The UAE has approved the establishment of a National Industrial Resilience Fund valued at Dhs1bn (approximately $272m), aimed at strengthening supply chain resilience, localising critical industries, and enhancing the country’s economic security.

The decision was announced during a UAE Cabinet meeting chaired by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, as part of a broader push to accelerate industrial growth and reduce reliance on external supply chains.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “We took decisions to accelerate the UAE’s industrial growth… We are launching an Dhs1bn fund to strengthen resilience, expand local production, secure supply chains, and scale the use of artificial intelligence across production and operations.”

The fund will support the localisation of more than 5,000 critical products, strengthen industrial supply chains, and enhance self-sufficiency across priority sectors. It will also focus on improving industrial readiness for essential goods, ensuring continuity of supply, and advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in forecasting and risk management.

He added, “We made the National In-Country Value Programme mandatory across all government entities and national companies, and strengthened the presence of UAE-made products. Our target is clear. Fully localise more than 5,000 critical products… We reviewed preparations for “Make it in the Emirates 2026” in Abu Dhabi next month, bringing together global investors and industry leaders.”

The fund’s resources will be allocated in line with national priorities, including food security and key industrial sectors such as manufacturing, primary metals, mechanical, electrical and chemical industries, pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients, medical supplies, advanced technology, and construction.

Alongside the fund, the Cabinet approved amendments to the National In-Country Value Programme, transitioning it from an incentive-based model to a mandatory framework across federal entities and companies in which the government holds at least 25 per cent. The move is designed to direct procurement towards local products, strengthen supply continuity, and reinforce national industrial capabilities.

In parallel, a new policy was approved to increase the visibility of UAE-manufactured products across retail outlets and digital platforms. The first phase will focus on essential goods with scalable local production, including bottled water, dairy products, eggs, poultry, bread, flour, vegetable oils, and seasonal produce.

The Cabinet also reviewed preparations for the fifth edition of the “Make it in the Emirates” platform, scheduled to take place from May 4 to 7 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event is expected to attract more than 120,000 visitors and over 1,000 exhibitors across 12 industrial sectors, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accounting for 61 per cent of participants.

Additional initiatives set to be launched at the event include a Start-ups Hub, a Quality Infrastructure Platform, and the “House of Industry,” a national museum documenting the UAE’s industrial development.

To further support the sector, the Cabinet approved the formation of a National Industrial Data Committee, chaired by Hasan Jassim Al Nowais, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. The committee will focus on improving access to industrial data, strengthening integration across national systems, and enabling real-time insights to support decision-making.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said, “These decisions reflect the leadership’s vision to advance a more resilient and sustainable national industrial model, built on the localisation of critical industries, the strengthening of supply chains, and directing demand towards national products. They also support the accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence across production and planning processes, enhancing the competitiveness of the industrial sector and reinforcing its contribution to economic growth.”

Read: Dubai rolls out Dhs1bn support package: easing costs, boosting businesses

Dubai Lynx, in collaboration with Middle East Communications Network (MCN) and its agencies, said on Monday it has launched the MENA edition of its ‘See It Be It’ leadership programme, aimed at accelerating women into senior roles across the creative, media and marketing industries.

The initiative, titled “See It Be It: Connects,” will take place on October 7, during Dubai Lynx Creativity Week.

Applications opened on Monday and will close on September 9.

The programme is delivered in partnership with industry stakeholders, including Unilever, Nestlé, Emirates, Snap, and the Advertising Business Group, alongside regional agencies and platforms.

Originally launched at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2014, See It Be It is designed to support women in the global creative industry.

Organisers said it has grown into a network of more than 150 creatives, with 75 per cent of participants promoted within 12 months and 63 per cent now working at creative director level or above.

The MENA edition will focus on three core pillars: confidence, resilience and adaptability, and negotiation. It will include sessions addressing leadership challenges, career progression, burnout, cultural intelligence and inclusive leadership.

Priya Sarma, head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Unilever GCC, Turkey, Pakistan and Bangladesh, said advancing women into leadership was a business imperative, adding that gender-balanced leadership improves innovation and decision-making.

Lizzie Dewhurst, chief communications officer at MCN, said the programme aims to accelerate women into leadership roles and strengthen the regional creative industry’s talent pipeline.

Kamille Marchant, director of Dubai Lynx, said fewer than 30 per cent of creative directors globally are women, citing industry research, and added that regional initiatives are needed to drive structural change.

Eleni Kitra, CEO and executive director of the Advertising Business Group, said collaboration across the industry is essential to build long-term progress in female leadership.

The programme is open to women with at least five years of experience in the creative marketing industry.

Participants must be based in, or able to travel to, Dubai.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a major contract to upgrade several of the city’s busiest roads, marking a significant step in efforts to enhance mobility and support rapid urban growth.

The project will see extensive development works carried out on Umm Suqeim Street, Al Wasl Road, and Al Safa Street, as well as seven key intersections along Jumeirah Street.

The initiative aligns with the directives of Dubai’s leadership to accelerate infrastructure development, expand road capacity, and improve traffic flow across the emirate, a WAM report said.

The project includes the construction of bridges and tunnels stretching approximately 11,000 metres in total, in addition to road widening works at ground level. Officials say the upgrades are designed to meet the demands of Dubai’s expanding population while ensuring smoother traffic movement across vital corridors.

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Once completed, the capacity of Umm Suqeim Street is expected to increase to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. Meanwhile, Al Wasl Road and Al Safa Street will each handle up to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, significantly easing congestion in these high-traffic areas.

