The First Group Hospitality and US-based Hoque Global have unveiled Hotel Local, a new community-centric lifestyle hotel located in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT).

The partnership signals the beginning of a broader rollout for Hotel Local, with further openings planned in the US and GCC.

The 579-room property introduces a neighbourhood-driven hospitality concept rooted in inclusivity, experiential living, and community building.

Rob Burns, CEO of The First Group., said: “Hotel Local is more than just a place to stay; it’s a vibrant social hub where guests and locals come together to connect, create, and experience Dubai in an authentic and immersive way.”

Mike Hoque, founder and CEO of Hoque Global, described the launch as the culmination of a vision built around community and education. “Our mission is to train and educate future talents in a world-class facility, cultivating empathetic leaders who will redefine hospitality service for generations to come. I couldn’t be prouder to launch Hotel Local here in Dubai, a city that represents the future of the world.”

Longtime hospitality executive and Hotel Local partner Dave Johnson added: “The JVT location and property are spectacular — a perfect embodiment of our vision for a community-centric lifestyle hotel. This marks just the beginning, and we look forward to expanding the brand worldwide.”

A community-first approach at Hotel Local

Hotel Local’s design and operations reflect its mission to offer guests the experience of the city “like a resident”.

In addition to modern rooms, the hotel features a rooftop pool, gym, spa, and social spaces. It also offers a shuttle to Soluna Restaurants & Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah, giving guests access to beachside dining and recreation.

Culinary offerings play a central role. Farmers Commons delivers a farm-to-table concept focused on local, sustainable produce, while Neighbourhood Brew serves as a multi-functional café and lounge space transitioning from artisanal morning brews to an evening social setting with drinks.

Programming includes pop-up collaborations, themed brunches, and community-driven events designed to foster interaction between locals and travellers.

Strategic expansion in the GCC and US

With six room formats catering to short- and long-term stays, Hotel Local targets business travellers, digital nomads, and families.

The launch aligns with The First Group Hospitality’s strategy to grow its presence in Dubai’s mid-to-upscale segment and Hoque Global’s ambition to build catalytic enterprises in real estate and beyond.

Hotel Local is the latest venture from Dallas-based Hoque Global, a firm known for redevelopment and revitalisation projects, and a commitment to economic impact and education.

The property is managed by The First Group Hospitality, which has built a portfolio of award-winning hotels and dining destinations across the region.

Saudi authorities are currently reviewing the progress of development projects underway at the holy sites across the Kingdom.

The first related meeting was that of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah, chaired by Deputy Emir of Makkah, Prince Saud bin Mishaal.

According to a Saudi Gazette report, the meeting was held under the directive of the Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.

Plans and preparations for Hajj

The committee reviewed plans and preparations for Hajj 2025 and evaluated the progress of ongoing projects set to be operational during this year’s pilgrimage. Discussions also focused on the full readiness of operational plans from various authorities for the upcoming Hajj season.

Read-Hajj 2025: 5 important rules you need to know

Some of the development projects reviewed include:

• Restoration of mosques in Mina and Arafat, along with projects by the Kidana Company
• Shading of pedestrian paths in Mina, covering around 50,000 square meters
• Shading and cooling of paths in Arafat, over 60,000 square meters
• Installation of canopies with mist fans in the Jabal Al-Rahmah area (785 square meters) to mitigate direct sunlight and regulate temperature
• A heat stress mitigation project at Namirah Mosque, covering 85,000 square meters

Afforestation and vegetation projects at holy sites

The committee also reviewed afforestation initiatives aiming to plant 10,000 trees to improve air quality, reduce temperatures, and ease conditions for pilgrims.

Additionally, the committee examined a project to establish 400 drinking water coolers and rest areas for pilgrims over 28,000 square meters between the holy sites.

Emergency and first aid centers

As part of the preparations, authorities plan to establish 15 emergency and first aid centers, along with 71 emergency and first aid launch points along the Hajj route.

