GEMS Education has expanded its GEMS Rewards mobile app to all UAE residents, widening access to a platform that was previously limited to its student families and employees, as households continue to navigate shifting economic conditions and rising day-to-day costs.

The move marks a marked expansion of one of the private education-linked lifestyle ecosystem, which has grown steadily since its launch in 2017 into a network used by more than 100,000 GEMS families.

With the latest rollout, GEMS is positioning the platform as a broader community utility rather than a closed membership benefit, offering users access to more than 1,800 deals across 850 partner brands spanning dining, retail, travel, leisure and wellness.

Jay Varkey, deputy CEO at GEMS Education, said the decision reflects a wider community mandate.

“Our commitment to the community has always extended beyond the walls of our school,” he said. “Opening up the GEMS Rewards platform is a natural evolution of that commitment. In the current environment, this is a practical way for us to support families by helping them save on everyday essentials, while also strengthening the local businesses that are the backbone of our economy. It’s about ensuring the entire community feels supported”.

Loyalty integration and cross-platform savings

Beyond discounts, the platform integrates with several established loyalty programmes, allowing users to convert and exchange GEMS Points across partner ecosystems, including Smiles for telecom and grocery benefits, Air Miles for retail and food delivery platforms such as Talabat and Carrefour, Bounz for rewards at retailers like Choithrams and EROS, and Yes Rewards for fuel savings at ENOC.

The app also includes a hotel booking engine offering preferential rates.

Users can additionally opt into GEMS Rewards Plus, a premium membership tier that provides access to lifestyle facilities including hotel pools, beaches and fitness centres across the UAE.

The expansion reflects a broader trend in the UAE’s consumer market, where education providers, telecom operators and financial platforms are increasingly building integrated lifestyle ecosystems that combine loyalty, access and discounts in a single digital interface.

How to register

Access to the platform has been made straightforward for new users:

• Download the GEMS Rewards app from the App Store, Google Play, or Huawei App Gallery
• Select the “GEMS Community” registration option
• Enter the access code: GEMSUAE2026
• Complete registration before May 31 2026 to unlock six months of complimentary access

The initiative adds to a growing number of UAE-based loyalty and savings ecosystems competing for user engagement in an increasingly value-sensitive consumer environment, where digital platforms are playing a larger role in everyday spending decisions.

Read: GEMS signs biggest solar energy deal in UAE’s education sector

The US Embassy in the UAE has lifted its “shelter-in-place” instruction for US government employees following the cessation of missile and drone attacks in the country, according to a security alert issued on April 14, 2026.

While the immediate threat level has eased, officials stressed that personnel and citizens should remain prepared to take protective action if circumstances change.

The embassy advised that individuals should immediately take shelter indoors if another incident occurs, adding that all Americans in the UAE should be ready to follow the same guidance. The US travel advisory for the country remains at Level 3: Reconsider Travel.

Embassy operations remain restricted

Despite the easing of emergency instructions, the US diplomatic presence in the UAE continues to operate under significant constraints. The US Embassy and Consulate General remain on ordered-departure status, meaning non-emergency US government personnel have already been relocated outside the country.

As a result, only limited consular assistance is currently available for US citizens in the UAE.

Routine visa services also remain suspended until further notice.

Americans seeking passport or consular assistance are instructed to use the US Citizen Services Navigator at the US embassy website and select their preferred location. Embassy officials will respond by email with further instructions.

Guidance for US citizens in the UAE

Authorities urged Americans in the UAE to remain vigilant and prepared. Recommended actions include maintaining supplies of food, water, and essential medications in case extended sheltering becomes necessary, and ensuring travel documents are up to date and easily accessible.

Officials also advised residents to stay informed through official channels, monitor news updates, and maintain communication with family and friends. Citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive ongoing security updates.

Additional guidance includes keeping a low profile, remaining aware of surroundings, and ensuring mobile phones are charged with emergency numbers pre-programmed.