The scope of the project covers multiple strategic routes. These include Umm Suqeim Street from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, Al Wasl Road from Umm Suqeim Street to 2nd December Street, and Al Safa Street from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Road.

Beyond Roads: Creating livable urban spaces

Authorities emphasised that the development goes beyond traditional road upgrades. The project introduces a range of urban design elements aimed at improving quality of life.

Plans include enhanced pedestrian walkways, dedicated cycling tracks, and public boulevard plazas. These features are expected to create safer, more accessible routes for residents and visitors while fostering community interaction through vibrant public spaces.

According to Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, the project is part of a broader strategy to upgrade infrastructure across key districts including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Wasl, and Al Safa.

He noted that the areas served by the project are home to a wide range of facilities, including beaches, hotels, fine-dining restaurants, residential communities, and educational institutions.

“These districts also host major tourism, arts, and sports activities, as well as commercial centres,” Al Tayer said. “They serve an estimated population of more than 2 million residents and visitors.”

Economic and mobility benefits

Al Tayer highlighted the broader economic impact of the initiative, describing transport infrastructure as a key driver of growth.

“Developing roads and transport infrastructure is a fundamental pillar supporting urban expansion and strengthening Dubai’s appeal as a destination for investment and business,” he said.

He added that improving vital corridors would enhance traffic efficiency, reduce journey times, and boost productivity across multiple sectors.

“The development of these corridors will significantly improve traffic flow and reduce delays, delivering tangible benefits for individuals and businesses alike,” he said.

Part of a larger connectivity vision

The Umm Suqeim Street Development Project forms part of a larger corridor plan extending from Jumeirah Street to Emirates Road and further to Al Qudra Street. This corridor serves several key residential and development zones across Dubai.

Al Tayer explained that the project will strengthen connectivity between four of Dubai’s main transport arteries: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road.

“The project will enhance connectivity across these strategic corridors, improving overall network efficiency,” he said.

He added that travel time along Umm Suqeim Street between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road is expected to drop dramatically, from 20 minutes to just six minutes once the project is complete.

Supporting future growth

Officials say the project reflects RTA’s commitment to long-term planning, ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with population growth and urban expansion.

“Achieving smooth traffic flow requires continuous and integrated development of the road network, alongside expanding public transport and adopting smart solutions,” Al Tayer said.

He added that RTA is moving forward with a comprehensive plan to upgrade several vital corridors, aiming to enhance daily mobility and reinforce Dubai’s global leadership in infrastructure development.

The project is expected to benefit several major residential areas, including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Sheif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has dramatically reduced the time required to process security deposit refunds to just eight minutes, marking a significant milestone in the emirate’s digital transformation journey.

The new turnaround time, achieved without human intervention, is a sharp improvement from the previous 30 minutes and a substantial leap from the four days required in earlier systems.

The enhancement applies to refunds of up to Dhs4,000 and is expected to cover approximately 90 percent of all requests, according to a WAM report.

Leadership vision drives digital leap

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, highlighted that the initiative aligns with Dubai’s broader ambition to become a global leader in digital innovation.

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“In line with the vision and directives of our wise leadership to digitalise all aspects of life in Dubai and transform the emirate into a global digital capital, positioning it among the world’s best cities in terms of quality of life, we continue to adopt the latest Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and integrate artificial intelligence across all our operations,” Al Tayer said.

He added, “We have made significant progress in reducing the security deposit refund time from four days to 30 minutes, and now to just eight minutes. This is part of our continuous efforts to provide a pioneering, fully digital customer experience that enhances happiness, meets expectations and exceeds them.”

Round-the-clock efficiency and growth

The automated system operates 24/7, independent of official working hours, improving efficiency while allowing employees to focus on innovation and service enhancements.

Al Tayer noted that DEWA’s customer base continues to expand, reaching 1,346,985 accounts by the end of March 2026—a 5.08 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.

“These developments come alongside continuous growth in customer accounts,” he said, adding that DEWA remains committed to strengthening its electricity, water and digital infrastructure to support Dubai’s rapid population, economic and urban growth.

DEWA also reported a surge in digital transactions, with more than 3.7 million completed in the first quarter of 2026, up from over 3.5 million during the same period last year.

By the end of 2025, customer accounts stood at 1,327,182 before rising steadily in early 2026, underscoring the growing reliance on digital services.

US President Donald Trump was evacuated from a high-profile media event in Washington after a gunman opened fire outside the venue, triggering panic among more than 2,500 attendees.

The incident unfolded overnight at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, held at the Washington Hilton. Guests, including senior government officials, journalists and business leaders, were seated in the ballroom when shots rang out near an entrance checkpoint.

According to the president, a man described as a “lone wolf” rushed past security before opening fire at a law enforcement officer. Secret Service agents responded immediately, neutralising the suspect within moments.

“One officer was shot but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is doing great,” Trump said in a press briefing shortly after the incident. He added that the attacker appeared to be acting alone and described him as a “very sick person”.

Witnesses reported scenes of confusion as attendees took cover under tables, while others formed makeshift barricades using chairs. Media reports, citing law enforcement officials, said the suspect was armed with a shotgun and was apprehended at the scene.

High-ranking officials, including Vice President JD Vance, were present at the event, which is considered one of Washington’s most prominent gatherings of political and media elites.

Despite the disruption, Trump signalled his intention to proceed with the event at a later date. “We’re going to do it again,” he said. “We’re not going to let anybody take over our society.”

The incident marks the latest in a series of security threats involving the president, following two assassination attempts during the 2024 election cycle.

Authorities said the situation was quickly contained, with no fatalities reported. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack.