MUSCAT / WAM The number of hotel establishments across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries exceeded 11,200 in 2024, up 1.3 percent from the previous year, according to data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat). The total number of hotel rooms reached about 711,500, marking a 0.2 percent increase compared …

SHARJAH / WAM The ninth edition of the Duo Theatre Festival continued its activities at the Cultural Centre in Dibba Al Hisn, in the presence of Ahmed Bu Rahima, Director of the Theatre Department at the Department of Culture and Festival Director, alongside a number of local and Arab artistic and cultural figures. Audiences on the festival’s second day watched …

DUBAI / WAM Creators HQ, the first content creation hub in the UAE and the Middle East and a subsidiary of Visioneers, the UAE’s largest content management and development platform, organised a specialised masterclass titled Google Gemini Content Engine. Held in partnership with Google Gemini, the hands-on session is part of the Creators HQ’s ongoing commitment to advancing content creators’ …

PRAGUE /WAM A high-level delegation from the United Arab Emirates, led by HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded its participation in the GLOBSEC Forum 2026, which was held in Prague from 21st to 23rd May. While in the capital of the Czech Republic, HH Sheikh Abdullah hosted a strategic dialogue …

ABU DHABI / WAM UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan took part in a joint phone call with several leaders to discuss regional developments and efforts to advance diplomatic solutions that support regional security and stability. Those taking part in the call included President Donald Trump of the United States of America; His Majesty King Hamad …

ABU DHABI/GULF TIME The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group announced that it has achieved a 99% compliance rate in the disclosure of the reviewed interim financial statements for Q1 2026 by publicly listed companies trading on the exchange. The disclosures were submitted within the legal timeframe specified for announcing listed companies’ financial results, which is 45 days from the …

KAZAN/WAM The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre participated in the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: Kazan Forum 2026,” held in Kazan, Tatarstan, with the participation of officials, decision-makers, and representatives of cultural, religious, and academic institutions from over 100 countries. During the forum, the centre took part in a panel discussion titled “UAE–Russia Dialogue: Culture, Tolerance, Coexistence, …

DUBAI/WAM Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has confirmed that there will be no increase in school fees for private schools in the emirate for the 2026-27 …

ABU DHABI/WAM President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to President José Ramos-Horta of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, on the occasion of his country’s Restoration of Independence Day. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed …

ABU DHABI / AD MEDIA OFFICE Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE, is launching the country’s first part-time Associate Conservator Diploma, delivered in partnership with West Dean College of Arts, Design, Craft and Conservation in the UK, and supported by the Mubadala Foundation. The diploma responds to a growing need within the UAE for conservation expertise, and …