Dubai is set to expand its efforts to promote healthier lifestyles and community wellbeing after Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum directed the launch of the second edition of Dubai Mallathon, a pioneering community sports initiative that transforms some of the emirate’s largest shopping centres into dedicated fitness destinations during the summer months.

The initiative, described as the world’s first community sports programme of its kind, will begin on June 15 and run until September 15, 2026.

Organisers say the programme is designed to encourage physical activity, improve public health and reinforce sport as a sustainable part of daily life for residents and visitors alike, a WAM report said.

The latest edition will be hosted across six major malls in Dubai: Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Festival City Mall, Deira City Centre and Dubai Hills Mall. The participating venues will offer safe, air-conditioned environments where people can walk, run and take part in a range of fitness activities throughout the summer season.

Supporting Dubai’s quality of life vision

Dubai Mallathon forms part of the emirate’s wider strategy to enhance quality of life and strengthen community wellbeing. The initiative aligns with the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which seeks to further position Dubai among the world’s leading cities for quality of life while encouraging healthier and more active lifestyles.

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The programme also supports the objectives of the UAE’s ‘Year of the Family’ 2026 by encouraging families to participate in sporting activities together and build stronger connections through shared community experiences.

Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said the emirate would continue advancing a comprehensive quality-of-life model under the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“Health and quality of life are the foundation of thriving societies and essential to empowering people, enhancing their wellbeing, and enabling them to contribute, innovate and succeed,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

He added that Dubai’s infrastructure and public facilities are designed to support every segment of society.

“Dubai is a city for everyone, and its facilities are designed to serve all members of society. We want every citizen, resident and visitor to feel supported and to have access to everything they need to lead a healthy, balanced and fulfilling life,” he said.

Community engagement at the core

The initiative reflects Dubai’s continued focus on building stronger community ties through sport and recreational activities.

According to Sheikh Hamdan, one of the emirate’s defining strengths is its sense of community and shared values.

“What distinguishes Dubai is its strong sense of community. Dubai is one family united by the values of coexistence, tolerance and compassion,” he said.

“Sport embodies these values as a universal language that brings people together and channels their energy towards positive goals and shared values. That is why we continue to launch community sports initiatives that strengthen these bonds and translate them into everyday experiences.”

Sheikh Hamdan also encouraged government entities, semi-government organisations, private sector companies and youth councils to support the initiative by promoting participation among employees and community members.

“Leading by example remains one of the most effective ways to inspire positive change and build a more active and vibrant society,” he said.

Daily activities planned throughout the summer

The second edition of Dubai Mallathon will take place daily between 6:00am and 10:00am from 15 June to 15 September 2026.

During those hours, participating malls will be transformed into community-focused fitness spaces, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels in a climate-controlled environment designed to encourage regular exercise.

Participants will have access to dedicated walking and running tracks as well as a variety of sports activities and community programmes tailored to different age groups.

Organisers have also introduced specialised activities aimed at broadening participation. Dedicated programmes for women will be hosted at Dubai Mall and Mirdif City Centre, while additional initiatives will be available for senior citizens and People of Determination, ensuring the event remains inclusive and accessible.

The programme will feature a packed calendar of competitions, fitness sessions and interactive community events throughout the three-month period. Weekend races are scheduled across all participating malls, with prizes, medals and gifts set to be awarded to participants as part of efforts to encourage engagement and support long-term healthy habits.

To further enhance the experience, qualified fitness trainers will be stationed at all participating venues. Trainers will lead warm-up sessions, provide guidance and help participants exercise safely according to their individual fitness levels and age groups.

Free participation and incentives for regular attendance

Participation in Dubai Mallathon is free and does not require advance registration.

Residents and visitors can simply visit any participating mall and collect an official initiative wristband upon arrival.

The wristband will provide access to a range of exclusive offers from participating stores, restaurants and cafés. Organisers said rewards, discounts and incentives will increase based on attendance frequency and participation levels, creating additional motivation for people to remain active throughout the programme.

The second edition is being organised in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council following the success of the inaugural event. The first Dubai Mallathon attracted thousands of participants and secured a Guinness World Record for the largest mall running event of its kind.

A single race at Dubai Hills Mall drew more than 1,300 participants, underscoring strong community interest in the initiative. Officials say that success has reinforced Dubai Mallathon’s position as one of the emirate’s flagship community sports programmes and a key contributor to the city’s broader health and wellbeing agenda.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority, a move designed to bring the nation’s public data, artificial intelligence and digital government capabilities under a single national framework.

The announcement marks a significant step in the UAE’s efforts to accelerate AI-powered digital transformation and strengthen its position as a global leader in digital innovation and the digital economy, a WAM report said.

