Author: Editorial team

Two hantavirus cases have been confirmed and five others are suspected among people on a cruise ship stuck off Cape Verde, including three who have died, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Tuesday. “As of 4 May 2026, seven cases (two laboratory confirmed cases of hantavirus and five suspected cases) have been identified, including three deaths, one critically ill patient and three individuals reporting mild symptoms,” the World Health Organization said in a statement. Three of the people are no longer on the ship and four remain on board. Passengers and crew desperately hunkered down in isolation on a ship…

ABU DHABI, 5th May, 2026 (WAM) — The Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro Association announced the start of the countdown to the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu Championship, set to take place at Mubadala Arena in the capital from 15th to 17th May, under the patronage of EDGE Group, with expectations of wide participation from elite male and female athletes from around the world. The championship forms part of an integrated system through which the UAE has consolidated its position as the global capital of jiu-jitsu, supported by the vision of the wise leadership and ongoing coordination between the UAE Jiu-Jitsu…

ABU DHABI, 5th May, 2026 (WAM) — UAE Team Emirates-XRG will participate in the 109th edition of the Giro d’Italia, the first Grand Tour of the season, which begins next Friday in Bulgaria and concludes in the Italian capital, Rome, continuing until 31st May. The team has announced its official line-up for the global event, with strong ambitions to compete across all classifications, including the general classification and stage victories. British rider Adam Yates will lead the team’s ambitions in the race, drawing on his extensive experience in three-week Grand Tours and his ability to compete in demanding mountain stages,…

DUBAI, 5th May, 2026 (WAM) — The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, represented by the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, announced the issuance of 759 housing approvals during the first quarter of 2026, with a total value exceeding AED616 million. These included: 129 housing grants and benefits worth AED102.9 million, 583 housing loans and financing solutions, delivered in partnership with national banks, valued at AED460.5 million, and 47 government housing loans within residential complexes worth AED53.2 million. This milestone reflects the accelerating pace of delivery and the growing efficiency and sustainability of the UAE’s housing support system. This strong performance builds…

ABU DHABI, 5th May, 2026 (WAM) — TA’ZIZ today announced at the Make it in the Emirates forum the signing of long-term agreements spanning offtake, feedstock and sales across its chemicals portfolio, including methanol, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene dichloride (EDC), vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), caustic soda, salt and natural gas valued at $28.5 billion (AED104.6 billion). Ranging from five to 25 years, the agreements secure both global offtake and reliable local feedstocks, anchoring large-scale chemical production within the UAE and reinforcing TA’ZIZ’s role in building a fully integrated domestic chemicals ecosystem. The deals include sale agreements with ADNOC and Proman…

UAE family enterprises contribute roughly 60 per cent of national GDP and account for more than 80 per cent of the private sector workforce, senior business leaders said on Monday (May 4). They also stressed the need for stronger governance and long-term planning to sustain family-owned companies across generations. The remarks were made during a panel discussion at the Make in the Emirates Forum 2026 in Abu Dhabi, moderated by Anas Bukhash, CEO and Founder of AB Talk. Mohamed Al Abbar, CEO of Emaar Properties, opened the session by drawing on lessons from the 2008 financial crisis, Covid-19, and recent…

ABU DHABI, 4th May, 2026 (WAM) — The UAE continues to set a new global benchmark for the secure and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), as the UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC), Open Innovation AI, and Cisco, working in strategic collaboration with Emircom, today announced the establishment of the National AI Test and Validation Lab. This marks a first-of-its-kind facility to help UAE government entities and private sector organizations test, validate and certify AI models, agents and applications for security, safety and trustworthiness. Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, said, “Following the directions of…

ABU DHABI, 5th May, 2026 (WAM) — The Muslim World League (MWL) has condemned the Iranian attack targeting civilian and economic facilities in the United Arab Emirates. In a statement issued by its General Secretariat, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the MWL and Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars, denounced the criminal Iranian attacks, which violate all religious values and international and humanitarian laws and norms. He stressed full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates in all measures it takes to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents. Source: Emirates News Agency

At a time of heightened global and regional uncertainty, companies in the UAE are not pulling back. Instead, business leaders are doubling down on investment and long-term growth, underpinned by confidence in the country’s economic direction and institutional strength. In conversations with Khaleej Times, top CEOs and business leaders spoke of expansion plans and confidence in the country’s ability to stay resilient through uncertainty. Their perspectives form the first instalment of Voices of the UAE, a new six-part Khaleej Times editorial series that launches today. Stay u The first instalment, Leadership, features senior business leaders, CEOs and entrepreneurs from across…

ABU DHABI, 5th May, 2026 (WAM) — The Muslim Council of Elders today condemned in the strongest terms the renewed brazen Iranian attack targeting civilian centers and facilities in the UAE using missiles and drones, which resulted in the injury of three Indian nationals. The Council affirmed its unequivocal rejection of such treacherous and criminal attacks, which constitute a flagrant violation of state sovereignty and are a direct threat to regional security and stability as well as a grave breach of international law and the United Nations Charter. The Council expresseed its solidarity with the UAE—its leadership, government, and people—offering…