Author: Editorial Team

ABU DHABI, 10th April, 2026 (WAM) — The CEOs Advisory Council of the UAE Banks Federation (UBF) held its first quarterly meeting, chaired by Abdulaziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of UBF, to review the banking and financial sector’s performance, and discuss developments, initiatives, and plans of UBF to develop the financial and banking sector. The meeting commended the Comprehensive Financial Institution Resilience Package, approved by the Board of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE), chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the…

Business leaders across the UAE have expressed strong support for the call by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to raise the country’s flag, describing the initiative as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and national pride during a time of regional uncertainty. From retail giants to real estate developers, executives have echoed a shared sentiment: the UAE is not just a place of business, but a home that has provided stability, opportunity, and a sense of belonging for decades. The act of raising the national flag, they say,…

DUBAI, 9th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has introduced a set of flexible economic measures for companies operating across its zones. The measures aim to support partner businesses and enhance companies’ ability to navigate the impact of current circumstances. Operating as an integrated ecosystem designed to support business continuity and strengthen operational resilience, the measures apply to companies across DIEZ’s three economic zones, effective immediately, including: Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), and Dubai CommerCity. The move aligns with Dubai’s broader economic priorities focused on fostering a stable and flexible business environment,…

AL AIN, 10th April, 2026 (WAM) — Al Ain Equestrian Club said it staged 123 races this season, accounting for 47 percent of Arabian horse races held in the UAE. Faisal Al Rahmani, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee and General Supervisor of the races, said the club’s strong performance reflects an integrated work system aligned with its leadership’s vision to maintain its standing and support the success of the sport. He said the club continues to serve as a key qualifying platform for purebred Arabian horse races on its dirt track, attracting strong attendance and high-calibre competition from leading…

The UAE’s education sector is set for a significant transformation as the Ministry of Education moves to introduce specialised administrative and supervisory roles within schools, a step aimed at reducing pressure on teachers and enhancing the quality of education. According to Al Khaleej newspaper, the initiative follows a parliamentary report adopted by the Federal National Council that highlighted the growing administrative and supervisory burdens on educators. The report revealed that teachers are often required to juggle extensive non-teaching responsibilities alongside their core duties, contributing to stress, burnout, and potential declines in educational outcomes. In response, the Ministry of Education is…

QUITO, 10th April, 2026 (WAM) — Ecuador announced it will raise tariffs on imports from neighbouring Colombia to 100 percent starting from next May. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa had initiated a trade dispute with Colombia in January over what he described as Bogotá’s lack of cooperation in combating drug trafficking and illegal mining along their shared border. Tariffs were initially set at 30 percent before being increased to 50 percent. Colombia responded by imposing tariffs of 50 percent and halting electricity sales to Ecuador, which faces a chronic energy shortage. Source: Emirates News Agency

ZHENGZHOU, 10th April, 2026 (WAM) — An artificial water channel system dating back some 4,000 years has been unearthed in central China’s Henan Province, providing important evidence of the state-level organisational capacity and urban layout of the Xia Dynasty (2070 BC-1600 BC), China’s earliest known dynasty, authorities said on Thursday, Xinhua News Agency reported. The discovery at the Wangchenggang site in Dengfeng, Henan, was revealed at a forum showcasing the province’s latest archaeological findings. Two new artificial ditches from the early Xia Dynasty have been identified at the site, each about three meters wide with a confirmed length of over…

From chasing sharper jawlines to building the perfect body, a social media trend known as ‘looksmaxxing’ is gaining traction among young men. However, UAE doctors are warning that this pursuit of beauty may come at a cost to both mental and physical health. The trend which is widely shared on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, encourages men to optimise their appearance through a mix of fitness, grooming, and, in some cases, extreme or unsafe practices. What started as an online idea is now becoming more popular, especially among younger users. Mental health experts said that the pressure is growing quietly…

SEOUL, 10th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Bank of Korea decided today to keep its key interest rate unchanged amid inflation challenges, currency weakness and slowing growth. Yonhap News Agency reported that the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea maintained the base rate at 2.5 percent at its latest meeting. Source: Emirates News Agency

As schools across the UAE continue with distance learning, senior grade students are adjusting to a mix of short assignments and longer tests, all under the watchful eye of cameras. In a move affecting the country’s international education landscape, major British exam boards — including Cambridge International Education, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA — most recently cancelled IGCSE, O‑Level, and International A/AS Level examinations scheduled for the May/June 2026 series in the UAE, as well as Kuwait, Bahrain and Lebanon, citing safety concerns linked to ongoing regional instability. Schools are now busy compiling evidence to determine final grades, moving away from…