Azizi Developments has signed a strategic agreement with Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) to strengthen sustainable real estate financing, reinforcing both organisations’ commitment to supporting environmentally responsible development across the UAE.

The agreement was formalised during DIB’s inaugural sector-focused sustainability roundtable, Unlocking Sustainable Finance: Transitioning Real Estate, held at Park Hyatt Dubai.

The partnership was signed by Farhad Azizi, group CEO of Azizi Developments, and Naveed Ali, executive vice president and head of Corporate Banking Group & Financial Institutions at DIB, in the presence of Mirwais Azizi, founder and chairman of Azizi Developments, and Dr Adnan Chilwan, group chief executive officer of Dubai Islamic Bank.

The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices across the built environment by exploring financing solutions that support environmentally responsible developments while creating long-term value for the real estate sector.

Mirwais Azizi, founder and chairman of Azizi Developments, said: “At Azizi Developments, we view sustainability as a key driver of long-term value and responsible growth. Our partnership with Dubai Islamic Bank marks an important step in advancing innovative financing solutions that support the UAE’s sustainability agenda and contribute to a more resilient and future-ready real estate sector.”

Farhad Azizi, group CEO of Azizi Group, added: “We are pleased to partner with Dubai Islamic Bank on this important initiative, which aligns with our long-term vision of delivering developments that contribute positively to the UAE’s sustainable future. As the transition to a greener real estate value chain continues to shape the sector, partnerships such as this play an important role in advancing innovation, enabling responsible growth, and creating lasting value for communities and stakeholders alike.”

The roundtable brought together senior representatives from government entities, master developers, contractors, architects, engineers and industry experts to discuss the future of sustainable real estate and green financing in the UAE.

Participants also attended specialist workshops and technical briefings focused on data-driven retrofit financing, waste management protocols and opportunities to advance circular economy practices across the country’s real estate sector.

WhatsApp, the messaging platform used by more than three billion people worldwide, is rolling out one of its biggest privacy updates to date, allowing users to reserve usernames that let them communicate without revealing their phone numbers.

The Meta-owned platform announced on Monday that users can now reserve an optional username ahead of the feature’s wider launch later this year, marking a significant shift away from phone numbers as users’ primary identity on the app.

Explaining the rationale behind the move, WhatsApp said in a blog post: “When someone new walks into your life – a classmate, a neighbour, someone you meet at an event – sharing a phone number can feel like a big step. That’s because a phone number is personal and it’s tied to so many parts of your life. Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits.”

The update is designed to make it easier for users to connect with new acquaintances, community groups and businesses while keeping their personal phone numbers private.

With billions of users on the platform, WhatsApp said it is opening username reservations early because “a lot of names overlap”, giving people an opportunity to secure the username they want before the feature becomes widely available.

Users can reserve a username by updating to the latest version of WhatsApp and navigating to “Settings > Account > Username”. The company said usernames will roll out gradually over the coming months, with users receiving an in-app notification once the feature becomes available in their country.

Unlike traditional social media platforms, WhatsApp said usernames have been designed with privacy at their core.

“There’s no directory to browse and no suggestions – people will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time,” the WhatsApp team noted.

Key to greater privacy

To further strengthen privacy, WhatsApp is also introducing an optional username key. Users who enable the feature can require others to know both their username and a unique key before they can send an initial message.

Once usernames are enabled, people messaging a user or business for the first time will no longer automatically see their phone number.

The launch follows months of development and testing across Android, iOS, Windows and the web.

Earlier this year, WABetaInfo reported that WhatsApp had extensively updated the app’s underlying code to ensure existing features remained compatible with usernames before beginning a phased rollout.

The publication also revealed that usernames will be subject to strict rules. They must contain between three and 35 characters, include at least one letter, and may only contain lowercase letters, numbers, periods and underscores. Usernames reportedly cannot begin with “[www](http://www).” or end with internet domains such as “.com” or “.net” in an effort to reduce impersonation and phishing risks.

For creators, businesses and organisations, Meta will also allow users to claim the same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook, provided ownership can be verified through the company’s ‘Accounts Centre’.

The move is intended to help brands maintain a consistent identity across Meta’s platforms, although users seeking greater anonymity may prefer choosing a different username to keep their social profiles separate.

Ibn Battuta Mall has launched a new initiative that encourages visitors to turn their daily walks into rewarding shopping experiences, as Dubai continues to strengthen its focus on healthier lifestyles through large-scale community fitness programmes.

The Walk to Unlock campaign, launched on June 5, 2026, allows shoppers to earn exclusive rewards by completing walking milestones inside the mall using the FITZE app. Running daily until August 1, 2026, the initiative combines fitness with retail, offering incentives across dining, fashion, jewellery, entertainment and wellness while coinciding with the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) season from July 3.