These centers aim to provide urgent medical services, logistical support, water, snacks, and guidance services to pilgrims.

Muzdalifah Haram Path Project

Special attention was given to the second phase of the Muzdalifah Haram Path Project, which spans 170,000 square meters. This phase includes rubber flooring, green spaces, rest areas, water fountains, and misting fans.

The project also entails building 64 two-story restroom complexes and upgrading 135 compactor bin sites in Mina to enhance waste storage capacity during the Hajj season.

Passports Directorate begins issuing Makkah entry permits

The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has started receiving applications and issuing electronic permits for expatriates planning to work in Makkah during the upcoming Hajj season.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, April 15.

Permits are being issued through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher Individuals platform and the Muqeem portal.

Tasreeh platform

Thanks to technical integration with the Tasreeh platform, expatriates working during Hajj no longer need to visit Jawazat offices in person to obtain their permits.

Absher Individuals platform

The Absher Individuals platform enables permit issuance for domestic workers, dependents, Premium Residency holders, investors, mothers of citizens, and Gulf Cooperation Council citizens, upon submission of the required documents.

Makkah entry permits

Permits for workers at Makkah-based establishments are issued through the Muqeem portal. Holders of seasonal work visas and those with contracts for Hajj-related employment can also apply through this portal.

The National Centre of Meteorology in the UAE has alerted residents about dusty weather and reduced visibility in parts of the country.

Read-UAE weather forecast: Cloudy, rainy days on the horizon

Visibility dropped to less than 1,500 metres at Dubai International Airport and below 2,000 metres at Al Maktoum International Airport.

The authority also announced certain precautions for residents to follow while driving in such conditions. Motorists were advised to drive carefully, keep all car doors and windows closed to prevent dust from entering, and do the same for buildings.

Residents were also urged to monitor official weather forecasts regularly.

Additionally, the authority warned of fog and further deterioration in visibility in some areas on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

The lowest temperature recorded in the country this morning was 13.2°C in Al Farfar (Fujairah) at 12:45am UAE local time.

Earlier this year, the World Economic Forum released a report titled The Global Risks Report 2025, highlighting that the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to increase globally by 36 per cent, from 857 million in 2025 to 1.2 billion by 2035.

The rising global burden of chronic disease and an ageing population demands that healthcare shifts gears. Rather than treating illnesses in late stages, the focus is on keeping people healthier for longer.

Healthy Longevity Medicine is the cornerstone of this shift, a specialty that targets the fundamental biology of ageing and prevention of disease across the lifespan. This includes blending cutting-edge preventive medicine with proven therapeutics to delay ageing and curb disease progression, adding life to years, not just years to life.

By offering AI-enabled risk prediction and personalized treatments tailored to each person’s biology, lifestyle, and goals, care becomes unique to the individual.

Setting global standards in longevity medicine

Abu Dhabi is not just a leader in the clinical practice of Healthy Longevity Medicine but also in setting global standards. The Department of Health (DOH) – Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi and the Healthy Longevity Medicine Society, has introduced the world’s first evidence-based guidelines for healthy longevity medicine. By defining what a longevity clinic should offer and how it should operate, these guidelines establish new clinical standards and redefine precision healthcare.

This achievement is more than local policy, it is a blueprint to inspire global health systems to prioritize healthy ageing. Abu Dhabi’s message is clear: the future of medicine lies in keeping populations healthier longer.

Abu Dhabi is undergoing a healthcare transformation, positioning the emirate at the forefront of the healthy longevity movement. This vision came into sharp focus with the recent licensing of the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi (IHLAD) as the world’s first specialised Healthy Longevity Medicine Centre.

It is a first-of-its-kind initiative that aligns with the UAE’s commitment to proactive, innovative healthcare, moving from reacting to illness toward long-term wellness.

A unique strength of Abu Dhabi’s approach lies in its integration of clinical care with population health science. By studying trends and biomarkers of ageing across diverse groups, it becomes possible to identify interventions that deliver results at scale, supporting longer, healthier lives.

