Author: Editorial Team

The UAE has ranked first globally in hiring intent for 2026, with 56 per cent of employers planning to expand their workforce, new data from human capital firm Taaeen Group shows. Across the Gulf, more than five million private sector jobs are expected to be created by 2030, driven by growth in technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and energy. The figures come as Gulf governments accelerate economic diversification, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia investing heavily in smart cities, clean energy, and digital infrastructure creating demand for specialised talent that the regional market is still working to meet. Stay up to…

JEDDAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman have sent cables of congratulations to President Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amidi on his election and swearing-in as president of Iraq. In their separate cables, the King and the Crown Prince expressed their sincere congratulations and aspiration to work together to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between the two countries and their peoples. They wished good health and success for the president and continued progress and prosperity for the people of Iraq. The Iraqi parliament elected Amidi as president of the country…

MAKKAH — Saudi Arabia has introduced an advanced digital service enabling visitors to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to instantly check crowd levels in the tawaf and sa’i areas. General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said the service allows users to monitor congestion levels through simplified color-coded indicators, helping worshippers choose the most suitable times and routes for performing tawaf and sa’i. The authority said the initiative is designed to support crowd distribution, reduce congestion and enhance crowd management efficiency inside the Grand Mosque. It added that the service is…

TOKYO, 22nd April, 2026 (WAM) — The US dollar stabilised in early Asian trading today, as increased demand for the safe-haven currency pushed it to its highest level in a week. The dollar index, which measures the US currency against a basket of six currencies, stood at 98.415, its highest level since 13th April. Most other currencies showed little change, with the euro steady at $1.1739, the Australian dollar at $0.7152, and the New Zealand dollar at $0.5894. Against the yen, the dollar fell 0.1 percent to 159.26 yen, after earlier data showed Japanese exports rose for the seventh consecutive…

MADRID, 22nd April, 2026 (WAM) — Real Madrid defeated Deportivo Alaves 2-1 today in their match in the 33rd round of the Spanish La Liga. Kylian Mbappe scored for Real Madrid in the 30th minute, followed by Vinicius Junior in the 50th minute, while Antonio Martinez scored Alaves’ only goal in the 90+3 minute. With this result, Real Madrid raised their tally to 73 points in second place, while Alaves remained on 33 points in 17th place. In another match in the same round, Real Betis defeated Girona 3-2, raising their total to 49 points in fifth place, while Girona…

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has invited consultants to bid for a contract to study and design a proposed 55-kilometre Airport Express Line linking Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), according to a report by MEED based on the tender issued by the RTA. The proposed line would run from the Red Line Metro station at DXB in Al Garhoud to DWC in Jebel Ali and include five stations, stated the report. Consultants have been allowed until June to submit their proposals. According to the report, the proposed route would pass through Al…

RIYADH — The Absher platform, under the Ministry of Interior, carried out a total of 43,585,844 electronic transactions for Saudi citizens, expatriates, and visitors during the last month of March. A total of 41,346,499 of these transactions were completed via Absher Individuals, with 31,227,947 involving digital document viewings through the platform’s integrated digital wallet, while Absher Business handled a total of 2,239,345 corporate transactions. The number of transactions carried out by the General Directorate of Public Security reached 3,170,684, including 3,067,807 transactions in the General Directorate of Traffic, while the number of transactions processed in the General Directorate of Passports…

JEDDAH — The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) revealed a significant increase in rainfall rates across Saudi Arabia during the period from April 1 to 16, compared to the climatic averages for the reference period. This is based on data from the NCM’s manned and automated weather stations. In its statistical report, the NCM explained that the average rainfall across the Kingdom during this period reached 20.3 millimeters (mm), compared to the normal average of 7.8 mm, registering an increase of 12.5 mm, equivalent to 162 percent. The report indicated that the distribution of rainfall amounts across manned stations showed…

RAS AL KHAIMAH, 21st April, 2026 (WAM) — Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) recently hosted a focused session to explore one of the most common challenges faced by growing businesses, the over-reliance on founders and the need for structured systems to support sustainable growth. The event, titled “From Chaos to Control: How to Organise Your Business When Everything Lives in Your Head,” brought together entrepreneurs, SME owners, and decision-makers at Compass Coworking Centre for a practical discussion on how to transition from reactive, founder-led operations to structured, process-driven businesses. Led by Customer Experience and Business Excellence Specialist Mahmoud Garad…

The UAE’s economy authority has issued a warning against using a Flying Tiger product which was found to have elevated levels of lead. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism called on all consumers to immediately stop using the 220 ml glass drinking cups from the brand which we sold during the 2024-2025 period. The product numbers which have come under scrutiny are: 3057450, 3060031, 3052986, 3062993, 3055350, 3053912. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels The directive comes after it was found that the external print on the product contains elevated levels of lead…