The campaign also comes as Dubai broadens its efforts to promote public health and active living through the second edition of Dubai Mallathon, a government-backed initiative that transforms major shopping centres into indoor fitness destinations throughout the summer.

Turning every step into rewards

Developed by Ibn Battuta Mall by Dubai Retail, Walk to Unlock encourages visitors to complete 6,000, 8,000 or 12,000 steps while exploring the mall’s six themed courts. Upon reaching each milestone, participants unlock exclusive rewards from participating retailers through the FITZE mobile application.

Whether visitors are taking a morning fitness walk, spending time with family or enjoying a day of shopping, the programme has been designed to integrate physical activity into everyday routines.

Motivational floor stickers positioned throughout the mall guide participants along the designated indoor walking route, while the FITZE app tracks progress in real time. Once a milestone is reached, shoppers can simply present their recorded step count at participating outlets to redeem their rewards.

The campaign aims to make movement both accessible and engaging by encouraging people to remain active in a comfortable, air-conditioned environment during the summer months.

How the campaign works

Taking part in Walk to Unlock is designed to be straightforward.

Participants first download the FITZE app before heading to Ibn Battuta Mall, where they follow the marked indoor walking route through the mall’s themed courts. Once they complete either 6,000, 8,000 or 12,000 steps, they unlock exclusive offers that can be redeemed instantly at participating retailers by showing their recorded step count.

The rewards span a wide range of categories, including food and beverage, fashion, family entertainment and wellness.

Participating retailers include Paul Bakery & Restaurant, Joyalukkas Jewellery, The Coterie and Fun City, among others, with the complete list of participating outlets and offers available through the FITZE app.

Summer events extend the experience

In addition to the daily walking challenge, Ibn Battuta Mall will host a series of organised indoor running events designed to further encourage community participation.

The first event takes place on Sunday, July 5, 2026, featuring race distances of 2.5 kilometres (one lap), 5 kilometres (two laps) and 10 kilometres (four laps), with races beginning at 7:00am.

Additional indoor runs are scheduled for August 9, September 13 and October 4, 2026, extending the mall’s community fitness calendar beyond the conclusion of the Walk to Unlock campaign.

The initiative will conclude with a Finale Party Day on August 9, 2026, celebrating participants and the campaign’s success.

Dubai builds on community fitness vision

The launch of Walk to Unlock comes as Dubai continues to expand initiatives aimed at improving community wellbeing through accessible fitness opportunities.

Earlier this month, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum directed the launch of the second edition of Dubai Mallathon, described as the world’s first community sports programme of its kind.

The initiative began on June 15, 2026 and will continue until September 15, 2026, transforming some of Dubai’s largest shopping centres into dedicated fitness venues during the summer.

Organisers say the programme has been developed to encourage physical activity, improve public health and reinforce sport as a sustainable part of daily life for residents and visitors alike.

The second edition is being hosted across Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Festival City Mall, Deira City Centre and Dubai Hills Mall.

Each participating venue operates daily between 6:00am and 10:00am, providing safe, climate-controlled environments where people of all ages and fitness levels can walk, run and take part in organised sporting activities.

Together, Walk to Unlock at Ibn Battuta Mall and the wider Dubai Mallathon initiative highlight the growing role shopping centres are playing as community wellness hubs, demonstrating how retail destinations are increasingly combining commerce, recreation and public health to deliver experiences that extend well beyond traditional shopping.

India has made it mandatory for international passengers arriving in the country to complete an online Health Self-Declaration Form (SDF) through the Air Suvidha portal as authorities tighten health surveillance in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.

The requirement applies to all international arrivals, with enhanced scrutiny for travellers arriving from or transiting through Ebola-affected countries. Passengers must complete the form before departure by providing their passport details, travel history over the previous 21 days, flight information and any relevant health declarations. The measure is intended to enable authorities to identify potential high-risk passengers before they enter the country.

India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare introduced the measures following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The advisory also recommends that Indian citizens avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan until further notice.

The move effectively revives the Air Suvidha platform, which was widely used during the Covid-19 pandemic for health declarations and contact tracing. Authorities initially required travellers to complete paper-based forms onboard flights, but the transition back to a digital system is expected to reduce airport congestion and speed up health screening procedures.

Etihad Airways has strengthened its expansion strategy with the successful launch of its inaugural passenger service to Dhaka while unveiling an industry-first training platform for the air cargo sector, underscoring the airline’s continued investment in connectivity, operational excellence and workforce development.

The twin announcements reflect Etihad’s broader ambitions to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a global aviation and logistics hub while expanding its passenger network and enhancing service standards across its cargo operations.

