Author: Editorial team
In September 2021, the UAE launched the Nafis programme, a Dh24 billion initiative designed to fundamentally change the employment landscape. As part of the “Projects of the 50,” the goal was to integrate 75 thousands Emirati nationals into the private sector by 2025 and reduce the traditional reliance on public sector jobs. Fast forward to April 2026, and the landscape has transformed beyond those initial expectations. With over 176,000 Emiratis now employed through the programme, 152,000 of whom are currently active in the private sector, Nafis has not only met its targets but shattered them. Recognizing this unprecedented success, Sheikh…
MANAMA, 9th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), confirms the gradual resumption of flights. This follows the reopening of the Kingdom of Bahrain airspace as announced by its Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) at the Ministry of Transportation & Telecommunications. According to Bahrain News Agency, BAC confirmed that coordination is ongoing with various partners to ensure the efficient and smooth return of operational activities, while safeguarding the safety and security of travelers. Source: Emirates News Agency
SHARJAH, 8th April, 2026 (WAM) — In a step reflecting the Emirate of Sharjah’s direction towards advancing AI-driven government operations, Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dell Technologies to launch a comprehensive programme aimed at building institutional capabilities in artificial intelligence. This initiative will enhance the readiness of government entities to adopt advanced technologies and utilise them to improve services and quality of life across the Emirate. This collaboration aligns with SDD’s efforts to establish an integrated digital ecosystem that drives the transition towards a more efficient, proactive, and human-centric government. It focuses on…
[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran ceasefire for the latest regional developments.] Private schools across the UAE are accelerating their shift to digital admissions, as distance learning continues to shape how families interact with education providers. According to Emarat Alyoum, from online registration portals to remote interviews and assessments, the enrollment journey is also being completed from home. Parents can enter student details through dedicated school websites, schedule virtual interviews for younger children, or arrange online assessments for higher grades. Once accepted, seat reservation fees are also paid electronically, streamlining what was once a largely in-person process. Stay up…
From pet relocations to rising costs, gaps in coverage are pushing the UAE to rethink how protection is accessed and understood Published: Fri 27 Mar 2026, 12:12 PM By: Aoun Al Smadi | Partner Content Recent developments across the Middle East have forced many residents to make difficult and often sudden decisions about travel, relocation, and personal arrangements. Amid these changes, one unexpected issue has come into focus: pets. Animal shelters across the UAE have reported a growing number of animals requiring temporary care as some residents depart on short notice and face complex travel requirements for relocating their pets.…
DUBAI, 8th April, 2026 (WAM) — Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, chaired a high-level coordination meeting hosted by the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) at its headquarters in Dubai. The meeting brought together senior executives from global shipping lines and representatives of maritime associations as part of ongoing efforts to address current challenges impacting regional supply chains. The meeting was attended by Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the PCFC, and Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, alongside senior leaders from the logistics and maritime sectors. During the meeting, Dr. Thani Al…
Seventeen years ago today, history was scripted in Dubai as the world’s first cloned camel was born in the emirate. Named Injaz, meaning achievement in Arabic, the female calf arrived at the Camel Reproduction Centre (CRC) after a 378-day pregnancy. Scientists had taken a cell from an adult female camel, fused it with an egg cell, and implanted it into a surrogate — a process that took five years of failed attempts before success. At the time, cloning was still approached with caution. The memory of Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal born in 1996 in the UK, loomed…
Dubai’s dining scene has a new feel‑good twist: a citywide “pay‑it‑forward” platform that lets you buy treats in advance for someone you may never meet. TreatOnUs.ae turns simple acts of kindness into direct support for local restaurants, while inviting venues to surprise guests, neighbours and those in need with prepaid coffees, desserts and dishes. What is ‘Treat On Us’? This is a new community‑driven initiative created by entrepreneur Alexander Sysoev, inviting people in Dubai to purchase meals and drinks in advance that restaurants then pass on as gestures of care. Inspired by the age-old suspended coffee tradition, it offers a…
There’s a certain rhythm to how global brands enter the Dubai market. For Ulta Beauty, that rhythm has picked up rather quickly. Just two months after opening its first UAE store at Mall of the Emirates in January, the American beauty giant has officially opened doors to its second location at Dubai Mall on March 27, marking its rapid growth in one of the world’s most competitive retail landscapes. If Mall of the Emirates served as Ulta’s introduction to the UAE consumer — a way to familiarise shoppers with its distinctly American, all-under-one-roof beauty format — then Dubai Mall represents…
FUJAIRAH, 8th April, 2026 (WAM) — Fujairah Martial Arts Club announced that the list selected to join the Sports Talent Care and National Sports Support Programme includes taekwondo athletes Mozon Issa and Salma Al Naqbi, and fencer Abdullah Al Samahi. Nader Abu Shawish, Director of Fujairah Martial Arts Club, stated that this step reflects the high quality of diverse talents within the club, the significant development in combat sports, and the outstanding achievements accomplished in the name of the UAE, under the support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah. He pointed out that the…