UAE Higher Education Overhaul: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid approved a unified national framework for licensing universities and colleges, including those in free zones, aiming to standardise governance and simplify oversight across the sector. UAE Fintech & Crypto: Revolut received in-principle VARA approval in Dubai to offer broker-dealer, management, investment and exchange services for virtual assets in the UAE, building on earlier CBUAE payments approval. Higher Education Leadership: President Mohamed bin Zayed appointed Dr. Ahmed Sultan Nasser Al Shuaibi as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Business Tech & AI Trading: XM expanded AI-driven market research tools for traders, including natural-language summaries and “Ask AI” live insights. Digital & Export Support: NEPC (with UAE-backed WEIDE Fund) disbursed about $710,000 to 128 women-owned export businesses in Nigeria under a digital-economy push. Regional Energy Risk: A Reuters poll says most Gulf economies face deeper downturns this year as Hormuz disruption keeps shipping and exports constrained, with the UAE forecast to contract. UAE-India Consular Pressure: Indian expat groups in the UAE renewed calls for a permanent fix to passport and attestation access after service disruptions and fee hikes. Corporate Moves: Uber’s €13bn bid for Delivery Hero heads to EU competition scrutiny, with carve-outs proposed in overlapping markets.