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed launches UAE rail freight operations

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Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, launched the cargo train operations of the national rail network from its operations control centre in Al Fayah region, Abu Dhabi, on Friday.

Praising the efforts of those involved, Sheikh Mohammed said “connecting the Emirates via a national railway network strengthens our capabilities and competitiveness, and consolidates our unity,” he said.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of Etihad Rail, said: “Emirati talents, with the support of the UAE leadership, have turned the dream of our founding fathers into reality. We succeeded in launching a railway network with international specifications that extends to about 900 kilometres across the Emirates. We announce the inauguration operation of the freight trains throughout the UAE with a fleet of 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons capable of transporting all types of goods.”

He pointed out that the completion of the network according to the schedule and the approved budget would not have been possible without the cohesion of the talented Emirati cadres.

The network contributes to supporting companies’ businesses and enhancing investment opportunities. The main line of the UAE National Rail Network extends from Ghuweifat on the border of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to Fujairah, forming an essential part of the global supply network.

The stage one of the Network has been fully operational since January 2016, where the stage two of the project started in early 2020.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, opens the UAE’s freight train network, the latest stage of Etihad Rail, the country’s mega national network project. WAM

 

The UAE national railway network will contribute to supporting the national economy at a value of AED200 billion, and saving AED8 billion in the cost of road maintenance. The network’s tourism benefits are estimated at AED23 billion.

The project has contributed to supporting the local industry by assigning 215 companies and local entities. also, 70 percent of the building materials used in the project are produced by the local industry.

The project also supports the UAE’s sustainable development goals and contributes to achieving the UAE Net Zero by 2050, through reducing carbon emissions in the road transport sector by 21 percent, and reducing road transportation emissions per capita by 40 percent, by 2050.

The project has enlisted 11 contractors, 25 consultants, and 28,000 specialists. It took 133 million working hours to complete, and 40,000 approvals from 180 government agencies.

More than 1,000 operational documents have been produced, including instructions, handbooks, guidelines, policies, operating procedures, agreements, and others.

The UAE national railway network passes through a variety of geographical terrains, within a large-scale engineering plan that includes the construction of 593 bridges and crossings of all types, and 9 tunnels with a length of 6.5 km. It took 120 million cubic metres of excavation work to complete, to ensure the highest levels of vehicular traffic flow under the tracks of the railway network.

The fleet of the most modern freight trains in the region includes 38 locomotives, with a capacity of 60 million tonnes of goods annually, and more than 1,000 multi-purpose vehicles.

Each goods transport’s locomotive operates with a power of 4,500 horsepower, equivalent to 3,400 kilowatts. It is one of the most powerful freight train engines in the Middle East.

The freight trains will run up to 120 km/h. The standard width of the rail is 1,435 metres, and it operates under the European ETCS level 2 signalling system. It has been specially designed to withstand the geographical nature, climatic conditions, high temperatures and humidity in the GCC region, to ensure high levels of performance, efficiency and sustainability.

The freight trains will connect four major ports. It will include seven logistics centres across the country, to serve trains and related businesses.

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Canada Super 60 names Women’s Trophy after cricketing legend Mel Jones

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Canada’s pioneering cricket league, Canada Super 60, has announced that its inaugural Women’s Trophy will be named in honour of Mel Jones, the former Australian cricketer, respected broadcaster, and tireless advocate for women’s cricket.
Canada Super 60 is the world’s first-ever ten-over-a-side event to launch with both men’s and women’s competitions from its inaugural season. The league will be staged under the roof of the iconic BC Place in Vancouver, showcasing international stars alongside homegrown Canadian talent.

As part of its commitment to celebrating women’s cricket and inspiring future generations, Canada Super 60 will name the Women’s Trophy each year after an international women’s cricket legend. This tradition will not only create awareness but also honour trailblazers whose contributions have shaped the women’s game.