Together, the initiatives highlight the airline’s focus on supporting regional trade, facilitating international travel and building long-term capabilities across the global air cargo ecosystem.

Read more-From Abu Dhabi to Eastern Europe: Etihad’s latest deal opens the door to 10 new destinations

The carrier’s inaugural flight to Bangladesh departed Abu Dhabi on June 26, with a full passenger load, demonstrating strong demand for travel between the UAE and Bangladesh while creating additional cargo capacity to support one of South Asia’s fastest-growing export markets.

Sold-out inaugural flight strengthens UAE-Bangladesh connectivity

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, launched its inaugural flight to Dhaka on June 26, operating a sold-out Boeing 777 service to the Bangladeshi capital. The new route is expected to strengthen passenger connectivity while supporting growing trade and cargo flows across the South Asia corridor.

Flight EY382 departed Abu Dhabi at 22:00 on 26 June before arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka the following morning. The airline will operate the route four times a week using its Boeing 777 aircraft, offering 28 lie-flat Business seats and 374 Economy seats on each flight, alongside significant wide body belly-hold cargo capacity to accommodate rising freight demand, according to an Etihad news report.

Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer at Etihad Airways, said: “Our first flight to Dhaka departing fully booked speaks to the strength of the bond between the UAE and Bangladesh, and to the sustained demand we’re seeing across both passenger and cargo segments on this route. The UAE is home to one of the largest Bangladeshi communities in the world, and this service is a direct link for the families who call both countries home, as well as a gateway for the Bangladeshi diaspora across the GCC, North America and the UK travelling via Abu Dhabi.”

The new route is expected to serve both leisure and business travellers while further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as a strategic gateway linking South Asia with destinations across the Middle East, Europe and North America.

Beyond passenger travel, the additional belly-hold capacity is expected to provide an important boost for Bangladesh’s export economy, particularly its globally significant garment and textile industry. The enhanced freight capability offers exporters improved access to international markets through Abu Dhabi, supporting more efficient movement of goods across Etihad’s expanding global network.

Passengers travelling through Abu Dhabi will also be able to benefit from Etihad’s stopover programme, allowing travellers to extend their journey and experience the UAE capital before continuing to their final destination. Visitors can explore attractions including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi and the recently opened Zayed National Museum, alongside the city’s beaches, waterfront destinations and hospitality offerings.

With Dhaka joining its network, Etihad continues to deepen its presence across South Asia as it expands connections between regional communities, businesses and international markets.

Cargo division launches industry-first Excellence Hub

Complementing the expansion of its passenger and cargo network, Etihad Cargo has announced the launch of the Excellence Hub, described as the air cargo industry’s first airline-led logistics training academy.

The initiative has been designed to establish consistent operational, safety and compliance standards across Etihad Cargo’s global partner network while supporting workforce development throughout the air cargo value chain.

Serving Etihad Cargo representatives, stakeholders, partners, customers and air cargo professionals worldwide, the platform provides structured learning programmes aimed at strengthening technical expertise and professional capability. The curriculum includes operational standards, product and service knowledge, safety and regulatory compliance modules, as well as industry-certified programmes developed in collaboration with accredited institutions.

Participants can access foundation courses, podcasts, masterclasses and executive education programmes, including a miniMBA. Upon successfully completing each learning pathway, users receive accredited certifications recognising their professional development.

The platform also incorporates gamification features, including a points-based leaderboard and LinkedIn badges, designed to encourage ongoing engagement and recognise learning achievements. Complimentary access will be available for university students, enabling emerging talent to participate in a global learning community alongside industry professionals and academic partners.

In addition, the Excellence Hub leverages AI-enabled learning tools that provide personalised feedback and real-time performance analytics. Its mobile-first design ensures learners can access training resources from anywhere, reinforcing the platform’s objective of supporting continuous professional development across the international air cargo sector.

Stanislas Brun, chief cargo officer at Etihad Airways, said: “As the first logistics training academy established by an airline, it represents a significant step forward in how we approach knowledge, capability, and service quality across our global network. By bringing together operational expertise, industry knowledge, and accredited learning pathways in one platform, the Excellence Hub will help raise capability standards across the global air cargo ecosystem.”

Dr Nadia Al Bastaki, chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad Airways, added: “Etihad is committed to investing in people, and the Etihad Cargo Excellence Hub is a testament to this commitment. By providing accessible learning opportunities and a platform for knowledge sharing, Etihad Cargo aims to enhance the capabilities of those entering and advancing within the air cargo industry. The Excellence Hub will facilitate professional development and enhance operational excellence, customer service, and efficiency.”

The Excellence Hub forms part of Etihad Cargo’s wider strategy to strengthen safety, compliance, operational excellence and workforce capability while supporting sustainable growth across its expanding international cargo network.