
Abu Dhabi to host M&I Expo in 2026
Abu Dhabi will host the M&I Expo from 14–16 April 2026, following a strategic partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Worldwide Events. Set to take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the event will gather 1,000 top global decision-makers in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. The expoalso aims to foster global collaboration and business development through immersive showcases and branded experiences. Mubarak Al Shamsi, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau Director, DCT Abu Dhabi said: 'Hosting the M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi reinforces the emirate's strength and sustained growth as a premier destination for business events and incentive travel. Our latest achievement reflects our strategic commitment to building a world-class MICE ecosystem offering cutting-edge event venues and exceptional hospitality rooted in our core cultural values. With iconic venues such as Qasr Al Watan and Yas Marina Circuit, complemented by Abu Dhabi's diverse leisure attractions such as the newly opened teamLab Phenomena, we are confident this event will showcase the very best of what our destination has to offer.'
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The National
3 hours ago
- The National
UAE has hosted more than 17,600 Afghan evacuees since 2021
Almost four years since the Taliban took power following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, UAE authorities have provided details of how many Afghans it has hosted. The UAE has spent almost Dh1.35 billion ($367.6 million) hosting Afghan refugees before relocating them to other countries since 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. There have been 17,619 Afghans hosted in Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi since there were widespread evacuations after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, two decades after they were toppled by the US and Nato. The assistance covered all the needs of Afghan citizens − including health care, logistical and diplomatic services, communications, shelter and food − ensuring comfort, a dignified life and well-being, said a statement from the ministry released on Thursday. EHC also provided services related to departure procedures, with 17 offices opened for the embassies of the countries to where Afghans were seeking relocation. School transport was also provided, along with on-site education and training courses. Almost 2,600 Afghans benefitted from training and professional development workshops, the ministry added. 'The UAE has spared no effort in assisting the Afghan people, being at the forefront of countries that have initiated support for Afghanistan,' said the ministry. 'This reflects its humanitarian mission, which is based on the values of giving, charitable work, spreading peace and consolidating coexistence, tolerance, and the principles of human fraternity. 'It also promotes solidarity with peoples during the most difficult circumstances and crises facing countries. 'The focus on caring for people and preserving their dignity has been a constant approach in the UAE's journey since its founding, regardless of ethnic, religious, or geographical backgrounds and in line with its noble humanitarian principles. It has become a global symbol of humanitarian giving and sustainable good.' A US news outlet reported earlier this month that the UAE was preparing to send a small number of evacuees back to Afghanistan in July.


The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Etihad Airways brings first-class luxury to small planes in rare move
Etihad Airways took delivery of its first Airbus A321LR in Hamburg on Thursday, featuring first-class seats on a small plane – a departure from industry norms, where premium cabins are typically found on long-haul flights aboard wide-body aircraft. This is the first of 20 A321LR aircraft to join Etihad's fleet, leased from AerCap, the world's largest aircraft lessor, the airline said on Thursday. Commercial flights start on August 1. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is known for its ultra-luxury product, The Residence – a three-room configuration featuring a private bedroom, an en suite shower and a living area with a Savoy-trained personal butler – available on the mammoth double-decker Airbus A380. Now, Etihad is introducing a first-class suite on its long-range, single-aisle A321LR jet, flying short-to-medium-haul routes. Analysts say the ambitious cabin layout is unusual in the industry. 'It's extremely rare,' said Linus Bauer, founder and managing director of UAE-based boutique aviation consultancy BAA & Partners. The A321LR and longer-range A321XLR aircraft have been mainly positioned as 'premium-capable narrowbodies, but first-class installations remain an exception', he said. 'Typically, first class is the domain of wide-body, long-haul aircraft where both cabin space and yield potential justify the added cost and real estate,' he said. First class has increasingly become a niche product and many airlines have ceased offering it on their long-haul routes, said John Strickland, aviation analyst and director of JLS Consulting. 'That said, there is a core market in the Gulf region which Etihad can tap,' he said. 'Back to the game' Etihad Airways' boss said the first-class offering on narrow-body jets will be a game-changer for the airline. 'I'm 100 per cent confident that the product we've designed is going to be wow for first-class customers in a narrow-body … Etihad is back to the game,' Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad's chief executive, told The National ahead of the delivery. 'It's not about the size of the plane that you cannot create a first-class experience. It's all about execution and the product you offer.' Amenities in the new first-class suite include two private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, lie-flat beds and companion seating, along with a large 20in 4K screen for entertainment, with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging. 'Today marks an extraordinary moment for Etihad as we welcome an aircraft that changes everything we thought possible on a single-aisle plane,' Mr Neves said. 