DUBAI, 9th August, 2026 (WAM) — Supporting Emirati suppliers has become a strategic pillar in building a more competitive and sustainable economy and enabling national companies to grow, expand and compete. Guided by this approach, Dubai Customs has continued to develop an integrated framework of initiatives, facilitation measures, effective partnerships and flexible policies that have turned government procurement into a driver of economic growth. These efforts have expanded Emirati companies’ presence in government projects and opened wider prospects for national companies to compete, grow and become active partners in major government projects, with the capacity to expand into regional and…
Author: Editorial Team
BEIJING — Typhoon Dolphin struck China’s eastern coast Sunday evening after forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate and prompting Shanghai’s two major airports to cancel more than 1,300 flights. The storm made landfall in Taizhou in Zhejiang province and affected northern parts of neighboring Fujian province, bringing winds estimated at 151 kilometers per hour (93 mph) and massive waves along the coast. Heavy rainfall raised the risk of severe flooding across Zhejiang, while authorities also warned of a heightened danger of landslides. Forecasters said some areas could receive between 200 and 400 millimeters (7.9–15.7 inches) of rainfall over…
JAZAN/ASIR — Saudi authorities arrested eight border security violators and one citizen in separate anti-drug operations, seizing a combined 293 kilograms of khat, 16 kilograms of hashish, and 37,290 tablets. In Asir, Border Guard land patrols in the Al-Rabwah Sector arrested eight Ethiopian border security violators for attempting to smuggle 160 kilograms of khat. In a separate operation in Asir, security patrols arrested a Saudi citizen for possessing 133 kilograms of khat concealed inside his vehicle. Jazan Border Guard land patrols foiled an attempt to smuggle 16 kilograms of hashish and 37,290 tablets subject to medical circulation regulations. Meanwhile, in…
For Benny Dayal, performing in the UAE isn’t quite the same as another international concert. The Indian playback singer, who was born in Abu Dhabi and spent his formative years in the UAE, is returning to the country for Thaalam Beats, a South Indian music festival taking place at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on August 15. And for the singer behind hits including Badtameez Dil, Let’s Nacho and Ude Dil Befikre, the performance brings his journey full circle. “It’s both for me,” Dayal told Khaleej Times when asked whether performing in the UAE feels like an international concert or a homecoming.…
DUBAI, 9th August, 2026 (WAM) — The National Programme for Artificial Intelligence, in collaboration with the National Programme for Coders, has launched the eighth edition of the UAE AI Camp, as part of the UAE Government’s ongoing efforts to promote AI adoption and expand the pool of national talent capable of keeping pace with rapid technological transformations, supporting the development of a more competitive and sustainable knowledge-based economy. The camp will take place from 17th to 29th August 2026, targeting a wide range of professional and age groups, including school and university students, young people, employees, small and medium-sized enterprise…
SEOUL, 9th August, 2026 (WAM) — The Republic of Korea’s tourism balance hit a record surplus since the COVID-19 pandemic period, industry data showed Sunday. The country’s travel account was in the black by US$596.6 million in June, marking a dramatic turnaround from the same month a year earlier when the deficit stood at $846.8 million, Yonhap News Agency quoted data from the Korea Tourism Organisation as saying. The June figure is the second highest since October 2008, when the country recorded a surplus of $661.5 million from the tourism sector. Korea’s tourism balance had continued to remain in the…
NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia highlighted the importance of international cooperation and emerging technologies in advancing global geospatial information management at the 16th meeting of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management. The Kingdom, represented by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), took part in the meeting in New York, with its delegation headed by GEOSA President Mohammed Al-Sayel. During the meeting, Al-Sayel emphasized the need to strengthen international cooperation, leverage modern technologies and artificial intelligence to support sustainable development, and develop an integrated global system for managing geospatial information. Saudi Arabia also reviewed…
ABU DHABI, 8th August, 2026 (WAM) – The UAE Judo Federation has announced the international ranking list for its athletes, highlighting increased opportunities to earn qualification points for the 2028 Olympic Games, while the total number of registered male and female practitioners has risen to 2,800. According to the federation’s report, Mohammed Bek currently tops the under-73kg ranking with 3,863 points, following his gold medal at the Paris Grand Slam in the 2025–2026 season, a silver medal at the Asian Championships in China, and a bronze at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2025. In the women’s category, Eliza Letif leads…
SHARJAH, 9th August, 2026 (WAM) — Khorfakkan Port, affiliated with the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, is set to receive a large RoRo vessel carrying 6,068 new energy vehicles produced by Chinese automaker BYD. The vessel departed from Xiaomo International Logistics Port in Shenzhen, China, marking the launch of a direct maritime shipping route between the two sides. The new route offers a strategic logistics solution for Chinese exports to the UAE and the wider Middle East, cutting maritime transit time between the two countries by three to five days and reducing potential disruptions in the shipment of…
RIYADH —The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia’s welcome of the UN Security Council members’ condemnation of Houthi missile attacks against the Kingdom since July 13, while calling on the international community to take a firm stance against practices that threaten efforts to achieve peace in Yemen. In a statement issued by the ministry on Saturday, Saudi Arabia welcomed the UN Security Council statement, issued on August 7, 2026, which condemned the missile attacks launched by the terrorist Houthi militia against the Kingdom since July 13, as well as attacks against commercial vessels since July 22. The Kingdom expressed…