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Health hazard warning as dusty weather to continue in UAE

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The world’s tallest building disappeared behind a grey layer of dust on Thursday as sandstorms that have swept the Middle East hit the United Arab Emirates, prompting weather and traffic warnings.
The 828-metre tall Burj Khalifa, which towers over Dubai and is usually visible across the busy financial hub, retreated behind a curtain of airborne dirt that shrouded much of the country.
The UAE is just the latest country in the path of sandstorms that have smothered Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran and others in recent days, closing airports and schools and sending thousands to hospital with breathing problems.
Capital city Abu Dhabi’s air quality index soared into the “hazardous” zone overnight, according to waqi.info and the Plume pollution app.
The Middle East’s sandstorms are becoming more frequent and intense, a trend associated with overgrazing and deforestation, overuse of river water and more dams.
Experts say the phenomenon could worsen as climate change warps regional weather patterns and drives desertification.

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File picture of the buildings on the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai.

Emirati authorities issued a nationwide warning urging residents to remain vigilant.
“Abu Dhabi Police urges drivers to be cautious due to low visibility during high winds and dust,” the police force tweeted, as residents took to social media to publish photos and videos.
“Please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone,” it added.
A National Center for Meteorology graphic showed nearly all the country covered by the storm, with the warning: “Be on the alert: hazardous weather events are expected.”
Winds with speeds up to 40 kilometres per hour are blowing the dust, it said, reducing visibility in some areas to less than 2,000 metres.
However, a Dubai airports spokesman said there was no impact on air traffic. Weather conditions were expected to remain the same for the next few days.
In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, badly hit on Tuesday, conditions eased in the capital Riyadh on Wednesday but continued to restrict visibility in the city centre.
Emergency rooms in Riyadh hospitals received some 1,285 people suffering from respiratory problems over 24 hours from the sandstorm, the state-run Al-Ekhbariya channel reported late on Tuesday.
The Saudi national weather centre reported that dust was also affecting visibility in the west and south, specifically in Assir, Najran, Hael and Medina provinces. Medina is home to Medina city, the second-holiest city in Islam.
The centre predicted another sandstorm would arrive in the kingdom by Sunday.

Agence France-Presse

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Health alert: UAE issues warning after drug authority withdraws supplements over safety concerns

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Residents across the UAE have been urged to immediately stop using several health supplements and a laboratory product after the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) ordered their withdrawal from the market.

In four urgent circulars, the regulator announced the recall and ban of three food supplements and one medical product, citing safety concerns including unapproved ingredients, contamination risks and quality defects. The authority warned consumers not to purchase the named products, particularly through online sales platforms.

Businesses have also been instructed not to advertise, distribute, store or sell the affected items in pharmacies, medical warehouses, health shops or via e-commerce channels in the UAE.

Products that residents are advised to avoid

In its first alert, the EDE warned against an unauthorised supplement marketed as “Super Immune+”, stating that it contains unapproved ingredients, including dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), molybdenum amino acid chelate, and boron citrate. The product was neither registered nor legally imported into the UAE.

A second circular ordered the withdrawal of WoundVite”, sold under the brand ZEN NUTRIENTS, after authorities identified the presence of a novel food ingredient not authorised under European regulations. The supplement had not undergone regulatory assessment in the UAE.

In a third notice, the EDE referenced a safety update issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), coordinating with disease control authorities, regarding the recall of certain batches of “Rosabella Moringa Capsule” due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Separately, specific batches of the laboratory product “Isotonac-4” were recalled following a reported quality defect. The manufacturer and supplier have been instructed to implement an immediate withdrawal.

Public advisory

The EDE urged residents to verify the registration status of supplements and medical products before purchase and to avoid buying unverified health products from unofficial online sellers.

Consumers who have purchased any of the named items are advised to discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare professional if they experience any adverse effects.

Authorities continue to monitor the market to ensure consumer safety and prevent the circulation of unauthorised health products.

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Etihad Rail unveils passenger train details, family cabins and faster Abu Dhabi–Dubai travel

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Etihad Rail has revealed new details of its highly anticipated passenger services launching in 2026, introducing exclusive family seating, strong onboard Wi-Fi for business travellers, and significantly reduced journey times across the UAE.

Azza AlSuwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility, said the seating design will allow families to spend quality time together,a feature aligned with 2026 being the UAE’s Year of the Family.

Faster travel

The passenger rail network will connect 11 cities and regions, stretching from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east, passing through:

  • Ruwais
  • Al Mirfa
  • Abu Dhabi
  • Dubai
  • Sharjah
  • Al Dhaid
  • Fujairah

Travellers can expect major time savings, including:

  • 57 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
  • 105 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah

A separate high-speed rail service is also planned, connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes, with trains reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h.

Designed for families and daily commuters

Etihad Rail says the new passenger experience is built around comfort, reliability and flexibility.

Key features include:

  • Dedicated family seating areas
  • Strong Wi-Fi connectivity for remote work and business travel
  • Luggage storage for weekend trips and staycations
  • A consistent and reliable timetable for daily commuters

“For commuters, reliability is everything. Etihad Rail will offer a journey people can plan around, one that gives them useful and usable time back,” AlSuwaidi said.

The project is expected to reshape commuting patterns, boost tourism and business travel, and support the country’s long-term economic vision.

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Dubai e-scooter fine: Dh200 penalty for riding on jogging and sports tracks, warns police

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E-scooter riders in Dubai face a Dh200 fine for using jogging and sports tracks, according to a renewed safety warning from Dubai Police. Authorities stressed that sports and pedestrian-only tracks are strictly prohibited for motorised micromobility devices.

The reminder forms part of ongoing road safety campaigns aimed at reducing accidents and ensuring safe shared spaces across the emirate.

Fines for riding on sports and pedestrian tracks

Under Dubai’s e-scooter regulations, riding on jogging paths or pedestrian walkways carries a Dh200 penalty. Officials also warned that reckless riding or operating in unauthorised areas may result in confiscation of the e-scooter.

Dubai Police urged riders to follow lane discipline and remain within approved tracks.

Where e-scooters are allowed

Dubai has expanded its micromobility infrastructure, with dedicated cycling and e-scooter lanes across areas such as:

  • Hatta
  • Dubai Marina
  • Jumeirah

Riders must use designated paths marked for e-scooters or shared cycling lanes only.

E-scooter rules you must know

Regulations set by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in coordination with Dubai Police, include:

  • Minimum age of 16 years
  • Mandatory helmet
  • Valid UAE driving licence or free RTA e-scooter permit
  • Strict use of approved tracks only

Authorities reiterated that the fines aim to promote responsible riding and strengthen road safety across Dubai.

Residents can report violations through the Dubai Police app’s Police Eye feature or by calling 901.

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