Author: Editorial team
UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security has rolled out the ‘Basma 15 initiative, a government programme designed to bring essential identity services to students aged 15 and above directly to schools. Under the initiative, specialised teams visit schools to collect students’ fingerprints on-site, eliminating the need for families to travel to service centres. The move is aimed at saving time and effort for both students and their parents, while ensuring a more convenient and efficient experience. The programme reflects the UAE’s broader commitment to enhancing customer satisfaction and streamlining government procedures through smart, accessible services.…
In 2023, as the city of Madison in Wisconsin, US, geared up to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Mahanth Joishy waited for news that could potentially upend his life. His lymph nodes had been swollen and painful for more than a week, and he was awaiting the results of a blood test and CT scan. He was 43, and brimming with plans: as the Superintendent of the City of Madison Fleet Service, he was laser-focused on making the city’s government fleet the best in North America and had won prestigious awards for his efforts. On the personal front, he had entered the…
DUBAI, 1st April, 2026 (WAM) — Emirates Growth Fund (EGF) has announced a landmark AED45 million strategic minority investment in CarniStore, the nation’s leading premium protein business, bringing together sourcing expertise, proprietary production, and digital retail to elevate food standards across the UAE. This marks EGF’s first investment in the food sector, representing a definitive step in the UAE’s mission to foster “National Champions” and signaling a powerful vote of confidence in the scalability of the country’s premium, locally-rooted F&B sector. Khalifa Al Hajeri, CEO of Emirates Growth Fund (EGF), commented, “EGF’s investment in CarniStore reflects our mandate to support…
SHARJAH, 1st April, 2026 (WAM) — The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) said its technical teams handled more than 8,300 reports during the recent adverse weather, ensuring a rapid and precise response in line with the highest operational standards. The authority confirmed that its response was driven by proactive plans activated before the impact of the weather, including elevating readiness to the highest level, operating control rooms around the clock, and enhancing coordination across departments. Technical teams were strategically assigned according to meticulously planned geographical coverage maps to guarantee rapid access to reported incidents. Reports ranged from minor…
When the low-pressure weather system ‘Azm’ battered the UAE with copious amounts of rain last week, for many it was the time to draw on their experience of the April 2024 floods. While some were out for days volunteering to help those who needed it, others took precautions to ensure that their residential communities remained safe. Deepu AS has been an active volunteer for several years. On April 16, 2024, when the UAE received record-breaking rainfall, he was one of the first along with his team to go to water-logged areas to help those who were stuck. On the day,…
Niloy Nag’s story of moving from the corporate grind to entrepreneurial freedom follows a familiar arc. After two decades of thriving in a demanding telecom career in India and Dubai, Nag — like many high-achieving professionals — found himself asking the inevitable questions: What next? What was the one thing he loved most to wake up energised every morning? The answer, he realised, had always been clear: travel. An avid traveller, Nag was passionate about discovering new destinations, often planning every detail himself. Long before AI made trip-planning simple, he would spend hours meticulously researching routes, stays and experiences, charting…
“A joke is not judged by intent, but by its impact,” according to a UAE lawyer. As April Fools’ Day falls on Wednesday, April 1, residents in the UAE are being reminded that even seemingly harmless pranks can carry serious legal consequences. Sharjah Public Prosecution has warned that sharing false information, even in jest, may violate the law, something that many might not realize until it’s too late. Legal experts say the central issue is not whether something was meant as a joke, but how it is received by the public. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow…
ABU DHABI, 1st April, 2026 (WAM) — Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in collaboration with 7X has launched ADEED – the UAE Supply Chain Support Platform, a new strategic initiative designed to strengthen business continuity across Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s with supply chain and trade sectors as the regional economic landscape evolves. As a vital Abu Dhabi government entity and trade facilitator, ADIO is taking decisive action to ensure the emirate remains agile, responsive, and resilient. ADEED combines ADIO’s market insight and business support capabilities to provide visibility and support towards the movement of materials, industrial inputs linked to…
Dr Narjess Boubakri, 65, is the dean of American University of Sharjah’s School of Business Administration. With her decades of life wisdom, she says that money does not define life, but it is a facilitator and “definitely helps move things along”, support loved ones and contribute to the world around us. Originally from Tunisia, she has been in the UAE for 20 years after an international career, which has taken her around the world, before coming back to the Middle East. If you had to write a letter to money, what would you say? Dear Money, please help me achieve my dreams without letting me…
ABU DHABI, 1st April, 2026 (WAM) — ADNOC Distribution on Wednesday announced shareholder approval of all agenda items at its Annual General Assembly Meeting (AGM), including the approval of a final cash dividend of $350 million (AED1.28 billion), equivalent to 10.285 fils per share, for the second half of 2025 to be distributed in April 2026. Recent regional developments have not had a material impact on ADNOC Distribution’s operations, financial position or liquidity. The company continues to operate its nationwide service station network and international footprint safely and reliably, with well‑established business continuity and contingency plans in place. ADNOC Distribution…