Author: Editorial Team

SHARJAH, 22nd April, 2026 (WAM) — The Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub (SSAH) at the University of Sharjah has released its astronomical calculations for the sighting conditions of the crescent moon marking the start of Dhu al-Hijja 1447 AH, concluding that Wednesday, May 27, 2026, is astronomically projected to be the first day of Eid Al Adha. According to the centre’s technical report, the Day of Arafat, the ninth of Dhu al-Hijja, would fall on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, based on projections that Monday, May 18, 2026, will mark the first day of the month. The centre’s sophisticated calculations indicate…

Dubai’s upcoming Metro Gold Line is expected to significantly ease congestion across the city’s roads, reducing more than 40 million journeys annually while improving traffic flow. The 42km line will run from Al Ghubaiba in old Dubai, passing through key districts including Business Bay and Meydan, before terminating at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said the line will also alleviate congestion on the Red Line by up to 23 per cent between BurJuman and ONPASSIVE stations. He added that the project will strengthen Dubai’s…

DUBAI, 22nd April, 2026 (WAM) — Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) reported a 15.5 percent year-on-year increase in net profit for the first quarter of 2026, reaching AED834 million. Revenues grew by 6.9 percent year-on-year to AED4.1 billion. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 11.7 percent to AED2 billion, while the EBITDA margin expanded by 2.1 percentage points to 49.5 percent. The company continued to generate strong cash flows, with operating free cash flow increasing by 14.2 percent to AED1.7 billion. In April, the company successfully refinanced and arranged a AED 2 billion revolving credit facility…

JEDDAH —Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto in Jeddah on Tuesday. During the meeting, the ministers reviewed Saudi-Italian bilateral relations and partnership and ways to further enhance them in the military and defense fields. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments, particularly the developments in the region, as well as coordination of joint efforts to enhance regional security and stability. The meeting was attended by a number of officials from both countries. Source: Saudi Gazette

CAIRO — The Council of the Arab League at the level of foreign ministers strongly condemned the blatant attacks carried out by Iran using missiles and drones against the territories of the six Gulf states as well as Jordan and Iraq. In a resolution issued by the extraordinary ministerial-level meeting of the Arab League Council, the foreign ministers also denounced Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab Al Mandeb Strait. They called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to assume its responsibility in maintaining regional and international peace and security and to ensure accountability for…

SHARJAH, 22nd April, 2026 (WAM) — The Regional Centre for Educational Planning (RCEP) organised an international seminar titled “Artificial Intelligence in Education: From Innovation to Responsible Transformation,” held virtually to coincide with World Creativity and Innovation Day. The event brought together a distinguished group of decision-makers, experts, researchers, and education practitioners from around the world. The seminar explored key global trends in leveraging artificial intelligence to develop education systems, with a focus on its implications for educational policy and strategy, its potential to enhance the quality of education, and the challenges related to governance and ethics. It also highlighted the…

Mostafa Kabel, CTO, Mindware Group, has penned a thought leadership, which takes a much closer look at the concept of Physical AI, and how it designed to bring intelligence into the real world. Mostafa Kabel, CTO, Mindware Group, believes there is a consequential shift underway in the world of AI. Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving beyond screens and software into the physical world. While generative AI has captured public attention, a more consequential shift is underway. One that will reshape industries, infrastructure, and the way humans interact with machines. This shift is toward what we call Physical AI. At its…

In a development that highlights Saudi Arabia’s accelerating investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Bnoon Network of Fertility & Women’s Health Centers, part of Global Fertility, has announced the first birth in the Kingdom following the use of an AI-enabled sperm selection application during IVF treatment. This is a remarkable milestone that specialists describe as a notable step forward for Saudi Arabia’s assisted reproductive technology sector. The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia designates 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence. The birth follows the introduction of an AI-driven solution, Vitruvian MD, within the IVF laboratories of Bnoon. The system used by embryologists…

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistani capital remains under a strict security lockdown as Islamabad launched a fresh round of back-channel diplomacy to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiation table, according to security sources cited by Anadolu news agency. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran to allow time for Tehran to prepare a “unified proposal,” following a request by Pakistani officials. “Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we…

The Federal National Council (FNC) strongly condemned the terrorist plot that was recently uncovered by authorities, which sought to undermine national unity and destabilise the country. The terrorist organisation responsible for planning it was apprehended, the UAE’s State Security announced on April 20, while revealing the identities of 27 individuals along with their photographs. The council affirmed that the group harbored ill intentions toward the nation and aimed to undermine its security and stability, stressing that such incidents only serve to strengthen the cohesion and awareness of UAE’s society, reinforce unity around its wise leadership and national institutions, and renew…