Anwar Gargash denies rumours that the UAE is cancelling residency visas

03

Business 30.08.2026

Türkiye’s exports hit record July high of $25.6 billion: TurkStat

ISTANBUL,30th August, 2026 (WAM) -- Türkiye’s exports rose 2.9% year-on-year to $25.62 billion in July, marking the country’s highest-ever export figure for the month, according to official data.The figure also represented Türkiye’s second-highest monthly export value on record, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said in a written statement evaluating provisional data compiled by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) and the Trade Ministry.Imports increased 5.1% from a year earlier to $32.97 billion, while the foreign trade deficit widened 13.6% to $7.34 billion. The export-to-import coverage ratio declined to 77.7% from 79.4% in July 2025.Despite regional conflicts and adverse global conditions, exports in the January-July period grew 3.4% year-on-year to $161.54 billion, Bolat said as quoted by Anadolu Agency.Imports during the seven-month period climbed 4.7% to $222.09 billion, pushing the trade deficit up 8.3% to $60.55 billion.Türkiye’s annualized exports increased 3.4%, or $9.2 billion, from a year earlier to $278.5 billion as of July, compared with $269.3 billion in July 2025.Annualized imports rose 4.9%, or $17.6 billion, to $375.3 billion from $357.7 billion over the same period.Bolat said exports remained resilient despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, increasingly difficult international conditions, rising protectionism and weak external demand.The ministry will continue strengthening Türkiye’s export potential through financing, export support, guidance and the activities of its overseas organisation, he added.“We will continue working with all our strength in the coming period to exceed the Medium-Term Program export target of $282 billion,” Bolat said.He added that Türkiye would continue efforts to climb higher in the global export rankings through President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s vision of high-value-added and competitive exports, while protecting domestic producers against unfair imports.Germany was Türkiye’s largest export destination in July, receiving goods worth $2.04 billion, followed by the US with $1.68 billion, the UK with $1.35 billion, Iraq with $1.11 billion and Italy with $1.11 billion.China was the largest source of imports at $5.04 billion, followed by Russia at $3.23 billion and Germany at $2.52 billion.Manufacturing products accounted for 94.4% of total exports, while high-technology goods represented 4.4% of manufacturing exports.

04

International 30.08.2026

Woman killed, five injured in shooting at event in Switzerland's Aarau

AARAU, 30th August, 2026 (WAM) -- Swiss police launched a manhunt after a shooting at an event in the town of Aarau left one woman dead and five people injured.Police said a large-scale search and tracking operation was launched following the incident, with officers deployed extensively and wide areas of the town cordoned off.A 22-year-old woman died from her injuries at the scene.Police also reinforced their presence outside the city, located around 50 kilometres west of Zurich, as a precautionary measure.

05

General 30.08.2026

Five UAE aid convoys carrying 903 tonnes of humanitarian assistance enter Gaza under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3

AL ARISH, 30th August, 2026 (WAM) -- Five UAE humanitarian aid convoys entered the Gaza Strip this week, comprising 74 trucks carrying 903 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, as part of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 and the UAE's ongoing humanitarian efforts to support the Palestinian people and meet their basic needs.The convoys included food supplies, educational materials and shelter items, helping meet the basic needs of the Palestinian people and strengthen the humanitarian response inside the Gaza Strip.The Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 team continues to prepare aid convoys through the UAE humanitarian aid logistics centre in Al Arish under an integrated system that includes receiving, sorting, preparing and dispatching assistance to the Gaza Strip, ensuring the continued flow of humanitarian aid and its delivery to those in need.The convoys form part of the UAE's ongoing humanitarian efforts under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, through the regular dispatch of assistance aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people and supporting their urgent humanitarian needs.Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 reaffirms the UAE's continued humanitarian and relief efforts in support of the Palestinian people, reflecting the country's longstanding humanitarian approach and values of solidarity and humanitarian responsibility.

