More than 20,000 people from 100 countries are expected in Abu Dhabi for a major rail conference, organisers say.
Global Rail, which starts on Tuesday, also aims to draw government ministers, delegations and 200 exhibitors.
Over three days, they will gather in the capital to discuss themes such as the increasingly prominent role of autonomous systems and what effect artificial intelligence is having, under the thematic banner of “driving the future of transport and global connectivity”.
The event, now in its second year, is being hosted by Etihad Rail and comes as anticipation builds in the UAE for the launch next year of its new passenger service.
Four stations have been announced so far – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah – and construction is under way on the line that will link the country's seven emirates.
While Etihad Rail has not yet announced a date for when the service will start – nor the routes – the operator said it will begin in 2026.
The company has posted video footage of test trains running from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah and in January it showed reporters round one of the passenger trains while showcasing models of stations.
Once operational, the service is expected to have major knock-on effects for trade, tourism and education.
Exciting times
"This is the perfect time for the Global Rail event in Abu Dhabi, with Etihad Rail set to begin passenger services next year on a cross-country route," said Martin Tillman, UAE-based transport expert and founder of TMP Consult.
"The event reinforces the UAE’s growing leadership and maturity in transport and mobility on the global stage," said Mr Tillman. He added that the event will not only highlight the transformational impact of Etihad Rail, but also showcase the latest infrastructure innovations and emerging technology.
The gathering also comes as other rail projects are being launched and advancing.
Etihad Rail, for example, in January announced the launch of a high-speed network between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, although no date was provided.
Construction is also under way on Hafeet Rail, a megaproject to link the UAE and Oman. Ahmed Al Hashemi, chief executive of Hafeet Rail and chairman of the conference’s executive committee, told The National that some of the “very ambitious” plans for the project would be outlined at the conference but it was a major project with significant benefits.
"You can take the load of 300 trucks in one train,” said Mr Al Hashemi. "And [Abu Dhabi] to Sohar [in Oman] will take only one hour and 40 minutes. So it is a very considerable reduction in travel time."
Historic railway networks are also being revived. Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Turkey's Transport and Infrastructure Minister, said last week that the Hejaz railway – which once connected Damascus to Madinah – is going to be rebuilt after a deal was struck between Turkey, Syria and Jordan.
The number of participants at Global Rail are a testament to this surge in rail activity, with 11 national rail operators set to attend – Etihad Rail, Hafeet Rail, Qatar Rail, Jordan Hejaz Railway, Korea Railways Corporation, India Railways, East Japan Railways, ONCF Chad, Afghanistan Railways, Renfe Operadora and Keolis.
The exhibition will highlight global rail projects from Paraguay to Uzbekistan, and feature a finance pavilion connecting operators to banks, as well as the Global Rail innovation award, which will give a Dh1 million ($270,000) grant for transport, mobility and logistics solutions.
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Bah
Born: 1972
Husband: Emirati lawyer Salem Bin Sahoo, since 1992
Children: Soud, born 1993, lawyer; Obaid, born 1994, deceased; four other boys and one girl, three months old
Education: BA in Elementary Education, worked for five years in a Dubai school
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Notable groups (UAE time)
Jordan Spieth, Si Woo Kim, Henrik Stenson (12.47pm)
Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Louis Oosthuizen (12.58pm)
Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood (1.09pm)
Sergio Garcia, Jason Day, Zach Johnson (4.04pm)
Rickie Fowler, Paul Casey, Adam Scott (4.26pm)
Dustin Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy (5.48pm)
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The Transfiguration
Director: Michael O’Shea
Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine
Three stars
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Everton
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, kick-off 7pm (UAE)
How to watch: Live on BeIN Sports 11HD
Everything Now
Arcade Fire
(Columbia Records)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
