MAKKAH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has completed preparations for the road and infrastructure network in Makkah and the holy sites for Hajj, implementing more than 11 million linear meters of roads. The ministry achieved the completion through a package of development works and field interventions aimed at enhancing traffic flow and improving mobility efficiency in high-density areas. In addition to implementing over 11 million roads, the ministry worked on the maintenance and development of around 74 million square meters of road surfaces. More than 1.2 million square meters were also asphalted to strengthen the readiness of the…
Author: Editorial Team
MANILA — The Philippine Senate convened an impeachment court on Monday with the senators sworn in to serve as judges for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over criminal charges. The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impeach Sara Duterte last Monday over alleged unexplained wealth, misuse of state funds and a public threat to have the president assassinated if she herself were killed due to their political disputes. Under the Philippine constitution, an impeachment in the House triggers a trial in the Senate, where a guilty verdict on any of the charges would see her removed and banned…
What is it about Ruskin Bond? It’s not just the stories he writes. He unlocks a wooden door in your memory. They hold your hand and walk you back to school corridors, to friends whose names you hadn’t said aloud in years, to a time when joy was as simple as a toffee and a bicycle race. That is his magic. As the author turns 92 today, he celebrated his birthday by launching a new book titled All-Time Favourite Friendship Stories. Bond turns his gentle gaze towards one of life’s most cherished gifts and that is friendship. In an exclusive…
ABU DHABI, 18th May, 2026 (WAM) — The UAE has moved beyond experimentation toward integrating AI into core government functions — grappling in practice with questions of leadership, procurement, sovereignty, and organisational redesign that many governments are only beginning to confront, according to new research published by Yango Group and INSEAD. Governments that treat artificial intelligence as part of their core operating infrastructure — rather than a collection of standalone projects — are better positioned to scale AI sustainably across public services, the research said. The paper, AI as Public Infrastructure: Lessons from the UAE for Government Transformation, argues that…
Schools across the UAE are preparing for a significant overhaul in how Arabic is taught and embedded in classrooms, as the country moves towards introducing a dedicated Arabic Language Law by 2027. The proposed legislation is motivating institutions to rethink curriculum design, teaching methods and assessment strategies for Arabic. Rather than treating Arabic as a standalone subject, schools are likely to integrate it more deeply into everyday learning, with a stronger focus on engagement, accessibility and outcomes for both native and non-native speakers. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Educators say this will…
RAFHA — Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve recorded the birth of 15 Arabian oryx calves during the first quarter of 2026. The new births reflect continued improvement in vegetation cover and biodiversity within the reserve. They also highlight the effectiveness of environmental programs aimed at preserving wildlife and increasing their populations to support ecosystem sustainability and strengthen the region’s natural balance. This reflects the success of wildlife conservation programs and efforts to restore ecological balance. The programs are part of the reserve’s efforts to protect endangered species and reintroduce them into their natural habitats. The Arabian oryx is distinguished…
RIYADH — Qiddiya Investment Company and Google Cloud are jointly establishing a foundation for one of the world’s largest entertainment projects powered by AI. Qiddiya— through strategic systems integrator Master Works — will deploy Google Cloud’s data and AI technologies as the digital enabler for the city’s operations, providing instant insights into construction milestones, visitor demand patterns, and real-time operational efficiency, allowing Qiddiya to operate as a fully responsive smart city, reducing time-to-insight from weeks to minutes. Chief Technology Officer at Qiddiya Investment Company, Abdulrahman Alali, said: Our goal is a seamless digital experience that connects Qiddiya City with our…
ABU DHABI, 18th May, 2026 (WAM) — AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS) today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire MBS Logistics, a Germany-based global integrated logistics services provider, for an Enterprise Value of AED 300 million (EUR 70 million). The acquisition entails 100% ownership of MBS Logistics’ core business, excluding the company’s joint ventures, and represents another significant step in the Group’s strategy to enhance operational scale, manage larger volumes, and expand its global footprint. MBS Logistics reported revenues of AED 870 million (EUR 205 million) in 2025 with industry margins, reflecting a diversified and asset-light business…
The henna design on a seven-year-old should have faded in days. Instead, it left a second-degree burn on her skin, and a white scar her dark skin will carry for the rest of her life. The case is one of many seen by Dr Salem Antabi, a specialist dermatologist with over 30 years of clinical experience, who has been treating UAE children for henna-related skin injuries throughout his career. As families across the country prepare for Eid Al Adha, he is urging parents to think carefully before painting any henna on a child’s skin. “I am completely against henna for…
MAKKAH — Deputy Emir of Makkah and Vice Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah Prince Saud bin Mishaal conducted on Monday a field visit to assess the readiness of facilities at the holy sites to receive pilgrims for the upcoming annual pilgrimage of Hajj. The deputy emir was accompanied by Dr. Abdul Fattah Mashat, deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah; Musaed Al-Dawood, mayor of Makkah; Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, director of Public Security; and a number of senior officials from relevant agencies. The field visit started with a visit to the Shumaisi checkpoint on the Makkah-Jeddah Expressway.…