Author: Editorial team

Six heads of Arab national football associations, including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-hosts Morocco, backed Fifa President Gianni Infantino on Thursday, with the game’s world governing body in crisis following a failed private investment plan.Infantino, who is seeking reelection next year, has faced open revolt after three confederations — Uefa, the AFC and CONCACAF — attacked his conduct and called for him to quit over his aborted bid to bring private investment into Fifa competitions, including the World Cup.The Swiss administrator had proposed carving off the commercial rights to the World Cup and selling 20% to private investors to…

ABU DHABI, 13th August, 2026 (WAM) — The UAE is solidifying its position as a leading global hub for Islamic finance and the Halal industry through an integrated strategic ecosystem comprising legal, Shari’ah, and regulatory frameworks, as well as governance systems led by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). This approach enhances legal and Shari’ah certainty within Islamic banking and finance, supports the sector’s growth within a legislative framework, and bolsters its competitiveness and sustainable growth. The UAE Cabinet’s approved in May 2025 “The UAE Islamic Finance and Halal Industry Strategy 2025 – 2031”, aimed at diversifying the economy…

ABU DHABI, 13th August, 2026 (WAM) — Abu Dhabi Customs has been honoured with two prestigious awards at the GovMedia Conference 2026 in recognition of its excellence in advancing governance frameworks, accelerating modernisation and digital transformation, and leveraging intelligent automation across its institutional operations. The international recognition reflects Abu Dhabi Customs’ progress in building advanced digital institutional systems powered by cutting-edge technologies and artificial intelligence. These efforts have enhanced operational efficiency, strengthened digital integration, and enabled data-driven decision-making, in line with the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s vision of building a more agile, proactive, and future-ready government ecosystem. Specifically, Abu Dhabi…

Dubai is preparing to launch a new ‘Rent Now, Pay Later’ service in September, allowing tenants to spread annual rent payments over as many as 12 months without interest.According to an Emarat Al Youm report, the service is being developed by the Dubai Land Department in partnership with a local bank, and is will give tenants more flexibility in managing housing payment.Tenants can choose a residential property, and the participating bank would pay the landlord the full annual rent upfront. The tenant would then repay the amount to the bank in flexible instalments over a period of up to 12…

Rihanna returned to the street where she spent part of her childhood in Barbados, this time bringing her own children along for the visit.The pop star and entrepreneur shared a series of photographs on Instagram documenting her return to the street in her hometown that was renamed Rihanna Drive in her honour.”One minute I feel like that kid from Westbury… the next minute I’m bringing my own kids back to ‘Rihanna Drive’,” Rihanna wrote.”Trippy how life works! And the Glory STILL and WILL ALWAYS belong to the Almighty Creator!!!” she added.The visit marked a full-circle moment for the singer, who…

Hasan Mahmud took a career-best 6-55 as Bangladesh bundled Australia out for 198 to take the honours on the opening day of the first Test in Darwin on Thursday.At the close Bangladesh were 96-1, 102 runs behind Australia. Mominul Haque was on 35 with Tanzid Hasan alongside him on 32 as the visitors made a superb start to a Test match most people expected them to lose inside three days.Earlier, Hasan led an impressive display by the visitors’ seamers as Australia slumped to their lowest Test score against Bangladesh, their previous worst being 217 in Mirpur in 2017.The 26-year-old was the…

SHARJAH, 13th August, 2026 (WAM) — The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) announced several achievements within its sustainable development plan to develop infrastructure in various areas of Sharjah during the first half of 2026. The authority completed the electricity connection plan for 2,497 new projects, and extended its medium- and low-voltage network by more than 167.6 kilometres. It also approved 1,072 electrical distribution panels in accordance with approved technical specifications and carried out 3,399 technical inspections of buildings and projects. SEWA issued 807 preliminary electricity inspection certificates to facilitate electricity connection procedures for customers. It also carried out…

At 68, Thangavelu Chandra Mohan knew that a liver transplant would be risky. However, living with his disease had become difficult too. Mohan’s condition steadily worsened since he was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in 2011. Simple activities such as walking left him exhausted, and he had become increasingly dependent on his family. By the time he reached Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi, doctors found several complications. His liver was functioning poorly, fluid repeatedly accumulated in his abdomen, and he had suffered internal bleeding. Blood clots had also blocked major vessels carrying blood to the liver, while his low platelet…

As the world marks International Youth Day, OMODA & JAECOO is highlighting how a new generation of intelligent mobility technologies is responding to the changing expectations of young drivers in the UAE. With AI, OMODA 4 and SIVP at the centre of its technology roadmap, the brand is bringing together intelligent interaction, assisted driving and electrified mobility to create vehicles that reflect the digital lifestyles and evolving priorities of younger consumers. OMODA & JAECOO’s global vision to “Co-Create A Beautiful Life With Young People” reflects this shift, placing young users’ expectations for intelligent technology, individuality and sustainable mobility at the…

ABU DHABI, 13th August, 2026 (WAM) — Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) on Thursday announced its financial results for the six-month period ended 30th June 2026, reporting revenues of AED27.5 billion and higher profitability, driven particularly by increased returns from TAQA Transmission and TAQA’s Generation business. EBITDA rose by 7.7 percent to AED11.0 billion from AED10.2 billion in the first half of 2025. Net income attributable to TAQA shareholders increased by 9.7 percent to AED4.1 billion, compared with AED3.7 billion in the prior-year period. Capital expenditure rose to AED7.2 billion, up 38 percent year-on-year, reflecting accelerated investment across…