Good morning from The National on December 9, 2025.
Here is your digest of what is making the headlines in the Emirates.
The Gates Foundation announced a $1.2 billion pledge to help eradicate polio at an event in the UAE capital on Monday.
The foundation is also playing a vital role in a new strategy to use AI to help farmers around the world fight the impact of climate change.
The polio pledge, which totalled $1.9 billion when other contributions were added, was announced at the Investing in Humanity event at Abu Dhabi Finance Week, hosted by the UAE's Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, in partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
Later on Monday evening, Bill Gates, chairman of the Gates Foundation, also announced that Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, was receiving a lifetime achievement award for her six decades of service to women, children and families in the UAE and around the world.
Mr Gates presented the award to Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who collected it on his mother's behalf.
Read more on the world's drive to wipe out polio from John Dennehy here and Shireena Al Nowais's report on Sheikha Fatima's lifetime achievement award here
Idris Elba says technology can help wake sleeping giant of African creative industry
Hollywood star Idris Elba has told an audience in Abu Dhabi that Africa could emulate the Korean model of using music and media to spur growth and change attitudes.
The star of Luther and The Wire, whose parents were born in Sierra Leone and Ghana, praised the untapped creative resources of Africa during the Bridge Summit, a media and technology conference.
“One of the big pain points for young creators across Africa is being able to see financials from TikTok, Google or other online mediums,” said Elba.
“Over the last 15 years, Korean film and music has generated a worldwide dominance. This has happened because there's been very careful, critical thinking around the building blocks, from policy to distribution to marketing."
Read the full story from Nick Webster here
University in Fujairah stripped of accreditation by higher education ministry
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the withdrawal of recognition for all qualifications issued by Fujairah's Midocean University.
The decision was made after an inspection uncovered “fundamental violations” in how the criteria was being applied, according to the ministry.
“The inspection revealed that the university’s executive office in Fujairah has been offering registration services and conducting educational programmes without obtaining the necessary accreditation from the ministry,” the ministry said in a statement.
Read the full story here
Fact of the day
Mubadala Investment Company and Aldar Properties have announced plans to spend Dh60 billion ($16.3 billion) to expand Abu Dhabi’s financial district on Al Maryah Island.
The wrap
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