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Today’s UAE news is busy, but the thread is clear: the Emirates are planning ahead for trade, safer movement, winter tourism and more support for communities and entrepreneurs. As always, we focus on what these headlines mean in practice for SMEs, professionals, investors and residents.
Listen to our audio summary above for key insights from UAE News Today — Top Stories & Updates | 12 December 2025.
This daily round‑up follows UAEThrive’s content standards, with a clear structure, local SEO focus, and accessible language. We look at events, transport and safety, business and trade, lifestyle and community, and tech or future trends across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other Emirates so you can plan work and life with confidence.
Across the UAE, regional trade links are deepening, especially with the launch of a faster sea connection between Dubai and Iraq and growing ties with European partners through a new Bulgarian business council in Dubai.
On the ground, authorities are tightening safety planning for the New Year period, including strict marine traffic rules for Dubai’s waterfront celebrations and targeted traffic restrictions in Abu Dhabi to ease congestion and improve road safety.
Lifestyle and tourism news highlights winter festivals in Hatta, major fishing events in Abu Dhabi, and new health facilities in Sharjah, all of which shape how families and visitors spend their weekends and holidays.
Behind the scenes, we also see stronger support for women entrepreneurs, eye‑health services for workers, and leadership training for Sharjah officials, pointing to a long‑term push for more inclusive growth and better public services.
For businesses, today’s updates affect how goods move, when customers are on the road, and where people choose to spend time and money this winter. Logistics firms, tour operators, retailers, and real estate players all have decisions to make in response.
For residents, the stories touch everyday life, from safer New Year cruises and cleaner beaches to access to clinics, festivals and future rail and aerial mobility options. Staying informed helps us plan holidays, commutes, staffing, and investment with fewer surprises.
This is a strong news day for trade and investment. New connections in the Gulf, closer links to Europe and more structured support for women‑led businesses all feed into the wider non‑oil growth story. For many SMEs, the question is how to plug into these flows in a practical way.
DP World has launched a 36 hour roll‑on, roll‑off service between Mina Rashid in Dubai and Umm Qasr in Iraq, with capacity for up to 145 accompanied trailers on each sailing. According to the official announcement, this route shortens transit times and reduces the risks that come with long overland trucking through several borders.
For exporters and logistics firms, that time saving can be the difference between a tight delivery and a missed contract. A Dubai‑based food SME, for example, can move temperature‑sensitive goods to Iraqi supermarkets more reliably, while a building materials trader gains a more predictable schedule for project deliveries.
The sea link also cuts some of the paperwork and disruption tied to land crossings. That helps Iraqi market specialists who need consistent supply to keep shelves stocked and prices stable. Stronger trade flows tend to benefit residents too, through better product availability and fewer sudden gaps in imported goods.
Businesses that want to understand the full details of the 36 hour maritime service between Dubai and Iraq can review DP World’s update on the Dubai Media Office website: DP World launches new Dubai–Iraq sea link.
Dubai Chamber of Commerce has created the Bulgarian Business Council, with more than 240 Bulgarian companies already active in the emirate. This gives structure to a relationship that has been growing in trade, tourism and investment.
For UAE businesses in food, manufacturing, logistics, tourism and professional services, this council can act like a bridge into both Bulgaria and the wider EU market. A Sharjah food brand could link up with Bulgarian distributors, while a Dubai legal or consulting firm might support European companies setting up regional hubs here.
Networking events, trade missions and working groups are especially useful for start‑ups and SMEs that do not yet have deep contacts in Europe. The council format also helps with basic pain points, such as understanding regulations, finding reliable partners and exploring joint ventures.
The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) is back in the news, with a strong focus on training, mentoring, funding links, licensing support and market access for women founders. The profile highlights how more women in Sharjah are moving from idea stage to running real, revenue‑generating ventures.
This matters for the whole economy, not only for women. Corporate buyers and investors increasingly want diverse supplier bases and are actively looking for women‑led SMEs in fields such as marketing, consulting, tech, education and food.
