Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, look on as Mohamed Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Malaysia’s Minister of Home Affairs, initial the agreement. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser was in attendance. Wam
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, look on as Mohamed Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Malaysia’s Minister of Home Affairs, initial the agreement. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser was in attendance. Wam
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, look on as Mohamed Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Malaysia’s Minister of Home Affairs, initial the agreement. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser was in attendance. Wam
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, look on as Mohamed Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Malaysia’s

UAE and Malaysia join forces for artificial intelligence advancement


Sunil Singh
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE and Malaysia have signed an initial agreement to support joint investment in artificial intelligence, that aims to use AI and advanced data analytics to improve community safety, enhance national security, and increase operational efficiencies.

According to the agreement, both countries will collaborate in promoting technical co-operation in various key areas, the Abu Dhabi Media Office announced on Monday.

This includes the development of AI-driven national security systems, the establishment of high-performance computing data centres and national security operations centres, the improvement of customs tax collection and the improvement of operational efficiencies.

The initial agreement was officially signed by Mohamed Alsuwaidi, the UAE’s Minister of Investment, and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Malaysia’s Minister of Home Affairs, in the presence of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser.

“This memorandum of understanding represents a significant step towards enhancing co-operation in artificial intelligence and operational efficiency, contributing to the well-being of our societies and improving quality of life for our communities,” said Mr Alsuwaidi.

The UAE and Malaysia also discussed the latest advancements in utilising advanced technology and artificial intelligence in various sectors. The focus was on areas that have a positive impact on living standards and quality of life.

The agreement marks a “significant step forward following confirmation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) in October 2024”, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

This significant achievement further strengthens the robust economic ties between the UAE and Malaysia. In the first half of 2024, non-oil trade between the two countries reached $2.5 billion, marking a 7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Malaysia stands as the UAE's 12th largest trading partner in Asia and ranks fifth among Asean nations. The UAE holds the position of Malaysia's second-largest trade partner in the Arab world, representing 32 per cent of Malaysia's trade within the region.

Malaysia will start negotiations for a free-trade agreement with the Gulf countries in May as the South-East Asian nation aims to further strengthen trade and economic ties with the six-member bloc.

The Gulf level talks will follow the signing of the Cepa between Malaysia and the UAE on Tuesday, coinciding with the visit of Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to the Emirates, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz told The National on Monday.

The five pillars of Islam
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Rating: 2/5
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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Three ways to boost your credit score

Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:

1. Make sure you make your payments on time;

2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;

3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
ELECTION%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3EMacron%E2%80%99s%20Ensemble%20group%20won%20245%20seats.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20second-largest%20group%20in%20parliament%20is%20Nupes%2C%20a%20leftist%20coalition%20led%20by%20Jean-Luc%20Melenchon%2C%20which%20gets%20131%20lawmakers.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20far-right%20National%20Rally%20fared%20much%20better%20than%20expected%20with%2089%20seats.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20centre-right%20Republicans%20and%20their%20allies%20took%2061.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

House-hunting

Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove

  1. Edinburgh, Scotland 
  2. Westminster, London 
  3. Camden, London 
  4. Glasgow, Scotland 
  5. Islington, London 
  6. Kensington and Chelsea, London 
  7. Highlands, Scotland 
  8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 
  9. Fife, Scotland 
  10. Tower Hamlets, London 

 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

What are the main cyber security threats?

Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

Updated: March 19, 2025, 9:49 AM`