Author: Editorial team

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has partnered with global hospitality operator Minor Hotels to manage and operate the Sharjah Collection, marking a new phase in the growth of the emirate’s portfolio of nature-based and heritage-inspired hospitality destinations. The agreement, signed during a ceremony at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, will see Minor Hotels oversee the management of seven boutique retreats located across the emirate’s desert, mountain, coastal and heritage destinations. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The signing ceremony was attended by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of…

ABU DHABI, 3rd July, 2026 (WAM) — DDSC, the UAE dirham-backed stablecoin developed through the collaboration between IHC, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Sirius International Holding, has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) to go live on selected Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)-regulated exchange platforms. The approval, granted upon fulfilment of the CBUAE’s requirements, marks another major milestone in the rollout of DDSC, paving the way for broader adoption of a regulated UAE dirham-denominated digital payment and settlement asset across the UAE’s digital economy. DDSC is pegged 1:1 to the UAE…

BRUSSELS, 3rd July, 2026 (WAM) — In the first quarter of 2026, the EU seasonally adjusted current account of the balance of payments recorded a surplus of €113.4 billion (+2.4% of GDP), compared with a surplus of €99.2 billion (+2.1% of GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2025 and a surplus of €104.9 billion (+2.3% of GDP) in the first quarter of 2025, according to estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the first quarter of 2026 compared with the fourth quarter of 2025, based on seasonally adjusted data, the surplus of the goods account…

LONDON, 3rd July, 2026 (WAM) — Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), has affirmed his commitment to delivering the return of V8 engines to the FIA Formula One World Championship ahead of this weekend’s Pirelli British Grand Prix. The FIA President will be in attendance at Silverstone for one of the sport’s most historic races which is forecast to attract a record crowd of over half a million fans to the iconic circuit. “As we look to the future, the FIA is ensuring Formula 1 remains at the forefront of global motorsport development bringing thrilling…

OpenAI is reportedly evaluating a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump to hand the government a 5% equity stake. This news comes at a time the company is seeking to build political support by distributing the financial gains from AI. According to the Financial Times (FT), the proposal centres on giving the public a financial stake in AI through government ownership after CEO Sam Altman argued it is the best way to share the technology’s economic upside. The plan would involve other leading US AI developers also allocating 5% of their equity, though it remains unclear whether they would support…

Sajida Begum was one of the hundreds of Indian expats who lined up in front of the Consulate General of India (CGI) for passport and consular services on Friday. She was in the queue to get the passport made for her 10-day old son. She said she was surprised by how seamless the procedure was. “I was expecting to wait for a long time in the heat, and I had taken my umbrella and mist fan,” she said. “But there were tents set up for the applicants. While we waited, the consulate staff brought us free tea and snacks. In…

QINGDAO, China, 3rd July, 2026 (WAM) — The Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK) boosted its international profile through its participation in the 1st China–Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Forum on Scientific, Technological and Innovation Cooperation, held in Qingdao, People’s Republic of China. The Forum brought together government officials, representatives of the SCO Secretariat, universities, research institutions, technology companies, investors, and entrepreneurs from SCO member states and partner countries. The event served as a high-level international platform to advance cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, promote joint research and development, accelerate technology transfer, encourage investment in future industries, and strengthen…

On Friday, July 3, luck struck in a big way as Kanika Arora became the winner of a staggering Dh25 million—the grand prize in this month’s Big Ticket Abu Dhabi live draw. The life-changing prize went to Indian participant Kanika Arora, who lives in New Delhi, after her ticket number 476107, purchased on 30 June, was drawn as the winning ticket. The hosts Richard and Bouchra called the winner to share the exciting news, and she became very emotional on the phone, crying as she repeatedly expressed how happy she was. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow…

DUBAI, 3rd July, 2026 (WAM) — The Emirati Supplier Programme, managed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), facilitated the awarding of more than AED1.78 billion in contracts to Emirati SMEs in 2025, marking a 38 percent increase compared to AED1.29 billion in 2024. The programme represents a key enabler of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. The latest results highlight the commitment of the Government of Dubai to empowering Emirati enterprises, further reinforcing their role in driving economic growth in line with the…

SpaceX is reported to have finished development on a prototype handset-like device aimed at changing how people interact with AI. The reported device was shown to investors and other stakeholders during a roadshow ahead of SpaceX’s since-completed IPO. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported the device has a sleek design slimmer than an iPhone and would run on a proprietary operating system while integrating AI technology from Elon Musk’s xAI. Sources told the WSJ the device would use a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. SpaceX told some investors the project remains at an early stage, with the design subject to change and…