ABU DHABI, 12th August, 2026 (WAM) — The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, implemented its second round of field trials on an autonomous patrol boat developed by Blue Gulf Group. The goal of these trials, under the supervision of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, is to develop autonomous patrol capabilities to support monitoring operations across public waterways in Abu Dhabi. The latest field test, conducted in the vicinity of Al Saadiyat Ferry Terminal in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Maritime and Abu Dhabi Investment Office, evaluated the 23-foot vessel’s compliance…
Author: Editorial Team
SHARJAH, 12th August, 2026 (WAM) — The Sharjah Civil Defence Authority announced that it will automatically issue facility compliance certificates, meaning that the certificates confirm that facilities meet safety and prevention standards. This will happen right after a low-risk facility’s license is issued or renewed. It shows the authority’s commitment to improving digital services, simplifying processes, and increasing the efficiency of government operations. This action supports the Emirate of Sharjah’s goals for integrated and proactive digital services. The new service lets business owners get a Civil Defence compliance certificate without submitting a separate application. The certificate is issued automatically based…
As investment into femtech surges, more women in the GCC region are using smart devices to track their menstrual cycles and fertility. “Women are actively looking for tools that help them better understand their bodies and make informed decisions about their health,” said Dr. Ami Bhatt, Chief Medical Officer at wearable health tracker company Whoop. She said that according to the company’s data, menstruation is the second-most frequently logged behaviour among users in the GCC — one of the highest rates of menstrual logging globally. The surge in demand coincides with a broader boom in femtech investment. The sector attracted…
JEDDAH — Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are forecast to continue affecting several parts of the Kingdom’s southwestern coast through Saturday, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). According to projections from the Saudi Numerical Model and an animated map issued by the NCM, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected across most of Jazan’s coast on Wednesday afternoon, with lighter showers over southern Asir and areas along the border between Asir and Al-Baha. Heavy rainfall is expected to persist until early evening before weakening and becoming more scattered across the affected areas, eventually clearing by late evening. Early Thursday morning,…
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s 2026 Digital Experience Maturity Index scored 87.06 percent, achieving an “Advanced” maturity level following a comprehensive assessment of 59 digital platforms, the Digital Government Authority (DGA) announced. More than 805,500 people participated in the “Rate Your Digital Experience” survey, compared with 374,000 the previous year, reflecting the index’s expanding reach and its role in supporting the continuous improvement of government digital services. The assessment was based on four main perspectives covering 20 areas, including beneficiary satisfaction, user experience, complaint handling, and technologies and tools, with the aim of improving digital services and enhancing the beneficiary experience.…
More than 39,000 people have registered as organ donors in the UAE, while over 1,195 transplant procedures have been carried out under the country’s national organ donation programme, the Minister of Health and Prevention said marking the World Organ Donation Day. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh said the figures show growing public awareness and confidence in the UAE’s organ donation and transplantation system. According to the minister, the UAE now ranks first in the GCC in terms of growth in donor numbers and organ transplant procedures. He said that Hayat has also become one of the fastest-growing programmes of its kind…
SAKAÏ, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, 12th August, 2026 (WAM) — Abu Dhabi-based Global South Utilities (GSU) today inaugurated the largest infrastructure project in the Central African Republic’s history, a 50-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Sakaï that increases the country’s electricity generation capacity by more than 60 percent. “It is a project of historic national importance that will help shape the future of the Central African Republic. It reflects the power of partnership, the importance of keeping commitments – delivered in 10 months- and a shared belief in a better future for the Central African Republic,” said Ali Alshimmari, Managing…
Charles Giancarlo, Chairman and CEO, Everpure. Fresh hyperscale agreement builds on 2024 breakthrough and validates DirectFlash technology advantage Dubai — Everpure has announced a design win and supply agreement with a second top-five hyperscaler, marking a fresh milestone in the company’s push into large-scale cloud infrastructure. Building on the landmark hyperscaler deal it announced in late 2024, the agreement reinforces Everpure’s technological leadership and software-driven approach to data storage. Charles Giancarlo, Chairman and CEO of Everpure, said the win reflects growing recognition of the economic, operational, and performance advantages of the company’s DirectFlash technology over legacy storage architectures. DirectFlash, Everpure’s…
ISLAMABAD — The United States and Iran have agreed to extend a 60-day ceasefire under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as the agreement is set to expire on Aug. 17, Pakistani government sources told the Turkish news agency Anadolu on Wednesday, without disclosing the duration of the extension., “Both sides have conveyed their consent to the mediators to extend the deadline,” a source close to the mediation process said. The two countries were still exchanging messages over the duration, the source added. Neither Washington nor Tehran had publicly confirmed the reported agreement. The Islamabad memorandum, signed on June 17, gave…
WELLINGTON — New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon has survived a second leadership showdown in four months, just 87 days out from the country’s general election due in November. Talking to media after a three-hour meeting of his MPs in Wellington on Wednesday, the embattled leader said he had the full support of his party. “There was a confidence vote in my leadership this morning at our caucus meeting, and I have the full support of our caucus,” Luxon said. “Our caucus is united, and it is determined to win this election.” The confidence vote on Wednesday was held afterhis…