Author: Editorial team

SEOUL, 18th April, 2026 (WAM) — South Korea and the European Union agreed Friday to form a strategic economic partnership to expand bilateral ties in trade and economic security amid heightened global uncertainties, Seoul’s trade ministry said. The agreement was made during the inaugural Korea-EU next-generation strategic dialogue held in Seoul to help the two sides explore deeper cooperation in trade, supply chains and technology, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The meeting was attended by South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and the EU’s commissioner for trade and economic security, Maros Sefcovic, the Korea Herald reported.…

ABU DHABI, 17th April, 2026 (WAM) — Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the Authority honoured 34 winners in the fourth cycle of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award, in recognition of their contributions to the development of the agricultural sector and the strengthening of the UAE’s food security system. The ceremony, held at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan,…

Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport has launched a new Shopping Pass campaign, allowing UAE residents to access the terminal’s facilities without a boarding pass, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative for the capital’s aviation landmark.  Open exclusively to UAE nationals and residents, the eight-week campaign invites visitors to explore the airport’s luxury retail outlets, diverse dining options and entertainment experiences all without the pressure of catching a flight. Visitors are required to register in advance and obtain a digital security pass, delivered via PDF with a unique QR code, which must be scanned at designated checkpoints upon entry and exit.  Stay up…

Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana said Monday that it had appointed the former Gucci boss Stefano Cantino as its co-chief executive, part of a management shake-up as it seeks to refinance its debt. He will be co-CEO with Alfonso Dolce, the brother of D&G co-founder and designer Domenico Dolce, the company said in a statement. Alfonso Dolce has also been chairman since January following the resignation of the brand’s other co-founder, designer Stefano Gabbana, who retains his creative duties. Cantino is a fashion veteran who most recently served as chief executive of rival luxury brand Gucci. D&G said his…

FUJAIRAH, 17th April, 2026 (WAM) — UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today met with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah. During the meeting, Their Highnesses discussed a number of national issues in light of the UAE’s continued development, affirming that the aspirations of the people remain at the core of the leadership’s focus and a central pillar of development plans and national initiatives now and in the future. They also praised the strong values that characterise UAE society, noting their role in strengthening cohesion and unity…

“Babba, tomorrow will be the last day of online classes, right?” a nine-year-old asked his father a simple question that captured what many students across the UAE have been quietly feeling over the past few weeks. After nearly a month of learning from home, students said what they missed most was not lessons or homework, but everything around, like the noise of classrooms, the laughter in corridors, and the little moments that made school life special. “I miss my friends. I couldn’t see them for so long, so we mostly just chat on social media,” said Zayaan Arfaz, a student…

[Editor’s Note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] From the first moments of uncertainty to the cautious calm following a ceasefire in the US-Israel-Iran war, residents across the UAE have been riding an emotional wave. In the early days of the crisis, many people slipped into what health specialists describe as “survival mode” — a state where the body and mind focus almost entirely on immediate safety. “During acute stress, the body prioritises survival,” Jamie Richards, Chief Wellbeing Officer at Valeo Health, told the Khaleej Times. “Systems like heart rate and stress…

ASHGABAT, 18th April, 2026 (WAM) — Turkmenistan and China broke ground Friday on works to expand production at the giant Galkynysh gas field. Turkmenistan, which holds the world’s fourth-largest gas reserves, has exported nearly all its production to China since 2009, when the Central Asia-China pipeline opened. Galkynysh, in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, has been producing gas since 2013 and is the world’s second-largest gas field, according to the British consulting firm GaffneyCline. Expansion works are being carried out by the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). Source: Emirates News Agency

A new BCG-Meta study reveals that the UAE is entering a pivotal new era of customer engagement, with AI-enabled rich messaging becoming the country’s most important digital channel. Fares Akkad, Regional Director of MEA at Meta, has said that the UAE sets the standard for digital excellence when it comes to customer engagement. As one of the world’s most digitally advanced markets, the UAE now sees consumers expecting interactions that are instant, personalized, and seamlessly connected — a standard shaped by the country’s globally recognized digital government services. The report shows a decisive shift in how UAE enterprises plan to…

DUBAI, 17th April, 2026 (WAM) — Dubai Safari Park has been officially welcomed as an Institutional Member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) on 19 March 2026, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards global excellence in conservation, animal welfare, and education. WAZA is the leading global organisation representing zoos and aquariums committed to the highest standards of animal welfare, conservation, scientific research, and public education. With this membership, Dubai Safari Park joins a select group of internationally recognised institutions, reinforcing its position as a credible and responsible wildlife destination aligned with global best practices. The…