DUBAI: Dubai has taken another step towards smart mobility as Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum arrived at the World Governments Summit 2026 in a fully autonomous taxi, formally signalling the launch of the emirate’s driverless transport service.

Officials said 100 driverless taxis will begin operating next month, marking the first phase of the programme aimed at transforming public transport through advanced technology.

The autonomous vehicles are powered by artificial intelligence and advanced sensor systems, enabling them to analyse data within seconds and make independent driving decisions without human intervention.

Speaking on social media, Sheikh Hamdan said the future of mobility in Dubai would be smarter, safer and more efficient, adding that the project would improve quality of life and make transport more inclusive for residents and visitors.

The initiative is being implemented by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with global technology firms as part of the emirate’s broader strategy to adopt sustainable and intelligent transport solutions.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will start issuing Hajj visas to intending pilgrims worldwide from February 8, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed on Thursday.

According to Saudi Gazette, the early launch is part of an accelerated timeline designed to enhance service readiness and ensure the comfort of pilgrims approximately four months ahead of the rituals, in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

“Contracts covering 100% of services at the holy sites for pilgrims arriving from abroad have been finalised, along with all accommodation contracts in Makkah through the Nusk platform,” confirmed the ministry.

750,000 pilgrims have registered so far, with packages booked for 30,000 pilgrims directly from their home countries, it added.

The ministry further said that approximately 485 camps have been allocated for international pilgrims at the holy sites, and 73 Hajj affairs offices have completed their basic contractual arrangements. 

In Pakistan, registration completed for 119,000 government pilgrims and 60,000 private pilgrims, confirmed Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf last month.

He had said that Hajj preparations were underway according to the Saudi timeline. The minister had said that arrangements for food, transportation and other services were finalised through a competitive process.

During Hajj 2025, the minister had said refunds amounting to Rs3.5 billion were returned to 75% of Pakistani pilgrims, with individual refunds ranging from Rs12,000 to Rs110,000. 

He had added that training sessions with audio-visual facilities were conducted at 147 locations nationwide, and well-trained pilgrims displayed discipline during Hajj.

Iran’s top military official says the country has strengthened its deterrence by upgrading domestically manufactured ballistic missiles.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi made the remarks on Wednesday during a visit to an Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) missile town.

“By upgrading its ballistic missiles in all technical dimensions, Iran has been able to strengthen its deterrence power,” he said during the visit, accompanied by Brigadier General Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force.

Mousavi also expressed Iran’s readiness to confront any act of aggression by its enemies.

“Following the 12-day war, we have changed our military doctrine from defensive to offensive by adopting the policy of asymmetric warfare and [boosting readiness for a] crushing response to the enemies,” the top general said.

He was referring to the illegal US-Israeli aggression against Iran that killed at least 1,064 people last June.

Israel launched the unprovoked war on June 13 while Iran was engaged in nuclear talks with the US, which also joined the aggression by striking Iranian nuclear sites.

In response, Iranian armed forces targeted strategic sites across the occupied territories and at Al-Udeid, the largest US military installation in West Asia.

Iran has since moved to enhance both its defensive and offensive capabilities.

The region is once again bracing for another potential military confrontation after the United States deployed air and naval forces to the region and threatened to attack the Islamic Republic.

Iranian officials have warned that any US attack would prompt an immediate response and could ignite a regional war.

Tensions have eased slightly as regional countries launched a flurry of diplomatic efforts to prevent war. Iranian and US diplomats are now set to meet in Oman on Friday for a new round of talks on Tehran’s nuclear program.

Earlier this week, General Mousavi warned that any miscalculation by the Islamic Republic’s enemies would trigger a “rapid” and “decisive” response.

Iranian Armed Forces are prepared to respond forcefully to threats, he added. “We think only of victory. We have no fear of the enemy’s superficial might, and we are fully ready for confrontation and to deliver a retaliatory slap.”