RAFHA — More than 40 Arabian sand gazelle births recorded at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve during the first quarter of 2026. This reflects the success of endangered species reintroduction programs carried out by the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority and the effectiveness of efforts to conserve biodiversity and enhance ecosystem sustainability within the reserve. The authority stated that the births were documented through continuous field monitoring conducted by specialized teams. It noted that the high rate of natural reproduction among Arabian sand gazelle reflects the quality and suitability of the reserve’s habitats, as…
Author: Editorial Team
Rudie Opperman. Rapid progress across the UAE’s digital economy has created new opportunities to embed trust, transparency, and accountability into public services. Recent regulations introduced by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, governing the use of body-worn cameras by Dubai Court enforcement officers represent far more than an operational enhancement. The move marks a significant step in the nation’s broader ambition to establish itself as a global benchmark for Responsible Technology. Artificial Intelligence and the…
Just metres beneath the surface off Fujairah’s coast, clouds of juvenile fish darted in and out of specially designed reef structures as divers descended to examine what one marine scientist describes as the culmination of a 25-year idea. For more than two decades, marine ecologist Dr Aaron Bartholomew carried around an idea he believed could change the way artificial reefs work. The concept first took shape during his PhD research in 2001, long before conversations about biodiversity loss, climate resilience, and nature-positive infrastructure became mainstream. While many artificial reefs were designed to attract large fish, Bartholomew was focused on a…
DUBAI, 9th June, 2026 (WAM) — The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has launched a new initiative to expand the scope of expenses eligible for VAT refunds for UAE nationals constructing new residences, allowing citizens to claim refunds on an additional range of construction costs. This move aligns with the UAE leadership’s directives, coinciding with the Year of Family and supporting family growth and cohesion. Expanding the scope of eligible expenses is expected to yield an estimated AED200 million in VAT savings for UAE nationals, averaging AED25,000 approximately per claim. This highlights the initiative’s role in supporting home ownership and alleviating…
For years, five friends working in the UAE shared a common goal of building better lives for themselves and their families. Along the way, they also shared lottery tickets, celebrated small wins and encouraged one another to keep believing. On May 27, that belief paid off in a life-changing way. Nepalese expat Tayab Khan, a 26-year-old security guard based in Abu Dhabi’s Ruwais Industrial Area, became the face of the Dh30-million win after the group’s ticket matched the winning numbers in The UAE Lottery’s Lucky Day draw. The jackpot will be split equally among the five friends, giving each of…
RIYADH — The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced that construction of two parallel bridges alongside the Wadi Laban Bridge is 28 percent complete, with the project set to serve more than 400,000 vehicles daily. The RCRC, on its official X account, shared that these bridges — each of 763 meters long and with a geometric height ranging from 161 to 175 meters — will support the movement of more than 400,000 vehicles daily. In addition, the bridges will have four main supports, with each bridge on two bases. According to the RCRC, the bridges will have a higher…
YEREVAN — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s pro-Western party has won crucial parliamentary elections, confirming the country’s pivot toward Europe away from its traditional ally, Russia. Final results showed Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party securing a slim majority, while the Strong Armenia alliance, led by the Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, won 25% of the seats in parliament. The Armenia Alliance was third with 9.9%. The result, which will be welcomed in Brussels but viewed with dismay in Moscow, strengthens Pashinyan’s hand as he pursues his signature and politically sensitive goal: a peace agreement with Armenia’s longtime adversary Azerbaijan and the normalization…
ABU DHABI, 8th June, 2026 (WAM) — The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has launched its annual awareness campaign, “Your Safety is Our Priority,” as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public safety, encourage the responsible consumption of electricity and water, and strengthen community awareness during the summer season. The campaign reflects the Department’s commitment to supporting a safe and sustainable community by raising awareness of the heat-related risks during the summer, promoting safe practices in the use of electricity and gas, enhancing energy and water efficiency, and encouraging conservation and the adoption of optimal resource-use behaviours amid…
As schools across the UAE enter the final stretch of the academic year, many students may feel their schedules have become increasingly packed. But educators said the apparent rise in intensity is less about adding pressure and more about fitting assessments, enrichment activities, transition programmes and celebrations into a shorter timeframe. Some institutions have also deliberately strengthened their end-of-year plans. In certain UAE schools, students are already preparing for the next academic stage, with senior learners moving into advanced coursework almost immediately after completing key examinations. “We intentionally intensify this period by conducting robust transition classes for all students from…
NEW DELHI — A vessel caught fire off the coast of Oman on Monday, with Indian authorities later announcing that all 24 Indian crew members on board were safe. Opesh Kumar Sharma, director at India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said the incident occurred at around 1.30 pm (0800GMT) aboard the MT Marivex. “Per available information, all Indian seafarers are presently safe,” he said through US social media company X. Oman is adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, currently under blockade and close to the newly flared-up hostilities between Iran and Israel. The All India Seafarers Union said earlier…