The Emirates Council for Fatwa announced the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on Sunday evening, May 17, 2026. The council said the crescent observation will be carried out in coordination with national observatories and centres across the UAE, including the Khatm Sighting in cooperation with the International Astronomy Centre, the Dubai Sighting with the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, and the Sharjah Sighting with the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Centre. The process will be conducted using the latest methods and modern technologies. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels If…
Author: Editorial Team
RIYADH — Abdulaziz Abdulbaqi, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, affirmed that receiving the meningococcal vaccine is a mandatory requirement for all personnel participating in the 2026 Hajj season before commencing their duties. This measure aligns with the directives of the Supreme Hajj Committee to strengthen preventive efforts and limit the spread of infectious diseases in densely populated areas, while prioritizing the safety and well-being of workers as a key objective within the health sector. Abdulbaqi explained that the vaccine provides protection against serious infections that may spread in crowded environments. “It also enhances the safety of both workers and…
MAKKAH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s electronic track has achieved advanced operational figures for the 2026 Hajj season, encompassing more than 250 services. These services are being provided in cooperation with relevant authorities and integration with numerous Hajj companies to enhance service efficiency along the pilgrim journey. The platform unifies service data ahead of pilgrims’ arrival, enabling early identification of their needs and direct linkage to housing, transportation, and catering services, while reducing procedural discrepancies between authorities and Hajj companies. The ministry also conducted more than 378 training workshops on the platform and over 150 meetings with Hajj…
LONDON — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom Yvette Cooper in London on Tuesday. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. The ministers discussed the latest developments in the Middle East region and their security and economic repercussions. Prince Faisal and Cooper stressed the need for concerted efforts to advance stability and peace in the region. They emphasized the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and rejecting its use as a tool…
MAKKAH — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project for the Utilization of Hady and Adahi (Adahi) announced the availability of purchasing Hady vouchers for 2026 Hajj Season at a unified price of SR720 per voucher through a package of approved official channels. This is aimed at facilitating the performance of rituals for pilgrims and beneficiaries inside and outside the Kingdom through a reliable and organized process that ensures implementation of operations according to the highest Shariah, health, and organizational standards. Approved purchase channels include Adahi, Nusuk, and Ehsan platforms, in addition to Saudi National Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, Al Rajhi…
Abu Dhabi — SlashData, a UAE-based technology company specializing in building national-scale digital platforms that connect the public and private sectors, has announced a strategic partnership with Fidelity United. The partnership will improve how motor insurance data is accessed and used across the UAE through the adoption of Mulem, marking a significant step in advancing the insurance sector. Through this partnership, Fidelity United will use Mulem, SlashData’s digital integration platform, to securely access vehicle, driver, and accident data. Mulem bridges the data gap by allowing insurers to connect multiple private and public data sources through a single platform. This access reduces duplication, accelerates…
DAMASCUS, 12th May, 2026 (WAM) — President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmad Al Sharaa, today received Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, at the Presidential Headquarters in the People’s Palace, during his official visit to Damascus. Dr Al Zeyoudi headed a UAE delegation that included Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Dr Omar Habtoor Al Derei, Chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, and Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar Properties and Eagle Hills, in addition to a number of senior officials, business leaders, and…
[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 designated 21 individuals and entities on its Local Terrorist List over their links to Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The designation was issued pursuant to Cabinet Resolution No. 63 of 2026, under which the UAE Cabinet approved the inclusion of 16 individuals and five entities on the approved list of individuals and organisations supporting terrorism (Local Terrorist List), in accordance with the UAE’s relevant laws and regulations. The move forms part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts, both domestically and internationally, to disrupt…
SHARJAH, 12th May, 2026 (WAM) — The Sharjah Consultative Council is holding its sixteenth session on Thursday, 14th May, at its headquarters in Sharjah. Held as part of the third regular session of the eleventh legislative term, the meeting will be chaired by Halima Humaid Al Owais, Chairman of the Council. The agenda for the meeting will include the council’s discussion of the draft law for 2026 on the regulation of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Sharjah. Attending the session from the Sharjah Civil Aviation Authority will be Sheikh Khalid bin Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Sharjah…
Meta Platforms recently completed its purchase of Assured Robot Intelligence, a startup developing AI models for robots, as part of a major initiative focused on building humanoid technology. A representative for Meta told Mobile World Live it closed the acquisition on the 1st of May 2026. Financial terms were not disclosed. “We acquired Assured Robot Intelligence, a company at the frontier of robotic intelligence designed to enable robots to understand, predict and adapt to human behaviours in complex and dynamic environments”, Meta stated. The representative explained the Assured Robot Intelligence “will bring a deep expertise in how we can design…