Author: Editorial Team
ABU DHABI, 14th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Emirates Competitiveness Council (ETCC) announced significant enhancements to the Nafis programme, following its recent extension through 2040. These updates underscore the UAE leadership’s commitment to empowering citizens, strengthening Emirati families, and building a resilient national framework capable of adapting to economic and social shifts. The updates include amendments to the Child Allowance Scheme for UAE nationals employed in the private sector, as well as removing the cap on the number of eligible children. The scope of support has been expanded to include the children of female nationals working in the private sector,…
The education authorities in Sharjah announced late Tuesday night that nurseries in the emirate will reopen to children starting Thursday, April 16. The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) said this marks an important step toward a phased return to in-person early childhood education across the UAE. The authority said nurseries in government facilities and commercial buildings will reopen only after administrative and teaching staff complete mandatory training on emergency and crisis protocols. This move aims to ensure children return to a safe, well-prepared, and supportive environment. Authorities in Sharjah also announced that all administrative and teaching staff in private schools…
MANAMA, 14th April, 2026 (WAM) — Bahrain’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 3.5 percent at constant prices in 2025 compared with 2024, according to preliminary national accounts estimates released by the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA). Real GDP reached BHD15,709.8 million in 2025 at constant prices, up from BHD15,181.4 million in 2024. In the fourth quarter, GDP expanded 4.6 percent at constant prices and 5.1 percent at current prices year-on-year, the Bahrain News Agency reported. The non-oil sector rose by 7.4 percent at constant prices and 7.9 percent at current prices. Source: Emirates News Agency
(L-R) Samir Chopra, Founder & CEO of RNS Technology Services & Vidit Arora, Founder & CEO of QuilrAI. RNS Technology Services, a leading global cybersecurity provider headquartered in Dubai, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with QuilrAI, an innovative AI-driven enterprise security platform based in Austin, Texas. This collaboration marks a major step forward in bringing advanced AI powered human risk and data protection capabilities to organisations across the Middle East and beyond. As enterprise adoption of AI accelerates, new security risks such as shadow AI usage, data leakage, and autonomous agent vulnerabilities are rapidly emerging. The partnership will…
JAKARTA — Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah met with Indonesia’s Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya in Jakarta on Tuesday. The ministers discussed cooperation in the creative economy between the two countries through the exchange of artistic and technical expertise in the sectors of film, fashion, and handicrafts. They also explored opportunities for collaboration to promote innovation and sustainability, as well as to develop joint creative products. Source: Saudi Gazette
RIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday penalties for persons, who perform Hajj without a permit, or those who facilitate holders of various types of visit visas to perform the pilgrimage illegally. A maximum fine of SR100,000 will be imposed on those who facilitate visit visa or give shelter or transportation for those overstaying their visas to perform Hajj. The following penalties will be applicable to the violators during the period starting from Dhul Qada 1, corresponding to April 18, until the end of Dhul Hijjah 14. 1— A maximum fine of SR20,000 will be imposed on…
OpenAI‘s ChatGPT could soon fall under stricter rules from the European Commission’s (EC) Digital Services Act (DSA), a move which reflects the AI company’s growing user base in the market. The EC apparently told Reuters in a statement it was assessing whether it should designate the platform as a large online search engine after OpenAI published user numbers for ChatGPT above 45 million, the threshold for falling under the scope of DSA. In line with existing EC requirements, OpenAI told the regulator ChatGPT’s search offering had 120.4 million average monthly active recipients in the European Union over the six months…
RIYADH — Around 75.3 percent of the Saudi population visited at least one cultural event or activity during the year 2025. There has been significant increase in the public participation in cultural and entertainment activities in the Kingdom, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). It was revealed in the 2025 Family Culture and Entertainment Survey results, published by GASTAT on Tuesday, that 67 percent of the Saudi population visited a recreational event or activity during the last year. Parks and gardens accounted for 47.8 percent of visits, and cinemas for 27.1 percent. Literary gatherings, poetry evenings, and culinary…
Dar wa Emaar Real Estate Development and Investment Company announced the signing of a sponsorship partnership with Al Qadsiah Club. Under the partnership, the company becomes the club’s Official Real Estate Development Partner, with its logo appearing on the sleeves of the club’s kits across the first football team, the women’s team, and Al Qadsiah Academy. This partnership stems from a shared geographical connection and common vision between Dar wa Emaar and Al Qadsiah Club, as both originate from the Eastern Province and share an ambition to contribute to building a more impactful and sustainable future. While Al Qadsiah continues…
The Sharjah Private Education Authority announced late Tuesday that administrative and teaching staff in private schools and nurseries across the emirate will return to in-person work from Wednesday (April 15). The move, based on a decision by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, aims to ensure readiness and provide training on emergency and crisis response protocols. Late on Tuesday, the authority also confirmed that nurseries in Sharjah will begin welcoming children again from Thursday (April 16) marking a key step in the phased return to in-person early childhood education. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow…