talabat’s grocery arm, talabat mart, has signed a strategic agreement with UAE-based agricultural group Elite Agro Holding to source fresh produce directly from local farms, thereby strengthening domestic supply chains and reducing reliance on imports.

The memorandum of understanding establishes a direct farm-to-consumer channel allowing talabat mart to source fruits, vegetables and eggs from Elite Agro’s UAE farms, the companies said.

The partnership aims to shorten supply chains, improve delivery speed and enhance the availability of fresh produce across talabat mart’s network of dark stores, while supporting local farmers with more predictable demand.

“Through this partnership with Elite Agro, we are reinforcing our role as a key enabler within the UAE’s food supply ecosystem,” said Alix de Zelicourt, GM at talabat mart. “Direct sourcing from local farms allows us to deliver fresher products to our customers, supporting the long-term growth of the UAE’s agricultural sector.”

Elite Agro said the agreement would help integrate agriculture with digital retail infrastructure, improving efficiency and transparency across the food supply chain.

“This is not only about delivering fresh, premium products to consumers. It is about building a smarter, more resilient food model,” said Hassan Halawy, group CEO at Elite Agro Holding.

Elite Agro Holding. talabat agreement to improve route-to-market efficiency

The deal also includes joint demand planning and supply chain optimisation to scale locally sourced product ranges and improve route-to-market efficiency.

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader push to strengthen food security and expand domestic agricultural production as the country seeks to reduce exposure to global supply disruptions.

Demand for locally sourced and fresh produce has been rising in the UAE as consumers increasingly prioritise quality, transparency and faster delivery times in grocery retail.

In an era defined by rapid change, the ability of systems to maintain operational continuity through challenging periods is increasingly recognised as a key pillar of economic resilience and societal stability. Whether in education, healthcare, finance, or logistics, the capacity to absorb shocks across sectors and sustain core operations enhances institutional credibility, reinforces investor and market confidence, and ensures the UAE’s diversified economy continues to function under pressure.

With sectors like higher education, operational resilience is a must to maintain learning continuity. Universities operate on fixed academic timelines, guiding cohorts of students through programmes that directly influence career pathways and support national human capital development. Interruptions to this system can disrupt the progression of knowledge, delay assessments, extend graduation time, and undermine students’ engagement and confidence in their learning journey. Therefore, the education sector must be fully equipped to respond to disruptions at any time.

Smart education for academic continuity

The ecosystem of higher education in the UAE is designed to react swiftly without compromising academic quality. Universities across the UAE reflect the strength and preparedness of this system in practice. Following recent directives from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) to shift to remote learning, institutions moved quickly to adapt, transitioning delivery without disruption to academic schedules. This response was enabled by established systems, digital capabilities, and governance frameworks that support operational continuity.

Over the past decade, global disruptions and regional volatility have reinforced the importance of moving early, coordinating fast, and keeping essential services running without delay. In the UAE, continuous investments in infrastructure, policy development, and institutional capacity play a key role in reinforcing the country’s competitive capabilities to maintain stability in the face of emergencies.

When the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in 2020, the education sector was put to the test, encouraging institutions to adopt and improve distance learning methodologies. According to Cavendish Maxwell’s Education Market Report, over 1.2 million school and university students across the UAE entered their virtual classrooms after the UAE government’s announcement in 2020 that e-learning would continue until the end of the academic year. This transition was executed seamlessly, with institutions rapidly adapting to deliver programmes online, ensuring academic continuity and keeping students’ progression on track.

The UAE’s investment in digital infrastructure

The UAE has continued to invest in strengthening its digital education ecosystem through its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, which aims to integrate AI into various sectors, including education, positioning the UAE as a leading hub for AI investment. The strategy aims to advance the integration of AI-powered learning platforms and tools, enhancing both the quality and accessibility of digital education across the UAE. It also establishes a clear mandate for institutions in both the public and private sectors to embed AI technologies within their curricula and digital infrastructure, ensuring alignment with national strategic priorities.

The rise of e-learning and blended models

E-learning has become an integral component of modern education, with many institutions increasingly integrating online platforms in recent years. Supporting personalised and inclusive educational experiences, e-learning caters to different learning styles through multimedia content, interactive tools, and flexible formats that allow students to learn at their own pace and revisit complex concepts when needed. It also enhances engagement through real-time feedback, assessments, and collaborative features that encourage active participation. Based on a five-year historical analysis, the UAE E-Learning and Digital Training Market was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2025, driven by the increasing adoption of digital technologies in education, the rise of remote learning solutions, and the growing demand for upskilling and reskilling in the workforce.

Additionally, blended and hybrid learning models have further strengthened the education system’s ability to adapt, ensuring that education can continue effectively across different formats and circumstances. Collectively, these approaches provide institutions with the flexibility to shift between in-person and digital delivery, allowing students to remain engaged in their studies even in the face of unexpected challenges.

Safeguarding student well-being in times of disruption

During periods of uncertainty, students may struggle to maintain motivation and emotional balance, which can directly affect their ability to focus, learn, and perform academically. Universities must, therefore, place significant emphasis on safeguarding student well-being and ensuring a stable learning environment. Many institutions are increasingly prioritising mental health support through dedicated counselling services, well-being teams, and accessible support channels that allow students to seek help when needed. These services help cultivate a sense of community among students, supporting them to process stressful periods and pressures in a healthy way and remain mentally and emotionally equipped to succeed.

