1. UAE schools to end Fridays early as prayer time changes
The move follows a nationwide change that sets Friday prayer at 12.45pm, giving Muslim students and staff enough time to return home before congregational prayers begin.
KHDA said the decision was made after consultations with schools across the emirate and is designed to balance learning needs with religious obligations.
2. Friday sermon and prayer time to be standardised nationwide
The change in school timings comes alongside a nationwide update to Friday prayer schedules.
Authorities said the decision aims to standardise prayer times nationwide, improve organisation and ensure consistency for worshippers.
Worshippers have been advised to arrive early at mosques to avoid missing the sermon and to ensure they receive the full religious reward.
3. Sugar-sweetened drinks to be taxed differently from 2026
In October, the Ministry of Finance confirmed that updates to the UAE’s excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages will take legal effect on January 1, 2026.
The UAE will move away from the current flat 50 per cent tax on all sugar-sweetened drinks. Instead, a tiered tax system will be introduced, where the amount of tax depends on how much sugar or sweetener a drink contains.
The update aligns the UAE with a GCC-wide volumetric model, aimed at making the tax system more precise, efficient and consistent across the region.
The changes are also part of broader efforts to reduce sugar consumption and improve public health outcomes.
4. Dubai Airport’s Red Carpet service expanding to arriving passengers
Arriving at Dubai International Airport could soon be much faster for some passengers.
Dubai Airports announced in November that its Red Carpet service, currently available for Business Class departures, will be extended to arriving passengers at Terminal 3 in the next two months (rollout expected by January 2026).
How the Red Carpet service works
Travellers must complete a one-time registration at passport control on arrival, linking their passport details with their biometric profile. Once registered, they can use smart gates and corridors during future visits to Dubai, significantly reducing processing time.
5. UAE to expand ban on single-use plastics in 2026
The UAE’s plastic restrictions will widen again next year as part of its national sustainability strategy.
Plastic items to be banned nationwide
The import, manufacture and trade of the following single-use plastic items will be prohibited:
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Beverage cups and lids
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Cutlery, including forks, spoons, knives and chopsticks
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Plates
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Straws and drink stirrers
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Food containers and boxes made from Styrofoam
The move is aimed at reducing waste, protecting marine and land ecosystems, and supporting the transition to a circular economy.
6. Dubai enters final phase of single-use plastic ban
The phase will restrict items such as plastic plates, cutlery (including chopsticks), beverage cups and lids.
Dubai Municipality has prepared a detailed awareness guide to help businesses and affected entities transition to approved alternative materials that comply with the regulations.
What’s already been banned
Earlier phases of the ban included:
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Single-use plastic bags (from January 1, 2024)
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All single-use bags (from June 1, 2024)
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Polystyrene cups, plates and containers
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Plastic stirrers, cotton buds, table covers and straws (banned in 2025)
7. Another Dubai neighbourhood to introduce paid parking
Residents in Discovery Gardens will soon need to adjust to regulated parking.
The system will be implemented by Parkonic, with parking zone signage scheduled to be installed ahead of the launch.
What residents need to know
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Each residential unit without existing parking facilities will receive one complimentary parking permit
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Residents with more than one vehicle will need to purchase a paid parking subscription for additional cars
For more details, residents can visit the Parkonic website or contact 800 PARKONIC (72756642), which operates 24/7.
