Author: Sam Allcock

The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA) reported a 29% rise in new economic licences in 2025, highlighting the emirate’s growing appeal to investors. Growth spanned sectors, regions, and licence types, reflecting initiatives designed to simplify business operations and support entrepreneurs. Renewed licences also climbed 20%, while active licences grew 13.5% compared with 2024. In addition, ADRA introduced updates to expired licence registrations and added new economic activities, which helped entrepreneurs and investors navigate Abu Dhabi’s business ecosystem. Industrial licences increased 20%, tourism 10%, occupational 122%, professional 28%, commercial 28%, and agriculture, fishery, and livestock 12%. Geographically, Abu Dhabi City saw…

At 26, Mr. E.G., an ambitious Emirati, faced a life-altering road traffic accident. The high-impact collision caused a severe fracture with an incomplete spinal cord injury, requiring urgent spinal surgery in October 2025. His recovery journey, however, became a story of resilience and hope. After surgery, he entered intensive inpatient rehabilitation at NMC ProVita. Upon admission, he faced major physical challenges, including limited leg movement, poor sitting tolerance, and dependence on assistance for most daily activities. Nevertheless, his determination was evident from day one. A multidisciplinary rehabilitation team provided comprehensive, individualized care addressing his physical, functional, nutritional, and psychosocial needs.…

Huawei unveiled a new smartwatch feature at the World Health Expo Dubai 2026 to monitor diabetes risk. The tool uses non-invasive Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors to track wellness patterns and deliver proactive alerts. According to the company, it is designed to raise awareness of potential diabetes risks and encourage early medical consultation. Globally, 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 live with diabetes, according to a 2024 International Diabetes Federation report. Meanwhile, 43% remain undiagnosed, and 81% of cases occur in low- and middle-income countries. In the MENA region, 85 million adults have diabetes—a figure expected to rise 92% to 163…

Senior leaders from government, technology, and business gathered at The Majlis of Possible to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) and connected systems are reshaping economic and organizational models in the region. The forum, hosted by Publicis Groupe Middle East on 12 February at Louvre Abu Dhabi, brought together executives from G42, Publicis Sapient, Microsoft, Snapchat, Nestlé, Amazon Ads, and Adobe. Policymakers and institutional leaders also participated. The discussions focused on institutional readiness rather than emerging tools. Specifically, participants explored how governments and enterprises can build governance structures, operating disciplines, and reliable data foundations. These elements are essential to deploy AI successfully at…

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, met with the Steering Committee of the ‘Season of Wulfa’ initiative on Wednesday to review its programs and recent developments. Launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the initiative celebrates cultural occasions and promotes authentic Emirati values. It focuses on three pillars—Reflection, Connection, and Blessing—to strengthen family bonds and highlight Arab and Islamic traditions. Her Highness reviewed activities from the Hag Al Laila celebrations on 2 February, which drew participation from residents of diverse nationalities. She also assessed…

Dubai — In line with Dubai’s Year of the Family, Dubai Media has introduced a series of human resources policies and programs designed to support employees and enhance family cohesion, the organization announced on Sunday. The company’s HR approach emphasizes flexibility and recognition of personal milestones. Initiatives include flexible working hours, hybrid work options, and dedicated days off to spend time with elderly family members or celebrate family birthdays. The WOW program, which marks occasions such as work anniversaries, newborns, and other personal milestones, further reflects the organization’s focus on valuing employees’ family lives. Dubai Media has also expanded wellness…

Dubai — The Ramadan Souq 2026 in Deira’s Old Baladiya Street attracted a record 1.82 million visitors, marking a 12.4 percent increase over last year, Dubai Municipality announced on Wednesday. The surge was supported by a heritage-inspired setting and a diverse programme of cultural, community, and interactive activities. The event coincided with the “Al Welfa” season, which promotes family cohesion and celebrates Emirati traditions. Organisers said the souq not only reinforced Dubai’s cultural heritage but also stimulated tourism and economic activity in historic markets, providing a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises to engage with the public. Participants—including traditional souk…

As consumption rises across the Middle East, a growing number of individuals and companies are turning to circular economy practices to extract more value from discarded materials, experts say. The approach emphasizes reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling products rather than following the traditional linear “take, use, dispose” model. Research indicates that around 80 percent of a product’s material content is often thrown away soon after use, even though most retains usable value. This mismatch, analysts say, represents not just waste, but missed economic and environmental opportunity. In daily life, simple choices can make a difference. Repairing items instead of replacing…

Dubai — Gold and silver prices climbed sharply in Dubai on Wednesday, driven by renewed investor demand for safe-haven assets following the introduction of fresh US tariffs on imported goods. Data from the Dubai Jewellery Group showed 24K gold trading at Dh624.5 per gram at market open, up Dh4.75 from Tuesday. Other gold variants also rose, with 22K at Dh578.25, 21K at Dh554.5, 18K at Dh475.25, and 14K at Dh370.75 per gram. Meanwhile, silver was trading at $89.48 (Dh328.56) per ounce, a 2.22 percent increase. Spot gold also gained 0.62 percent to $5,190.4 per ounce around 9 a.m. UAE time.…

to everyday life. Industry speculation points to a launch within the next year, with UAE prices expected to be significantly higher than Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, currently on sale for Dh1,549. Unlike early visions of fully augmented reality spectacles, Apple appears to be focusing on AI-powered smart glasses designed for everyday assistance. Reports indicate the glasses will feature two integrated camera lenses—one dedicated to computer vision and another for photos and video capture—alongside microphones, speakers, and on-device AI processing. Apple has reportedly figured out how to embed all core components into the frame itself, eliminating the need for an external battery pack. A major potential…