Good morning from The National on February 9, 2026.
Here is your digest of what is making headlines in the Emirates.
The UAE has welcomed a “Comprehensive Peace Plan” for Sudan, which was announced by the US senior adviser for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, emphasising its endorsement for efforts to secure a ceasefire.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Sunday, said the plan is built around five pillars: an immediate humanitarian truce; sustained humanitarian access and civilian protection; a permanent ceasefire; a political transition to a civilian-led government; and postwar reconstruction.
Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan commended “the leadership of US President Donald Trump in preventing Sudan from sliding further into extremism, fragmentation, and a deepening humanitarian catastrophe”.
Read the full story here
Sport equals happiness, say senior women competitors at Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi
Senior female athletes said sports gives them a sense of purpose and keeps their minds and bodies sharp, as they compete in the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi.
Thousands of athletes took part in events including athletics, table tennis, golf and judo in venues across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on Sunday.
“Sport is even more important when you get older. I feel younger when I compete and it gives me a much better quality of life,” said Monica Vargas, 73, from San Juan, Argentina, who won a silver in the discus in the 70+ age category.
“It keeps me full of energy, fills me with happiness, allows me to have a good rest and I can meet so many new people from different countries who I would not get to meet in Argentina.”
The Games run until February 15.
Read more from Ramola Talwar Badam here
New Al Qudra Road bridge to slash Dubai commuting times by 55 per cent, says RTA
A new bridge has opened to significantly reduce traffic in one of Dubai's busiest suburbs.
It's projected that the 600-metre bridge, at Al Qudra Road junction, linking Arabian Ranches and Dubai Studio City, will increase traffic capacity by 191 per cent and reduce journey times from 9.4 minutes to 2.8 minutes.
“Al Qudra Road is one of the key projects undertaken to upgrade and strengthen Dubai’s east-west road corridors,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the Roads and Transport Authority.
“The project, extending from its intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Emirates Road, serves several major development areas, most notably Arabian Ranches 1 and 2, Dubai Motor City, Dubai Studio City, Damac Hills, Mudon and Sustainable City.”
Read the full story here
Fact of the day
Abu Dhabi bio-intelligence company CoreX is in the process of recruiting Emiratis to develop what it calls precision prescriptions, as it aims to narrow the drug efficacy gap among Middle East communities in clinical trials. Read more here
Today's must-reads
Front page
See more of The National’s award-winning journalism in your Google search results – click here to add us to your preferred sources.
Did you enjoy this newsletter? The National produces newsletters across an array of subjects. You can sign up to them here.