We can imagine a home‑grown food brand led by a Sharjah founder that starts at local markets, then secures a supermarket contract and later lists on a platform like UAEThrive. Or a boutique consultancy that grows from a one‑person advisory to a specialist firm serving government and large corporates. SBWC‑style programmes help fill that pipeline.
Transport and infrastructure updates today focus on safety during peak periods and long‑term changes in how cities are built and connected. Business owners, logistics managers and residents all have planning to do as these rules and projects move forward.
Dubai Maritime Authority has confirmed a strict marine traffic plan for New Year’s Eve, running from 10 pm on 31 December 2025 to 2 am on 1 January 2026. The rules affect yacht owners, marinas, tour companies, charter operators and families planning to watch fireworks from the water.
The plan includes controlled routes, time slots, AIS monitoring and clear penalties for breaking the rules. In simple terms, boats will need to follow assigned lanes, respect movement windows and keep transponders active so authorities can track traffic in real time.
For operators, the message is to plan early, update itineraries, and brief crews and guests clearly. A tour company might move boarding times forward, adjust cruise paths, and send detailed instructions to customers by WhatsApp and email. This protects safety, avoids fines, and keeps New Year sailings running smoothly.
You can check the official mandatory New Year marine traffic plan in Dubai via Dubai Media Office: Dubai Maritime Authority marine traffic update.
Abu Dhabi Mobility has announced a temporary ban on heavy trucks and workers’ buses along Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street from 3 am to 10 am on Saturday 13 December 2025. The goal is to ease congestion and improve safety during a busy morning period.
Transport companies and bus operators that rely on this corridor need to reschedule or reroute. That might involve shifting deliveries to earlier in the night, using alternative roads, or adjusting staff pick‑up points. Communicating these changes to clients and drivers in advance will reduce confusion.
For commuters and residents, the restriction should mean smoother traffic flow and safer driving conditions. It also fits a wider pattern of data‑led traffic measures in Abu Dhabi, so businesses should expect more targeted rules of this type and track announcements closely.
Abu Dhabi is also pushing ahead with ambitious projects that will shape how people live and move in the coming years. Around the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, the Al Khail Square mixed‑use project will combine equestrian facilities with residential units, healthcare services, commercial areas and a members’ club in a walkable, green setting.
On Al Reem Island, ONE Residence is being marketed as the first residential tower with an integrated aerial mobility ecosystem, including potential eVTOL air taxi access and a drone logistics port for deliveries. For early adopters, this hints at a future where some journeys and parcels lift off from the rooftop rather than the kerb.
Across the emirate, five major changes are expected in 2026, such as Etihad Rail passenger services, a nationwide single‑use plastic ban, a new sugar tax, major cultural openings and a declared “Year of the Family”. Together, these shifts will affect packaging choices, transport options, housing demand and family‑friendly services.
For businesses, these projects signal opportunities in sustainable construction, mobility tech, hospitality, health and retail. For residents, they promise more connected, greener and family‑centred communities.
Today’s lifestyle and community stories show how winter in the UAE is about more than cooler weather. Cultural events, health services, green campaigns and tourism offers all shape where people spend time and money and how they see their neighbourhoods.
In Dubai’s Hatta region, Hatta Cultural Nights at Hatta Heritage Village will run from 20 December 2025 to 1 January 2026. The programme includes folklore shows, crafts, workshops, cinema experiences and a local market for heritage products and food.
For families, this is an easy winter outing that combines culture and fresh air. For home‑grown brands, artisans and F&B vendors, it is a chance to sell directly to visitors and build brand awareness in a growing weekend destination.
In Abu Dhabi, the Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championships will take place from January to March 2026, with more than AED 2 million in prizes and strict safety and sustainability rules. Fishing gear retailers, marine service firms and hospitality operators along the coast can all expect extra demand from participants and spectators.
Noor Dubai Foundation has reported a 156 percent rise in eye treatment cases, alongside more free screenings, glasses and referrals, especially among worker communities. This points to a bigger safety net for people who often skip check‑ups because of cost or time.
