Author: Editorial Team
RIYADH — Saudi Vision 2030 has entered its third and final phase in 2026, marking the last five-year stretch of the Kingdom’s flagship transformation strategy before 2030. After the first phase focused on building foundations and reforms, and the second phase centered on accelerating execution, Phase 3 is expected to be the peak delivery stage, turning years of planning, investment and institution-building into broader economic and social outcomes. Here is what Phase 3 is set to focus on: 1. Faster execution of national programs Saudi officials say the tools of transformation have reached their highest level of readiness, meaning ministries,…
NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia stressed the need for full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, while calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and renewed efforts toward establishing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. The remarks were delivered by Saudi Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel during the 11th Review Conference of the treaty, as well as in broader UN discussions on regional developments. Al-Wasel said the treaty remains a cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime, stressing the importance of maintaining balance among its three pillars: disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful…
Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, stated that the launch of a National Programme to Strengthen Supply Chain Resilience underscores the UAE’s commitment to bolstering economic security, ensuring the sustainable flow of vital commodities, and reinforcing the nation’s readiness to address global geopolitical and economic shifts. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the minister noted that the programme was developed and tested during the period of Iran’s egregious attacks on the UAE and several regional countries, aiming to enhance the UAE’s capacity to manage challenges and disruptions affecting global supply chains. He explained that…
ABU DHABI, 29th April, 2026 (WAM) — Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) sustained its positive momentum in Q1 2026, delivering strong financial performance across the group. According to financial results, the bank recorded a year‑on‑year increase of 8%, with net profit before tax reaching AED 2.1 billion in the first quarter, up 2.3% compared to the previous quarter. The earnings growth reflects healthy balance sheet expansion and continued customer acquisition across key segments, with 66,000 new customers acquired during the period. Net profit after tax for Q1 2026 stood at AED 1.8 billion, representing an increase of 7% compared to…
For many children, toys are more than playthings; they are often the first windows to the world around them. That is why the arrival of Barbie’s first autistic doll in the UAE has been welcomed by families who say representation in everyday play can help children feel seen, understood, and included. Barbie has introduced its first autistic doll in the UAE during World Autism Month, describing it as part of wider efforts to expand inclusivity through play. Developed in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the doll includes features and accessories designed to reflect some autistic experiences. These include…
e& UAE, the flagship telecom arm of global technology group e&, has achieved a groundbreaking regional first by successfully completing the Middle East’s inaugural Proof of Concept (PoC) for flexible dynamic network slicing in partnership with Huawei. This pioneering initiative significantly strengthens e& UAE’s 5G-Advanced (5G-A) capabilities, enabling intelligent, real-time adjustment of network slice resources to seamlessly match evolving enterprise demands and fluctuating radio environments while delivering unbreakable Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Through the on-demand reallocation of bandwidth, computing power and radio resources, the solution maintained 100 per cent SLA compliance across critical parameters, including low latency and guaranteed throughput,…
The Start Smart Investment Forum 2026 brought together more than 100 startups and over 100 investors in Riyadh, aiming to connect entrepreneurs with funding opportunities and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s deep-tech ecosystem. Organized by Community Jameel Saudi Arabia in strategic partnership with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), the forum was held at The Garage innovation hub and accelerator, attracting more than 1,000 visitors. The event featured 107 startups specializing in deep technology, participation from seven key ecosystem stakeholders, over 24 speakers from inside and outside the Kingdom, and the signing of 12 cooperation agreements. Among attendees were President…
LONDON —Two people have been stabbed in a Jewish neighborhood of north London, according to a local Jewish security group. A man has been arrested by British police after the attack in Golders Green, an area in known for its large Jewish population. The incident has raised fresh concerns in the community, especially as it comes amid a rise in similar cases targeting Jewish-linked locations. The man was “seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jewish members of the public,” according to the local charity security group Shomrim, which provides local neighborhood watch…
Flights between India and the UAE are gradually returning to normal, but airfares remain high, with many residents still paying more than usual for travel. Travel agents said that the fares are currently about 30 to 35 per cent higher than normal for this time of the year, which is usually a low travel season. “April is usually a low season for India-UAE travel. But fares are now around 30 to 35 per cent higher than normal because of higher fuel costs and limited capacity,” said Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels. He added that flights are still operating…
SEOUL, 30th April, 2026 (WAM) — Samsung Electronics Co. said Thursday its first-quarter net profit surged more than fivefold from a year earlier, driven by robust demand for high-end memory chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) applications. According to Yonhap News Agency, net profit for the three months ended March jumped to 47.22 trillion won (US$31.8 billion) from 8.22 trillion won a year earlier, the company said in a press release. Operating profit jumped more than eightfold to 57.23 trillion won from 6.68 trillion won over the same period, while sales climbed 69.2 % to 133.87 trillion won from 79.14…