What new US crypto laws mean for the future
The US released a slew of game-changing bills for cryptocurrency last week, signalling a long-anticipated seal of approval of crypto from the world's largest economy.
Those bills are the Clarity Act, something called the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, and – the Genius Act, which is what we are focusing on today.
It is all expected to have major implications for the Middle East, which has already established its own level of crypto adoption.
On this episode of Business Extra, host Salim Essaid hears from two experts; Naeem Aslam, CIO at Zaye Capital Markets in London, and Ola Doudin, CEO of UAE-based cryptocurrency exchange BitOasis.
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The National
4 minutes ago
- The National
Airlines in Middle East invited to test alternative to GPS navigation system
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How to enrol your child at school in the UAE
The UAE is home to some of the best private school brands in the world. That will soon include two campuses of the UK's renowned Harrow School. But as the UAE experiences an influx of residents, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, securing places for children at the best schools has become competitive. Whether you're new to the Emirates' education system and don't know where to start, or looking to switch your child's school, here's everything you need to know about getting a place. How has demand changed over the past year? There has been a significant increase in enrolments, driven by the high number of families moving to the UAE, notably from the UK, said Victoria Lumby, senior vice president of growth at Gems Education. 'Year on year, our total enrolments have risen by approximately 5 per cent.' To meet this rising demand, Gems Education has expanded capacity at some of its schools across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It also opened Gems Education Founders School – Masdar City and Gems Education Founders School – Dubai South last year, with Gems Education School of Research and Innovation to follow next month. Nikki Holman, head of admissions of UK curriculum schools at Taaleem, reported a similar increase. 'Over the past year, we have experienced accelerating demand across our school portfolio,' she said. 'New campuses such as Dubai British School Jumeira have reached high utilisation within their first year, and DBS Mira, set to open in August 2025, is already enrolling over 700 students, a record for a premium school in Dubai.' How do I know if a school is good? In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) rates schools regularly with six rankings, from 'very weak' to 'outstanding'. The rankings are available to the public in the Education Directory on its website. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) does the same, and these ratings are also available on its website. Inspection criteria include students' achievement and progress, teaching and learning quality, curriculum and resources, leadership, management, environment, and safety. The KHDA also measures well-being and inclusion. 'We advise families to visit schools, speak with leadership teams, try to meet parents already at the school and review KHDA or Adek inspection reports to understand the unique strengths of each school,' said Ms Holman. How do I choose the right curriculum? It's important to consider your children's learning needs, said Ms Holman. 'For families who may return to their home country, choosing a familiar curriculum often supports continuity. Although the British curriculum is by far the most popular among families, the International Baccalaureate is widely recognised as a highly transportable curriculum for globally mobile families,' she added. There are several curriculum frameworks to choose from in the UAE. Taaleem schools also offer American and French curriculums, while Gems Education also offers an Indian curriculum. How much are fees? Education institutions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can vary widely when it comes to fees. In May, the KHDA announced that private schools in Dubai will be allowed to increase tuition fees by up to 2.35 per cent in the 2025-2026 academic year. The fees can be found on each school's website. For example, following the price rise, at Kings' School Al Barsha in Dubai, Foundation Stage 1 costs Dh57,999, while Year 13 is Dh105,873. Brighton College Abu Dhabi charges Dh50,830 for nursery and Dh80,780 for Year 13. When should parents start the admissions process? The earlier the better. 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It often includes an online application form, an application fee and the submission of documents, such as passport copies, visa pages, Emirates ID and school reports, depending on the year group you're applying for. An assessment appointment will follow and, if successful, an offer letter will be issued. The place will be reserved with a signed offer and deposit. What should my child expect from the admissions test? Tests depend on the grade and curriculum. They typically cover key subjects such as science, maths and English. In Abu Dhabi, children are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and the tests are used to help determine their grade level. In Dubai, assessments are often prerequisites for elite schools and some carry a non-refundable fee of up to Dh1,000 What happens if we are put on the waiting list? For many schools, being placed on a waiting list is common because year groups fill up fast, particularly in transitional years such as Foundation Stage or Year 1. For example, Gems Education schools such as Jumeirah Primary School, Jumeirah College and Gems Education Wellington International School have waiting lists across all year groups. Others, such as Gems Education International School, only have them in some year groups. Finding yourself on the waiting list can be unsettling for families, said Mr Steward of Swiss International Scientific School Dubai. 'While there is often movement as family plans shift, we can never guarantee when a place will become available,' he added. 'We always recommend that families check in with our admissions office as early as possible to understand current availability. Staying in regular contact ensures you're well positioned if a space becomes available.' At Gems Education, application fees need to be paid and assessments completed even if you're on the waiting list. 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Zawya
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YBUOJ Responds to BaFin Announcement, Reaffirms Compliance Credentials and Global Regulatory Commitment
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