Author: Editorial team

DUBAI, 2nd April, 2026 (WAM) — The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai has announced the launch of the Mosque Lessons series for April 2026, as part of efforts to promote religious awareness and strengthen faith-based values in line with national objectives to enhance family cohesion and quality of life. The series offers a comprehensive educational programme addressing Sharia and jurisprudential topics aligned with community needs and contemporary developments. The programme begins on 1st April with a lecture titled “Rulings on Qunoot in Times of Calamity,” followed by “Belief in Divine Decree, Its Good and Its Evil”…

Dubai has rolled out fully driverless commercial taxi services, allowing residents and visitors to book rides with no human driver through the Apollo Go app. Dubai Taxi Company (DTC), in partnership with Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing platform Apollo Go, launched the service on Tuesday, marking the platform’s first international app deployment and a key milestone for driverless mobility in the region. The initiative is part of Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 per cent of all journeys in the city into smart and driverless trips by 2030. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on…

SEOUL, 2nd April, 2026 (WAM) — South Korea’s consumer prices rose 2.2 percent in March from a year earlier, mainly due to a hike in global oil prices caused by prolonged tensions in the Middle East, government data showed Thursday, Yonhap News Agency reported. The reading, which hovers above the government’s 2 percent inflation target, marks the steepest on-year increase since December, when inflation stood at 2.3 percent, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The latest rise was driven by a surge in the price of petroleum products, which jumped 9.9 percent from a year earlier, marking the…

CAPE CANAVERAL, 2nd April, 2026 (WAM) — Four astronauts launched today towards the Moon aboard the Orion capsule, using the Space Launch System rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the US state of Florida. US President Donald Trump praised NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years, describing it as completely successful, in remarks made just hours before the earliest possible launch window for the Artemis 2 mission. The Artemis 2 mission had previously been delayed several times due to technical issues and may face further postponement. The mission, expected to last around 10 days, will…

ABU DHABI, 1st April, 2026 (WAM) — The United Arab Emirates, headed by H.H. Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, participated in the 43rd session of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, held virtually. The session included the participation of the Ministers of Interior of the brotherly Arab states, representatives of the League of Arab States, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, the Arab Police Sports Federation, and high-level Arab security delegations. In his address, H.H. noted that this session was being held at a time when the region is facing…

[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.] In a move to reassure its workforce, a UAE-based school group has announced that all employees will receive full salaries for April despite the continued shift to distance learning. Woodlem Education said the decision reinforces its commitment to staff welfare during this period, adding that employees will continue to receive full pay for the month, ensuring stability across its workforce. Balancing support for parents and employees The announcement follows an earlier step by the group to waive transport fees for students across its schools and nurseries during…

VIENNA,1st April, 2026 (WAM) — Austria’s inflation rate rose by 0.9% to 3.1% in March, while energy prices increased by 6.1% year-on-year. Statistics Austria attributed the main reason for the rise in inflation to higher fuel and heating oil prices. The latest periodic statistical data showed that the services sector continues to play a major role in driving inflation in Austria. Prices in the services sector increased from 4.0% in February to 4.5% in March. Food, tobacco, and beverage prices also rose by 2.4% on a monthly basis, according to a statement by Manuela Lenk, Director of Statistics Austria. Regarding…

DUBAI, 1st April, 2026 (WAM) – The Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) announced the success of the “trial races” for Arabian and Thoroughbred horses across various racecourses in the country, with the participation of 971 horses in 26 races. In a report issued today on the occasion of the conclusion of the trial races, the ERA revealed a steady increase in the number of participants throughout the season, as well as the strong interest of owners and trainers, given the importance of these races in confirming the readiness of the horses. Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, 2nd April, 2026 (WAM) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has issued a statement affirming that the UAE is home to a respected and valued Iranian community that forms an integral part of its social fabric and contributes to its diversity and openness. The UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities, reflecting its enduring commitment to the values of coexistence and tolerance, and its unwavering dedication to all those who reside within the country. In this context, the Ministry underscored that, in light of inaccurate media claims circulated regarding the residency status of the Iranian community,…

Dubai’s Crown Prince on Wednesday, April 1, directed all government entities in the emirate to integrate services for individuals and businesses into a unified digital ecosystem within one year. These services will be delivered through streamlined, specialised platforms that reduce time and effort. He also tasked Digital Dubai with coordinating across all entities to oversee implementation and ensure full integration. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s remarks came during his visit to Digital Dubai where he announced the emirate had entered a new era in which the city is managed autonomously through data and artificial intelligence, where integrated…