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The newly established authority will serve as the central national body responsible for overseeing data, artificial intelligence and digital government initiatives across the country. Reporting directly to the UAE Cabinet, the entity is expected to streamline decision-making, improve service delivery and support the development of a more integrated and agile government model.

Driving the government of the future

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the UAE remains committed to building a government that is more efficient, proactive and capable of leveraging advanced technologies to improve the lives of citizens and residents.

“Today we approved the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority, the single national body responsible for data, artificial intelligence and digital government in the UAE, reporting directly to the Cabinet. Omar Sultan Al Olama will lead the Authority. Our goal is a government that is faster, smarter and always one step ahead, one that uses technology to serve people and build a better future for the next generation,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

He added: “We are building the government of the future. A government that runs on data and agentic AI. One that decides faster, delivers better and never stops improving. A government built around people, not paperwork.”

The authority is expected to play a central role in advancing the UAE’s long-term vision for digital governance, helping federal entities adopt innovative technologies while ensuring greater coordination across government services and digital initiatives.

Consolidating key government functions

As part of the restructuring, the authority will combine responsibilities previously managed by three separate government entities. These include the Office of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, the Digital Government Sector at the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, and the UAE Data Office.

The consolidation is intended to create a unified ecosystem capable of driving national digital priorities while reducing fragmentation across government functions.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, has been appointed Chairman of the Authority and will oversee its strategic direction and implementation.

Expanding AI, data and digital government capabilities

According to the announcement, the authority will be responsible for aligning national priorities and supporting a unified digital government system powered by Agentic AI. Its mandate includes proposing public policies, legislation and national strategies, while ensuring coordination between federal and local digital transformation initiatives.

The Authority will also lead the development and implementation of the UAE’s national artificial intelligence strategy and support efforts to increase the digital economy’s contribution to the country’s GDP.

In addition, it will manage government data to improve quality, accessibility and sharing across federal entities. The Authority will oversee the operation and development of AI-powered national data platforms designed to support evidence-based decision-making and improve government performance.

A key focus will be the design and delivery of proactive, integrated digital services aimed at placing individual needs at the centre of government operations.

Strengthening global competitiveness

Beyond policy and service delivery, the authority will establish standards and guidelines covering data governance, AI deployment, digital transformation and government services. It will also monitor compliance across federal entities and support the development of national capabilities through research, development and technical advisory services.

The authority’s responsibilities extend to strengthening international cooperation and forging partnerships in artificial intelligence, data and digital government. It will also support cybersecurity initiatives and government information security management efforts.

Officials said the move reinforces the UAE’s ambition to remain at the forefront of digital innovation, while creating a future-ready government model capable of adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and global economic trends.

The Gulf’s digital economy is expanding at an exciting, yet daunting speed. Governments are digitising public services, critical infrastructure is becoming increasingly connected, and businesses are relying on data to drive everything from operations and decision-making to customer experience and growth. Yet as organisations accelerate their digital ambitions, a fundamental question is moving from the server room to the boardroom: who ultimately controls the data that powers the modern organisation?

In an era defined by AI-driven cyberthreats, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasingly stringent regulatory expectations, this changing reality is reshaping how organisations think about data sovereignty and, ultimately, how they choose to secure their most critical assets. This is why on-premises cybersecurity solutions remain the most durable strategic play, particularly among organisations seeking greater control over sensitive data, critical systems, and long-term operational resilience. Here are four key factors why on-premises solutions are driving this shift:

Data sovereignty is reshaping cybersecurity decisions

As organisations expand their digital footprints, questions around where data is stored, which jurisdictions govern it, and how it moves across borders are becoming increasingly important. This is especially critical in sectors such as government, military, defence, healthcare, financial services, energy, telecommunications, and other critical infrastructure industries, where operational disruption can have far-reaching economic and societal consequences. The growing cyber risk facing these sectors underscores the importance of maintaining greater control over critical systems and data. According to Kaspersky telemetry, 19.6% of industrial control systems (ICS) globally had malicious objects blocked in Q1 2026, with security solutions detecting malware from more than 10,000 malware families targeting industrial automation environments.

Greater control in an increasingly uncertain world

Across the Gulf, organisations are reassessing where sensitive information resides and how critical security infrastructure is managed. While cloud-based security continues to play an important role in many environments, organisations handling highly sensitive, regulated, or mission-critical data are increasingly evaluating whether greater direct control over their cybersecurity ecosystem can support broader resilience objectives.

On-premises cybersecurity infrastructure is increasingly part of that conversation because it allows organisations to maintain ownership of security systems and retain greater control over where sensitive data is processed and managed.

Business continuity depends on operational independence

Cybersecurity is now central to maintaining business continuity during disruption. Threat actors are increasingly targeting supply chains, vendors, and interconnected ecosystems, while geopolitical uncertainty continues to highlight dependency risks.

