Good morning from The National on September 26, 2023.

Here is your morning digest of what's making the headlines in the Emirates.

Thousands of Emirati school pupils and university students have joined a nationwide job-training scheme aimed at encouraging young citizens to work in the private sector.

The one-year pilot programme, which was launched on Monday, will help prepare pupils in years 9, 10 and 11 and those in the final year of higher education for future careers as part of the government's Emiratisation drive.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which is overseeing the drive in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Education and Human Resources Council, said 3,500 young people will take part in the first phase of the Professional and Practical Training Programme.

The initial one-year trial is to be expanded over the next five years to include all learners in the eligible age groups.

Read the full report from Ali Al Shouk here

UAE sends 622 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Libya

The UAE has sent a total of 622 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Libya to help the victims of the flooding that has killed thousands.

Officials said the aid, which is part of the humanitarian air bridge set up between the UAE and Libya, will help more than 6,000 families, state news agency Wam reported.

The aid includes medical and health supplies to help prevent the spread of disease caused by stagnant water, and personal hygiene supplies and food for those who have been affected by the crisis.

Read the full story here

Shoppers at higher-end supermarkets 'less likely to bring reusable bags'

With concern for the state of the environment high, many consumers are trying to lower their impact by taking reusable bags with them when they go shopping.

But according to one study, it seems that not all shoppers are making the same effort to avoid buying more plastic bags.

Research in Al Ain found that at a supermarket described as being aimed at people on lower incomes, customers were more likely to reuse plastic bags, rather than to buy new ones.

At a medium and a high-end supermarket, the opposite was true.

Nasser Al Farsi, of UAE University, the first author of the study published in Sustainable Resources Management Journal, said he was surprised by the results.

Read Daniel Bardsley's story here

COMING UP

• Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, UAE cinemas – from September 28

• Sean Paul in concert, Coca Cola Arena, Dubai – October 21

FACT OF THE DAY

Three astronauts who were forced to carry out a year-long mission on the International Space Station are set to return to Earth on Wednesday. Read more here

THE WRAP