Author: Editorial team
VIENNA, 17th April, 2026 (WAM) — The OPEC Fund for International Development has approved a US$20 million loan to support a disaster risk management programme in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, aimed at strengthening national capacities for disaster preparedness, response and mitigation. A statement issued by OPEC Fund’s headquarters in Vienna noted that the programme represents a top priority for the Caribbean island state, which is among the most affected by the impacts of climate change. The statement added that the programme supports the conservation and management of natural resources, contributing to the protection of environmental assets that sustain both…
[Editor’s Note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] The UAE has welcomed the announcement by US President Donald Trump of a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, and commended the diplomatic efforts led by Trump in facilitating this agreement. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed hope that this development will constitute a positive step toward fostering an environment conducive to regional stability, and affirmed the importance of continued effective international coordination to prevent further escalation and mitigate the humanitarian and security repercussions across the region. The…
AL AIN, 17th April, 2026 (WAM) — Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan has attended the 65th anniversary celebration of Kanad Hospital, the first institution to provide modern healthcare services in the Abu Dhabi emirate. For decades, the hospital has played a pioneering role in shaping the healthcare sector in both Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The event featured a presentation highlighting the hospital’s early beginnings, when it was established in 1960 in a mud-brick guesthouse donated by the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to serve as a medical clinic under the…
Vodafone Business recently unveiled a new commercial 5G network slicing service aimed at enterprise customers. The customers specifically inhabit venues with a high demand for mission critical connectivity. The company’s new 5G+ Local Slicing offer gives organisations a dedicated slice of VodafoneThree’s standalone (SA) 5G network across an area of up to 5km², providing guaranteed mobile performance in locations where demand can overwhelm shared mobile infrastructure. The service targets stadiums, university campuses and sectors including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, transport and logistics. It enables customers to reserve bandwidth for critical applications such as security systems, staff communications, 5G cameras and digital…
Lunges, push-ups, split squats, press-ups. April 17 morning was no ordinary moment at Jumeirah Beach hotel as former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and his wife Kate led a community workout session for more than 100 people. The endeavour was, in essence, the couple’s effort to give back after a “heavy time for many”. By the time the duo took to the stage, along with personal trainers Amandio and Fea, the crowd was already in a frenzy. The ice-breaking happened on stage from time to time as Rio occasionally broke into dance, joked with the audience while Kate motivated them…
ABU DHABI, 17th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Group (ADX) has announced its collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Global Entrepreneurship Festival (ADGEF) as its “Capital Markets Partner” to advocate financial literacy, investment proficiency and investment knowledge for the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Zayed bin Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADGEF brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and policymakers in a landmark initiative to accelerate a knowledge-based economy and support sustainable growth. Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of ADX Group, said that the UAE is rich in talent…
AJMAN, 17th April, 2026 (WAM) — UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman. Their Highnesses engaged in warm discussions and shared their best wishes for continued health and wellbeing. They also discussed a number of issues of national concern, affirming that empowering Emiratis remains central to development plans and a top national priority. They further affirmed that the UAE continues to move forward with confidence…
(L-R) Sanjaya Satharasinghe, Architecture Team Lead, Comstor Middle East & Mahmoud Hashem, Architecture Presales Manager, MHD Infotech, Oman. Sanjaya Satharasinghe, Architecture Team Lead, Comstor Middle East and Mahmoud Hashem, Architecture Presales Manager, MHD Infotech, Oman, discuss the digital transformation goals specific to Oman and Cisco support for managing cloud complexity in this exclusive joint interview. The datacenter landscape in the Middle East is evolving rapidly. From your perspective, what is driving this transformation? Sanjaya Satharasinghe: Across the Middle East, we are witnessing an accelerated shift toward digital-first business models. Governments and enterprises are investing heavily in cloud adoption, AI-driven services,…
A man in Abu Dhabi has been sentenced to life imprisonment and deportation after serving his term for trafficking and consuming a psychotropic substance, after he was caught selling crystal meth to another person in exchange for money. The case dates back to when prosecutors referred the defendant to criminal trial on charges of possessing a psychotropic substance with intent to promote and consuming the same substance without legal authorisation, in violation of Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. According to court records, the accused was arrested while selling a quantity of the…
You’ve seen it a thousand times on postcards and hotel campaigns, that unmistakable white sail rising from the ocean. But Burj Al Arab has always been more than its silhouette. It is a building that, in the 1990s, catapulted Dubai onto the global luxury map and announced its arrival on the world stage. Over the years, it has become synonymous with the city’s growth story, an early and enduring testament to Dubai’s steadfast ambition. With the announcement of its closure for an 18-month restoration, it feels like a fitting moment to revisit the quirks, engineering gambles and design choices that…