Author: Editorial Team

ROME —Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has demanded an apology from Tel Aviv, slamming its “unacceptable” treatment of Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel after an Israeli minister posted a video of them bound and forced to kneel.The Israeli Defense Forces intercepted the flotilla of some 50 vessels on Sunday, firing rubber bullets, boarding the boats and taking some 400 activists from 40 countries back to Israel.“It is intolerable that these protesters, among whom there are many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment, which violates human dignity,” Meloni said in a statement, referring to the video posted by far-right…

ABU DHABI, 21st May, 2026 (WAM) — ADNOC has successfully deployed Taurob’s heavy-duty inspector robot at its Taweelah Gas Compression Plant, where it will conduct routine inspections in hazardous environments without putting people at risk. The Taurob heavy-duty robot is now conducting on-site autonomous inspections as the first set of ‘eyes’ on the ground, enabling ADNOC’s engineers to identify potential gas leaks, unusual hotspots and other hazards to enhance safety. Built for extreme industrial environments, the robot is fitted with a wide range of advanced sensors, including 3D LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology and thermal cameras with 360-degree visibility.…

A new brunch concept inspired by the Japanese Maneki Neko, also known as the beckoning lucky cat, is arriving in Dubai this June. Launching at Shanghai Me in DIFC, Dubai, the new monthly “Maneki Brunch” will take place on the last Saturday of every month from 12.30 pm to 4 pm, with its first edition set for June 6. The concept draws inspiration from the Japanese symbol often associated with luck, prosperity, and abundance, with the restaurant shaping the afternoon around a slower dining experience that gradually becomes more lively as the day progresses. The brunch menu will centre around…

As UAE livestock traders roll out marketing campaigns ahead of Eid Al Adha, Dubai’s Grand Mufti has issued a firm religious ruling against the season’s commercial trends, buying sacrificial animals on instalment and entering prize raffles tied to the purchase. The warning was issued on Dubai’s Direct Line programme, where Dr Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Haddad, Grand Mufti and Director of the Ifta Department at the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, appeared. A local Arabic newspaper had revealed that, for the first time, livestock companies are offering Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment plans alongside cash prize…

Richard Bechalany. The GCC is witnessing a fundamental shift in how identity is managed across its business landscape. From smart government services to cashless payments and seamless travel, the region is building interconnected ecosystems where identity is the foundation of trust. Within this landscape, biometric identity systems are emerging as the technology of choice. With the regional market expected to reach a projected value of $1.4 billion by 2033, it is clear that organizations are viewing biometrics as a foundational necessity for security, efficiency, and user experience. Why fingerprints lead the way Commonly described as “something you are”, biometrics rely…

DUBAI — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said it coordinated the transit of 26 vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, as talks between Washington and Tehran over the resumption of traffic through the narrow waterway remain stalled.“Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is being carried out with permission and in coordination with the IRGC Navy,” the statement carried by Iran’s state-affiliated ISNA news agency said on Wednesday.Later on Wednesday, Iran published a new map of Hormuz on X, marking a controlled maritime zone that vessels will not be able transit without its authorisation.…

WASHINGTON — The United States has issued a criminal indictment against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro in a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s campaign to oust the country’s six-decades-old communist regime.Castro, now 94, was charged in Miami, Florida, with conspiracy to kill US nationals, four counts of murder and two counts of destruction of aircraft.The case unveiled on Wednesday accuses Castro and five others in the shooting down of the aircraft belonging to Cuban-American group Brothers to the Rescue during a humanitarian mission in the Florida Straits.Other defendants are a fighter pilot who was initially charged in connection with…

ABU DHABI, 21st May, 2026 (WAM) — The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has issued gold and silver commemorative coins to mark the Golden Jubilee of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). The issuance recognises the university’s five decades of academic and scientific journey, its prominent role in preparing qualified national talent, and its contribution in supporting higher education and research, while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading hub for knowledge. The obverse of the coins features a design depicting UAEU’s historic campus, reflecting its prestigious academic legacy as the nation’s first university, surrounded by distinctive artistic motifs,…

Following the launches of its Dubai Mall and Mirdif stores earlier this year, Primark is opening another Dubai branch today, May 21. The new branch will officially open at 3 pm inside Mall of the Emirates, with the brand announcing the launch on its social media pages earlier this week. Where is the new store? Shoppers will be able to find the new Primark branch on: Ground floor, Entrance A Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Opening time: 3pm on May 21 The opening follows strong demand at the retailer’s first two UAE locations. Crowds continue across Dubai Khaleej Times staff…

ROME, 21st May, 2026 (WAM) — For the third time in this year’s Giro d’Italia, Jhonatan Narváez came up trumps to land a brilliant stage win for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Picking up another victory on stage 11, the Ecuadorian national champion made it four stage wins from 11 days for the Emirati squad. Over the tough hills that linked Tuscany and Liguria, Narváez was in scintillating form and would not be denied on Wednesday afternoon, despite stiff competition from Enric Mas of Movistar. The three-time Vuelta a España runner-up crossed the line in second place, with Narváez getting the better…