Author: Editorial team

Dubai’s luxury off-plan residential market generated Dh3.72 billion in sales during June, driven by sustained demand for homes priced above Dh5 million, with apartments accounting for the largest share of transactions, according to a market analysis. The report by luxury developer Keturah showed that developers recorded 307 off-plan transactions during the month, with apartments contributing Dh2.12 billion from 166 sales, while villas generated Dh1.61 billion across 141 transactions. The average sale price reached Dh12.1 million per property. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Villa sales were strongest in the Dh5 million to Dh10…

Shakira has officially surpassed 100 million followers on Instagram, becoming the third South American in history to reach the milestone. The Colombian superstar joins football legends Lionel Messi and Neymar as the only South Americans to achieve the feat. The milestone came a day before Shakira took centrestage at the Fifa World Cup final halftime show, where she performed alongside Justin Bieber, Madonna, BTS, and Burna Boy during the 11 minute performance. According to The New York Times, an estimated 1.8 billion people watched the 2026 Fifa World Cup final between Argentina and Spain across television and livestreams, while more…

BEIJING, 20th July, 2026 (WAM) — China has developed more than 400 complete humanoid robot products, accounting for over half of the world’s total, highlighting the country’s rapidly expanding presence in the robotics sector, official data showed Monday. In the first half of the year, China-developed quadruped robots account for nearly 70 percent of global sales, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, 20th July, 2026 (WAM) — Make-A-Wish UAE said its collaboration with more than 46 private schools in Abu Dhabi during the 2025-2026 academic year helped grant 80 wishes to children with critical illnesses. The wishes were granted through awareness campaigns and school-led initiatives organised with the foundation to support its work and promote the values of giving, empathy and social responsibility among students. The foundation said the schools’ participation also helped raise awareness of the positive impact a wish can have on a critically ill child by bringing hope, strength and joy during treatment. The initiatives support the…

SHARJAH, 20th July, 2026 (WAM) — Invest Bank (INB) on Monday announced that Fitch Ratings has assigned Invest Bank P.S.C. (INB) a Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘BBB+’ with a Stable Outlook and Government Support Rating (GSR) of ‘bbb+’, marking the bank’s IDR at investment-grade. The rating represents an important milestone in the bank’s ongoing transformation and provides independent recognition of the progress achieved in strengthening its financial profile, rebuilding its franchise and positioning the Bank for sustainable long-term growth. According to Fitch, Invest Bank’s Long-Term IDR is backed by the expected Government support alongside adequate capitalisation, good liquidity…

DUBAI, 20th July, 2026 (WAM) — The UAE continues to consolidate its position as a global model for investing in people through sport, supported by an integrated ecosystem that combines infrastructure development, broader participation and talent development. This approach reflects a long-term strategic vision that treats sport as a tool for comprehensive development and future-building. Recent years have witnessed a notable expansion in “sport for all” programmes and community activities through targeted initiatives serving all segments of society, from children and young people to senior citizens and People of Determination. These efforts aim to promote healthy lifestyles and establish sport…

Ras Al Khaimah welcomed more than 670,000 visitors in the first half of the year, driven by a sharp rise in domestic tourism that helped the emirate weather what is traditionally one of the tourism sector’s most challenging periods, according to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). Phillipa Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of RAKTDA, said domestic demand has remained a key pillar of the emirate’s tourism strategy, helping sustain hotel occupancy during the summer months. “Our RAK Moments campaign continues to be a key driver of domestic demand,” Harrison said, adding that the initiative has generated 224,000 room…

SHARJAH, 19th July, 2026 (WAM) — The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has finalised all preparations to launch the 10th edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival, which will take place from 23rd to 26th July at Expo Al Dhaid. This year’s edition will feature extensive participation from palm farmers and leading date producers from across the UAE, alongside key government and private sector entities involved in the agricultural sector. Celebrating a decade since its launch, the festival has evolved into one of the most important economic, heritage-themed, and agricultural events annually organised by the Sharjah Chamber. The…

Rajiv Meherish, founder and CEO of Dubai-based retro-chic restaurant chain Raju Omlet, passed away on Sunday. Meherish launched Raju Omlet in 2013, turning a humble concept centred around egg-based dishes into a popular homegrown brand. The restaurant has since expanded to at least seven outlets across Dubai. His long-term vision was to take Raju Omlet beyond the UAE and build it into a global brand. When Khaleej Times contacted Raju Omlet outlets, staff members confirmed the news and said the restaurants continued to operate as usual. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Kamal…

ABU DHABI, 20th July, 2026 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed the latest regional developments and the situation in the Middle East during a phone call with Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Safadi strongly condemned the hostile Iranian attacks targeting the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait with missiles and drones. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed reaffirmed the UAE’s full solidarity with…