In Sharjah, Saudi German Health has opened a multi‑specialty clinic in Al Suyoh Mall, offering primary care, paediatrics, OB‑GYN, dermatology, dentistry and more, with extended hours. For families in nearby neighbourhoods, this reduces travel time for day‑to‑day healthcare.
HR and CSR teams can work with such providers to run on‑site screenings, awareness sessions and referral pathways. Healthier staff tend to mean fewer sick days, better focus and stronger loyalty, while clinics and pharmacies close to new developments signal future growth in real estate and retail activity.
Sharjah has confirmed a four‑day New Year 2026 break for public sector staff, with work resuming on Monday 5 January. Government services may move more slowly during this period, so companies with pending approvals should plan buffers, while hotels, malls and attractions in the emirate can prepare for a spike in visitors.
In coastal Al Hamriyah, the “Our Winter: Sustainability and a Smile” campaign brings clean‑up drives, recycling awareness and family activities to local beaches and parks. Cleaner public spaces attract more residents and tourists, which supports nearby cafés, shops and leisure businesses.
Sharjah Chamber of Commerce has also run a Diplomatic Leadership programme in Amman to train government staff in negotiation, communication and international representation. Over time, better‑trained officials can make trade missions, investment promotion and cross‑border partnerships smoother for the private sector.
Emirates is boosting visitor value with a free sunset dinner cruise on Dubai Marina and complimentary entry to Arte Museum Dubai for inbound passengers, on top of “My Emirates Pass” discounts. This drives more footfall to waterfront restaurants, malls and attractions along the cruise and museum routes.
Lifestyle coverage also shows how Dubai families are building their own Christmas traditions, such as turning carports into outdoor cinemas and choosing reusable décor. For F&B, décor, AV hire and events businesses, this signals demand for community‑centred, budget‑friendly experiences rather than only luxury outings.
Dubai’s adventure image stays strong through a viral stunt where Magali Folkner Braff swung from an airship 1,000 feet above the city before a BASE jump, marking 15 years of Skydive Dubai. At the same time, free driverless taxi rides in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim with Uber “Autonomous” and WeRide cars position the city as a live testbed for smart mobility. Retailers and cafés in these areas may see extra curious visitors trying the service.
Taken together, today’s stories present a UAE that is tightening safety, expanding trade routes, backing entrepreneurs and preparing for major shifts in 2026. For owners and managers, the opportunity is to adjust operations early rather than react at the last minute.
We can start with logistics. Review delivery plans around New Year’s Eve in Dubai and the early‑morning truck and bus ban on Abu Dhabi’s Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street. Share clear guidance with drivers, partners and clients so there are no surprises.
Traders and manufacturers can explore the potential of the new Dubai–Iraq sea link and the Bulgarian Business Council as routes into new markets. That might mean trial shipments, early meetings with council members, or feasibility work on expansions into Iraq or niche EU segments.
HR and CSR teams can map how to support staff and communities by partnering with eye‑care initiatives, clinics, women’s entrepreneurship groups and environmental campaigns. Small actions, like sponsoring screenings or mentoring a women‑led start‑up, can build both goodwill and future supplier networks.
Looking to 2026, businesses should track Etihad Rail passenger services, the single‑use plastic ban, sugar tax changes, the shift in Friday prayer time, and big cultural openings. These will affect customer flows, packaging choices, store hours and product mixes.
As all this unfolds, keeping business details accurate and up to date on trusted UAE directories helps customers find services quickly and builds local visibility in search and AI tools.
Today’s news across business, transport, lifestyle and community shows a UAE that is thinking ahead about safer mobility, deeper regional trade, smarter cities and more inclusive growth. From Mina Rashid to Al Reem Island and Hatta, the message is steady preparation rather than short‑term reactions.
For SMEs and professionals, staying on top of these updates makes it easier to plan staffing, routes, investments and marketing with confidence. To stay visible as the country moves into this next phase of growth, add or update your UAE business listing on UAEThrive at https://uaethrive.com/get-your-uae-business-discovered-for-free.
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