Dubai Retail, one of the region’s largest operators of malls and lifestyle destinations under Dubai Holding Asset Management, has launched “The Palm Edit,” a new members-only programme designed to provide Palm Jumeirah residents with exclusive savings, experiences and privileges across a wide range of retail, dining and lifestyle venues on the island.

The initiative aims to strengthen engagement with the Palm Jumeirah community by offering residents access to curated benefits across Dubai Retail’s destinations, including Palm Jumeirah Mall, Vista Mare, The Club, Palm West Beach, Golden Mile Galleria, Shoreline and Palm Views.

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Under the programme, residents can access discounts of up to 50 per cent at participating brands spanning hospitality, retail, health, wellness and family entertainment. Dubai Retail said the initiative is designed to enhance everyday experiences for residents while supporting businesses operating across the island.

Focus on everyday value

From casual dining and beachside experiences to shopping and wellness services, “The Palm Edit” has been developed to deliver ongoing value to residents through a growing network of participating partners.

According to Dubai Retail, the programme will continue to expand with additional brands joining on a rolling basis, ensuring that the benefits evolve alongside the needs of the Palm Jumeirah community.

Once registered, members can unlock savings at some of the island’s most popular destinations and brands, including February 30, Koko Bay, The Lighthouse, Gazebo, Sandro, Ralph Lauren, Fitness First, Nova Clinic, Canary Beach and Sushisamba, among others.

Dubai Retail said residents can obtain the card through a straightforward three-step process. Applicants must register online at palmresidentcard.dubairetail.ae, visit the customer service desk at Palm Jumeirah Mall with proof of residency and collect their membership card immediately.

The programme is available to both homeowners and tenants living on Palm Jumeirah.

Benefits aacross multiple categories

The membership programme covers a broad range of categories, reflecting the diverse lifestyle offerings available across the island.

In the dining and café segment, members can receive discounts of up to 50 per cent, including savings on à la carte dining, set menus and resident-exclusive promotions. Participating venues include SAN, Loren, The 305, Jones The Grocer, Koko Bay, Maison Mathis, Feb-30, Logs & Embers, Canary Beach, The Tap House, Miyabi, Limonata, The Strand, Ella’s Eatery, Brunch & Cake, Signor Sassi, Sushisamba, Hanu, Three Cuts, The Lighthouse, Itsu, Lukumades, Mokha 1450, Smoothie Factory, Gazebo, Kamat and L’ETO.

The retail offering includes discounts of up to 40 per cent on full-priced merchandise, along with benefits such as complimentary gifts and home delivery services. Participating brands include Ralph Lauren, Furla, Bauhaus, Underground Sports, Sandro, Maje, Brusnika, The Editors Market, Oud Dubai, My Vapery and Kadayifzade.

Residents can also access savings of up to 50 per cent on wellness, beauty and healthcare services. Participating partners include Fitness First, STORM, Anatomy Rehab, Dr Stretch, Contrast, Nova Clinic, Aldas, Dr Joy and Confident.

Family-focused benefits are also available through entertainment and children’s activity providers, with discounts of up to 20 per cent offered at venues including Orange Wheels and Like Bricks.

Etihad Airways has signed a new codeshare agreement with TAROM, Romania’s national airline, expanding its footprint across Eastern Europe and strengthening travel links between Romania and Abu Dhabi.

The agreement was signed during the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro and is expected to enhance connectivity for travellers across both carriers’ networks.

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Under the partnership, Etihad customers will be able to book a single ticket connecting through Bucharest to six Romanian cities served by TAROM: Baia Mare, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Oradea, Suceava and Timisoara.

The agreement also provides access to four Eastern European capitals, Belgrade, Budapest, Chisinau and Sofia, through TAROM’s regional network.

This makes 10 destinations to the customers.

At the same time, passengers travelling from Romania will gain improved access to Abu Dhabi through Etihad’s upcoming Bucharest service, according to a WAM report.