Emergency assistance contacts

In the event of an emergency, residents are advised to dial 999 for UAE emergency services.

US citizens may also contact the Embassy in Abu Dhabi at +971-2-414-2200 or the Consulate General in Dubai at +971-4-309-4000. The US State Department Consular Affairs Call Center remains available at 1-888-407-4747 (US and Canada) or 202-501-4444 (worldwide).

A comprehensive trade agreement between the UAE and Azerbaijan has officially come into force, aiming to deepen economic ties, expand investment flows and widen market access between the two countries.

The comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) is expected to reduce or eliminate tariffs on a broad range of goods and services, creating new opportunities for exporters, investors and small businesses on both sides.

It also seeks to strengthen private-sector cooperation across sectors including logistics, renewable energy, construction and advanced manufacturing.

The deal marks Azerbaijan’s first trade agreement to include a dedicated services chapter, opening the door for expanded collaboration in finance, consulting and professional services.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said the agreement represents a turning point in bilateral relations, according to the state news agency, WAM.

UAE-Azerbaijan CEPA a key step to boost trade

“The UAE-Azerbaijan CEPA marks a transformative moment in bilateral ties, and promises to enhance trade flows, unlock new investment opportunities, and foster increased private sector collaboration across key sectors, particularly in logistics, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing,” he said.

“Azerbaijan is located at a crucial juncture in North-South trade, and by integrating our economic visions, we can ensure increased resilience and sustainable growth in a rapidly changing global market,” he added.

The UAE is Azerbaijan’s largest Arab trading partner, accounting for 40 per cent of its trade with the MENA region. As the leading Arab investor in Azerbaijan, with investments exceeding $1bn, the potential for further economic collaboration is substantial.

The UAE is also the leading Arab investor in Azerbaijan, with cumulative investments exceeding $1bn, according to official figures.

Non-oil trade between the two countries rose 31.4 per cent over the past two years, surpassing $2.2bn in 2025, reflecting growing commercial ties ahead of the agreement’s implementation.

CEPAs forms part of the UAE’s wider strategy to expand its global trade network and diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons, while strengthening links with high-growth emerging markets.

NVIDIA has unveiled what it describes as the world’s first open-source family of quantum artificial intelligence (AI) models, called NVIDIA Ising, aimed at accelerating the development of scalable and reliable quantum computing systems.

The new models are designed to help researchers and enterprises tackle two of the biggest challenges in quantum computing—processor calibration and quantum error correction—both critical to enabling real-world applications at scale.

NVIDIA said the Ising family provides high-performance, scalable AI tools that can improve the reliability of quantum processors, enabling hybrid quantum-classical systems to handle more complex workloads.

Jensen Huang, founder and chief executive officer of NVIDIA, said: “AI is essential to making quantum computing practical. With Ising, AI becomes the control plane — the operating system of quantum machines — transforming fragile qubits to scalable and reliable quantum-GPU systems.”

The company added that its models deliver up to 2.5 times faster performance and three times higher accuracy in decoding processes required for quantum error correction.

Addressing key engineering bottlenecks

The Ising platform includes specialised models for calibration and decoding:

Ising Calibration: A vision-language model that is significantly smaller than alternatives and can rapidly interpret quantum processor measurements to automate calibration
Ising Decoding: Two variants of a 3D convolutional neural network model optimised for either speed or accuracy, enabling real-time quantum error correction

These capabilities are intended to improve system stability and enable larger-scale quantum computations.

A range of global enterprises, academic institutions and research labs have already begun adopting the Ising models for quantum development. These include organisations such as Atom Computing, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, among others.

The models are also being deployed by universities including Cornell University, University of California San Diego and University of Chicago.

Supporting broader quantum ecosystem

NVIDIA is also offering supporting tools, including quantum computing workflows, training data and NVIDIA NIM microservices, enabling developers to fine-tune models for specific hardware architectures.

The Ising models integrate with NVIDIA’s broader quantum stack, including CUDA-Q software and NVQLink hardware interconnects, providing a full ecosystem for hybrid quantum-classical computing.

