Author: Editorial Team

MADINAH — The first batches of Hajj pilgrims from several countries arrived in Madinah and Jeddah on Saturday, Dhul Qada 1, marking the commencement of international arrivals for this year’s pilgrimage. They included pilgrims traveling under the Makkah Route initiative from Turkiye, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Bangladesh in addition to the pilgrims from India. Most of the pilgrims arrived at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Saturday while some groups of pilgrims landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Saudi officials as well as diplomats from the respective countries accorded a warm reception for the pilgrims. The…

TEHRAN — Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous status under the control of Iran’s armed forces, citing what it described as an ongoing US blockade on Iranian ports. In a statement carried by Tasnim news agency, the IRGC joint command said the strategic waterway is under the strict management and control of the armed forces. It added that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled until the United States restores full freedom of movement for vessels traveling to and from Iran. The statement came a day…

Why do we go to a restaurant? Perhaps to enjoy good food. But then, can we not cook good food at home? Perhaps it’s for consistency. Consistency of what — taste, quality, experience? Or maybe to seek a change. A change in what, exactly? Perhaps for a shift in ambience, the subtle difference in flavour, the pleasure of variety. Yet, one might still wonder, can we not create that same variety within the comfort of our own home? Perhaps we step out for something less tangible — a few unguarded moments to look at one another and smile, instead of…

A structured approach to safeguarding assets and ensuring long-term family security in the country Published: Fri 10 Apr 2026, 5:00 PM The Middle East is experiencing its most volatile period in years. Tensions between regional powers have escalated in ways that few anticipated, and for the millions of expatriates living and working in the UAE, one question has never felt more urgent: if something happened to you tomorrow, what would become of everything you have built here? Why uncertainty makes a UAE will urgent right now Most people postpone estate planning for the same reason. Life feels manageable, the future…

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) at Jeddah Islamic Port has foiled an attempt to smuggle 29.1 kilograms of cocaine into the Kingdom. The illicit substance was found concealed within the air conditioning unit of an arriving shipping container.  ZATCA spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi stated that the discovery was made using advanced security technologies during routine inspection procedures. He emphasized that the authority remains committed to tightening control over imports and exports to protect society from narcotics, working in close coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control.  The authority urged the public to support national security by reporting smuggling…

LONDON — The UK Maritime Trade Operations said Saturday it received a report of a tanker being fired upon by two gunboats linked to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in waters between Iran and Oman. In a statement posted on X, the agency said the tanker’s master reported being approached by two IRGC gunboats without any VHF radio challenge before shots were fired. The incident took place around the Strait of Hormuz, about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. UKMTO said officials are investigating the report and that the tanker and its crew were safe. Separately, tanker monitoring service TankerTrackers.com said…

MELBOURNE — Japan and Australia have finalized a major defense agreement worth up to AU$20 billion ($14.4 billion) to jointly develop a new fleet of advanced naval frigates, Kyodo News reported on Saturday. The agreement was confirmed after talks in Melbourne between Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles. Canberra said it plans to invest up to AU$20 billion over the next decade in the project. The new fleet will be based on an upgraded version of Mogami-class frigate and marks a rare case of Japanese-designed warships being exported through a joint development framework. Under current…

Istituto Marangoni, one of the world’s leading institutions in fashion, design, and luxury education, brought its global perspective to Jeddah for the first time through an exclusive masterclass hosted by the Consulate General of Italy at the Park Hyatt. The event was held in the presence of H.E. Leonardo Costa, Consul General of Italy in Jeddah, and gathered a curated audience of creatives, industry voices, and aspiring talent. Marking its first engagement in the city, the evening extended Istituto Marangoni’s dialogue beyond Riyadh, where it established its Saudi presence in 2025, into the wider cultural landscape of the Kingdom at…

In the UAE, some residents as young as in their 40s are being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. However, doctors point out that it is not necessarily because more people are falling ill, but instead because awareness has improved and healthcare facilities have expanded. Patients are being identified earlier, and even younger individuals are getting answers faster. “Diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease are rising due to better awareness, access to specialists, availability of advanced healthcare facilities and longer life expectancy,” said Dr Jaffar Vali Sayyed, Specialist Neurology at Aster Hospital, Al Qusais. Globally, about 1-2 per cent of people over 65 are…

Doctors across the UAE are cautioning residents about a hidden health risk following recent rains — humid indoor air that can trap allergens and lead to respiratory illnesses. The warning comes as the country experiences a spell of unstable weather, marked by heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds reaching up to 60 km/h, and hail. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels Health experts say moisture lingering inside homes after rain can silently degrade air quality, creating ideal conditions for allergens to accumulate and spread. Dr Samah Ahmed, Consultant Pulmonology at Burjeel Day Surgery Center,…