Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, has approved a Dhs1bn ($272m) international space cooperation programme aimed at accelerating foreign partnerships in space research and development and strengthening the UAE’s position in the global space economy.

The initiative was announced during a meeting of Dubai’s Supreme Space Council, which Sheikh Hamdan chairs in his capacity as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

Programme to build collaboration

The programme is designed to deepen international collaboration between research institutions, academic entities, and global companies, with a focus on advancing technology development, expanding knowledge transfer, and converting research outputs into commercially viable space applications.

Sheikh Hamdan said the UAE’s space sector is a strategic pillar of its knowledge-based economy and that the new programme would help localise advanced technologies, develop national talent, and strengthen links between Emirati and international research centres.

He also said the initiative aligns with the National Space Strategy 2031, which targets doubling the returns of the space economy, increasing its contribution to GDP by 60 per cent, and expanding national capabilities in space research, development, and manufacturing.

Driving the global space economy

The meeting highlighted continued growth in the global space economy, valued at around $613bn in 2024 and projected to reach nearly $780bn by 2033, underscoring opportunities for the UAE to expand its footprint in future space markets.

The council also reviewed updates from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre on the UAE’s participation in the Artemis programme, which focuses on advancing infrastructure to support sustained human presence on the Moon.

At the meeting, Dr Hamdullah Mohib, chief executive of Orbitworks, outlined plans for a sovereign UAE satellite constellation built and operated domestically, aimed at developing AI-enabled space intelligence capabilities and positioning the country in the global space intelligence market.

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment and Dubai Chambers have launched a citywide retail campaign offering shoppers the chance to win residential properties in Dubai, as the emirate seeks to further boost consumer spending and strengthen its appeal as a global retail and investment hub.

The initiative, called “Win Your Home in Dubai”, will run from May 22 to August 30 and allows residents and visitors aged 18 and above to enter weekly prize draws by spending at least Dhs500 ($136) at participating outlets across the city.

Organisers said the campaign includes more than 1,000 brands and over 3,500 retail outlets, spanning major shopping periods including Eid Al Adha, the 3 Day Super Sale and the annual Dubai Summer Surprises shopping festival.

Under the programme, shoppers who upload eligible receipts through the campaign platform will be entered into draws for 12 residential properties supplied by Binghatti Developers, the campaign’s exclusive real estate partner.

Read: Dubai rolls out Eid Al Adha staycation offers, family events from May 22-31

Apartment giveaways every week

The prizes include 11 studio apartments and one two-bedroom apartment, with one studio apartment to be awarded each week and the larger unit offered as the grand prize in the final draw.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said the initiative was designed to support retail activity while reinforcing Dubai’s positioning as a destination where residents and investors can build long-term roots.

Khalid AlJarwan, EVP of Commercial and Corporate Services at Dubai Chambers, said the campaign reflects efforts to strengthen commercial activity and support the emirate’s retail ecosystem.

Dubai has increasingly tied major retail campaigns to broader economic and tourism objectives as it pushes to attract foreign investment, new residents and higher visitor spending under its long-term growth strategy.

The emirate’s retail sector remains one of the key pillars of its non-oil economy, supported by tourism, large-scale shopping festivals and a growing residential property market.

Deem Finance has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Yusr, a regulated fintech firm expanding into the UAE, as both companies seek to accelerate the rollout of embedded finance solutions in the region.

The collaboration forms part of Deem’s broader strategy to work with fintech innovators to develop scalable, customer-focused and compliant financial products for the UAE market. The company said the partnership reflects its approach as a regulated financial institution focused on enabling innovation while maintaining governance, accountability and customer protection standards.

Yusr currently provides embedded finance solutions, including Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) offerings, primarily targeting the automotive sector. The fintech plans to expand into additional sectors across the UAE over time.

Under the partnership, Deem will provide the regulated financial infrastructure, governance framework and market expertise needed to help fintech solutions scale within the UAE’s regulatory environment. The companies said the collaboration combines Yusr’s technology-driven customer experience with Deem’s licensed institutional capabilities to deliver sustainable and well-governed financial products.

Chris Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Deem, said: “This partnership reflects our belief that innovation and regulation are strongest when they work together. Fintechs bring speed, creativity and new customer experiences, while institutions like Deem bring the governance, infrastructure and regulatory discipline needed to scale responsibly. We are pleased to partner with Yusr as they enter the UAE market and look forward to supporting their growth journey.”

Azamat Seitbekov, Founder and CEO at Yusr, added: “We built Yusr on a simple conviction: financing should work where life works. The UAE represents a natural next step — a market that rewards innovation and shares our belief in the power of accessible, embedded financial solutions. Partnering with Deem gives us the regulatory foundation and market credibility to grow responsibly. Together, we aim to make capital genuinely accessible to the businesses and customers who need it most.”

The partnership comes as the UAE continues to position itself as a regional hub for financial technology and digital innovation, with increased focus on embedded finance, alternative lending models and customer-centric financial services.

Deem said partnerships with fintechs and technology firms are central to its strategy to expand access to finance, improve customer experiences and address underserved market segments traditionally overlooked by larger banks.

The company added that it remains open to supporting fintech innovation across a range of models, including lending, card programmes, embedded finance and next-generation financial services, while operating within a framework of regulatory compliance and responsible growth.

British Airways has delayed resuming flights to Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv by a month to August 1, the carrier’s website showed on Tuesday.

The US-Israeli conflict against Iran has pushed a score of carriers to cancel flights to and from the region since the conflict began in late February.

“Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, we have made further changes to our flying schedule to provide greater clarity for our customers,” a spokesperson for British Airways said in an emailed statement.

The long-haul airline, owned by IAG plans to reduce flights to the Middle East when services resume, while permanently dropping Jeddah as a destination, it had said in April.

The carrier also plans to reduce services to Dubai, Doha, Riyadh and Tel Aviv to one daily flight.

“We’re keeping the situation under constant review and are directly in touch with affected customers to offer them a range of options,” the spokesperson said.

Riyadh Air said on Tuesday it has opened public ticket sales for flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow ahead of the introduction of its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the route from July 1.

The Saudi carrier said tickets are now available through its website, mobile application and travel partners for the daily service between Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and London Heathrow Terminal 4.

The airline said the Riyadh-London route will transition fully to its new Boeing 787-9 fleet from July 1, replacing interim operations that had been conducted using a technical spare aircraft named “Jamila” since October 2025 as part of its operational readiness programme.

A key milestone for the Saudi national carrier

CEO Tony Douglas said the launch marked a milestone for the airline as it introduced its new aircraft and onboard product on what it described as a key international route linking Saudi Arabia and the UK.

Riyadh Air said the service forms part of its broader expansion strategy under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme, which aims to boost tourism, trade and connectivity.

The carrier will operate daily flights departing Riyadh at 02.35 am local time and arriving in London at 07.30 am. Return flights will depart London at 09.35 am and arrive in Riyadh at 18.05 pm local time.

The airline said additional destinations across its network would be announced in the coming months.

Four-class cabin configuration on the new aircraft

Riyadh Air’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft will feature a four-class cabin configuration comprising Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy classes.

The company said all seats would include Bluetooth audio connectivity and USB charging ports, while its in-flight entertainment system would offer content from partners including Disney+, HBO Max and Shahid.

The carrier is also promoting its loyalty programme, Sfeer, which offers benefits including complimentary onboard Wi-Fi and reward accrual from a passenger’s first flight.

Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in aviation and tourism infrastructure as part of efforts to diversify its economy away from oil, with Riyadh Air expected to play a central role in turning Riyadh into a major global aviation hub under Vision 2030.