Author: Editorial Team
ISTANBUL — Israel said on Thursday it deported all the foreign activists it seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla after a global outcry over their treatment in custody that led several countries to summon Israeli diplomats for a formal dressing down. The activists were put on planes and landed in Istanbul on Thursday evening, reportedly flashing two-fingered salutes and chanting “Free Palestine” as they descended stairs to the runway on arrival, with some appearing to be limping. More than 430 activists from countries around the world had been placed in detention in Israel after they were intercepted at sea on Monday…
RIYADH — Moody’s has affirmed Saudi Arabia’s sovereign credit rating at “Aa3” with a stable outlook, citing the Kingdom’s strong economy, vast oil wealth and continued progress under Vision 2030 reforms. The agency said on Friday the rating reflects the resilience of the Saudi economy, supported by its large hydrocarbon resources and strong competitive position in global energy markets, alongside improvements in government institutions and policy effectiveness. Moody’s also highlighted the positive impact of Saudi Vision 2030 in driving non-oil economic growth through sustained government investments, structural reforms and improved fiscal and economic transparency. The stable outlook reflects Saudi Arabia’s…
UAE residents can expect fair weather on May 23, with conditions turning dusty at times, according to the country’s National Centre of Meteorology. The met said temperatures will tend to decrease, and light to moderate winds will blow. Temperatures are expected to range between 28°C to 36°C in Dubai, 25°C to 37°C in Abu Dhabi, and 27°C to 36°C in Sharjah. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The winds will prevail in a northwesterly to southwesterly direction, causing blowing dust and sand westward, with a speed of 10kmph to 25kmph, reaching 40 kmph.…
LONDON — The police inquiry into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will be long and complex, senior officers said on Friday, as detectives could be looking into allegations of sexual misconduct as part of the investigation into potential misconduct in public office while the former prince was a trade envoy for Britain. King Charles’ younger brother was interviewed under caution for hours by detectives after he was arrested at his home in Norfolk in February following the release of millions of documents by the US Department of Justice relating to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In an update Friday, Thames Valley…
MAKKAH — Saudi Arabia stressed on Friday that it will not allow the Hajj season to be exploited for any activities that violate its religious purpose, as authorities announced the arrival of more than 1.5 million pilgrims from abroad and revealed the dismantling of hundreds of fake Hajj campaigns across the Kingdom. The remarks came during a press conference held by Hajj security commanders at the Unified Security Operations Center (911) in Makkah, where officials reviewed security, traffic and organizational plans for the 1447H Hajj season. Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee Lieutenant General Mohammed…
ABU DHABI, 22nd May, 2026 (WAM) — Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), has said that the UAE has become an important global actor in advancing renewable energy and international energy cooperation. This has been achieved through major investments in solar, storage technologies and energy infrastructure, the UAE has shown that energy-producing nations can help advance the energy transition globally. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), La Camera said that as host country of IRENA, the UAE has consistently supported international dialogue and collaboration on renewable energy. “It has also helped mobilise financing…
Dubai’s streets will soon be filled with vintage motorcycles, tailored suits, and conversations around men’s mental health as the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) returns to the emirate on May 17. For Khan FM, host of the Dubai ride, the event carries a deeply personal meaning. The long-time motorcyclist, who discovered he was on the autistic spectrum three years ago, says the initiative is about far more than motorcycles and fashion, it is about creating a space where men feel comfortable speaking openly about mental health. Hosted by Dubai’s Piston Kings Motorcycle Community for the third consecutive year, the global charity…
The UAE has welcomed the adoption of a resolution concerning the health repercussions of treacherous terrorist attacks targeting civilians and vital civilian infrastructure, including health facilities. The resolution submitted by the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was adopted by the World Health Assembly (the highest decision-making body within the World Health Organisation) during its current session. The adopted resolution focuses on the humanitarian and public health consequences affecting civilian populations, the continuity of health services, the resilience of health systems, and ensuring access to medicines, vaccines, safe water, and essential health…
WASHINGTON — A top US military official has said Washington is pausing a $14bn arms sale to Taiwan to save munitions for its war on Iran. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao provided the update to lawmakers during a Senate hearing on Thursday, days after the weapons sale took center stage in talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. “Right now, we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury – which we have plenty,” Cao told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. “But we’re just…
SEOUL — South Korean police are seeking an arrest warrant for a YouTuber who allegedly faked evidence that defamed actor Kim Soo-hyun and fuelled a scandal that ruined his career. The YouTuber had manipulated screenshots of text messages and shared an audio file made with AI to give the impression that the actor had dated actress Kim Sae-ron when she was still a minor, according to police documents reviewed by local media Thursday. Seeking the suspect’s arrest, police wrote that the suspect “was well aware that actor Kim Soo-hyun had not dated the deceased while she was a minor,” but…