In this environment, organisations are placing greater emphasis on operational independence and reducing reliance on third-party infrastructure for critical security functions. While cloud-based security remains an important component of many cybersecurity strategies, dependence on external providers can introduce additional points of failure, particularly during service outages, connectivity disruptions, or broader external incidents.

On-premises security helps address these challenges by keeping core security infrastructure under direct organisational control. By eliminating dependency on third-party providers for critical security operations, organisations can ensure that essential security functions continue running even during external internet outages, cloud service disruptions, or other events outside their control. This strengthens business continuity, supports operational resilience, and provides greater certainty that security capabilities remain available when they are needed most.

Greater resilience through controlled architecture

On-premises environments allow organisations to design and operate security infrastructure within tightly controlled architectures. This reduces reliance on external connectivity and limits exposure to broader internet-facing risks. It also enables more predictable operations, stricter governance over updates, and stronger containment of security environments. As a result, on-premises environments can offer an additional layer of resilience by ensuring that core security systems remain fully governed, contained, and under direct organisational control, even in highly volatile threat landscapes.

The ability to maintain visibility, control, and certainty over critical digital assets will continue to shape cybersecurity strategies across the Gulf. As organisations face increasing regulatory pressure, evolving threat landscapes, and growing infrastructure complexity, deployment choices are becoming a strategic decision rather than a technical one. In this context, on-premises cybersecurity remains a key option for organisations that prioritise control, sovereignty, and resilience in how their security environments are designed and operated. At Kaspersky, we recognise that cybersecurity architecture must align with operational reality. Different organisations require different deployment models depending on their infrastructure, risk exposure, and regulatory obligations.

• Rashed Al Momani is general manager for Middle East at Kaspersky

As artificial intelligence moves from experimental initiatives to core business infrastructure, enterprise leaders are facing critical decisions about how to build, secure, and scale their AI systems. For organisations in the Middle East, a region rapidly positioning itself as a knowledge-economy powerhouse — the stakes are especially high.

We spoke with Jeff Jacob, regional business team lead for ASUS‘s Infrastructure Solutions Business Group in Middle East and Africa, about the enterprise technology shifts reshaping the region, why infrastructure must come first in AI deployments, and how Gulf markets are pioneering a sovereign approach to artificial intelligence that balances speed with security, data protection, and sustainability.

Having showcased the brand’s latest AI solutions at Computex 2026, Jacob shares why the Middle East represents one of the company’s most important growth markets, and what regional enterprises need to prioritize as they transform.

The United States and Iran have agreed on a framework to end months of conflict, halt US military operations against Tehran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said on Sunday, describing it as a major diplomatic breakthrough in the four-month war.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorise the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” he stated.

The announcement was later echoed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government has played a key mediating role in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

“Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been reached. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, 19 June in Switzerland,” said Sharif.

A formal signing ceremony is planned to take place in Geneva.

Under the preliminary framework, military operations between the two sides would cease immediately, while the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes — would be reopened following the signing of the agreement.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, confirmed key elements of the arrangement, saying broader negotiations would continue during a 60-day ceasefire period. Those talks are expected to cover sanctions relief and the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, which remains one of the most contentious issues between Tehran and Washington.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, would end permanently beginning on Monday night.

The Strait of Hormuz handles 20 per cent of the world’s seaborne energy trade and has been at the centre of regional tensions throughout the conflict.

News of the agreement helped push oil prices lower as markets reacted to the prospect of improved energy flows and reduced geopolitical risk. Brent crude prices on Sunday fell over 3 per cent to about $84 a barrel, while US crude dropped more than 4 per cent to about $81 a barrel.

Key issues to be resolved

While the framework appears to represent a major step towards de-escalation, several key issues remain unresolved.

The fate of Iran’s nuclear programme is expected to be addressed in follow-up negotiations, while details surrounding potential sanctions relief have yet to be formally disclosed.

Reuters reported that one option under discussion includes a temporary waiver of US oil sanctions and a commitment not to impose additional sanctions while a broader settlement is negotiated.

The announcement also comes amid renewed tensions involving Israel. There was no immediate reaction from Israeli officials, who were not party to the US-Iran talks.

Trump publicly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after an Israeli strike targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday, saying he was surprised by the timing of the attack as negotiations were reaching their conclusion.

Mediators from Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey were involved throughout the talks, with diplomatic sources indicating that Pakistan and Qatar played particularly significant roles during the final phase of negotiations.

The conflict, which began on February 28, has killed thousands of people across the region, disrupted global energy markets and drawn in Iran-aligned groups operating in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.

Despite the breakthrough, analysts caution that the agreement remains a preliminary framework rather than a comprehensive peace settlement, with many of the most difficult issues still to be negotiated in the coming months.