Author: Editorial team

MUSCAT, 2nd May, 2026 (WAM) — Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries outperformed the global average in the 2026 Economic Freedom Index, reflecting stronger economic openness and an improved business environment, data from the GCC Statistical Centre (GCC-Stat) showed. The GCC average Economic Freedom Index reached 66.9 points, surpassing the global average of 59.9 points by a margin of nearly 7 points, indicating a higher level of economic freedom across the region. All GCC countries recorded either improvement or stability in their scores between 2025 and 2026, with limited variation among member states, demonstrating the continuity of economic reforms and growth-supporting…

GENEVA, 30th April, 2026 (WAM) — On stage 1 of the Tour de Romandie, UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s rider Tadej Pogačar took the day’s honours and became the new race leader. Just 24 hours on from the opening prologue, Pogačar stamped his authority on the race for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. For the world champion, it was his first road stage of the season and his first stage victory of 2026. The win moves Pogačar to five victories for the campaign, and puts him and his Emirati squad into control of the race leader’s yellow jersey. Just three days on from his…

BRUSSELS, 2nd May, 2026 (WAM) — Trade tensions between the United States and the European Union have intensified after US President Donald Trump announced his intention to raise import tariffs on European cars and lorries to 25 percent “from next week”. The current tariff stands at 15 percent. “Based on the fact that the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States,” President Trump said on his social media platform, Truth Social. “The Tariff will…

GENEVA, 2nd May, 2026 (WAM) — After winning two stages on the bounce at the Tour de Romandie, UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider Tadej Pogačar was forced to settle for fourth place on stage 3. Raced to and from Orbe in Switzerland, the fourth day of racing saw the honours contested in a 34-man reduced bunch sprint, won by Dorian Godon of Ineos Grenadiers. Finishing strongly, Pogačar powered his way to fourth place at the finish, retaining his race lead of 17 seconds over Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. In third place overall lies Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious), who sits 26…

The General Civil Aviation Authority in the UAE has announced that air traffic in the country’s airspace is now back to normal. The authority added that the precautionary measures that had been temporarily implemented have been lifted. These measures were put into place after the US-Israel-Iran war commenced on February 28. This decision, it said, came after it assessed operational and security conditions, stressing that real-time monitoring will continue to ensure the highest levels of aviation safety. technical and operational teams are fully prepared to handle any potential developments. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on…

ABU DHABI, 2nd May, 2026 (WAM) — ADNEC Group is completing the final preparations for the fifth and largest edition of Make it in the Emirates, which will be held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 4th to 7th May 2026. Organised by ADNEC Group and strategic partners, this year’s event will be the most significant in the show’s history, featuring 12 key sectors and providing a platform for innovators, manufacturers and investors to connect and explore opportunities. ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi is anticipating a record-breaking turnout of visitors. To ensure visitor convenience, ADNEC Group will provide a free park-and-ride…

WhatsApp messenger, a popular instant messaging platform, has become a mainstay of communication for UAE residents. However, there are several changes — from banking bans to legal risks and new features — that users need to know. Here are five updates that everyone needs to be aware of: 1. Central Bank bans WhatsApp for banking The Central Bank of the UAE has prohibited all financial institutions from using WhatsApp and other instant messaging apps for customer services from May 1. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The ban, issued on April 17, covers…

CAIRO, 2nd May, 2026 (WAM) — Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced a new natural gas discovery in the Nile Delta, with projected production of 50 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) following the drilling of the exploratory well (Nidoco N-2) in the West Abu Madi area, co-operated by Italy’s Eni and the UK’s British Petroleum. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, inspected the EDC 56 drilling rig, which executed operations on the well. Badawi noted that the well’s proximity to existing infrastructure, being less than 2 km from the nearest production facilities, allows for its…

When Iskandarbek Narzibekov moved his family from London to Abu Dhabi in 2023, colleagues questioned the logic. The restaurateur had built a portfolio of acclaimed dining concepts across the British capital through his Pachamama Group, and conventional wisdom suggested the Gulf imported restaurant brands rather than creating them. Three years later, his Abu Dhabi-founded brand Soraya is preparing to reverse that flow, launching in London as a one-of-a-kind restaurant concept born in the UAE capital designed specifically for international export. “For years everyone thought the region only imports names,” Narzibekov told Khaleej Times. “I want to prove something else. You…

OMODA & JAECOO is entering its next phase of global growth by expanding beyond smart mobility into intelligent ecosystems, as it unveiled its latest innovations at the Beijing Auto Show 2026 while accelerating its footprint in the UAE through showroom expansion, advanced hybrid offerings, and exclusive milestone campaigns. At the Beijing Auto Show, OMODA & JAECOO presented a forward-looking vision with the debut of AiMOGA Robotics, alongside its latest models, the OMODA 4 and OMODA 7. The showcase underlined the brand’s evolution from a fast-growing automotive player into a technology-driven company integrating AI, robotics, and mobility ecosystems. Jointly developed by…