WASHINGTON, 1st June, 2026 (WAM) — YouTube has introduced a new set of updates that elevate the overall YouTube Premium experience by launching three AI-powered features aimed directly at podcast listeners. According to YouTube data, Premium users are major podcast consumers, having watched over 800 million hours of podcasts in April 2026 alone. The first feature is Auto Speed, which automatically adjusts the playback speed in real time based on dialogue activity, dynamically speeding up during slower speech or conversational lulls to save time and slowing back down during information-dense segments that require more focus. The second tool is On-the-go…
Author: Editorial Team
Question: I worked during the Eid Al Adha break and plan to take compensatory days off later. Can these days be combined with my annual leave to extend the total duration of my time off? Answer: Pursuant to your query, it is assumed that you are employed by an employer based in the mainland of Dubai, hence the provisions of the Employment Law (as defined below) are applicable. Pursuant to the provisions of the Employment Law, an employee is entitled to fully paid leave on public holidays, and should the employee be required to work on a public holiday, the…
BOSTON — A graduation ceremony of Saudi students from Boston universities held at Harvard University on Saturday. Cultural Attaché at the Saudi Embassy in the US, Acting Attaché in Canada and Supervisor for South American Countries Tahany Aleisa presided over the ceremony, attended by students, their families, and members of the academic community. Speaking on the occasion, Aleisa said the ceremony celebrated 70 male and female graduates from several prestigious institutions, led by Harvard University with 29 graduates, followed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with nine, Boston University with 19, and Tufts University with 10, alongside graduates from the…
JEDDAH — Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received on Sunday a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron. During the call, the leaders discussed the latest developments in the region and the ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in the region, as well as ensuring maritime security and freedom of navigation. The Crown Prince and Macron reviewed areas of joint cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France, and explored ways to support and further strengthen them across a number of fields. Several regional and international issues of mutual interest were also figured in their…
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s general operating revenue index for wholesale and retail trade statistics recorded an increase of 7.3 percent during the first quarter of 2026, compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The index also rose by 0.5 percent quarter-on-quarter basis compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the preliminary results, published on Sunday by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The operating revenue index for retail trade, excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles, increased by 9.5 percent while wholesale trade, excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles, rose by 5.5 percent. Operating revenue for the sale and…
SHARJAH, 31st May, 2026 (WAM) — The 2025–2026 karate season concluded yesterday with the staging of Al Etihad Cup Team Kumite Championship and the inaugural Determination Championship for People of Determination at Sharjah Club’s Al Hazanah branch hall. Shabab Al Ahli topped Al Etihad Cup Kumite competitions, claiming all female category titles after winning the junior girls, young women, and women’s divisions. The club also secured the overall excellence shield for the girls, junior girls, young women, and women categories. Sharjah Individual Sports Club won the titles in the junior boys, youth, and men’s categories, earning the overall excellence shield…
Dubai Airports welcomed returning Hajj pilgrims arriving home with a special passport stamp bearing the slogan ‘the UAE welcomes the return of pilgrims’. The pilgrims were also welcomed by the GDRFA Dubai team, alongside a group of children who presented flowers and commemorative gifts, in a heartfelt initiative that embodied the values of hospitality, appreciation, and warm reception, while enhancing the arrival experience from the very first moments of their return home. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Major General Talal Ahmed Al Shangiti, Assistant Director General for Air Port Affairs at GDRFA…
RIYADH — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has called on pilgrims, who performed Hajj this year, to share their views and suggestions to help enhance services in future Hajj seasons. The initiative underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to continuous improvement in the management and delivery of Hajj services. Al-Rabiah issued the invitation through his official account on the “X” platform, highlighting the importance of listening to pilgrims’ experiences and drawing upon their feedback and recommendations as a vital source of development and improvement. He noted that such insights play a key role in elevating service quality and enriching…
ADDIS ABABA — As Ethiopia prepares to hold its seventh general elections since the downfall of the military regime in 1991 on Monday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the ruling Prosperity Party are widely expected to secure a landslide victory. But critics warn that growing restrictions on press freedom and political dissent are casting a shadow over the vote and with 70% of the country still affected by armed conflict, many question whether the conditions for a truly democratic election are in place. While the whole northern region of Tigray, which has been trying to recover from a brutal civil…
At around 6pm on Sunday (May 31), petrol stations across Dubai and Sharjah saw long queues as motorists made a final stop before new fuel prices came into effect at midnight. While some residents had planned ahead and filled up their tanks earlier in the day, others who waited until the evening found themselves caught in queues as stations became increasingly busy after sunset. Several motorists told Khaleej Times they had anticipated a rush following the announcement of June’s fuel prices and decided to fuel up before the increase took effect. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow…