WAM
May 27: More than 20 years since its establishment in 2000, Dubai Internet City (DIC) continues to be among the world’s preferred hubs for new economy companies, with several high-growth, high value-added, technology-enabled global firms recently choosing DIC to establish their regional operations.
The latest to join the ever-growing ranks of new economy companies making DIC their home is the American content delivery network and DDoS mitigation company Cloudflare.
Earlier this week, Cloudflare announced Dubai as its first office in the Middle East to support its growing EMEA operations, offering a base for the growing Cloudflare team in the Middle East and Turkey.
Cloudflare’s Dubai-based team will help the company grow brand awareness, acquire and support customers, and recruit new talent. Dubai’s rapidly evolving tech ecosystem has helped it swiftly mature into a significant hub for new-age enterprises, including established multinationals, unicorns, and startups.
As the region’s leading tech hub, Ammar Al Malik, Managing Director of DIC, welcomed Cloudflare into DIC’s growing community, and said that he remains committed to offering Cloudflare the same enabling platform.
“Several sectors have undergone rapid digital transformations and have witnessed increased cloud adoption. This makes a secure and reliable digital infrastructure necessary, given the potential opportunities. Cybersecurity is critical for the tech sector, with the global cybersecurity market set to reach a value of $317 billion by 2027, according to Mordor Intelligence,” added Al Malik.
He also noted that DIC’s inclusive business environment, led by international players that have established their headquarters in the City, has helped make it a hub for IT companies and tech-savvy talent over the last 20 years.
Cloudflare has data centres in 270 cities across 100 countries worldwide, including 27 data centres in the Middle East and Turkey region. The company has doubled its EMEA team to about 700 employees over the last two years.
For the Middle East and Turkey region, Cloudflare will prioritise launching new data centres, increasing market share by building partnerships, and expanding its customer base and the local team to cope with the business growth to serve its customers better.
Earlier this month, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, directed the formation of a higher committee to prepare the Dubai Metaverse Strategy to contribute to enhancing Dubai’s position as a global hub for the technology.
The higher committee, chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, will supervise technological developments in the emirate and oversee developments in the digital economy.
It will enhance Dubai’s status as the best city in the virtual space thanks to innovative services and its advanced regulatory and legislative framework. The emirate approved a new Virtual Asset Regulation Law in March to ensure investor protection and transparency.
Last year, Dubai issued over 72,000 new business licences, a growth of 69 per cent compared to 2020, reaffirming Dubai’s position as a global business and investment hub and reinforcing its status as a successful model for the recovery of the business sector.
In 2021, Dubai led the world in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) with a record number of 418 greenfield FDI projects.
Salman Khan has never been one to hold back, and at a recent event in Dubai, he added his signature dose of humour to the oft-debated topic of nepotism in Bollywood. The superstar, fondly known as Sallubhai, was in town to launch his nephew Ayaan Agnihotri’s debut song, “Universal Laws”, and in true Salman style, he had the audience in splits with his witty remark.
As Dubai’s DJ Bliss – who hosted the event – praised the Khan family for their unwavering support for Ayaan, Salman quipped, “That’s what nepotism is!” His playful jab left everyone in the room in splits.
And as the crowd cheered, Salman officially launched the song, marking Ayaan’s much-anticipated entry into the music world.
A Star-Studded Affair
The event turned into a Bollywood reunion, with stars like Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Neha Dhupia, Angad Bedi, and other celebrities coming together to celebrate Ayaan’s big moment.
During his speech, Salman highlighted that Ayaan, the son of Atul Agnihotri and Alvira Khan Agnihotri (Salman’s sister), hails from a family of seasoned film producers. He also mentioned that Ayaan’s cousin, Alizeh Agnihotri, who recently made her Bollywood debut, shares the same film-driven lineage.
Ayaan and Salman’s Previous Collaboration
This isn’t the first time the uncle-nephew duo has joined forces. Salman and Ayaan previously worked together on the track, “You Are Mine”, where the young artist showcased his rap skills alongside the Bollywood megastar. The song, composed by Vishal Mishra, became a talking point among fans.
Salman & Sanjay Dutt Spotted in Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, Salman is keeping busy with multiple projects. A recent video circulating on social media showed him and actor Sanjay Dutt filming on the streets of Saudi Arabia. The clip, shared by an X user, captured the two actors casually chatting with crew members.
The buzz is that Salman and Sanjay are working on a cameo appearance in the Bollywood remake of the 2021 Argentine film Seven Dogs. While details remain under wraps, fans are excited to see the duo share screen space again.
From family celebrations in Dubai to shooting in Saudi Arabia, Salman Khan is proving yet again that his star power knows no boundaries.
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Dhaka to Dubai made an emergency landing at Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in India after the pilot received a smoke alert from the aircraft’s hold. Officials later confirmed that no fire was found.
Flight BG 347, carrying 396 passengers and 12 crew members, was diverted to Nagpur on Thursday night as a precaution. The pilot, alerted by a fire alarm, immediately informed the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) and the System Operations Command Centre (SOCC). A full emergency was declared, and the flight landed safely at 10.45 pm.
The aircraft was moved to an isolation bay, where all passengers and crew were safely evacuated. Fire safety teams from the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) were deployed as per protocol. A thorough inspection of the aircraft and its cargo hold was conducted, but no signs of fire or smoke were detected.
“We deployed a team of firefighters as soon as we received the alert. Following safety protocols, necessary precautions were taken, but no fire was reported,” said Bhimrao Chandankhede, Chief Fire Officer.
To minimise disruption, Biman Bangladesh Airlines arranged an alternative flight for the passengers, ensuring they could continue their journey to Dubai later that evening.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the smoke alert as part of standard safety procedures.
The UAE has once again set a new standard in currency innovation. The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has won the Best New Banknote Issue for 2025 for its Dh500 note, securing the top spot in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.
The award was announced during the High Security Printing EMEA conference in Basel, Switzerland, held in early February 2025.
A Design Rooted in Sustainability and Innovation
This newly recognised Dh500 Dirham is more than just currency—it’s a reflection of the UAE’s commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology in banking. Crafted from polymer, the note is not only more durable and longer-lasting than traditional paper notes but also fully recyclable, reducing environmental impact.
On the front side, the note showcases the Terra Sustainability Pavilion in Expo City Dubai, a symbol of the UAE’s vision for a greener future. The reverse side features the Museum of the Future, along with iconic landmarks like Emirates Towers and Burj Khalifa, emphasising the UAE’s balance between heritage and progress.
Security Features & Inclusivity
With state-of-the-art security features, including 3D designs and the region’s largest surface-applied foil stripe, the banknote is among the most secure in the world. It also incorporates Braille symbols to ensure accessibility for visually impaired individuals.
Banknotes accessible to all
Speaking about the win, Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor of Banking Operations & Support Services at CBUAE, said: “Winning this award is a testament to our dedication to sustainability and innovation. We are proud to lead the region in introducing banknotes with advanced security features and materials that minimise environmental impact. Additionally, our commitment to inclusivity ensures that our banknotes are accessible to everyone, with Braille symbols aiding visually impaired users.”
With this award, the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in financial innovation and sustainability — one banknote at a time.