This year, the league has chosen Mel Jones—not only for her outstanding career in cricket and broadcasting, but also for her leadership off the field. Jones has been a leading voice for women’s cricket worldwide, and the ICC has widely recognized her efforts. She played a pivotal role in supporting Afghan women cricketers forced to flee their homeland after the Taliban takeover in 2021, helping coordinate their evacuation to Australia, providing resources, and co-founding the Pitch Our Future initiative to support their education and sporting careers. In recognition of these efforts, she was honoured with the prestigious MCC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2025.

Thanks to her advocacy and international coordination, many of these Afghan players found refuge abroad including two who are now living in Canada, following the Canadian government’s support for their refugee applications. This aligns with the Canada Super 60 vision of using cricket as a platform for opportunity and inclusion. Mel Jones on Receiving the Honour said “This honour from Canada Super 60 truly humbles me,” said Mel Jones. “To have the Women’s Trophy named after me is something very special. What excites me most is the vision behind this initiative creating more opportunities and visibility for women’s cricket, especially in associate nations. Platforms like Canada Super 60 will inspire and empower a new generation of players. My hope is that one day, a Canadian cricket legend will have this trophy named after them, as the women’s game continues to grow in this country.”

The Canada Super 60 Women’s Trophy will be presented at BC Place, Vancouver, during the inaugural edition of the tournament, taking place from October 8–13, 2025.

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Mosaic opens in Dubai, promising smarter marketing decisions for UAE businesses

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Mosaic, an integrated marketing agency, was officially launched in Dubai recently promising a new, more intentional approach to business growth for companies in the UAE. Led by Agency Director Shubhang Bhattacharya and Head of Digital Prasanna Venkat, Mosaic aims to buck a common market trend: businesses that start strong but struggle to scale.

Bhattacharya and Venkat have spent the last decade in the business setup space in Dubai, launching campaigns that helped countless businesses start. This experience has given them a clear vision for Mosaic. 

“So many businesses, no matter how long they’ve been around, try to handle marketing on their own and miss out on huge opportunities,” says Bhattacharya. “Making the right decisions at the right time is a make-or-break moment for any business. We give businesses the expertise to make marketing a cornerstone of their success, not just an afterthought.”

Mosaic’s philosophy centres on making “better decisions” rather than simply chasing bigger budgets. “We’ve seen too many businesses struggle with direction,” adds Venkat. “At Mosaic, our starting point is always the same: what actually creates value for the client, and how do we get there without overcomplicating it?”

Mosaic isn’t waiting around to make an impact. Since its soft launch in February 2025, the agency has already delivered serious results. That includes the “Employee to Entrepreneur” campaign, which pulled in over 23 million impressions, and the launch of the UAE’s first-ever mobile business setup initiative, the “Startup Wagon.” The team also proved its ability to tap into the culture with a simple, silly reel on the Coldplay concert trend that went on to get over 14 million views on Instagram.

The name “Mosaic” is a core tenet of the agency’s operational philosophy. It represents how the team works: bringing distinct, diverse perspectives together to create a result that is greater than the sum of its parts. 

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Pakistan’s Fly Jinnah airline to start direct flights from Lahore to Dubai

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Fly Jinnah, Pakistan’s low-cost carrier, has announced the launch of a new non-stop flight route connecting Lahore and Dubai. The service is scheduled to begin on October 29.

The new route will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Sundays, linking Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) with Dubai International Airport (DXB).

This expansion marks Dubai as the second UAE destination in the airline’s Lahore network, which already includes flights to Sharjah. The carrier also operates flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Bahrain, utilising its fleet of six Airbus A320 aircraft.

The airline, founded in Karachi, is a joint venture focused on offering travellers the best value for money. This means you can expect a no-frills experience with all the essentials you need for a great trip.

Bookings for the new Dubai–Lahore flights are now available through Fly Jinnah’s official website (www.flyjinnah.com), call centre, and travel agencies.

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