06

Sci-Tech 30.08.2026

UAE President issues decision to establish National Programme for Advanced Sciences and Technologies

ABU DHABI, 30th August, 2026 (WAM) – President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a decision to establish the National Programme for Advanced Sciences and Technologies.The programme builds an integrated national pathway that links education, research and development, and talent-building with the UAE's strategic and advanced industries. It strengthens the country's readiness for the future through an institutional system that supports innovation, competitiveness, and national sovereignty in vital, priority sectors.The programme forms part of a broader national push to build an education and research system that keeps pace with rapid scientific and technological change, and to direct the outcomes of education, research, and development toward the fields that serve the state's needs and its industrial and development priorities. It focuses on investing in promising national talent, building a base of specialists in science and advanced technologies, and preparing them for future disciplines that strengthen the country's industrial capabilities and the competitiveness of Emirati products in strategic, priority sectors, while reinforcing national sovereignty within them.The decision establishes the Higher Committee for the National Programme for Advanced Sciences and Technologies, which will set strategic direction and provide overall oversight of the programme and its tracks. It is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, with H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, serving as Deputy Chairman. Its members include Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Managing Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmannan Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Fadel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defense Affairs; Dr Ahmed Mubarak bin Nawi Al Mazrouei, Head of the Office of the UAE President for Strategic Affairs; and Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs.The Higher Committee approves the programme's key directions, priorities, policies, and initiatives. It sets the programme's budget in line with applicable legislation, issues the decisions and directives needed to support implementation, and tracks progress against the programme's objectives and national impact. It reports results and development recommendations to the UAE President and the Prime Minister to strengthen the programme's performance and long-term sustainability.The programme strengthens national industrial capabilities and the competitiveness of Emirati products in strategic and vital sectors by connecting research capabilities, educational institutions, and innovation centres to industrial priorities. This connection drives the development of technical solutions that can be manufactured, scaled, and exported, with a direct impact on the UAE's standing in science and advanced technology. The programme includes six key tracks in its first phase: Technical Education and National Talent, National Service, Flagship Initiative, Global Challenge, Global Talent Attraction, and Technical Research and Innovation. Additional tracks may be added as the programme develops and as the UAE President issues further directives.The decision also forms an Executive Committee for the programme, operating under the Higher Committee's supervision and chaired by Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs. The Executive Committee reviews and approves the plans, programmes, policies, and initiatives proposed for the programme and its tracks, then submits them to the Higher Committee for approval. It also reviews the programme's budget and that of its tracks, oversees implementation of approved items, and tracks progress across the tracks in coordination with the relevant entities across the state.The decision further establishes an office for the National Programme for Advanced Sciences and Technologies. The office coordinates with track leaders to prepare plans, programmes, policies, and initiatives, and ensures they remain integrated and consistent. It tracks implementation of approved initiatives and issues periodic reports on progress, delivery, and performance. The office also builds and manages relevant local and international partnerships, and provides administrative, technical, logistical, and organisational support across the programme's committees and tracks.

07

Emirates News 30.08.2026

DMT reopens key E20 interchange in time for school year

ABU DHABI, 30th August, 2026 (WAM) -- The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced that the interchange connecting Khalifa City and Zayed City over the E20 has reopened in time for the school year.A significant portion of the highway from and to Abu Dhabi City will have two additional lanes accessible to motorists, bringing the total to five in both directions.With works on most of the western segment now complete, the E20’s eastern part will also feature a new interchange and additional lanes due to open in Q1 2027.Previously, the DMT announced that the arterial road’s development project will increase lanes from three to five in both directions and include two new bridges and 10.5 kilometres of new ramps and loops.The project’s extensive scope also features 1.5 kilometres of internal roads and eight safety-enhancing traffic light junctions across Khalifa City and neighbouring districts.

08

Emirates News 30.08.2026

Abu Dhabi Police: AED 1,000 fine, 10 black points for violators of 'STOP' arm on school buses

ABU DHABI, 30th August, 2026 (WAM) -- Abu Dhabi Police urged motorists to come to a complete stop when the side-mounted “STOP” arm on school buses is extended, and to maintain a distance of at least five metres.Abu Dhabi Police said this ensures that students can cross safely and protects their safety while boarding and alighting from the bus.Abu Dhabi Police confirmed that motorists who fail to stop when they see the “STOP” sign displayed by school buses transporting students will be subject to a fine of AED 1,000 and 10 traffic black points.Abu Dhabi Police stressed that students’ safety is a shared responsibility, urging motorists to exercise caution and vigilance around schools and school buses and to comply with traffic regulations that help provide a safe environment for students.