Author: Editorial Team

RIYADH — Saudi security authorities arrested a total of 14,487 illegal residents during the last week. The arrests were made in the joint inspections, carried out by the security forces in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between April 9 and April 15, the Ministry of Interior revealed on Saturday. Those who were arrested include 7,911 of the Residency Law, 3,588 violators of the Border Security Law, and 2,988 violators of the Labor Law. A total of 21,127 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents while 11,240 violators were referred to complete their…

MAKKAH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stressed the importance of all pilgrims’ affairs offices and Hajj service providers to inform pilgrims of the need to obtain an official permit to perform Hajj rituals for this year and to adhere to the approved procedures for entering Makkah and the holy sites. This is part of the ministry’s commitment to pilgrims’ safety, the quality of services provided, and enabling them to perform their rituals in a safe and organized environment. The ministry stressed that performing Hajj is restricted to those who have obtained an official permit from the competent authorities.…

A 13-year-old Emirati boy drowned in Ras Al Khaimah while attempting to save his younger sister and two cousins from strong sea currents. His father told Khaleej Times that the incident occurred around 5pm on Tuesday, April 14, when the boy, identified as Mohammed Ahmed bin Amer Al Shehhi, visited the beach with his extended family, including several young children. According to the father, the children had been playing near the shore when sudden waves and strong currents pulled some of them further into the sea. Mohammed, the eldest among the kids, had earlier moved away from the water after…

Like any other weekend afternoon, diners at a Dubai restaurant on Saturday, April 18, were browsing menus, enjoying the view and placing orders—until the emirate’s ruler himself, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, casually walked in. As Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, entered the place, guests soon noticed his presence and quickly raised their mobile phones to take selfies to mark the occasion. Guests and the eatery’s staff clapped to welcome the Dubai Ruler and thank him for this special visit. They stood up while Sheikh Mohammed, who was accompanied by a few…

Why do we go to a restaurant? Perhaps to enjoy good food. But then, can we not cook good food at home? Perhaps it’s for consistency. Consistency of what — taste, quality, experience? Or maybe to seek a change. A change in what, exactly? Perhaps for a shift in ambience, the subtle difference in flavour, the pleasure of variety. Yet, one might still wonder, can we not create that same variety within the comfort of our own home? Perhaps we step out for something less tangible — a few unguarded moments to look at one another and smile, instead of…

TEHRAN — Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous status under the control of Iran’s armed forces, citing what it described as an ongoing US blockade on Iranian ports. In a statement carried by Tasnim news agency, the IRGC joint command said the strategic waterway is under the strict management and control of the armed forces. It added that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled until the United States restores full freedom of movement for vessels traveling to and from Iran. The statement came a day…

MADINAH — The first batches of Hajj pilgrims from several countries arrived in Madinah and Jeddah on Saturday, Dhul Qada 1, marking the commencement of international arrivals for this year’s pilgrimage. They included pilgrims traveling under the Makkah Route initiative from Turkiye, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Bangladesh in addition to the pilgrims from India. Most of the pilgrims arrived at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Saturday while some groups of pilgrims landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Saudi officials as well as diplomats from the respective countries accorded a warm reception for the pilgrims. The…

WASHINGTON, 18th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), chaired by Hamid Saif Al Zaabi, President of the Group, and with the participation of Sulaiman bin Rashid Al Jabrin, Executive Secretary, took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), held on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C. According to the FATF Ministerial Statement, ministers stressed the importance of the full and swift implementation of international standards, enhancing international cooperation, and accelerating preventive measures, detection,…

ABU DHABI, 18th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Cyber Security Council (CSC) has warned that around 25 percent of publicly accessible files contain sensitive personal data, urging users to adopt secure practices when sharing files online. In its weekly message under the “Cyber Pulse” awareness campaign, the Council highlighted the importance of safe digital behaviour to reduce exposure to cyber risks and threats. The CSC stressed that encryption and secure account management are essential cybersecurity practices, noting that protecting files transmitted عبر the internet helps prevent unauthorised access and supports a safer digital environment. It also emphasised the need to…

Temperatures in the UAE are will slightly increase on Sunday, April 19, 2026, with highs of 33ºC expected in Dubai and the Capital, Abu Dhabi, as per the National Centrl of Meteorology (NCM). The mercury may rise to reach 38ºC in Gasyoura. The highest temperature recorded over the country on Saturday, April 18, was 36.7°C and it was in Al Ain’s Um Azimul at 15:30pm UAE Local time. On Sunday, skies in general will be fair to partly cloudy. There will be light to moderate southeasterly to northeasterly winds, with a speed of between 10 and 20kmph, reaching 30 kmph.…