Author: Editorial team
SHARJAH, 7th March, 2026 (WAM) — The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST), through its astronomical observatory, has delivered a precise astronomical verdict on the Shawwal crescent moon for 1447 A.H. Friday, March 20, 2026, will mark the first day of Eid al-Fitr across the UAE, the announcement confirms, as Ramadan completes its full 30 days. Calculations reveal no visible new moon on Wednesday, March 18, or 29 Ramadan, the eve of crescent sighting. The moon sets before the sun in the western sky that night. Thursday, March 19, thus rounds out the holy month. The observatory…
ABU DHABI, 12th March, 2026 (WAM) — Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi (DCD), has visited Athar+ (Athar Plus), a specialised hub dedicated to nurturing social entrepreneurship in the emirate. The visit underscores the commitment of DCD, the entity responsible for regulating and overseeing the social sector in Abu Dhabi, to strengthening the ecosystem for social impact and fostering innovative solutions to community challenges. Launched in 2025 by the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, Athar Plus provides a comprehensive support platform for social purpose entities, non-profits, and public benefit institutions.…
Dubai Festival City Mall is celebrating the last few days of Ramadan with shopping, dining, and cultural experiences for families and friends, as part of the Year of Family and the Season of Wulfa. From March 12 to 15, the mall and Festival Plaza will participate in the 3-day super sale, offering discounts of up to 90 per cent on fashion and 50 per cent on entertainment, alongside special restaurant deals. Shoppers can also find Eid Al Fitr gifts and seasonal offers across participating brands. Ramadan Prayer Timings The promotion gives shoppers an opportunity to explore the destination’s diverse retail…
There are artists who create for expression, and others who create for purpose. Medha Nanda firmly belongs to the latter category, though her journey began, like many, with an instinctive love of creativity. Formally trained in design, Nanda’s academic path took her from Pearl Academy in Delhi to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia, where discipline, structure, and technical mastery sharpened her creative voice. Yet, she is quick to note that her most meaningful education unfolded beyond the classroom: through travel, human connections, cultural exposure, and the quiet lessons learned in both success and failure. These lived…
DUBAI, 12th March, 2026 (WAM) — The DIFC Innovation Hub, the largest start-up and innovation hub in the world operating out of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), in partnership with Capital.com, has launched CapitalHer, a new flagship programme designed to empower women across the GCC with the knowledge, confidence, and practical exposure needed to engage with financial markets responsibly. CapitalHer is a six-week accelerator-style programme beginning in March 2026 for GCC national women, combining financial education, hands-on learning, mentorship, and peer collaboration. The initiative aims to close participation gaps in trading and investing by creating an accessible, supportive environment where…
ABU DHABI, 9th March, 2026 (WAM) — The Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE) and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration across research, training, and knowledge exchange in support of infectious disease elimination and global public health priorities. The agreement establishes a framework for joint research addressing infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, and other priority public health challenges of regional and international relevance. The two institutions aim to strengthen the evidence base for policy and practice while advancing scientific leadership from the UAE. GLIDE and UAEU will collaborate on several capacity-building…
SHARJAH, 12th March, 2026 (WAM) — Major General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, chaired the third meeting of the Sharjah Police’s Higher Leadership Council 2026, attended by council members, department directors, and several officers. The meeting discussed measures to enhance quality of life and security, and reviewed the security, traffic, and community outreach plan for the Eid Al Fitr holiday. This plan aims to improve performance efficiency in accordance with best security practices across the Emirate of Sharjah. Source: Emirates News Agency
Abu Dhabi authorities approved nearly 75 million square metres of new development in 2025, a 137 per cent jump from the previous year, as the emirate accelerates construction of housing, tourism projects and technology infrastructure. The approvals granted by the Department of Municipalities and Transport represent a scale of development equivalent to building out the entire capacity of Yas Island seven times over, officials said. A major share of the pipeline will go toward housing. Plans approved during the year include close to 190,000 residential units, comprising about 158,000 market homes and around 30,000 units for UAE nationals, alongside supporting…
When Shabina Chaudhry was told she had breast cancer, it was meant to be a day of celebration. Instead, her 21st wedding anniversary marked the moment her life shifted. “I honestly didn’t react at first,” the Dubai-based educator recalls. “It was when they mentioned chemotherapy that the tears started falling. That’s when it became real.” At 44, Chaudhry considered herself exceptionally healthy. A science teacher by profession, she had kept up with routine check-ups and mammograms, including monitoring a previously benign lump. But months of intense emotional strain — caring for her mother through a severe psychotic episode in the…
SHARJAH, 12th March, 2026 (WAM) — Arada has awarded two contracts for the next wave of 2,210 homes in Sharjah’s AED35 billion Aljada megaproject. Collectively valued at AED2.04 billion, the deals cover main construction activities across 14 residential blocks. Construction of the five Nesba buildings on East Boulevard and the five Safa buildings on West Boulevard will be undertaken by China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group Co., a subsidiary of global construction giant China Railway Group. The contract for The Gate blocks 3-6, situated across the community’s southern entrances, has been awarded to Kuwait-headquartered Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi and Sons LLC.…