Author: Editorial Team
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has secured accreditation for AlUla Manara and Gharameel Nature Reserve as the first dark sky sites in Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf. Awarded by DarkSky International, this recognition highlights the sites’ success in preserving pristine nocturnal environments and combating light pollution. Characterized by exceptional visual clarity and unique geological formations, these locations offer ideal conditions for stargazing and viewing the Milky Way. They have become premier destinations for astronomy enthusiasts and astrophotographers seeking rare moments of contemplation under clear skies, far from urban light interference. Founded in 1988, DarkSky International is the global…
Roads General Authority (RGA) CEO Engineer Badr Al-Dulami conducted a field tour of road projects in Madinah to ensure the network’s operational readiness and safety in accommodating the high traffic volumes expected during the upcoming 1447 AH Hajj season. Al-Dulami reviewed project progress and emphasized the strict implementation of global quality and safety standards, reflecting the RGA’s commitment to enhancing road reliability and operational efficiency for a seamless travel experience for pilgrims and visitors. The initiative underscores the authority’s role in supervising the road sector through continuous field monitoring, ensuring that Madinah’s arterial routes meet the highest levels of safety…
A young boy handing out UAE flags on Dubai’s Boulevard Street is drawing attention online, with many recognising him as Majed Omar, the child widely known as the UAE’s “Sheikh of happiness”. Majed, who previously went viral riding in a miniature Mercedes, was seen offering small UAE flags to passersby, prompting smiles and brief interactions that quickly spread across social media. His gesture comes days after a call by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, urging residents and citizens to raise the UAE flag as a symbol of unity, pride, and collective strength. The response across the country was immediate,…
His Excellency the Saudi Minister of Finance, Mr. Mohammed Aljadaan, participated in the first Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting (FMCBG) under the United States G20Presidency, held April 16, 2026 on the sidelines of the 2026 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, Minister Aljadaan emphasized that global growth prospects are closely linked to geopolitical stability, noting that volatility in energy markets and disruptions to supply chains pose immediate challenges to global economic growth and financial stability. Underscoring the importance of maintaining stable and reliable energy markets as a key…
Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana said Monday that it had appointed the former Gucci boss Stefano Cantino as its co-chief executive, part of a management shake-up as it seeks to refinance its debt. He will be co-CEO with Alfonso Dolce, the brother of D&G co-founder and designer Domenico Dolce, the company said in a statement. Alfonso Dolce has also been chairman since January following the resignation of the brand’s other co-founder, designer Stefano Gabbana, who retains his creative duties. Cantino is a fashion veteran who most recently served as chief executive of rival luxury brand Gucci. D&G said his…
BEIRUT — A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has come into force, with celebratory gunfire heard in Beirut and other cities as the truce began at midnight local time. The truce, marking a pause in weeks of escalating violence along the border, was announced by Donald Trump and agreed upon by both sides following their first direct diplomatic talks in decades, held in Washington earlier this week. Tensions had remained high until the final moments before the ceasefire took effect. Hezbollah continued launching attacks targeting northern Israeli communities late into Thursday night, leaving at least eight people injured, including…
[Editor’s Note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] From the first moments of uncertainty to the cautious calm following a ceasefire in the US-Israel-Iran war, residents across the UAE have been riding an emotional wave. In the early days of the crisis, many people slipped into what health specialists describe as “survival mode” — a state where the body and mind focus almost entirely on immediate safety. “During acute stress, the body prioritises survival,” Jamie Richards, Chief Wellbeing Officer at Valeo Health, told the Khaleej Times. “Systems like heart rate and stress…
Jodel today announced the launch of its Trust Hub in Saudi Arabia, a new transparency and safety centre explaining how the platform handles user reports, moderation decisions, appeals and child-safety standards. The Trust Hub is launching in the Kingdom ahead of rollout to other markets worldwide. Saudi Arabia is Jodel’s largest market in the GCC and one of its top three markets globally, with 6M+ users and more than 113 active communities organised around cities, towns, universities and neighbourhoods. Jodel’s hyperlocal structure enables location-based conversations where users exchange everyday advice, discuss local developments and support one another in their immediate…
MANILA — A key suspect at the heart of a corruption scandal that sparked widespread anger in the Philippines has been arrested in the Czech Republic, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday. Zaldy Co, a former Philippine congressman, fled the country and had his passport canceled after being charged in a corruption scandal over flood control projects. The alleged crime, believed to have cost taxpayers billions of dollars, sparked protests and arrests across the storm-battered archipelago, which was hit by hundreds of floods last year alone according to United Nations data. Elizaldy Co was charged alongside a number of…
RICHMOND — Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, inside their home and then killed himself shortly after midnight on Thursday, police said. Fairfax, 47, was a rising star in Virginia politics before his ascent was derailed by sexual assault allegations in 2019. The couple’s two teenage children were inside the home when the shootings occurred, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said, noting their son had placed the 911 call. The shooting stemmed from an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding “what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce,” Davis said. It happened…