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Oil pinch hurt growing in the UAE as Uber, Sharjah Taxi take cues

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Kumar Shyam

The pinch on the pockets of the UAE residents is starting to hurt badly by the day with rising oil prices and its knockon effects.

As soon as the petrol and diesel prices went up by at least 50 fils for the month of July, ride-hailing company Uber has followed suit.

The company sent out an email on Friday to inform about the fare hike. Uber would charge as much as 11 per cent extra for some trips, the American company added.

The hike is Uber’s second this year in the UAE, after a hike in March but the UAE’s market-linked price for the black gold has continued unabated. The country opted for a dynamic pricing with global trends in 2015. But Russia’s attack on Ukraine has messed all economies around the world.

Yet, petrol in UAE is three times more expensive than in Kuwait and almost double the average cost per litre in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, according to a Bloomberg report.

Dynamic pricing

Uber is not alone with Sharjah Taxi also deciding to base their fares with the rise or fall of fuel prices with this month.

The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) said the meter flag down rate will be increased or decreased every month in direct co-relation with the prices. Petrol prices in the UAE have jumped over 56 per cent since January 2022.

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Also read: UAE ranks first regionally and twelfth globally in growth potential
UAE petrol price to get costlier by 50 fils in July 2022
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Early last month, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, had admitted that prices could go higher as Chinese demand is likely to recover significantly while efforts by Opec+ to raise production were not yielding results fast enough.

The latest data showed Opec+ was running 2.6 million barrels a day short of its production target, Mr Al Mazrouei said at the Middle East and North Africa-Europe Future Energy Dialogue in Jordan.

He expects China, the world’s biggest importer and second largest economy, which has been easing its coronavirus lockdowns, to “come with more consumption”.

“With the pace of consumption we have, we are nowhere near the peak because China is not back yet,” Mr Al Mazrouei said. “The situation is not very encouraging when it comes to the quantities that we can bring. We’re lagging by almost 2.6 million barrels a day and that’s a lot.”

 

Dubai most expensive city in the Gulf

Meanwhile, Dubai has been ranked among the world’s most expensive cities to live and work in for expatriates this year, according to the Cost of Living survey by Mercer.

Dubai-expensive The study, which looks at how the rising cost of living has impacted workers’ financial wellbeing in 227 cities worldwide, placed Dubai in the 31st position.

The emirate, which has been seeing a growing influx of millionaires and demand for property recently, emerged as the costliest city in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, beating out the neighbouring cities of Riyadh, which landed in the 103rd position, Jeddah (111th place), Manama (117), Muscat (119), Kuwait City (131) and Doha (133).

Health

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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