KUALA LUMPUR — A second Malaysian state this week dissolved its assembly and called for fresh elections, setting up a key test of public support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s governing coalition amid signs of internal tensions. The chief minister of Negeri Sembilan announced the dissolution late Thursday, according to state news agency Bernama, paving the way for polls to be held at the same time as those in the southern state of Johor, which disbanded its assembly on Monday. No date has been set yet for either vote. While the state polls will not directly impact Anwar’s majority in…
Author: Editorial Team
BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet Kim Jong Un next week in a trip to North Korea, in his first visit in nearly seven years, according to official media in both countries. China is the largest trading partner and political ally of North Korea, which faces sweeping international sanctions as a result of its nuclear weapons program and alleged human rights violations. The visit comes weeks after Xi received US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. It is expected that Kim will seek more trade over the land border and more Chinese tourists to…
ST. PETERSBURG, 5th June, 2026 (WAM) — The Emirates Businesswomen Council and the “Opora Russia” organisation have signed a memorandum of cooperation during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum held in Russia. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in entrepreneurship, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and women’s economic empowerment. The signing was attended by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism; Dr. Mohamed Ahmad Sultan Essa Al Jaber, UAE Ambassador to Russia, and Alexander Kalinin, President of the “Opora Russia” organisation. Both sides affirmed that the memorandum represents an important step towards strengthening economic partnerships, expanding…
DUBAI, 5th June, 2026 (WAM) — Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) continues to strengthen its role in supporting local and global efforts to protect the environment through an integrated portfolio of projects and initiatives that reduce carbon emissions, enhance resource efficiency and accelerate the transition towards clean energy and a green economy. World Environment Day, observed annually on 5th June and held this year under the theme “Now For Climate”, highlights that environmental protection is a strategic necessity closely linked to the future of development, quality of life and the preservation of natural resources for future generations. “Guided by…
Play971, the UAE’s first licensed sports wagering and iGaming platform, has launched access for UAE-based football fans to legally place wagers on upcoming international football matches. The platform, regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, is open to players aged 21 and above and is accessible through mobile and desktop browsers. Operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC, Play971 offers sports wagering across international fixtures from major sports and leagues, as well as regional and local events, including UAE football and horse racing. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The platform also includes…
MUMBAI — In a significant turnaround, a major Indian film workers’ union has withdrawn its directive issued just nine days ago to its members asking them not to work with Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh after his alleged abrupt exit from an upcoming film. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued the informal ban on May 25 after the producers of Don 3 complained that Singh had quit the film just weeks before filming was set to begin. The boycott withdrawal comes after Singh reportedly sent a legal notice to the federation. Announced in 2023, Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3…
WASHINGTON — The US House of Representatives passed a resolution on Wednesday directing President Donald Trump to withdraw American forces from the conflict with Iran or win approval from Congress to continue the war, after four Republicans sided with Democrats in a striking sign of growing opposition to a military campaign now in its fourth month. The House vote is a significant rebuke to the US president and his handling of the war. Democrats have repeatedly forced votes to limit Trump’s war powers in both the House and the Senate but the campaign has gradually picked up more Republican support…
Over the past decade, Middle East countries have sought to emerge as global innovation hubs, with governments across the region making unprecedented tech investments as part of wider economic diversification agendas. To cite just two examples: Saudi Arabia’s announcement of $14.9 billion in technology and AI investments at LEAP 2025 complemented a broader $100 billion AI initiative under Project Transcendence, and the UAE is home to the $15.2 billion Microsoft-backed AI and cloud build-out. The result is a large and expanding market. Digital transformation in the Middle East was valued at approximately $145 billion in 2024, with AI representing more than $40 billion of that total. It is projected to expand more than sixfold…
WORLD CAPITALS, 5th June, 2026 (WAM) — The US dollar was little changed on Friday but remained on track for a weekly gain, while the Japanese yen is testing the 160-per-dollar level. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies including the yen and the euro, was little changed at 99.434, on track for a 0.5 percent gain for the week. Meanwhile, the yen weakened to the critical 160-per-dollar mark briefly in early trades, hitting the level for the third straight. The euro stood at $1.1612, up 0.02 percent so far in Asia, and sterling was…
Two Emirati women have made aviation history at Emirates, becoming the airline’s first female captains and opening new doors for aspiring pilots. Dubai-based Emirates airline has promoted female pilots, Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri, to captains. Both female pilots rose through the Emirates Group’s National Cadet Pilot Programme, an initiative that has graduated numerous Emirati pilots. Hanan Mohammed Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 through the cadet pilot programme, driven by her ambitious lifelong dream of taking to the skies. With mentorship and support from the airline’s fleet management, she steadily progressed through the ranks, building her career from the ground up. Stay up to…