Research on emerging data classes and real-world evidence, along with the design of clinical trials focused on healthy longevity, contributes valuable knowledge for policymakers and healthcare leaders, not just nationally but globally.

A vision aligned with policy and global leadership

These efforts are part of a forward-thinking vision championed by UAE leadership. Abu Dhabi’s government has explicitly prioritised life science innovation and longevity as key pillars of development.

Launched in January 2025, the “HealthX” initiative, a collaboration between Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and NYU Abu Dhabi, aims to accelerate innovation at the intersection of life sciences and generative AI, further positioning the emirate as a global leader in longevity-focused research.

Approved in March 2025, the UAE National Investment Strategy 2031 aims to double annual FDI inflows from Dhs112bn (2023) to Dhs240bn by 2031, with healthcare and life sciences identified as cross-cutting enablers across key sectors such as advanced manufacturing and digital technology.

As part of its 2031 strategy, the UAE plans to triple R&D spending, with significant benefits projected for medical research, biotechnology, and the life sciences ecosystem in Abu Dhabi.

In early 2023, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) enacted new healthcare regulations that adopt Abu Dhabi’s onshore health laws, allowing ADGM to license healthcare and life sciences companies under the Department of Health standards. This regulatory alignment enables streamlined setup for biotech, medtech, and longevity startups in the free zone. The same year saw Abu Dhabi launch a dedicated strategy uniting the Department of Health (DoH) and Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) to promote “wellness, medi-wellness, and medical tourism” as core offerings for international patients.

This alignment between policy and practice is essential. Clinical work informs public health strategy, and government support accelerates innovation. The Department of Health’s backing reflects a commitment to a proactive healthcare model centred on prevention and the goal of keeping people healthy for longer.

Historically, expertise in ageing and longevity was concentrated in a few centres in the West or East Asia. Today, Abu Dhabi offers a globally relevant model, combining clinical excellence, technological innovation, and impactful regulatory governance.

Involvement in global initiatives, from contributing to international research to hosting expert discussions, underscores that Abu Dhabi is actively shaping the global movement of healthy longevity.

Shaping a healthier future for all

As a physician and policymaker at heart, I believe the true measure of success will be seen in the coming decades, in the vitality of our population, the diseases we prevent and resulting cost savings to the health care system and the global adoption of policies inspired by Abu Dhabi’s example.

We are proud that Abu Dhabi has become a beacon for healthy longevity. But we are even more excited to collaborate with partners around the world to expand this vision.

The writer is the CEO at The Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi (IHLAD).

The Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) has announced the commencement of the merger process with the Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC).

According to a report by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), this development is part of a restructuring plan by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC).

Read-Kuwait moves ahead: Gulf rail link design contract signed

KNPC Chief Executive Officer and Acting CEO, Engineer Wadha Al Khatib, stated that the merger is based on well-studied legal and professional foundations aimed at strengthening Kuwait’s oil sector companies under KPC.

She emphasized that the initiative seeks to unite efforts based on each company’s specialization, expanding their capabilities and enabling greater achievements.

Impact of the merger

Al Khatib highlighted that the merger will ultimately result in a successful model for transitioning into a larger economic entity aligned with the strategic ambitions of both sectors and the achievement of Kuwait’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She also noted that the rapidly evolving global oil and gas industries place a significant responsibility on Kuwait’s energy sector to adapt and respond effectively to these changes.

Furthermore, she reaffirmed the sector’s commitment—through KPC and its subsidiaries—to continue meeting its obligations to clients while sustaining growth in line with Kuwait’s leadership in the international energy industry.

Strategic plans of the sector

Al Khatib pointed out that the sector continually reviews its strategic plans and reassesses its goals to ensure the success of the merger, with a strong focus on measuring operational performance as part of its long-term objectives.

Addressing employees, Al Khatib reaffirmed her commitment to keeping them fully informed about the upcoming steps, underlining that staff remain a top priority for KNPC’s leadership and are vital to the success of its future goals.