Author: Editorial Team

RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has notified the establishments under its supervision that it will begin classifying violations, penalties and values of fine based on the size of the establishment and its commercial activity. In a recent circular, the SFDA announced an update to its schedule of violations, in accordance with its regulations and the corresponding penalties. This update is based on royal order no. 32043, which pertains to classifying violations, penalties, and fines according to the size of the establishment and its economic activity. The SFDA stated that it aims to achieve compliance and enhance…

ABU DHABI, 15th April, 2026 (WAM) — His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Dr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, today witnessed the signing of an agreement between the UAE and Jordan to develop a railway network in Jordan and establish the UAE–Jordan Railway Company. The agreement covers the construction and operation of a 360-kilometre railway linking the main mining areas of Al-Shidiya and Ghor Al-Safi to the Port of Aqaba. The project aims to transport 16 million tonnes annually of phosphate…

DUBAI, 15th April, 2026 (WAM) — Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), welcomed Almaz Tasbolat, Consul General of Kazakhstan in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The visit explored ways to strengthen co-operation, particularly in renewable energy and water, and reviewed initiatives and projects of mutual interest, alongside DEWA’s pioneering experience in clean energy, operational efficiency and innovation. The meeting was attended by senior DEWA officials, including Waleed bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence; Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future; and Dr Yousef Al…

The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has announced free bus services for residents and visitors on World Public Transport Day. In a post on Instagram, the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (Rakta) said all bus rides across the emirate on Friday, April 17, 2026, will be free of charge. It was not immediately clear if other emirates would follow suit to celebrate the annual occasion. In Oman, too, Mwasalat, revealed a similar initiative and declared unlimited free rides for residents and tourists in the capital, Muscat, and in the city of Salalah on April 17. Stay up to date with…

Lenovo has announced the official opening of its Middle East, Türkiye and Africa (META) Regional Headquarters in Riyadh (RHQ), marking a strategic milestone in the company’s long-term investment in the Kingdom and its commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives. The official opening was marked by a formal ceremony attended by the Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mr. Fahad bin Abduljalil Al‑Saif, alongside senior government officials, strategic partners, and Lenovo leaders. His Excellency Mr. Fahad bin Abduljalil Al‑Saif, Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stated: “Lenovo’s decision to establish its…

MAKKAH — The Makkah region police arrested an Egyptian resident for offering fraudulent Hajj services. The arrest was made after he was found involved in posting advertisements on social media offering fake permits to enter the holy sites. Legal action was taken against him and he was referred to the Public Prosecution. The General Directorate of Public Security urged Saudi citizens and expatriates to adhere to Hajj regulations and guidelines and to report about violators by calling over the number 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, Madinah, and Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions of the Kingdom. Source:…

RIYADH — The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute announced on Wednesday that FII PRIORITY Europe Summit will take place in Rome, capital of Italy, from June 17 to 19, 2026. Global leaders will gather together to brainstorm a defining question for the continent’s future: how capital can secure Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy in a rapidly changing world? Under the theme “Europe Reimagined: Capital, Sovereignty & Strategic Autonomy,” FII PRIORITY Europe 2026 will bring together policymakers, investors, innovators, and decision-makers to examine how capital, industrial policy, and cross-border collaboration can strengthen Europe’s long-term position across energy, technology, security, and…

ABU DHABI, 15th April, 2026 (WAM) — Alpha Dhabi Holding PJSC, one of the fastest growing investment holding companies in the MENA region, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX: AlphaDhabi), today announced the distribution of a cash dividend of 20 fils per share, amounting to a total of AED2 billion, for the financial year which ended 31 December 2025. The dividend distribution was recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by shareholders at Alpha Dhabi Holdings’ Annual General Assembly held on Monday, 16 March 2026. The approved dividend underscores the Group’s robust financial performance, strong cash generation,…

DUBAI, 15th April, 2026 (WAM) — Around 1,000 of the region’s and the world’s most prominent decision-makers, along with representatives from more than 500 specialised institutions and leading entities in the fields of financial services, regulation, and digital innovation, will participate in the third edition of the Mawarid FinTech Summit, which will be held on April 23 in Dubai. The summit, organised by Mawarid Finance, will also see the participation of fintech companies, banks, investors, and financial policymakers to shed light on the next phase of anticipated growth for the fintech sector, which is witnessing rapid and remarkable development in…

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a project to construct road connections across 18 residential areas in the emirate, reducing journey times by up to 40 per cent in those locations. The project spans a total of 13km and includes traffic enhancements, with the provision of roadside parking spaces, pavements and street lighting. RTA said that the new connections have improved road connectivity and facilitated vehicle access to and from residential areas, particularly by paving previously unpaved roads. This has helped ease traffic flow and provide a smoother and safer driving experience for motorists. Stay up to date…