Author: Editorial Team

[Editor’s Note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran was brought into question on Monday, May 4, after Iran launched fresh attacks on the UAE. The long-awaited deal was brokered on April 8 — 40 days after the US, Israel and Iran traded fire in what they called preemptive and retaliatory aerial strikes. World leaders have since condemned the severe escalation in hostilities in the Middle East, which occurred during a week both Iran and the US had ramped up their war rhetoric…

ABU DHABI, 5th May, 2026 (WAM) — Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has entered into a strategic Collaboration Framework Agreement (CFA) with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, a global clean energy leader. The agreement establishes a roadmap for the accelerated deployment of utility-scale renewable energy projects, to diversify the UAE’s energy mix and strengthen security of supply, and power local industrial growth. Crucially, this framework is designed to maximise In-Country Value and foster Emirati talent and expertise. The CFA was signed by Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief…

DUBAI, 5th May, 2026 (WAM) — The Zayed International Foundation for the Environment organised a virtual seminar as part of its Environmental Culture Series, titled ‘Year of the Family Seminar: Circular Economy Ventures in Waste Management Using Artificial Intelligence’. The event forms part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental awareness and embed sustainability principles across society, with the participation of experts and those interested in environmental affairs. Mohamed Ahmed bin Fahd, Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment, opened the seminar by welcoming speakers and participants. He highlighted the alignment between the…

First-of-its-kind national facility to test, validate, and certify AI models, agents, and applications against UAE cybersecurity policies and global standards. ABU DHABI — The UAE is setting a new global benchmark for the secure and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). As the nation accelerates its AI adoption, the UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC), Open Innovation AI, and Cisco, working in strategic collaboration with Emircom, today announced the establishment of the National AI Test and Validation Lab. This is a first-of-its-kind facility to help UAE government entities and private sector organizations test, validate and certify AI models, agents and applications…

LOS ANGELES — Britney Spears pleaded guilty on Monday to a charge of reckless driving following her arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, sparing her from any jail time. The pop star, who was initially charged with driving while under the combined influence of alcohol and at least one drug, did not appear in court in California’s Ventura county. Erik Nasarenko, the Ventura county district attorney, confirmed she made the plea through her lawyer, taking responsibility at the “earliest stage”, and had agreed to continue to undergo treatment. She will be sentenced to a year of informal probation,…

WASHINGTON — More than four years after a Boeing 737-800 passenger jet plunged 29,000 feet and crashed into a mountain in southern China, killing all 132 people on board, newly released data appears to indicate that someone in the cockpit may have intentionally cut off the fuel supply to the engines. It was China’s deadliest air disaster in decades, but the cause of the incident has long remained a mystery. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has not addressed the crucial question of what had prompted the deadly nosedive of China Eastern Airlines flight MU5735 in March 2022 in…

[Editor’s Note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] Following recent emergency alerts issued across the UAE—after Iranian missiles were once again detected yesterday, nearly a month after the April 8 ceasefire in the US–Israel–Iran conflict—residents and visitors are being reminded to stay informed and prepared. The alerts, which appeared on Monday evening on UAE residents’ phones, has prompted renewed attention to how the public should respond in case of emergency instructions in the future. These alerts are part of precautionary safety measures linked to ongoing regional developments. Stay up to…

Two hantavirus cases have been confirmed and five others are suspected among people on a cruise ship stuck off Cape Verde, including three who have died, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Tuesday. “As of 4 May 2026, seven cases (two laboratory confirmed cases of hantavirus and five suspected cases) have been identified, including three deaths, one critically ill patient and three individuals reporting mild symptoms,” the World Health Organization said in a statement. Three of the people are no longer on the ship and four remain on board. Passengers and crew desperately hunkered down in isolation on a ship…

ABU DHABI, 5th May, 2026 (WAM) — UAE Team Emirates-XRG will participate in the 109th edition of the Giro d’Italia, the first Grand Tour of the season, which begins next Friday in Bulgaria and concludes in the Italian capital, Rome, continuing until 31st May. The team has announced its official line-up for the global event, with strong ambitions to compete across all classifications, including the general classification and stage victories. British rider Adam Yates will lead the team’s ambitions in the race, drawing on his extensive experience in three-week Grand Tours and his ability to compete in demanding mountain stages,…

UAE family enterprises contribute roughly 60 per cent of national GDP and account for more than 80 per cent of the private sector workforce, senior business leaders said on Monday (May 4). They also stressed the need for stronger governance and long-term planning to sustain family-owned companies across generations. The remarks were made during a panel discussion at the Make in the Emirates Forum 2026 in Abu Dhabi, moderated by Anas Bukhash, CEO and Founder of AB Talk. Mohamed Al Abbar, CEO of Emaar Properties, opened the session by drawing on lessons from the 2008 financial crisis, Covid-19, and recent…