Sheikh Abdullah meets UK Foreign Secretary on strategic partnership

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, met with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in London to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation. The officials explored ways to strengthen ties across various sectors supporting both nations' development priorities and addressed the overall Middle East situation, regional developments, and ways to enhance regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace, security and lasting stability. Miliband, newly appointed to the role, received Sheikh Abdullah's congratulations on his appointment and both reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relationships across multiple sectors. (via Gulf News)

UAE opens nominations for community impact award. The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) launched the inaugural Year Of Award, a national platform recognising people and organisations driving lasting community impact. The nominations programme launched July 31, inviting submissions from across the UAE to identify individuals and groups making meaningful contributions to society. (via Gulf News)

The UAE Fuel Price Committee announced higher retail prices for August 2026, reflecting shifts in global energy markets. Super 98 petrol increased to Dh3.60 per litre from Dh3.40 in July, while Special 95 petrol rose to Dh3.49 per litre (from Dh3.29) and diesel climbed to Dh3.80 per litre (from Dh3.60). The August increases extend four consecutive months of rises driven by geopolitical tensions and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, though July had seen prices dip as regional tensions eased temporarily. (via Gulf News)

GlobalFoundries, the semiconductor manufacturer majority owned by Abu Dhabi sovereign fund Mubadala (which holds approximately 73% ownership), won a $300 million award from the US Department of Commerce through the Chips Act. The funding accelerates development of silicon photonics technology, which uses light instead of electrical signals to transmit data between chips, making AI data centres faster and more energy-efficient. The investment supports research into silicon photonics, optical materials and advanced packaging, targeting data transfer speeds of 400 gigabits per second. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the funding would "enhance our country's domestic capabilities, create high-paying jobs and keep America at the forefront of the semiconductor industry." (via The National)

Island Coast Audio & Video in Al Hudaiba has survived the streaming era to become a rare outpost for collectors seeking VHS tapes, cassettes, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records. Owner Mahmood Al Laham, who took over in 2006 and consolidated three separate shops into one location in 2018, credits growing nostalgia and frustration with artist pay on streaming platforms (which yield only $0.003–$0.005 per stream) for the shop's resurgence. "I believe the golden time of these things has returned," he said. The shop serves Dubai's 200-nation mix, drawing customers across generations; even an eight-year-old recently purchased a VHS tape. Music professionals and label founders champion physical formats for their emotional connection to content and direct support for artists. (via The National)