The UAE’s Federal National Council (FNC) has approved a federal draft law on Cultural Heritage that sets out new measures to protect, document and preserve the country’s cultural assets.

The draft legislation aims to safeguard UAE cultural heritage in all its forms, while supporting research, cultural exchange, heritage tourism and the integration of heritage into sustainable development plans, state news agency WAM reported.

The FNC reviewed a report from its Committee on Education, Culture, Youth, Sports and Media Affairs, which said the draft law was examined through legal, social and economic studies, as well as discussions with Ministry of Culture representatives.

Among the key provisions, the law introduces the concept of “digital heritage”, covering digital materials and resources with cultural, historical, scientific, social, environmental or economic value, whether created digitally or converted into digital formats.

It also defines “archaeological survey” as the exploration, documentation and recording of archaeological sites using scientific methods.

The legislation outlines the responsibilities of the Ministry of Culture, in coordination with relevant authorities, including developing policies and strategies for cultural heritage protection, implementing awareness and tourism promotion programmes, supporting education and research, and building national capabilities in the sector.

The law also allows cultural heritage elements to be nominated for inclusion on regional and international heritage lists, subject to approval from the Ministry of Culture and procedures set out in executive regulations.

To strengthen protection measures, the draft law introduces penalties for serious violations, including prison sentences of up to 10 years and fines ranging from Dhs500,000 to Dhs10m.

The penalties apply to offences including deliberate damage to tangible cultural heritage or archaeological sites, theft, smuggling, and carrying out construction, alteration or relocation works without the required authorisation.

Read: Dubai issues new law governing violations, penalties, administrative measures

French billionaire Xavier Niel is set to become Vodafone Group’s VOD.L largest shareholder after UAE telecoms group e& agreed to sell its entire stake in the British telecoms group for almost $6bn.

The deal gives one of Europe’s most active telecoms dealmakers, who has long championed consolidation in its fragmented industry, the largest stake in Britain’s biggest mobile operator.

Some analysts expect Niel to seek greater influence over Vodafone‘s strategy.

“We believe the general playbook for Xavier Niel is to buy and hold – and to try to exert influence over the company – and potentially move to full control over time,” NewStreet Research said in a note.

Analysts at Berenberg said Niel’s investment could accelerate cost-cutting and free cash flow growth at Vodafone, citing the value his Iliad had created at Sweden’s Tele2 since acquiring an initial 20 per cent stake in 2024.

A spokesperson for Vega, the investment vehicle owned by the Niel family group, said the transaction was a straightforward purchase of e&’s stake and did not include any governance arrangements. The immediate focus is securing the necessary regulatory approvals, including foreign investment clearances, the spokesperson said.

Vega said it had struck a binding agreement to buy the roughly 16.2 per cent stake for about GBP4.4bn ($5.91bn), 13 per cent above Vodafone‘s closing share price on Thursday.

Vodafone has undergone significant restructuring under chief executive Margherita Della Valle since she took over in 2023. The group has exited Spain and Italy, sharpened its focus on Germany, Britain and Africa, and completed its merger with Three UK, creating Britain’s largest mobile operator.

“Vodafone is a compelling investment opportunity, underpinned by quality assets, strong brands, leadership positions and a diversified geographic footprint,” Niel said in a statement.

“As a simpler, more focused business, Vodafone is ready for a new phase of growth and is well-placed to unlock substantial untapped value across its European and African operations.”

Vodafone shares rose 12 per cent to a high of 110 pence in early trade on Friday, while e& shares traded around 4.5 per cent higher.

E& said its exit reflected the “natural evolution” of its priorities to “sharpen its strategic focus on core businesses” while unlocking cash from the sale.

CCS Insight analyst Kester Mann said the move marked a surprising turnaround for e&, formerly known as Etisalat, which bought an initial 9.8 per cent stake in Vodafone in 2022 for $4.4bn and gradually built it up.

“The announcement indicates that the Middle East company is taking a step back from its strategy to become a global telecom and technology player and now wishes to concentrate on its core businesses.”

Vodafone welcomed Niel’s arrival as its largest shareholder.

“We know the Niel family group well and look forward to engaging with them as a supportive, long-term shareholder,” Vodafone said in a statement.

Niel first bought a 2.5 per cent stake in Vodafone in 2022 through a separate vehicle, but that stake has since been sold, according to a spokesperson for Vega. He also sought to acquire Vodafone‘s Italian business twice over the last few years and was rebuffed on both occasions.

