Air travellers in and out of Dubai will no longer need to present their passports for identity authentication, with the process replaced by facial recognition scanners.
On Monday, the emirate's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs launched a fast-track passport control service.
This uses face and iris-recognition technology at 122 smart gates at arrival and departure terminals in Dubai airports.
These will allow passengers to complete passport control procedures within nine seconds, officials said.
Passengers must pre-register to use the service.
The facial recognition service, which uses artificial intelligence, is available to outbound passengers after they check in for their flight.
Maj Gen Mohammed Al Marri, director general of the GDRFA, said biometric systems and artificial intelligence were being used to improve efficiency and enhance the travel experience.
Unlike the existing e-gate – which can only be used by UAE residents or Emiratis – this new service is open to all travellers, provided they register in advance.
Biometric checks have been in use at Dubai International Airport since October, when Emirates launched its own system that aimed to create contact-free travel.
The Dubai airline claimed its biometric "path" would reduce queuing time, as passengers undergo fewer document checks.
The touchpoints are open to Emirates passengers travelling from and through Dubai, and allow travellers to check in without having to come face-to-face with airline staff.
Monday's announcement came weeks after the UAE Cabinet approved a trial of facial recognition technology within the Ministry of Interior.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said facial recognition would be used in "some private sector services to verify the personal identity of individuals instead of submitting a lot of documents".
If the trial is successful, facial ID will be introduced more widely, he said.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand
October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
More on animal trafficking
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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US households add $601bn of debt in 2019
American households borrowed another $601 billion (Dh2.2bn) in 2019, the largest yearly gain since 2007, just before the global financial crisis, according to February data from the New York Federal Reserve Bank.
Fuelled by rising mortgage debt as homebuyers continued to take advantage of low interest rates, the increase last year brought total household debt to a record high, surpassing the previous peak reached in 2008 just before the market crash, according to the report.
Following the 22nd straight quarter of growth, American household debt swelled to $14.15 trillion by the end of 2019, the New York Fed said in its quarterly report.
In the final three months of the year, new home loans jumped to their highest volume since the fourth quarter of 2005, while credit cards and auto loans also added to the increase.
The bad debt load is taking its toll on some households, and the New York Fed warned that more and more credit card borrowers — particularly young people — were falling behind on their payments.
"Younger borrowers, who are disproportionately likely to have credit cards and student loans as their primary form of debt, struggle more than others with on-time repayment," New York Fed researchers said.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