As the demands placed on education systems continue to evolve, the focus is increasingly shifting towards embedding continuity as a key principle rather than a reactive measure reserved for periods of disruption. This requires sustained coordination across institutions, supported by robust infrastructure, governance frameworks, and institutional readiness that together ensure the uninterrupted delivery of core academic functions.

Global Village, the region’s premier multicultural family destination for entertainment, dining, shopping and attractions, is set to welcome guests back this Monday, April 20, starting from 5:00pm.

The news regarding the same was conveyed on the entity’s Instagram page.

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A post shared by Global Village القرية العالمية (@globalvillageuae)

The reopening follows a temporary shutdown that lasted over a month due to escalating regional tensions that began on February 28.

The pause disrupted major seasonal programming, including Eid Al Fitr fireworks and drone shows, leaving visitors and residents awaiting updates. However, signs of recovery emerged when UAE authorities confirmed on April 9 that the country’s airspace was free of aerial threats for the first time in 41 days.

Season 30 marks a historic milestone

Now in its landmark 30th season, Global Village continues to bring cultures, communities and families together through shared experiences. The destination operates daily from 5:00pm to 12:00am and remains one of Dubai’s most popular seasonal attractions.

Following the record-breaking success of Season 29, which welcomed over 10.5 million guests, Season 30 was announced as a milestone year. Originally launched on October 15, 2025, the season is scheduled to run through May 10, 2026.

Featuring pavilions representing more than 90 countries, Global Village offers a diverse mix of entertainment, retail and dining. “Global Village continues to bring cultures, communities and families together,” organisers said, underscoring its role as a key hub for cultural exchange in the UAE.

Iran’s military announced it has resumed control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, according to reports from BBC News and Iranian state media.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), cited by Fars News Agency, the Iranian Students News Agency, and Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, said the waterway had returned “to its previous state,” with Iranian armed forces exercising control.

Shipping uncertainty and rising accusations

While some vessels were reportedly seen transiting the strait earlier, it remains unclear how much commercial traffic has successfully passed through the narrow corridor, a vital artery for global oil shipments, according to BBC News.

Iran’s military accused the US of “piracy,” arguing that Washington’s “so-called blockade” of Iranian ports amounts to “maritime robbery.” Tehran has repeatedly warned it would restrict access if such measures continued.

State broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that the route “is now closed again and passage requires IRAN approval,” reinforcing that foreign vessels must seek authorisation.

According to Iran’s Central Military Headquarters, Tehran had previously agreed to allow limited ship passage under specific conditions. However, officials claim the US “did not fulfill their obligations,” prompting the latest restrictions.

A statement posted on IRIB’s official X account reiterated that the strait is now effectively closed without Iranian consent.

Political warnings precede action

The decision follows warnings reported by The Telegraph from Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said the strategic waterway would “not remain open” if US naval pressure persisted in the region.

Iranian officials now say restrictions have been reimposed due to Washington’s failure to ease its maritime blockade, raising concerns about further disruption to global trade and energy markets.

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over continued US blockade of its ports, state media says.

There is confusion over the status of the critical shipping lane, after the US and Iran gave conflicting statements about its opening.

G42 and R/GA have launched alpha.G42.ai, which they describe as a prototype “generative interface” designed to replace traditional static websites with adaptive, AI-driven digital experiences.

The platform, unveiled on Thursday, uses integrated large language models to generate and curate content in real time, allowing users to interact via text or voice and receive tailored outputs based on their intent.

The companies said the system represents a shift from conventional web design toward conversational, agent-based interfaces.

Alpha.G42.ai is built as an immersive interface where artificial intelligence is embedded directly into the user experience. As users navigate the platform, it dynamically produces content formats such as sector-specific executive briefings or customised audio outputs, according to the companies.

The initiative targets business, government, academic and entrepreneurial audiences seeking to engage with G42’s concept of an “Intelligence Grid for AI-Native Societies,” which it positions as infrastructure enabling the flow of data and AI capabilities across sectors and geographies.

“Websites are dead; agencies are irrelevant; prove us wrong,” said Kyle Wheeler, the global executive creative director at R/GA, describing the brief given to agecncy. He said the response was to build “the next operating system for brands” rather than redesign a website.

The AI platform is a prototype for a new form of the web

Alesandro Brunori, VP Of Brand Experience at G42, said the platform is intended as “a prototype for a new form of the web,” moving from manually published content to systems that generate and evolve information in real time.

The system ingests various content formats including PDFs, videos and articles, converting them into a knowledge base that can be used to generate audience-specific outputs. It also retains contextual memory to inform responses to user queries, the companies said.

They added that the approach departs from traditional content management systems by focusing on dynamically generated content, with potential implications for search optimisation and machine-to-machine interaction.

R/GA led strategy, experience design and engineering for the project in partnership with G42’s internal communications, creative and technology teams.

G42, based in Abu Dhabi, focuses on artificial intelligence and cloud computing, while R/GA operates as an independent creative innovation firm with a global presence.