Author: Editorial Team

[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed reaffirmed the UAE’s firm and unwavering approach in confronting terrorism and extremism in all forms and manifestations, one day after the the country’s State Security announced dismantling a terrorist organisation and arresting its members for an alleged plot to damage national unity and destabilise the Emirates. During a phone call he received from Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah said that the UAE will continue to be a global model of tolerance,…

SHARJAH, 21st April, 2026 (WAM) — Earth Day, observed on April 22, is framed with environmental campaign and more as a question of how people live and sustain themselves. Under the theme “Our Power… Our Planet,” the call is for collective action not only to limit damage, but to rethink how resources are used to support long-term stability. Against that backdrop, Sharjah-based humanitarian organisation The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), links environmental protection with livelihoods, focusing on restoring agricultural land and turning it into a source of income for vulnerable communities, particularly refugees, helping build more stable and independent livelihoods. In…

JEDDAH — Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received on Tuesday a phone call from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. During the call, the two leaders discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the wider region. They reviewed the ongoing efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the country and the region. President Aoun expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia’s consistent support for Lebanon under all circumstances. The Crown Prince affirmed the Kingdom’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and its right to preserve its resources, territorial integrity, and unity. Source: Saudi…

MAKKAH — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah inspected the readiness of the camps in Mina ahead of the 2026 Hajj season, as part of field tours to assess the standard of services. He noted that preparations began early, enhancing camp readiness and operational efficiency through coordinated efforts among relevant entities. Al-Rabiah said that new electronic systems have been introduced this year to monitor pilgrim movement and regulate entry and exit from the camps, alongside the installation of signage at entrances and exits indicating departure and return times and other instructions. “These measures support crowd management and enhance pilgrim…

Professor Souri Banerjee, Director BITS Pilani Dubai Campus. We often speak about the “skill gap” as though it were a distant, abstract challenge. In reality, it shows up in very practical ways across organisations. A graduate enters the workforce and needs time to become fully effective. Employers, in turn, spend months training new hires on tools and systems they had expected them to already know. What exists in between is not a gap of capability, but more often a gap of alignment.  At its core, the skill gap reflects the difference between academic preparation and industry expectations. In the technology…

KUWAIT CITY — Hayat Al-Fahad, one of the most celebrated figures in Gulf drama and Arab television, died on Tuesday after a distinguished artistic career spanning more than six decades. Widely known as the “Lady of the Gulf Screen,” Al-Fahad was regarded as a pioneer of regional entertainment, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape the identity of Gulf television drama through generations. She began her career in the 1960s and went on to star in dozens of television series and theatrical productions that earned widespread popularity across the Gulf and the wider Arab world. Al-Fahad became known for portraying…

JEDDAH — Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who chaired the Cabinet session in Jeddah on Tuesday, has directed that all resources and capabilities shall be utilized to ensure the success of the organizational, security, and preventative plans adopted for this year’s Hajj. The Crown Prince, on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, welcomed the pilgrims arriving from around the world to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. He emphasized the pride of this blessed land in serving the Grand Mosque of Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque of Madinah and in offeringthe best care for…

[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] UAE Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba on Tuesday (April 21) pushed back on suggestions that the Emirates requires “external financial backing”. “Any suggestion that the UAE requires external financial backing misreads the facts,” he said. In a statement, Al Otaiba stressed that the UAE is “one of the world’s most financially resilient economies,” pointing to more than $2 trillion (Dh 7.34 trillion) in sovereign investment assets, over $300 billion (Dh1.10 trillion) in foreign currency reserves held by the UAE’s central…

KUALA LUMPUR, 21st April, 2026 (WAM) — The United Arab Emirates National Pavilion continued to attract significant international attention on the second day of the Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference (DSA) 2026, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, reinforcing its position as a leading platform for international defence collaboration and innovation. The UAE is participating in the exhibition with the support of the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council for Defence Empowerment, organised by ADNEC Group, a subsidiary of Modon. This participation reflects the UAE’s clear commitment to strengthening cross-border partnerships…

DUBAI, 21st April, 2026 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, affirmed that Dubai’s aviation sector, under the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, continues to play a vital role in connecting global markets, supporting the global economy through efficient passenger and cargo movement, and shaping its future. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed commended the outstanding performance of all teams at Dubai International Airport,…