Author: Editorial team

Virgin Media O2 recently announced its plans to begin its 2G network switch-off in Summer 2029, joining its industry rivals in setting a date to wind down the legacy technology. Its timeline is similar to that of the country’s other operators, with BT expecting to begin deactivating 2G in May 2029 and VodafoneThree set to turn off its last sites in Spring 2030. All three operators have signed a voluntary government charter for retirement of the technology. Commitments in that document include undertaking a gradual process starting in trial areas, thorough testing, and work to aid migration of IoT devices…

BRUSSELS, 24th June, 2026 (WAM) — The European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs has approved its draft negotiating position on legislation governing the launch of the digital euro, marking a new step towards creating a digital version of the single European currency as part of a legislative package related to the future of the European Union’s monetary system. The draft law on the digital euro received the support of 43 members, while 14 voted against and one abstained, as part of a package comprising three legislative files. The proposal aims to provide a public digital payment method for…

DUBAI, 24th June, 2026 (WAM) — The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) held a virtual Customer Council meeting, bringing together partners and stakeholders from across the healthcare sector, as part of its efforts to strengthen engagement with entities involved in medical device and equipment registration services. During the meeting, EDE reviewed the new additional agent appointment feature within its marketing authorisation services. Participants were introduced to the feature and briefed on its mechanism, requirements, and activation process, enabling customers to better understand and benefit from the service. The feature allows a marketing authorisation holder to appoint more than one pharmaceutical establishment…

The UAE’s National Drug Enforcement Authority launched the National Campaign Against Drugs under the slogan ‘United Front to Eradicate the Scourge,’ kicking off a national drive calling on all society to stand as one against narcotics. The launch was chaired by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National Drug Enforcement Authority, and coincided with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The campaign, organised in partnership with the UAE Government Media Office, brought together senior officials, security experts, medical specialists reflecting the Authority’s belief that the digital space is as critical a battleground…

DUBAI, 24th June, 2026 (WAM) — Nakheel, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has released the next phase of Palm Central Private Residences on Palm Jebel Ali, reflecting continued demand for premium beachfront living. The latest phase introduces 222 residences across three low- to mid-rise buildings. The launch builds on the strong market response to the initial release in October 2025. Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, said, “Dubai continues to demonstrate resilience and stability, underpinned by strong fundamentals and a long-term vision. This sustained confidence is reflected in the strong demand we are…

DUBAI, 24th June, 2026 (WAM) — The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has held the first meeting of the VAT Business Advisory Group for 2026 as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening communication with the UAE business community. The meeting was held in the presence of Abdulaziz Al Mulla, Director-General of the FTA, with the participation of taxpayer representatives from various economic sectors, both in person and online. The meeting was held as part of the Business Advisory Groups launched by the FTA, alongside specialised business groups dedicated to different sectors. These groups form part of the authority’s ongoing efforts…

Reflection AI has reportedly signed a computing power deal with SpaceX. This move makes the open-source start-up the latest outside company to tap Elon Musk’s Colossus infrastructure. CNBC reported Reflection will get access to Nvidia’s GB300 chips, the company’s top-tier hardware for training and running advanced AI models, housed at SpaceX’s Colossus 2 facility in Memphis, Tennessee. Reflection agreed to pay SpaceX $150 million per month starting 1 July through 2029, with total payments reaching roughly $6.3 billion if the agreement runs its full term. Either party can terminate the contract with 90 days’ notice after the first three months.…

LONDON, 24th June, 2026 (WAM) — The Ministry of Finance has been awarded the UAE Digital Innovation in Asset Management Award 2026 by the Institute of Asset Management (IAM) in recognition of its pioneering Federal Properties Platform. The achievement marks a significant milestone and underscores the ministry’s leadership in developing advanced, data-driven digital solutions that leverage intelligent analytics and AI to enhance asset management efficiency and strengthen governance and transparency across the federal financial ecosystem. The ministry’s delegation received the award during the IAM Global Conference in London, which brought together leading asset management experts and specialists from around the…

Yousif Ahmed Al Mutawa is Chief Real Estate Officer at Shurooq. His role encompasses the strategic development, investor engagement, and sustainable community planning of Shurooq’s real estate portfolio across Sharjah and the Northern Emirates. Every parent carries a quiet, constant question: Am I doing enough to secure my children’s future? We invest in education, save diligently, and plan for every milestone. But in a region where property has long been a cornerstone of generational wealth, one of the most meaningful steps a family can take today is often delayed, not because it’s unrealistic, but because it requires looking beyond the…

After two UAE residents collapsed and died while playing sports within four days of each other, there’s a renewed focus on heart health and the dangers of undiagnosed cardiac conditions. The incidents involving a 38-year-old cricketer in Dubai on June 14 and a 42-year-old badminton player in Ajman on June 17 have prompted doctors to urge people not to assume that an active lifestyle alone guarantees a healthy heart. While doctors stress that every medical case is different and caution against linking any incident to a specific cause without medical findings, the two cases have raised an important question: Do…