ABU DHABI, 17th June, 2026 (WAM) — In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Finance today announced the launch of the inaugural Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme, a Shariah-compliant investment instrument offered through an IPO-style subscription framework similar to that adopted by the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Nasdaq Dubai. The programme aims to broaden participation in government investment instruments and enable individuals and families to access investment opportunities backed by the UAE Government. The programme is designed to promote financial inclusion, foster a culture of long-term saving and investing, and is aligned with the UAE’s…
Author: Editorial Team
ALULA — Coinciding with the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, Saudi Arabia is highlighting its efforts to enhance biodiversity, restore natural ecosystems, and combat land degradation. Among the Kingdom’s notable initiatives are AlUla’s environmental programs, which focus on rehabilitating natural rangelands and planting native vegetation to restore ecosystems and curb desertification. The efforts have successfully rehabilitated more than 5,100 hectares of natural rangelands under habitat protection programs, as well as planted more than 530,000 seedlings representing 60 native plant species. AlUla has also recorded notable progress in environmental recovery indicators, with vegetation cover increasing from 6 percent in…
ABU DHABI, 17th June, 2026 (WAM) — Reinforcing the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to advancing sustainable development globally, and in line with Abu Dhabi Fund for Development’s (ADFD) strategic role as a catalyst for transformative development solutions, the Fund has financed the Agricultural Systems Development Project in Karakalpakstan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, with a total investment of AED 18.7 million. The project reflects a strategic partnership between ADFD and the Government of Uzbekistan, represented by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change and the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), the…
GOTHENBURG — Saudi Arabia won three international awards at the 10th European Physics Olympiad, held in Sweden, from June 12 to 16, with nearly 200 students from 40 countries participating. A bronze medal was awarded to Hussein Habib Al-Saleh from the Riyadh Education Department, while Honorable Mentions were given to Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Arfaj and Mohammed Mahmoud Al-Ramel from the Eastern Region Education Department. This achievement raises Saudi Arabia’s tally from its eight participations in the European Physics Olympiad to 27 international awards, including one gold medal, three silver medals, 13 bronze medals, and 10 honorable mentions. Source: Saudi Gazette
PARIS, 17th June, 2026 (WAM) — EDGE entity CONDOR Non-Lethal Technologies, a leading global provider of less-lethal solutions, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Business France at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris. The French ambassador of Brazil, Emmanuel Lenain attended the ceremony, in addition to leadership from both companies. The agreement marks an important milestone in CONDOR’s internationalisation strategy and reinforces EDGE Group’s broader vision of strengthening its industrial, technological and commercial presence across Europe through strategic partnerships and localised capabilities. The framework establishes cooperation designed to facilitate industrial, technological, and commercial collaboration between CONDOR and the French defence and…
The UAE’s oil output could exceed 5 million bpd next year as it moves to expand production after its exit from OPEC, making it a major driver of non-OPEC+ supply growth, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday, The UAE said its decision to leave OPEC, announced earlier this year, was aimed at prioritising production capacity expansion and maximising the value of its resources, freeing output from the constraints of the group’s quotas. Its total oil output is forecast to reach 5.2 million barrels per day in 2027, the IEA said, up 730,000 bpd year-on-year. Stay up to date with…
BEIRUT — Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Rajji received Fahd Al-Dosari, the new Saudi ambassador to Lebanon. Al-Dosari presented a copy of his credentials to Rajji. They discussed prospects for further improving bilateral relations between the two countries. Minister Rajji expressed his hope that the new Saudi ambassador would succeed in his diplomatic duties, relying on constructive cooperation between the two sides to serve the deep-rooted fraternal relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. Last week, Saudi Arabia lifted a 5-year ban on imports from Lebanon, marking a thaw in bilateral relations between the two countries. Source: Saudi…
The agreement reflects growing collaboration between regulated digital asset firms and established financial institutions in the UAE. Dubai — CoinMENA FZE, a VARA-licensed broker-dealer providing virtual asset services in the MENA region, today announced a strategic relationship with Standard Chartered, marking a significant step in strengthening the fiat payment infrastructure that supports its growing customer base. The partnership supports customer money account services and fiat payment infrastructure, reflecting the growing integration of regulated digital asset firms with established financial institutions as the UAE’s digital asset ecosystem continues to evolve. Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan,…
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has directed the expansion project of the University Hospital Sharjah, which will consist of a new building adjacent to the existing one at a total cost of Dh300 million, to be executed immediately. The expansion project is part of the ongoing development of the hospital’s healthcare services. The new building will double the capacity and add 300 parking spaces. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels. University Hospital Sharjah (UHS) is a major tertiary care teaching hospital located in University…
BRUSSELS, 17th June, 2026 (WAM) — The European Parliament has adopted new rules facilitating access to new plants that are climate and pest resistant, give higher yields and require fewer pesticides. The amended rules for new genomic techniques (NGTs) were provisionally agreed between Parliament and Council in December 2025. The new EU rules mark a shift towards regulating plants on the basis of what they finally look like genetically and not how they were made. NGT-altered plants are to be split into two categories with different legal obligations. NGT-1 — This category is for plants with a limited number and…