ABU DHABI, 27th April, 2026 (WAM) — UAE Banks Federation (UBF) approved its 2026 strategy at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), in the presence of representatives of all its member banks. The strategy, endorsed by UBF’s board at a meeting held prior to the AGM, focuses on advancing the sector’s role in economic growth and reinforcing the UAE’s leading position among the world’s best financial and banking centres. Participants emphasised the importance of the UAE’s banking and financial sector’s achievements under the direct supervision of the Central Bank of the UAE, as well as the high resilience of the financial…
Author: Editorial Team
More than 100 social media accounts were blocked in recent months for violating a Gulf code of conduct during the Iranian attacks, according to Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed. Speaking during a panel at the Gulf Influencers event on Monday, April 27, Bin Butti said the accounts were blocked in the recent period after publishing content that incited violence during the Iran attack period. “There is a signed document between Gulf Cooperation Council countries that commits all sides to ethics and conduct, respect for the state, respect for its symbols, respect for religions, and many public values,” he…
JERUSALEM — Palestinianofficials said on Sunday that municipal elections in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and one Gaza city were a success and called them a step toward a long-delayed presidential election in the territories and eventual statehood. Loyalists of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas won most races, officials said on Sunday, in a vote that for the first time in nearly two decades included a city in the Gaza Strip run by rival Hamas. Abbas’ Palestinian Authority (PA), which administers semiautonomous areas of the West Bank, has described Saturday’s local election in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah as a largely symbolic move…
TEL AVIV — Two of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s biggest political rivals have announced that they are joining forces in a bid to expel his coalition government in the upcoming election expected later this year. Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid issued statements on Sunday announcing the merger of their parties. Their alliance is aimed at uniting a fragmented opposition that appears to have little in common beyond their shared hostility toward Netanyahu. Bennett’s office said the new party will be called Together, and that he will be its leader. “I am pleased to announce that tonight,…
The UAE Cyber Security Council has emphasised the importance of protecting digital identity, describing it as one of the most valuable assets for both individuals and institutions, amid a marked increase in fraudulent activities. The data associated with digital identity, including personal information, financial transactions, and health records, is a critical asset that individuals must ensure is adequately protected, the authority said. In statements to Emirates News Agency (WAM), the council said that, with the proliferation of artificial intelligence tools, the Internet of Things, and cloud applications, digital identity has become an easy target for cyber attackers who exploit vulnerabilities…
RIYADH — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia’s condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms of the terrorist and separatist attacks that took place in Bamako, capital of Mali, and other cities targeting both military and civilian areas. Saudi Arabia offered its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to all those who sustained injuries. In a statement, the ministry also reaffirmed its solidarity with Mali, its government and people. The Kingdom reiterated its firm rejection of all forms of violence and extremism, and supported Mali’s efforts to safeguard its security and…
ABHA — Asir’s coffee cultivation has achieved record growth with annual harvest exceeding 82,972 kilograms across 764 productive farms, according to data released by the Rijal Almaa Coffee Cooperative Association. The region now boasts 254,101 coffee trees, with 143,744 bearing fruit, reflecting a highly efficient and maturing agricultural cycle. These historic numbers indicate significant expansion in the sector, driven by both traditional farming methods and modern agricultural development, as traditional practices are being strengthened through the association’s technical support. Comprising 178 flat farms and 2,656 terraced farms, Asir’s geographic diversity underscores the region’s unique environmental adaptability. This reliance on terraced…
CPX Holding, a leading provider of cutting-edge cyber and physical security solutions and services, and SpendConsole, a global leader in AI-powered finance automation, recently announced a strategic partnership to launch the UAE’s first sovereign, mandate-ready e-invoicing platform. The joint solution enables the UAE’s public and private sector entities to meet the Ministry of Finance’s new e-invoicing regulations, which will enter into voluntary effect on 1 July 2026, before becoming mandatory in phases from 2027. The UAE’s e-invoicing mandate also establishes a national foundation for real-time financial governance, standardised digital tax compliance and secure data exchange across public and private sectors.…
A 12-year-old pianist, homegrown filmmakers and emerging visual artists were among the standout names as the 21st edition of DIFC Art Nights concluded this weekend, turning DIFC Gate Village into a vibrant meeting point for culture, creativity and conversation. Held from April 23 to 26, the free annual event brought together live music, short film screenings, interactive workshops, installations and public art, with residents and visitors gathering each evening to explore one of Dubai’s best-known cultural festivals. One of the most talked-about moments came from 12-year-old pianist Abdullah Makki, whose live performance drew crowds at the venue. The young musician…
ABU DHABI, 27th April, 2026 (WAM) — The UAE has maintained its global leadership in entrepreneurship, ranking first worldwide for the fifth consecutive year in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2025/2026 report. The UAE outperformed many advanced economies, reaffirming its position as the best environment globally for starting and operating new businesses. The UAE ranked first among high-income economies in eight major indicators, including physical infrastructure, government policies in terms of support and relevance, tax and bureaucracy-related policies, government entrepreneurship programmes, research and development transfer, ease of market entry in terms of dynamics, ease of entry in terms of regulatory…