Author: Editorial Team

RIYADH — The Heritage Commission slapped financial fines on 11 violators for dealing in portable antiquities without obtaining the required regulatory licenses. The commission clarified that the violations involved displaying and selling antiquities on online platforms without registering or documenting them with the Heritage Commission or obtaining the necessary licenses, in explicit violation of the provisions of the Law of Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage. The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation, reaching up to SR15,000 in some cases. The move is part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to protect cultural heritage in the Kingdom…

MAKKAH — The Kidana Development Company, a subsidiary of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, has completed the installation of escalators at several key locations in Mina in preparation for the 2026 Hajj season, aiming to facilitate pilgrim movement while enhancing comfort and safety. The work was carried out in three phases, with 32 escalators installed during the 2024 Hajj season, another 32 in 2025, and 10 more in the current season across eight new locations, bringing the total to 74 escalators. The project seeks to enhance infrastructure and service quality across the holy sites, ease the…

[Editor’s Note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the temporary transition to remote learning across all higher education institutions in the country, effective from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, through Friday, May 8, 2026. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels This measure is part of regulatory actions aimed at ensuring the continuity of the educational process with efficiency and flexibility. Priority academic programmes that require clinical training, laboratory use, direct practical or field-based application,…

Jasim Al Awadi, Chief ICT Officer at du. Strategic partnership with flagship national event reinforces du’s commitment to enabling the UAE’s manufacturing evolution and Industry 4.0 ambitions  Dubai — du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, today announced its participation at Make it in the Emirates 2026, the premier national event dedicated to advancing the UAE’s industrial capabilities and manufacturing excellence, with ‘du Tech’ as Strategic Partner of the ‘Intelligence Hub’ at the event. Taking place from May 4-7 at ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, the event will bring together senior government officials, international delegations, C-suite industry leaders, and key stakeholders from across the industrial ecosystem.  As a strategic partner of the…

RIYADH — Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail met with Syrian Minister of Local Administration and Environment Eng. Mohammad Anjarani in Riyadh on Monday. The Syrian minister’s official visit was aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two countries in local administration and housing. During the meeting, the ministers reviewed ways to develop municipal work. They discussed the Saudi experience in digital transformation and municipal services, as well as real estate policies and legislation, contributing to urban development and improving quality of life. Al-Hogail stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening regional partnerships, exchanging expertise, and supporting friendly countries in construction…

JEDDAH — Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman made on Monday a phone call with President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the call, the Crown Prince expressed Saudi Arabia’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the unjustified Iranian attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates. He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for the UAE in the defense of its security and stability. The two leaders reviewed the latest regional developments. They also discussed the efforts being made to enhance security and stability throughout the region. Source: Saudi Gazette

FUJAIRAH, 4th May, 2026 (WAM) — The Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation (FNRC) has showcased a package of qualitative investment opportunities and modern geological studies during its participation in the ‘Make it in the Emirates’. The Corporation emphasised during the event that its approach is not limited to raw material extraction but extends to enhancing value-added chains within the mining sector. The Corporation seeks to attract investments focused on the local processing and manufacturing of mineral materials, contributing to the growth of the gross domestic product and the creation of specialised job opportunities. Source: Emirates News Agency

Synergy Research Group recently unveiled their findings about global cloud infrastructure spending by enterprises. The group determined that the spending had surpassed an annualised run rate of half-a-trillion dollars for the first time, driven largely by accelerating generative AI (GenAI) demand. Quarterly revenue of $128.6 billion in Q1 2026 represents a 35% year-on-year jump. The research company noted it is the highest growth rate seen since the last quarter of 2021, when the market was only 40% of its current size. “The Q1 market is now 15 times larger than it was a decade ago and continues to expand at…

[Editor’s Note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] Schools across the UAE have once again shifted to distance learning until Friday, after the announcement was made this evening by the Ministry of Education (MoE). The move comes after emergency alerts were issued to residents today amid heightened regional tensions.  The UAE’s emergency alert system was triggered five times within three and a half hours, as Iranian missiles were detected after a ceasefire in the US-Israel-Iran conflict came into effect on April 9. Stay up to date with the latest news.…

BRUSSELS, 4th May, 2026 (WAM) — The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has called for the rapid completion of ongoing negotiations regarding the EU-US trade agreement ahead of the “trilogue” meetings scheduled for 6th May, asserting that a swift deal will secure significant gains for European automotive exports. The Association praised the broad political consensus achieved within the European Parliament, alongside what it described as “constructive engagement” from the Council of the European Union, stating that timely finalisation of the legislation is crucial to provide clarity for the industry and ensure full benefit from the anticipated agreement. ACEA highlighted that…