Bangladesh has confirmed 30 deaths in a measles outbreak that has spread rapidly across the country, with most of the victims aged under two, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday. In what it described as a reversal of progress towards measles elimination in Bangladesh, the WHO said there had also been another 166 suspected deaths from the disease since mid-March. Health experts said it was the highest death toll from measles in decades. More than 19,000 suspected cases were reported from March 15 to April 14 and nearly 3,000 cases were confirmed in laboratory tests, the WHO said. Stay…
Author: Editorial Team
DUBAI, 23rd April, 2026 (WAM) — Salik Company PJSC has announced the signing of a strategic partnership with Valtrans Transportation Systems and Services (Valtrans), a leading transportation management and services company, aimed at facilitating digital payment for valet parking services across Valtrans’ network of locations throughout the UAE. Under the agreement, Salik will be integrated as a payment option within Valtrans-operated locations, allowing users to pay valet service fees through the Salik e-Wallet at more than 100 sites, including major destinations such as Mall of the Emirates and DIFC. This will go into effect on 1st June 2026. The collaboration…
The foreign ministers of UAE, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have issued a joint statement to condemn Israeli settlers’ incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The ministers condemned the repeated violations of the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites by Israeli occupation authorities, particularly the continued incursions by Israeli settlers and extremist ministers into Al Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif under Israeli police protection, as well as the raising of the Israeli flag within its courtyards. They further reiterated that these provocative actions at Al Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif, constitute a…
RIYADH — The Saudi Council of Health Insurance (CHC) announced on Thursday the issuance of 100 decisions to impose fines, amounting to a total of SR4 million, on employers during the first quarter of 2026. This is for the violation of the provisions of the Health Insurance Law. The Council stated that these fines were imposed after granting violators a grace period to rectify their violations before taking legal action against them. This is based on Article 41 of the Health Insurance Law, which stipulates that employers are obligated to enroll in the health insurance program for their insured employees…
Summary of Results for 1Q26: •Total Operating Income: remained stable at SAR3,612 million (1Q 2025: SAR 3,620).•Net Loans and Advances: increased by 10% year-on-year to SAR307 billion (1Q 2025: SAR279 billion).•Customer Deposits: increased by 14% year-on-year to SAR331 billion (1Q 2025: SAR290 billion).•Total Equity: increased by 11% year-on-year to SAR81 billion (1Q 2025: SAR73 billion).•Net Profit after Zakat and Income: SAR2,086 million, a 2% decrease year-on-year from SAR2,135 million in 1Q 2025, due to the provisions taken. Ms. Lubna S. Olayan, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), announced on Thursday the Bank’s financial results…
ABU DHABI, 18th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Cyber Security Council (CSC) has warned that around 25 percent of publicly accessible files contain sensitive personal data, urging users to adopt secure practices when sharing files online. In its weekly message under the “Cyber Pulse” awareness campaign, the Council highlighted the importance of safe digital behaviour to reduce exposure to cyber risks and threats. The CSC stressed that encryption and secure account management are essential cybersecurity practices, noting that protecting files transmitted عبر the internet helps prevent unauthorised access and supports a safer digital environment. It also emphasised the need to…
AJMAN, 23rd April, 2026 (WAM) — Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, the Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media announced the launch of a comprehensive package of incentives aimed at supporting tourism activities, attracting investments, and enhancing the competitiveness of the tourism sector in the Emirate. These incentives fall within the vision of the Crown Prince of Ajman to develop the tourism business environment and strengthen the sector’s sustainability and resilience in the face of various challenges. The package includes a range of targeted…
[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] The UAE did not face any food shortages during the recent regional crisis, the country’s Minister of Climate Change and Environmentsaid said, citing years of investment in local agriculture and diversified imports that helped safeguard supplies. “We’ve seen our local produce available abundantly in our retail points,” Dr Amna Al Dahak told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition in Al Ain. “The UAE has worked relentlessly through past years to diversify our imports through the different strategic…
RIYADH — The Ministry of Tourism conducted over 19,000 inspection visits to hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations for pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah to ensure readiness for the 2026 Hajj season. More than 11,000 inspections were carried out in Makkah and over 5,000 in Madinah, alongside 3,000 visits to assess temporary housing compliance and service quality. In parallel, field teams conducted over 3,300 awareness visits to promote adherence to quality standards and licensing requirements, resulting in higher compliance and improved sector readiness. Working within an integrated government framework, the ministry aims to ensure pilgrims’ safety and comfort. For the first…
RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan received on Thursday a phone call from Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla. During the call, they reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East. They also discussed a number of topics of mutual interest. Source: Saudi Gazette