Author: Editorial Team
Dubai’s planned smart medical visa could make it easier and faster for overseas patients to travel to the emirate for treatment, according to healthcare providers. Hospital leaders told Khaleej Times that the initiative could reduce paperwork, improve coordination between hospitals and government authorities, and create a smoother experience for patients seeking specialised care in Dubai. Dr Shanila Laiju, group CEO of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres, said the new visa could eventually serve as a single digital gateway for patients. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels “A truly smart medical visa platform should…
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s Makkah Region branch conducted more than 15,504 inspection tours of markets, slaughterhouses, and related facilities during this year’s Hajj season, resulting in 462 violations. The total number of animals slaughtered during the season reached 90,825 head, as part of efforts to safeguard public health and consumer safety. Volunteer work was prominent during the season, with 327 volunteer opportunities organized and 1,161 male and female volunteers participating. Through these efforts, 1,585 meals and more than 305,191 bottles of water were distributed, reflecting the values of solidarity and giving that characterize Saudi society in its…
BEIRUT — The Israeli army said Thursday it will continue its ongoing offensive in southern Lebanon despite a trilateral declaration issued in Washington announcing an agreement on a ceasefire, while Defense Minister Israel Katz said military operations will continue until Hezbollah is removed from areas south of the Litani River. Several people have been wounded in an Israeli drone attack on a vehicle after Israel and Lebanon officials agreed to halt the war after a series of meetings in Washington. “Fighting in southern Lebanon is ongoing, and the Israeli army continues to target Hezbollah facilities and infrastructure located in and…
RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan received on Thursday phone calls from Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. During the call, Prince Faisal and Abdelatty discussed the latest regional developments. They reviewed the continuation of bilateral coordination and consultation, which contributes to strengthening regional security and stability. In their phone conversation, Prince Faisal and Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah discussed regional developments and related efforts. Source: Saudi Gazette
A cultural seminar on Islamic scripts and rock inscriptions was held with the participation of specialists in Islamic history, heritage, and archaeology, as part of the cultural program through which the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission is leading Saudi Arabia’s participation as guest of honor at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2026. The seminar addressed the origins of Arabic script and the development of early Arabic writings in the Kingdom as among the oldest civilizational records documenting cultural and religious transformations in the Arabian Peninsula, alongside the characteristics and artistic aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy. It highlighted that Islamic rock…
GENEVA — Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi emphasized the importance of responsible artificial intelligence in shaping a more inclusive, productive, and sustainable future of work. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing a plenary session at the 114th Session of the International Labor Conference (ILC), being held from June 1 to 12, in Geneva. Al-Rajhi heads the Saudi delegation attending the conference and the delegation includes representatives of the three production parties: governments, employers, and workers. The minister highlighted Saudi Arabia’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment…
NEW YORK — Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil attended an event on the role of sport in promoting dialogue among peoples at UN headquarters in New York on Thursday. In his speech, Alwasil stressed that sport is a universal language that helps build bridges of understanding, strengthen ties, and promote the values of cooperation and peace among nations. He reviewed the qualitative progress achieved by Saudi Arabia’s sports sector under Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s growing presence on the international sports stage, citing its upcoming hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2034.…
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has called on establishments subject to withholding tax in the Kingdom to submit their May 2026 withholding tax forms by June 10, 2026. Submissions must be completed via the authority’s website at zatca.gov.sa to avoid a late payment penalty of 1% of the unpaid tax for every 30 days past the due date. The authority also invited business sector taxpayers seeking further information on withholding tax to contact its unified call center at 19993, available 24/7, or to reach out through X at @Zatca_Care, by email at info@zatca.gov.sa, or via live chat on…
MADINAH — Prophet’s Mosque’s cooling system is enhanced by 117,000 square meters of white Thassos marble, according to the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The authority said the marble covers the rooftop and outdoor courtyards of the Prophet’s Mosque, serving as both a prominent architectural feature and a key component of its environmental cooling system. Renowned for its bright white color and high reflective properties, Thassos marble helps reduce ambient temperatures while maintaining a cool surface, allowing worshippers to feel its cooling effect beneath their feet as they pray…
DUBAI — The US military on Wednesday refuted Iranian claims that a US missile interceptor had damaged Kuwait International Airport were false, adding that Iran struck the civilian airport with drones in a “deliberate, calculated, and unjustified attack.” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied responsibility for damaging the airport terminal, claiming the destruction was linked to a malfunction in the American-made Patriot missile defense system and not the result of an Iranian strike, the Tasnim news agency reported. Kuwait said on Wednesday Iranian attacks on its territory killed one person and wounded several others, as well as forcing its…