Supporting Bucharest route launch

The codeshare agreement comes ahead of Etihad’s planned Abu Dhabi–Bucharest route, which is scheduled to launch on December 17, 2026. Once the service begins operations, travellers will be able to book journeys on a single ticket between Bucharest and destinations across Etihad’s global network, with baggage checked through to their final destination.

The move is expected to simplify travel for both business and leisure passengers while strengthening connectivity between the UAE and Eastern Europe.

For Romanian travellers, the partnership creates a direct gateway to Abu Dhabi and onward connections to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia through Etihad’s expanding network.

Executives highlight growth opportunities

Arik De, Etihad Airways chief revenue and commercial officer, said: “TAROM gives Etihad real depth in Eastern Europe: a flag carrier shaped by more than seven decades of European aviation, and an established network reaching across the country and the wider region. Launching this codeshare ahead of our own Bucharest service means we enter a fast-growing market with genuine scale from day one.”

Mircea Nicolae Cotoros, TAROM chief commercial officer, said: “This codeshare with Etihad Airways extends TAROM’s international reach and gives passengers a new connection between Bucharest and Abu Dhabi. It strengthens the link between Romania and the Middle East, supports the continued growth of our network and fosters cultural and economic exchanges.”

The addition of TAROM further strengthens Etihad’s growing partnership strategy. With the Romanian carrier joining its network, Etihad now has 47 codeshare partners and more than 130 interline agreements, making it the largest partner network among non-alliance airlines.

The expanded network provides travellers with single-ticket access and through-fare connectivity to more than 350 destinations worldwide, reinforcing Etihad’s position as it pursues continued international growth.

Europe’s biggest airlines have urged the European Union not to extend its Emissions Trading System to cover international flights, warning the move would raise ticket prices, a letter seen by Reuters showed.

The European Commission is considering expanding the scheme to emissions from flights departing the EU as part of a review due next month. At present, the ETS only covers flights within Europe.

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The system requires airlines, along with factories and power plants and others, to buy permits for greenhouse gas emissions, while capping supply to drive reductions over time.

Global efforts

In a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, seen by Reuters, airline bosses from Air France-KLM, British Airways-owner IAG, Lufthansa and Ryanair opposed widening the scheme.

“Expanding EU carbon pricing to extra-EEA (European Economic Area) flights will further penalise European passengers and businesses by increasing the cost of airfare and cargo,” they said.

The letter was also signed by the heads of 15 companies, including AirBaltic, easyJet and TUI. It comes as airline leaders meet in Rio de Janeiro for the annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The letter said EU action would undermine global efforts to decarbonise aviation, notably the United Nations’ CORSIA scheme, which requires airlines to buy ​CO2 offsets to cover growth in emissions from international flights, but does not mandate absolute cuts.

“Any extension of EU ETS will hamper the legitimacy of CORSIA,” the letter said, urging Brussels to reduce ETS costs to CORSIA levels.

The Commission says extending the ETS would ensure equal treatment across airlines and avoid disadvantaging short-haul carriers relative to those operating longer international routes.

Brussels is also sceptical that CORSIA alone can drive decarbonisation. A 2021 ‌study for the Commission warned the UN scheme was unlikely to cut emissions and could undermine Europe’s climate goals.

Dubai’s First-Time Home Buyer Program has enabled more than 3,200 residents to purchase their first homes since its launch in July 2025, generating over Dhs5bn in residential property transactions and underscoring growing demand for homeownership in the emirate.

The initiative, launched by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is available to UAE residents aged 18 and above who do not currently own a freehold residential property in Dubai.

According to DLD, nearly 45,000 individuals have registered for the programme within its first year, highlighting its role in expanding access to homeownership and supporting Dubai’s ambition to strengthen its position as a global destination to live, work, visit and invest.

As part of the programme’s latest phase, nine new developers have joined through strategic agreements with DLD and DET, further broadening the range of properties available to eligible buyers.

The newly participating developers are 4Direction Developments, Arada, Dubai World Trade Centre, IRTH Group, Manam, Qube Development, Reportage Properties, SAMANA Developers and Sky View Real Estate.

