Author: Editorial Team

RIYADH — The General Directorate of Passports has announced the commencement of receiving online applications for Makkah entry permits for resident workers during the 2026 Hajj season. Applications can be submitted via the Absher and Muqeem portals, and there is no need for in-person visits to passport offices in this respect. All arrangements are in place in this regard through technical integration with the Makkah Entry Permit service, the directorate revealed. The Absher Individuals platform is designated for permit issuance for GCC citizens, Premium Residency holders, investors, mothers of Saudi citizens, domestic workers, and non-Saudi family members. The Muqeem portal…

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during a visit to the Kingdom, where the two leaders discussed close ties between the two countries. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in line with shared development goals and mutual interests, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deeper coordination and consultation, They also reviewed recent developments in the Middle East and their wider impact on regional stability, maritime security, energy supplies, and the global economy. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels. The discussions…

SHARJAH, 13th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) has announced the launch of its 2026–2028 strategic plan to build a competitive, diversified, and sustainable economy in the emirate. The strategy was unveiled at the department’s 22nd annual ceremony, outlining a vision to achieve comprehensive development and enhance a competitive business environment in line with Sharjah’s future economic directions. The plan is built on key institutional values, including transparency and governance, sustainability and trust, innovation and proactivity, and competitiveness and entrepreneurial thinking, to ensure institutional excellence and improved performance. The strategy focuses on four main pillars: Competitive…

(L-R) Sherif Azzam, Business Unit Manager, Comstor Saudi Arabia & Mohammed Tayem, Technology Unit Manager, Dar Beta Information Technology. Sherif Azzam, Business Unit Manager, Comstor Saudi Arabia and Mohammed Tayem, Technology Unit Manager, Dar Beta Information Technology, sat down to discuss cybersecurity threats facing Saudi Arabia and the necessary steps organisations should take to protect their regional investments alongside Cisco Security.   Cybersecurity is a top priority across the region. How do you see the current security landscape evolving in Saudi Arabia? Sherif Azzam: Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the most ambitious digital transformations globally, driven by Vision 2030. With…

UAE residents can expect some light rains on Tuesday (April 14), according to National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The weather department noted that conditions will fair to partly cloudy, turning cloudy at times, especially in western areas, with a chance of light rainfall. Temperatures in the UAE will remain relatively cool. In Dubai, lows could dip to 19ºC with highs of up to 26ºC, while Abu Dhabi will see lows of 22ºC and highs of 27ºC. Across the country, temperatures are expected to stay below 34ºC. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels. Winds…

PARIS — A section of the original spiral staircase from the Eiffel Tower will be auctioned in Paris on May 21, according to Le Parisien. The piece, consisting of 14 riveted steel steps dating back to the tower’s construction in 1889, will be sold by Artcurial. It is expected to fetch between €120,000 ($140,000) and €150,000 ($175,000), and has been held by a private collector for more than 40 years. Designed under engineer Gustave Eiffel, the staircase originally connected the second and third levels of the iconic monument. It was dismantled in 1983 during modernization work, when 20 sections were…

RIYADH — The Administrative Court in Riyadh has upheld a government entity’s decision to terminate an employee for absenteeism, ruling that signing attendance records without performing job duties constitutes absence from work. The judgment, published by the Board of Grievances, stems from a case in which the plaintiff sought compensation after his employment was terminated for allegedly being absent. According to the court summary, the employee had signed in on attendance logs but left the workplace immediately without carrying out his duties for a full month. The plaintiff acknowledged the behavior but argued that it should not be considered absenteeism.…

ABU DHABI, 13th April, 2026 (WAM) — Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) is calling on businesses to seize the opportunity to strategically decarbonise their operations by registering for its second Clean Energy Certificates (CECs) auction of 2026. The auction, scheduled for 30 April 2026, provides forward-thinking organisations with a highly sought-after, transparent mechanism to officially certify their electricity consumption as clean. Since the launch of the regulatory policy by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) in 2021, the CEC programme has evolved into a vital commercial asset for companies committed to sustainable growth. As the Single Registrant and…

SanDisk’s Extreme Fit USB-C flash drive sits almost flush with the device, designed for always-on storage expansion. Ultra-compact design meets up to 1TB capacity and 400MB/s speeds, built for plug-and-stay convenience across modern USB-C devices SanDisk has introduced the Extreme Fit USB-C flash drive, positioning it as the world’s smallest 1TB USB-C storage device. While the headline claim grabs attention, real-world usage reveals where this drive genuinely stands out — its “plug-and-stay” philosophy. Design and usability: Built to disappear First impressions are dominated by size — or rather, the lack of it. The drive sits almost flush with a laptop’s…

Metropolitan Capital Real Estate posts strong sales at Ohana’s Yas Residences while Leaf Tower gains traction, reinforcing the capital’s resilience and growth outlook Published: Mon 13 Apr 2026, 4:17 PM The UAE continues to demonstrate resilience, stability and economic strength, with Abu Dhabi reaffirming its position as a highly attractive destination for global investors despite recent regional geopolitical developments. Backed by robust fundamentals, world-class infrastructure and forward-looking leadership, the capital remains firmly open for business.  In a clear signal of market confidence, Metropolitan Capital Real Estate, a leading real estate agency based in the Capital, recorded around AED 450 million…