Good morning from The National on January 2, 2026.
Here is your digest of what is making the headlines in the Emirates.
The initiative is in line with President Sheikh Mohamed's vision to invest in the talent of citizens. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
The UAE is to put power in the hands of the people after setting out plans for a new form of government led by some of its brightest and best citizens.
President Sheikh Mohamed has directed the launch of the Community-Managed Virtual Authority, which is to be led by a director general and other team members all drawn from Emirati society.
The authority aims to attract a cross section of Emiratis, including specialists, academics, entrepreneurs, young people and retired citizens with significant experience.
The initiative "entrusts the community with full management of a public authority within a structured institutional framework".
Baby Hamdan was born at Burjeel Hospital at 12:01am. Photo: Burjeel
The start of the new year proved extra special for proud parents who welcomed the UAE's first babies of 2026.
Fireworks were still shooting into the skies when two little bundles of joy made their way into the world to light up the lives of their families.
Emirati Saif Al Rumaithi named his first son after his father, Saeed. He was born with a healthy weight of 3.3kg at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi.
Moments later, Salma Alhosani gave birth to Hamdan at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi. “We are happy that our son was born on New Year’s Day, which is an auspicious occasion and represents a new beginning for people across the world,” the boy's father said.
The government said the Civil Transactions Law will serve as a 'pivotal legislative milestone'. Getty Images
The UAE has set out reforms to its legal system that formally establish 18 as the age of adulthood, strengthen the rights of people as young as 15 to manage their own financial affairs and give greater decision-making powers to its judiciary.
The government said the new Civil Transactions Law – established through a federal decree – will serve as a “pivotal legislative milestone” and help to further modernise the country's legal landscape.
The age of majority, when a person is legally defined as an adult, will be reduced from 21 lunar years to 18 Gregorian years, using the calendar adopted by most of the world.
A person aged 21 in lunar years would be about 20 under the Gregorian system. The government said the switch had been made to align with “prevailing comparative legal systems”.
Ras Al Khaimah kicked off 2026 by earning a Guinness World Record for the “largest aerial display of a phoenix formed by multirotors and/or drones” during its New Year's celebrations. Read more here
Did you enjoy this newsletter? The National produces newsletters across an array of subjects. You can sign up to them here.
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