Their addition brings the total number of participating developers to 22 since the programme’s launch, expanding options across locations, price points and property types. The initiative is also supported by five participating banks, providing financing solutions aimed at making homeownership more accessible.

DLD said the programme reflects Dubai’s commitment to creating a sustainable, end-user-driven property market while supporting the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033.

“The First-Time Home Buyer Program embodies Dubai’s foundational belief that home ownership should be within reach of everyone who calls this city home. The addition of nine new developers demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to ensuring that every resident has a genuine choice as they take one of life’s most significant steps: becoming a homeowner,” DLD said in a statement.

The authority added that aligning government policy with private-sector participation is helping build a more resilient property market, strengthen investor confidence and encourage long-term residency in the emirate.

The latest expansion also supports the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy and further reinforce the city’s position as a global hub for talent and investment.

Meanwhile, Binghatti Holding was recognised by DLD and DET for recording the highest number of unit sales under the programme since its launch. The recognition highlights the role of private-sector partners in accelerating homeownership and translating policy objectives into measurable market outcomes.

Residents who have not yet enrolled in the programme can register through the Dubai Land Department website or the Dubai REST app. Existing registrants can also update their preferences to include the newly participating developers and access a wider portfolio of eligible properties.

beIN SPORTS has unveiled its coverage plans for the FIFA World Cup 2026, announcing what it describes as its most extensive tournament production to date across 24 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The broadcaster will provide live coverage of all 104 matches across six dedicated MAX channels and beIN SPORTS 4K HDR, supported by up to 17 hours of daily programming in Arabic, English and French.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will kick off on June 11 in Mexico City and conclude on July 19 in New York City. The tournament will be the largest in the competition’s history, featuring 48 national teams across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

beIN SPORTS said the opening ceremony and opening match between Mexico and South Africa will be presented live from inside the Estadio Azteca, while the closing ceremony and final will be broadcast from MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey.

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The network will also operate four dedicated studios at its Doha headquarters, utilising virtual production technologies, augmented reality graphics and digital integration tools to enhance coverage throughout the tournament.

Arabic-language programming will run daily from 17:00 to 09:30 Mecca time across beIN SPORTS MAX 1 to 4, covering all 104 matches. English-language coverage will be carried on beIN SPORTS MAX 5 for up to 15 hours daily, while beIN SPORTS MAX 6 will provide dedicated French-language coverage aligned with programming from beIN SPORTS France.

To support on-the-ground reporting, the broadcaster will deploy reporters across all three host countries, with dedicated English-language correspondents travelling throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

All six MAX channels will feature round-the-clock programming, including live match broadcasts, daily studio analysis, tournament preview and review shows, team documentaries and reports from host cities.

The broadcaster’s Arabic-language sports news channel, beIN SPORTS NEWS, will also provide 17.5 hours of live daily coverage throughout the tournament, supported by a team of 18 reporters stationed across the host nations.

In a move aimed at improving accessibility, beIN SPORTS confirmed that sign-language interpretation will be available for viewers with hearing impairments.

Mohammed Al Bader, managing director of beIN Channels – MENA, said: “As the exclusive home of the FIFA World Cup in MENA since 2014, and with the legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, beIN SPORTS will once again bring audiences unparalleled access to football’s largest stage. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be larger, longer, and more logistically complex than any other tournament before it – yet we are fully prepared to deliver unrivalled coverage of this global spectacle. Our reporters will be stationed across 16 host cities in three countries, bringing viewers the latest from training sessions, press conferences, stadiums, and fan zones to ensure MENA audiences never miss a moment.”

For younger audiences, the broadcaster’s children’s channel, Jeem TV, will air a daily 45-minute programme throughout the tournament featuring match highlights, educational content and storytelling designed to introduce football and World Cup culture to younger viewers.

Beyond traditional broadcasting, beIN SPORTS will stream all 104 matches live through its digital platforms, beIN CONNECT and TOD by beIN. The company will also launch a dedicated World Cup microsite featuring team pages, prediction games, live scores and exclusive digital content, alongside real-time notifications and enhanced social media coverage.