The billionaire has emerged as one of the leading players in the European telecoms sector, building up his Iliad from a French challenger into a group spanning France, Italy and Poland.

Niel is the second French tycoon in as many years to target a major British telecoms company. Patrick Drahi’s Altice group acquired nearly 25 per cent of BT BT.L before offloading it to Bharti Global two years ago to cut debt.

UAE carriers are accelerating their network expansion strategies, with flydubai announcing the resumption of flights to Aleppo after nearly 14 years while Emirates prepares to introduce its flagship Airbus A380 on the Dubai–Delhi route, signalling continued investment in key regional and international markets.

The latest announcements reflect the airlines’ focus on strengthening connectivity, meeting growing travel demand and reinforcing Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs, a WAM report said.

flydubai confirmed it will launch a daily non-stop service to Aleppo International Airport (ALP) from July 20, 2026, marking its return to the northern Syrian city after almost 14 years. Aleppo will become the airline’s second destination in Syria alongside Damascus, expanding access to a market that has long been underserved.

Strengthening trade, tourism and family connections

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO at flydubai, said, “We are pleased to resume our operations to Aleppo after nearly 14 years of halted operations. The introduction of our daily service to Aleppo marks an important milestone in our network expansion strategy. Our primary mandate has always been to support Dubai’s aviation hub by creating direct air links to previously underserved markets. By providing reliable, daily operations to Aleppo, we are not only catering to a strong existing demand for direct travel, but we are also fostering closer economic, cultural and familial ties between the UAE and Syria.”

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Hamad Obaidalla, chief commercial officer at flydubai, said, “Since resuming our flights to Damascus last summer, we have been encouraged by the strong demand for travel on this route. The resumption of our non-stop service to Aleppo builds on this momentum, providing our customers with greater choice and more convenient travel options between Dubai and Syria. The launch of our new daily service also comes at an ideal time to support increased travel demand during the peak summer period, and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board soon.”

Emirates brings flagship A380 to Delhi

In a separate expansion move, Emirates announced that it will deploy its flagship four-class Airbus A380 on the Dubai–Delhi route from October 25, making the Indian capital the third destination in India, after Mumbai and Bengaluru, to be served by the airline’s iconic double-decker aircraft.

The A380 will operate alongside Emirates’ retrofitted four-class Boeing 777 aircraft on the airline’s three other daily services to Delhi, significantly enhancing capacity and the premium onboard experience.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, said Delhi’s addition to the A380 network reflects the airline’s commitment to meeting growing demand for travel to and from India.

He added that Emirates is also expanding the availability of its Premium Economy product to six destinations across India as part of its continued efforts to introduce its latest products designed to enhance the travel experience. By the end of October, Premium Economy will be available on nearly half of the airline’s scheduled weekly flights to India. He added that further service enhancements are also in the pipeline, reflecting Emirates’ continued partnership with India and its commitment to customers.

From October, Premium Economy will be available on flights to six Indian cities, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Kochi, providing travellers with greater choice and flexibility when planning their journeys.

The latest announcements underscore how both flydubai and Emirates are continuing to invest in network growth and premium products as demand for regional and international travel strengthens. Together, the two developments reinforce Dubai’s role as a global aviation hub while supporting stronger economic, tourism and business links across the Middle East and South Asia.

Specialist logistics company The Rock-It Company has established its Middle East Regional Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), as the emirate seeks to attract global firms and expand its logistics capabilities.

Rock-It said its regional headquarters and specialist logistics hub in Abu Dhabi would serve as a base for its Middle East operations, including a bonded storage facility providing logistics solutions for high-value and time-sensitive goods.

The company provides transport, storage and supply chain services for industries including automotive, motorsport, live touring, luxury goods, fine art, exhibitions, film and television production, and major sporting events.

ADIO said it began engaging with Rock-It in early 2025 through executive introductions and supported the company through meetings across international markets. The investment office also facilitated connections within Abu Dhabi’s industrial and logistics ecosystem.

Rock-It to offer specialist logistics ops

From its Abu Dhabi base, Rock-It will manage specialist logistics operations supporting sectors including advanced manufacturing, automotive, luxury industries, live events and international trade.

The establishment of the headquarters adds to Abu Dhabi’s efforts to strengthen its position as a regional centre for logistics and trade, while attracting companies involved in specialised supply chain services.