JPMorgan allowing only essential staff travel in Middle East, source says
JPMorgan Chase is allowing only essential travel in and out of the Middle East for employees, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.
(Reporting by Pritam Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
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Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has climbed 110 places to secure a global position of 391, earning a spot among the top 400 universities worldwide, according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026. The leap highlights the capital's commitment to the continued delivery of globally competitive academic programs and innovative research, reinforcing its position as a leading institution in higher education. Regionally, ADU has advanced to fifth place among 12 UAE-based higher education institutions, up two positions from the previous year. The results follow enhanced data validation techniques introduced by QS, designed to elevate data quality and improve the reliability of reputation measures across institutions. The university's progress is reflected across several key indicators, with notable improvements in employer reputation, academic reputation, and citations per faculty, underscoring its expanding influence in research, thought leadership, and graduate employability. Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, said, 'This consistent rise in the QS World University Rankings reflects the steady momentum we have built over the years through a clear strategic vision and purposeful academic investment. Year after year, we continue to climb the global rankings, driven by a commitment to excellence in teaching, impactful research, and international collaboration. We are proud to be among the top 400 universities globally, an affirmation of the quality of our programs and their alignment with international standards. We remain committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders who will thrive, innovate, and contribute to the UAE's national agenda and beyond, across diverse sectors.' He added, 'As we mark this achievement, I extend my sincere gratitude to our students, faculty, researchers, and staff whose dedication has made this milestone possible.' Professor's innovation earns patent Meanwhile, in a step toward sustainability and scientific innovation, Dr Rahaf Ajaj, Chair of the Department of Environmental and Public Health at Abu Dhabi University's (ADU) College of Health Sciences, has been awarded a German utility model patent for her pioneering research into biodegradable polymeric films. This achievement further points at the ADU's commitment to driving impactful research with real-world applications that benefit both the environment and student learning. Granted by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), the utility model titled 'Composition of polymer films based on pectin containing a boswellic acid derivative for improved functionality' represents a breakthrough in active packaging materials. Developed in collaboration with an international team of scientists, the innovation combines pectin, a natural plant-based polymer, with a specially synthesised compound derived from boswellic acid, resulting in enhanced antioxidant activity and improved water resistance. Ajaj said: 'This patent reflects years of applied research aimed at replacing harmful plastics with sustainable alternatives. With the support of Abu Dhabi University, I am proud to see our work recognised on an international stage. By synthesising a novel bioactive compound and integrating it into pectin-based films, we've created a material that delivers both environmental and functional value. This milestone reflects our mission to develop sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics and contribute to a circular economy. It also enhances opportunities for ADU students, who are involved in applied research that prepares them to be changemakers in environmental science, healthcare, and beyond.'
The National
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Flights diverted across region as Qatar shuts airspace
Flights have been diverted to airports across the region after Qatar said on Monday that it was temporarily closing its airspace. Dozens of planes headed to Doha have been rerouted, with AirNav Radar reporting that 91 flights travelling towards Qatar's capital were diverted after the announcement. Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Dammam were reportedly among the list of new destinations for travellers. Qatar's move came 'as part of a group of precautionary measures that were taken based on the developments in the region', the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement after nearby Iran threatened retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear sites. The UK and US issued alerts to their citizens in Qatar to shelter in place amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. 'Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice,' the UK Foreign Office said in its update. The US embassy in Qatar sent an email to US citizens in the country recommending they shelter in place until further notice. The message said the recommendation was 'out of an abundance of caution' and offered no further information. The region is on edge in anticipation of a possible Iranian retaliation against US interests in the Middle East after Washington bombed Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday, entering the Iran-Israel conflict for the first time.
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Motorists across the UAE are reporting significant spikes in car insurance premiums this year, with some facing renewal rates up to 40 per cent higher than the previous year, prompting fresh calls for more oversight and transparency from insurers. The complaints come in the wake of a Federal National Council (FNC) session earlier this month in which a member of the council questioned the Central Bank of the UAE on whether reforms were needed to regulate the sudden rise in insurance premiums. Ibrahim Mohammed, a Sharjah resident originally from India, said his premium jumped by 30 per cent this year, even though he received nearly identical quotes from different providers. 'Almost all companies listed in online insurance portals provide the same market price,' said the 37-year-old warehouse cashier. CS, a South African resident and senior production accounts manager, experienced a 40 per cent increase in April while renewing insurance for his new Genesis. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 'When I asked for the reason behind the increase, I was told it was due to the US tariffs against China,' he said. 'But I haven't made any claims, so that made no sense to me.' He was told that tariffs could affect the cost of spare parts in the event of a future claim. 'They can't charge me 40 per cent more for imports if I have no claims yet,' he said, calling it unfair and misleading. 'Now that the tariffs are settled, we won't get the 40 per cent back.' CS added that motorists had no real recourse due to mandatory insurance renewal laws. 'So, you have no option but to accept even if an excuse like political tariffs seems false and invalid,' he said, calling for audits and stricter regulations. Losses from floods and Covid discounts behind spike Insurance industry leaders point to a mix of economic, regulatory and climate-related factors for the price hikes — particularly the aftermath of the record-breaking rainfall that swept UAE in May 2024. 'Car insurers faced major losses due to the floods. It's true it was a rare incident, but the impact on claims was unprecedented, ' said Ahmad Al Tahat, a car insurance manager in Abu Dhabi. He noted that prices had also dropped sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic, with discounts reaching up to 50 per cent, and only began returning to standard levels by 2022, in line with Central Bank directives. For example, insuring a new Toyota Land Cruiser during the pandemic through its agency cost just 1.8 per cent of its value. Today, the same policy is around 2.6 per cent, while non-agency cover rose from 1.4 per cent to 2.1 per cent. Electric and Chinese vehicles were also costlier to insure due to the lack of authorised workshops and spare parts. However, Al Tahat noted that these cars are becoming easier and more affordable to insure. 'Spare parts were the main challenge, but now they've become more available,' he said. According to Hadi El Halabi, senior manager of Motor Underwriting at Hadi Car Insurance, a series of systemic pressures have converged to raise rates. 'Premiums rose due to the rising cost of vehicle repairs, economic inflation, new insurance regulations, more accidents, and an increase in fraudulent claims,' El Halabi explained. He broke down average premium shifts over recent years for non-agency policies: El Halabi explained that historically, premiums for Chinese and electric vehicles were higher due to limited data for risk assessment, expensive parts, and fewer authorised repair facilities, especially for EV batteries. 'But things are improving significantly,' he said, noting a shift as these models become more mainstream and reliable. While insurers have pricing flexibility, they must operate within actuarial models approved by the Central Bank of the UAE, which monitors solvency and fair competition. 'Some insurers hiked premiums more aggressively,' said El Halabi, pointing to Central Bank reforms that removed Covid-era discounts and reintroduced minimum pricing thresholds. Today, minimum comprehensive cover for saloon cars is Dh1,300, and third-party cover starts at Dh750. Consumers, meanwhile, are changing their habits. 'People are more price‑conscious, cutting coverage, avoiding agency repairs, and shopping through aggregators,' El Halabi said. Asked whether insurance costs might ease in the near future, El Halabi was cautiously optimistic. 'Premiums for electric vehicles are likely to stabilise, or even decrease, in 2025 as repair networks improve and competition grows.' For motorists like CS and Ibrahim, however, the issue remains one of accountability. 'Point still stands that I'm paying a premium on repairs I haven't claimed,' CS said. 'The excuse of an increase is not a good enough reason to raise the cost by 25 to 40 per cent. I hope there can be an audit done or more regulations put in place.'
