Author: Editorial Team
A fire incident was reported in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) on Sunday afternoon, prompting a swift response from Dubai Civil Defence teams. According to authorities, the operations room received the alert at 2.28pm. Immediately after, Al Barsha Fire Station was dispatched as the first responder and arrived at the scene within six minutes. Upon arrival at 2.34pm, firefighters found that the blaze had broken out in a 27-story building under construction. The fire was classified as moderate. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels. Specialised teams quickly initiated evacuation and firefighting operations to contain…
RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced an update to compliance requirements for documenting employment contracts through the Qiwa platform. It has raised the target compliance rate to 85 percent starting April 30, 2026, followed by a second phase increasing the rate to 90 percent by June 30, 2026. The ministry noted that the compliance rate is calculated by comparing the number of documented contracts to the total number of employee contracts at each establishment, allowing employers to monitor their performance accurately and clearly. The update to the rules comes as part of the ministry’s efforts…
BOGOTA — Polls opened in Peru on Sunday as more than 25 million voters began casting ballots in a presidential election featuring a record 35 candidates, amid efforts to end years of political instability. The vote is seen as a pivotal moment for the country, which has faced a decade of turbulence marked by frequent leadership changes and institutional deadlock. No candidate is expected to secure the more than 50% required for an outright first-round victory, raising the likelihood of a runoff on June 7. Among the frontrunners is Keiko Fujimori, leader of Fuerza Popular and daughter of former President…
ABU DHABI, 13th April, 2026 (WAM) — Etihad Airways has announced a significant expansion of its mainland China network, launching five new routes and adding 28 weekly flights, marking one of the airline’s largest single market increases in recent years. The expansion will see Etihad operate services from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), Chengdu (TFU), Hangzhou (HGH) and Shenzhen (SZX), bringing its total operation in mainland China to 35 weekly flights across six destinations, including its existing daily service to Beijing Daxing (PKX). All services will be operated by Etihad’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner…
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US Navy would “immediately” begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan. Trump said he had instructed naval forces to intercept vessels linked to payments to Iran, aiming to cut off what he described as Tehran’s economic leverage. “I have instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran,” he said, adding that ships doing so would not have safe passage. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint, previously…
RIYADH — Remittances of expatriates in the Kingdom recorded a decrease of two percent in February 2026, reaching SR12.55 billion, compared to the same period in 2025. This is the lowest figure in 15 months, according to the latest data released by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). The SAMA data indicated that foreign remittances in February fell by approximately SR768 million or 6 percent, compared to January 2026. The data also showed a 22 percent decrease in remittances by Saudis abroad during February, compared to the same month in 2025, reaching SR 4.86 billion. Source: Saudi Gazette
“I can walk a total of 10 steps,” says Amal Othman, the UAE mother who woke from a coma last year to find she had given birth, as she now faces a deteriorating condition and a need for lung transplant. Months after her story drew widespread attention, Amal says her health has significantly worsened, leaving her unable to carry out even the most basic daily tasks. “Any effort makes me lose oxygen. Even talking feels exhausting,” she told Khaleej Times. Medical reports reviewed by Khaleej Times, including a recent update by Othman’s doctor, confirm severe and progressive lung damage following acute respiratory…
JEDDAH — Simone Inzaghi and Roberto Mancini go head-to-head on Monday as Al Hilal take on Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16. Both sides enter the knockout clash with strong continental pedigree, but Al Hilal hold the edge historically, losing just once in four previous knockout meetings against the Qatari side. The Saudi champions will also draw confidence from their recent form against teams from Qatar, going unbeaten in their last seven matches (six wins and one draw), including a 3-1 victory over Al Sadd during the league stage, where they finished top of the…
RIYADH — Gulf tourism ministers affirmed the continued stability and resilience of the region’s tourism sector, while strongly condemning recent Iranian attacks on critical infrastructure. In a joint statement following an extraordinary virtual meeting, the ministers said the sector remains operational and continues to welcome visitors, supported by advanced infrastructure, high operational efficiency, and integrated service systems. They reviewed regional developments and their potential impact on tourism, stressing the sector’s ability to overcome current challenges and move toward rapid recovery. The ministers condemned the “unjustified and illegal” Iranian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, including ports, airports, energy facilities, tourism assets, desalination…
A Dubai-based property valuation platform has announced a real estate auction service, targeting sales timelines of around 30 days from listing to completion. YallaValue said the service is licensed by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), allowing sellers to auction their property for free, with an “optional marketing package available on a success-only basis”, meaning they only pay if the sale is completed. “We’re launching next month, so no properties are formally listed yet – but the early seller response has been stronger than expected,” Jack Sellers, founder of YallaValue, told Khaleej Times in an interview. “We opened our seller registration…