'The A321LR enables us to serve more destinations with the same premium experience.' A321LR routes Etihad's A321LR will operate from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport to short- and medium-haul destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It will initially fly to Phuket before expanding service to Algiers, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Krakow, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Tunis and Zurich. An additional nine A321LR aircraft will be delivered throughout 2025, supporting the airline's ambitious growth plans to carry 38 million passengers annually by the end of the decade. This target has been revised up from a previous goal of 33 million and forms part of its Journey 2030 strategy, which also calls for doubling its fleet size. Etihad is aggressively expanding its network, having launched or announced 27 new routes this year. The A321LR is a longer-range variant of Airbus' A321neo. The aircraft has a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,400km), thanks to three additional centre tanks that store extra fuel. Airbus says airlines can configure the A321LR cabin with layouts ranging from a single-class arrangement to multi-class set-ups featuring full-flat premium seats. Luxury in smaller confines Etihad seems to be using the A321LR features as a differentiator in the market, rather than a people-mover, analysts said. 'This isn't just about seat segmentation. It's a continuation of Etihad's boutique pivot – an identity centred around bespoke, high-touch experiences, especially post-pandemic,' Mr Bauer said. 'In the age of upgauging and densification, this is a contrarian move – but one that could carve out a defensible niche.' The product is also a differentiator on popular, high-yield, regional routes with high competition. Putting the premium experiences associated with large planes on to narrow-bodies helps airlines like Etihad to preserve brand consistency across the board, Mr Linus said. 'For Etihad, a first class suite on a narrowbody ensures continuity with its wide-body experience and upsells to ultra-high-net worth individuals or VIPs travelling regionally or connecting onward in premium cabins,' he said. A321LR features First Suites: private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, fully-flat beds. Each window-facing suite features a 20in 4K screen, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and additional space for a companion to sit. Business Class: features 14 wide-body-style seats with a 17.3in 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing and wireless charging. Economy Class: 144 seats that are 18.4in wide, with a five-inch recline, 13.3in, 4K touchscreens and USB charging.


The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Here's why UAE bank customers will no longer receive OTPs via texts and emails
Customers of UAE banks will no longer receive one-time passwords for online financial transactions through SMS and email starting on Friday, according to messages seen by The National. Instead of the passwords, or OTPs, customers will have to authenticate transactions within their mobile banking apps, which experts say is step in the right direction to in efforts to boost security of digital banking and customer protection. 'SMS and email OTPs for online transactions will be phased out from July 25. Switch to ADIB mobile app for in-app authentication,' says an SMS received from Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi's biggest Sharia-compliant lender. Citi Bank customers have also received an email notifying them of the change. 'We are enhancing the way you approve your online card transactions to provide you with greater security. As part of this upgrade, SMS OTP is no longer supported,' the email says. The lender says the change will be rolled out in phases and asks customers to download the bank app and complete their registration. After registration, customers will receive in-app authorisation requests to approve online purchases. However, the Central Bank of the UAE told The National on Thursday that it has not issued an official notice particularly addressing the cancellation of OTP through SMS or email. Mashreq, Dubai Islamic Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank offered no comment, while Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD and Commercial Bank of Dubai did not respond to requests for comment. Experts say the move is aimed at improving security and reducing fraud attempts through SMS or email-based OTPs. These methods are increasingly used by cyber criminals to steal from customers. The rise of fraud involving contactless payments has raised questions about consumer protection and banks' security measures. The UAE's status as a regional business centre, with a high concentration of wealth, makes it a target for cyber criminals, personal finance experts say. Fraudsters are drawn to the Emirates due to its affluent population, high internet use and the perception that consumers may be less cautious when conducting online transactions, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching. Internet penetration – the percentage of a population that uses the internet – in the UAE stands at more than 96 per cent, making it one of the world's highest, Ms Glynn says. Customers travelling outside the UAE have complained of not receiving the SMS containing the OTP or receiving it after the valid time period. A banker who spoke to The National on condition of anonymity said they received a circular from the Central Bank outlining this change in May. 'This is part of comprehensive guidelines for banks and financial institutions with the subject line of prevention of fraud. The regulator said OTPs should not be shared through weak modes of communication, such as SMS and emails, as they are vulnerable and can be compromised,' they said. 'Instead, the Central Bank want to have more secure modes of communication, or two-way authentication in a way. So, they consider in-app as one of the better modes of communication.' The circular was issued with immediate effect, so banks and financial institutions were required to fast-track this transition, the banker said. Better modes of communication and transmission of financial information will reduce the potential for fraud incidents, which is an 'industry-wide concern'. This change will benefit not just banks, but the entire payment ecosystem in the UAE, he added. The move by UAE lenders is a critical step in strengthening digital banking security and reducing exposure tied to telecom system vulnerabilities, Benjamin Ward, regional financial institutions leader for the Middle East and North Africa at professional services firm Marsh, said. "This shift also places full responsibility for authentication integrity squarely on the banks themselves," he said. "However, threat actors won't stop - they'll shift tactics." Phishing activity and attempts at social engineering by scammers of tricking users into approving app-based transactions will continue. "Instead of SIM swaps or message interception, attackers will increasingly target internet banking, mobile apps, and core authentication systems directly," he added.