The global quantum computing market is expected to exceed $11bn by 2030, according to Resonance, with progress in error correction and scalability seen as key to unlocking commercial applications.

NVIDIA said the open-source nature of the Ising models will allow developers to retain full control over data and infrastructure, while accelerating innovation across the quantum computing landscape.

Jumeirah, a global luxury hospitality company and part of Dubai Holding, has announced a phased restoration programme for its flagship asset, the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab.

The initiative is designed to preserve the long-term value, design integrity and cultural significance of one of Dubai’s most recognisable hospitality landmarks, a Jumeirah Media report said.

The programme, expected to span approximately 18 months, comes as the property approaches more than 25 years of continuous operations since its opening in 1999. The company said the restoration will focus on enhancing the hotel’s interior environment while maintaining its original design identity, treating the process with the same precision as preserving a heritage asset.

Credit for images: Jumeirah Media Hub/Website

Read more-Dubai hotel ties brunch bookings to Dhs1 overnight stay

Since its launch, the Burj Al Arab has played a central role in establishing Jumeirah as a global luxury hospitality brand. The sail-shaped structure has become one of Dubai’s most distinctive architectural assets, contributing significantly to the city’s international positioning as a high-end tourism and hospitality hub.

The hotel introduced several pioneering service standards at the time of its opening, including personalised butler service, which helped redefine global benchmarks in the ultra-luxury hospitality segment. Over the past two decades, it has remained a core revenue-driving flagship within Jumeirah’s portfolio of landmark properties.

Restoration led by international design figure

Following a competitive selection process, the restoration programme has been awarded to interior architect Tristan Auer. The appointment reflects Jumeirah’s emphasis on retaining design credibility while ensuring the property remains commercially and culturally relevant in the global luxury market.

Auer is recognised internationally for his work across high-end hospitality, residential and heritage projects. He founded his Paris-based studio in 2002 after working alongside designers Philippe Starck and Christian Liaigre. His portfolio includes landmark projects such as Hôtel de Crillon in Paris and the restoration of Les Bains Douches, positioning him as a specialist in high-value restoration and luxury interior transformation.

His design approach is known for balancing contemporary refinement with historical preservation, a methodology aligned with Jumeirah’s stated objective for the Burj Al Arab programme.

Strategic investment in long-term value

Commenting on the restoration, Jumeirah CEO Thomas B. Meier positioned the initiative as part of a long-term strategy to protect and enhance the brand’s most valuable asset.

“Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is far more than an architectural landmark; it is a symbol of ambition, craftsmanship and enduring excellence. For the last 27 years, this exceptional property has served guests with the same passion and world-class standards that distinguish it from any other hotel in the world. This restoration programme marks a new chapter in the story of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, one that will carefully preserve the heritage of what is currently the sole property in our Jumeirah limited-edition collection of iconic landmark addresses defined by design distinction and prestige.”

The statement underscores the hotel’s positioning as a “limited-edition” asset within Jumeirah’s portfolio, reinforcing its role as a strategic brand anchor.

Auer described the appointment as a significant professional milestone, highlighting the scale and importance of the project within the regional hospitality landscape.

“Being entrusted with the very first restoration of a property of this calibre in Dubai, the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, a timeless icon of the region, is a profound privilege. To carry forward, with the utmost dedication, the legacy of such an extraordinary landmark is both an honour and a responsibility.”

The Jumeirah Burj Al Arab remains the company’s flagship hospitality asset, featuring 198 suites and interiors characterised by high-end materials including Swarovski crystals, marble and gold leaf detailing.

The property continues to maintain strong international recognition. It has been named the Number One City Hotel in North Africa and the Middle East by Travel + Leisure and received a five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide in 2023.

As Jumeirah moves forward with the restoration, the programme is expected to reinforce the asset’s long-term positioning within the global luxury hospitality market while maintaining its contribution to Dubai’s premium tourism economy.