New york: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stated that the GCC foreign ministers’ coordination meeting reaffirmed support for Saudi Arabia’s initiative to establish a global alliance to implement the two-state solution and discussed joint efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue. According to Emirates News Agency, the remarks followed Albudaiwi’s participation in a coordination meeting held on Monday on the sidelines of the United Nations High-Level International Conference on ‘The Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution’, hosted at Kuwait’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. GCC

Sharjah: Vietnam recorded a trade value of US$470.63 billion from 1st January to 15th July, marking a 16.2 percent year-on-year increase, according to the Department of Vietnam Customs. Of the total, exports were valued at $239.19 billion, up 14.7 percent over the same period in 2024, while imports reached $231.44 billion, up 17.7 percent year-on-year. According to Emirates News Agency, Vietnam’s total import-export turnover in the first half of July was $38.21 billion, a decrease of 7 percent compared to the second half of June. Foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises reported $14.83 billion in export turnover in the first half

Sharjah: Sharjah’s municipal authorities have launched the 18th edition of the ‘Most Beautiful Garden’ award, inviting residents across all cities of the emirate to participate. This year’s edition stands out for its inclusivity, now extending to private gardens, hospitals, and hotels. According to Emirates News Agency, the competition features three main categories: natural garden, landscaped (engineered) garden, and the creative or mixed garden, which blends natural and architectural elements. Sharjah municipalities emphasized that the award aligns with the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in promoting agriculture and

Sharjah: The ‘Sharjah Age-Friendly City’ programme organised its first three orientation meetings to introduce a newly approved comprehensive action plan. The initiative reflects a developmental vision that values individuals across all stages of life and supports the active integration of senior citizens into their communities. Held at the Elderly Care Home operated by the Sharjah Social Services Department, the sessions brought together representatives from 22 local entities spanning various sectors. According to Emirates News Agency, each session addressed one of the eight global domains of age-friendly cities. The first meeting focused on outdoor spaces and buildings, emphasising age-friendly infrastructure, such

Mleiha: The Mleiha Cultural and Sports Club launched a new programme focused on artificial intelligence at the Zewail City of Science and Technology, Egypt. This two-day event is part of the club’s summer activities and aligns with the UAE government’s goal of promoting technology and innovation. According to Emirates News Agency, the programme is led by Mohammed Sultan Al Khasouni Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Mleiha Club, along with several Emirati members and supervisors. It aims to blend theory with real-world application, offering participants a chance to enhance their skills at one of the leading scientific institutions in the Arab

Gaza: The UAE has resumed its humanitarian airdrop operations over the Gaza Strip as part of the Birds of Goodness operations, underscoring its continued dedication to alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people by delivering food, medical supplies, water, and other urgent aid. The mission, part of the ongoing ‘Operation Chivalrous Knight 3’, is carried out in cooperation with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. According to Emirates News Agency, the UAE’s intensive diplomatic efforts across the globe have succeeded in resuming the Birds of Goodness operations, which had been suspended for nearly nine months due to war developments. The UAE’s

Dubai: DUBAI REEF, a pioneering purpose-built reef development and one of the largest in the world, is demonstrating significant progress in enhancing marine ecosystems within Dubai’s waters. New underwater footage from the initiative’s proof-of-concept site showcases a thriving marine environment, with abundant fish populations and habitats developing around the reef modules. According to Emirates News Agency, surveys at the site indicate a substantial increase in fish populations across 15 native species, including snappers, groupers, and barracuda. Early data suggests a potential 10 percent increase in marine biodiversity, accompanied by an eightfold increase in fish biomass-clear indicators of the initiative’s positive

Dubai: The Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy (MBRGCEC), part of the Endowment and Minors’ Trust Foundation in Dubai (Awqaf Dubai), has announced the launch of the ‘Endowment of Dates’ initiative in collaboration with the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC). This initiative is designed to support families in need by distributing dates donated by local farm owners throughout the UAE. According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative aligns with the Global Vision of Endowment, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. The vision aims to revive