Environment Sustainability UAE

Fourth Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit Kicks Off in Abu Dhabi

News Editor 19/10/2026

Photo Credit: WAM The fourth edition of the Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit has officially opened at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, bringing together regional and international leaders to discuss sustainable development, economic resilience and responsible governance. Held under the

Economy Markets UAE

DIP Holding Announces Plans for IPO on Dubai Financial Market, Offering 20% Stake

News Editor 19/10/2026

Photo Credit: WAM DIP Holding Plc, the owner of Dubai Investments Park (DIP), has announced plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), with 20% of its issued share capital to be offered to investors. The proposed offering will involve the sale of 1,735,243,300 existing ordinary shares by Dubai […]

Tech UAE

American University of Sharjah Launches World’s Only UNESCO Chair for Arabic Language, AI and Digital Heritage

News Editor 19/10/2026

Photo Credit:WAM The American University of Sharjah (AUS) has partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to establish the world’s only UNESCO Chair dedicated to Arabic Language, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Heritage. The agreement, signed under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi,

Education UAE

UAE school admission age cut-offs: a parent’s eligibility checklist

Seif Kamel 19/10/2026

An important decision that parents have to make is when their child should start school. This is particularly important when there are specific eligibility criteria that must be met. Schools in the UAE follow specific age eligibility requirements for students at different levels. This is why it is crucial for parents to understand the admission […]

Travel UAE

Salik variable toll pricing explained: peak hours, free periods and trip costs

Seif Kamel 19/10/2026

Launched on 31 January 2025, Salik’s variable toll pricing system introduced a new approach to toll charges in Dubai. The toll fee depends primarily on the time motorists pass through a toll gate. According to the standard schedule, motorists pay AED 6 per crossing during peak hours and AED 4 during off-peak hours, excluding VAT. […]

Events UAE

Abu Dhabi to host 2029 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings as UAE signs hosting agreement in Bangkok

Miguel Hadchity 19/10/2026

Dubai, UAE –– Oct. 2026 ––The United Arab Emirates formally signed an agreement to host the 2029 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Abu Dhabi, with the heads of both institutions praising the country’s infrastructure and readiness. The signing ceremony took place at the exhibition centre in Bangkok, […]

Business News UAE

Dubai Chambers signs four MoUs with Chinese business chambers

News Editor 16/10/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai Chambers has signed four Memorandums of Understanding with leading chambers of commerce in China as part of efforts to strengthen business cooperation, expand trade and investment ties, and connect companies in Dubai with counterparts across key Chinese cities. The agreements were signed with the Beijing Chamber of International Commerce, the China

News UAE

ADAFSA Highlights Agricultural Transformation Initiatives at Al Dhafra Dates Festival

News Editor 16/10/2026

Photo Credit: WAM The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) is showcasing a range of initiatives focused on sustainable agriculture, food security and agricultural innovation at the fifth Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction, being held in Zayed City from October 16 to 25. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival […]

News UAE

AI agents now involved in 9% of Majid Al Futtaim transactions

Miguel Hadchity 16/10/2026

Dubai, UAE — Oct. 2026 — AI agents now play a role in about 9 percent of Majid Al Futtaim Holding’s customer transactions, up from virtually zero a few months ago, CEO Ahmed Galal Ismail said on Wednesday. The agents recommend products, influence choices or direct purchases, Ismail told “The Consumer of 2035” session at […]

News UAE

Cashless payments reach 99.3% of transactions in H1: Dubai Customs

Miguel Hadchity 15/10/2026

Dubai, UAE — Oct. 2026 — Cashless payments made up 99.3 percent of Dubai Customs’ payment transactions in the first half of 2026, the authority said, compared with 99.4 percent in 2025 and 99.2 percent in 2024. The figures support the Dubai Cashless strategy, which aims to integrate customs services with digital payments to simplify […]

Arts & Culture UAE

Global Village opens Season 31 with new attractions and cultural experiences

News Editor 14/10/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Global Village will open Season 31 on Wednesday, October 14, at 6 pm, welcoming visitors with new attractions, dining concepts, live entertainment and cultural experiences under the theme “A More Wonderful World.” The new season will run until May 2027 and builds on Global Village’s three-decade legacy as one of the UAE’s […]

News UAE

UAE Cabinet approves AED292.5bn budget plan: Social spending takes biggest share of 2027 allocations

Miguel Hadchity 14/10/2026

Dubai, UAE — Oct. 2026 — The UAE Cabinet has approved a AED292.5 billion federal budget plan for 2027 to 2029, including AED90.1 billion for fiscal year 2027. The Cabinet, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, approved both plans in line with the federal […]

Banking UAE

CBUAE to host 2026 UAE Banks Reception in Bangkok during IMF-World Bank meetings

News Editor 13/10/2026

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) will organise the 2026 Annual UAE Banks Reception in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, October 15, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and the UAE Banks Federation (UBF). The event will take place alongside the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, […]

GCC Health

GCC achieves full basic health service coverage for youth and adolescents

News Editor 13/10/2026

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have achieved 100 percent coverage of basic health services for adolescents and young people, significantly higher than the global average of 68 percent, according to data from the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-STAT). The figures show that the number of people […]

Sport UAE

UAE officially joins World Gymnastics, gains access to international events

News Editor 12/10/2026

The UAE has officially joined World Gymnastics, marking a new step in the country’s efforts to strengthen its presence in international gymnastics competitions and development programmes. The country is represented by the Gymnastics Committee of the UAE Sports for All Federation, which will now be eligible to participate in international gymnastics events and initiatives

News UAE

UAE, Singapore discuss deepening trade and investment ties

Miguel Hadchity 12/10/2026

Dubai, UAE – Oct. 2026 – UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi met senior Singaporean ministers in Singapore to discuss expanding trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. According to the Emirates News Agency, he held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, […]

News UAE

UAE Expands Cultural and Creative Industries Ecosystem with New Investment, Funding and Talent Initiatives

News Editor 09/10/2026

The UAE is accelerating efforts to position culture and creativity as fully integrated economic sectors, linking talent and creative production with financing, intellectual property rights, distribution networks and domestic and international markets. Developments recorded across the country in 2026 highlight the growing scale of the UAE’s cultural and creative industries,

Lifestyle UAE

UAE public holidays explained: confirmed dates, expected dates and moon sighting

Seif Kamel 07/10/2026

Public holidays in the United Arab Emirates represent an important element in the calendar of both citizens of the country and its residents. Holidays enable people to plan their activities in advance, such as trips and gatherings with family and friends. Some holidays can be identified well in advance. On the other hand, some other […]

News UAE

UAE leads MEA in flexible workspace development, JLL report finds

Miguel Hadchity 07/10/2026

Dubai, UAE – Oct. 2026 – The United Arab Emirates is the most mature market for flexible workspace in the Middle East and Africa, supported by strong occupancy rates of 75 to 85 percent in Dubai and 70 to 85 percent in Abu Dhabi, according to a new report from real estate services firm JLL. […]

News UAE

Dubai FAA to Host 3rd Foreseeing Government Audit Future Conference Under ‘Smart Audit’ Theme

News Editor 06/10/2026

The Financial Audit Authority (FAA) in Dubai will organise the third edition of the Foreseeing Government Audit Future Conference on 28 and 29 October 2026, bringing together government officials, audit professionals, governance experts and technology specialists to examine how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping the future of financial