Author: Editorial team

From Thursday, April 23 to 30, one of the café’s soundproof work pods at Julith Coffee & Roastery is being transformed into a one-person library in collaboration with Bookends. The space measures just 128cm by 198cm, but packs in over 500 books across multiple genres and five languages. The idea is simple: step in, unplug, and read. Sessions are free, but must be booked in advance through the cafe website, with each slot capped at one hour to keep things calm and uninterrupted. Unlike a typical pop-up, this leans into what both brands already do: Julith offers quiet, focused spaces,…

ABU DHABI, 20th April, 2026 (WAM) — TRENDS Research and Advisory is participating as a knowledge partner in the second edition of the UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition 2026, organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. The event will take place at ADNEC Al Ain from 22nd to 26th April, bringing together experts, policymakers and industry leaders to support sustainable agricultural development. The partnership aims to enhance food security and address climate challenges through scientific research…

ABU DHABI, 23rd April, 2026 (WAM) — First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) recorded a net profit of AED5.01 billion for the first quarter of 2026 (Q1’26), while Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) remained firmly above the Group’s medium-term guidance at 17.8 percent. Operating income increased by 6 percent yoy to AED9.34 billion, while operating profit rose by 5 percent yoy to AED7.22 billion. Net interest income rose 12 percent yoy to AED5.61 billion, driven by solid business volumes and resilient margins, while non-interest income stood at AED3.72 billion and contributed 40 percent of Group revenue in Q1’26. Balance sheet growth…

ABU DHABI, 23rd April, 2026 (WAM) — Aldar announced on Thursday it has sold 80 percent of the homes released at Yas Park Place, its new mid-rise residential community at the heart of Yas Island, generating more than AED800 million in sales. The sales performance was supported by a series of customer events in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Expatriate residents and international buyers accounted for 54 percent of total sales, with notable demand from buyers from Jordan, China, Taiwan, and the UK. Forty-six percent of sales were completed by UAE nationals, highlighting continued confidence in the…

Fujairah has released several green sea turtles back into the ocean after they were rescued and rehabilitated by local teams. Of the world’s seven remaining sea turtle species, five are found in UAE waters. The hawksbill turtle is the only species known to nest annually along the country’s western coast. Along the entire eastern coast, only three verified nesting records have ever been documented — none of them in Fujairah — making this a rare occurrence. Tracking sensors have been fitted to the released turtles (Chelonia mydas) to monitor their routes and identify preferred nesting grounds. This data will inform…

From April 20, students across the UAE are back in classrooms after weeks of distance learning, as the Ministry of Education confirms a return to in-person schooling. While safety protocols and logistics have been carefully planned, the questions for many families also lean towards the emotional impact of being back to school: how will children reconnect with friends, rebuild social confidence and feel like they belong again in changed school environments? Experts say the academic catch-up will come in time, but what needs closer attention now are the social and emotional adjustments children require in classrooms and, just as importantly,…

DUBAI, 21st April, 2026 (WAM) — The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) today announced that it will become the world’s first AI-Native financial centre, embedding artificial intelligence at the foundational level of its legal frameworks, business environment, talent development, ecosystem infrastructure and physical urban fabric. While many global financial centres are experimenting with artificial intelligence, DIFC is positioning itself to take a fundamentally different approach. As part of this ambition, DIFC will evolve into an AI-Native jurisdiction and destination where artificial intelligence is embedded across legal and regulatory frameworks, business operations, talent development systems, ecosystem infrastructure and the district’s physical…

SEOUL, 23rd April, 2026 (WAM) — The Republic of Korea’s economy posted its fastest quarterly growth in 5 1/2 years in the first quarter, supported by solid exports amid a semiconductor upcycle and resilient domestic demand, central bank data showed Thursday. The country’s real gross domestic product (GDP) — a key measure of economic growth — rose 1.7 percent in the January-March period from three months earlier, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). It marked the strongest quarterly growth since the third quarter of 2020, when the economy expanded 2.2 percent. The figure…

ABU DHABI, 22nd April, 2026 (WAM) — UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received His Excellency Ahmed Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, who is on a working visit to the UAE. During the meeting, the two sides discussed fraternal relations and ways to strengthen cooperation, particularly in the development and economic fields, in a manner that supports mutual interests and benefits their peoples. They also exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest, including developments in the Middle East and their implications for regional and international peace and security, as well as their impact…

As the UAE approaches Eid al Adha holidays in May, school leaders have clarified that the academic calendar remains largely fixed, though limited flexibility exists within set guidelines. The update comes as questions from parents and students grow over whether this year’s Eid break could see any adjustments. Education authorities and principals across curricula are now clarifying how the holidays will be managed, as schools balance cultural observance with academic recovery and continuity. This follows recent disruptions linked to the US–Israel–Iran war, which has now reached an extended ceasefire, with schools focused on helping students transition smoothly back to face-to-face…