Khaleej Times - May 05, 2025

In this issue

May 05, 2025

KHDA allows 2.35% fee hike in private schools

Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) on Friday approved an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.35 per cent for for-profit private schools in the emirate for academic year 2025-2026.

1 min

UAE jewellery demand slips 18% as gold soars

UAE gold jewellery demand plunged 18 per cent to 7.9 tonnes in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 9.6 tonnes during the same period last year, as high precious metal prices weighed on consumer appetite.

1 min

Dubai chocolate drives up pistachio costs

Pistachio prices in Dubai have seen an increase in recent weeks, and traders believe the reason is linked to the growing global craze for Dubai’s viral Kunafa pistachio chocolate.

2 mins

UAE public schools to teach AI from KG

Public schools across the UAE will introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a formal subject from the academic year 2025-26.

1 min

Model District in Al Barsha 2 to be a 20-minute city

A district in Al Barsha 2 will be one of the first to support the 20-minute city concept envisioned in Dubai.

1 min

Maldives woos UAE tourists with new terminal by year-end

Tourism between UAE and the Maldives is set to grow exponentially as flight frequency will increase with the opening of the new terminal in the archipelagic state’s airport, said Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment in the Maldives.

2 mins

Sharjah warns motorists against blocking emergency vehicles

Delays can be deadly. Authorities in Sharjah are sounding the alarm over a dangerous habit putting lives at risk — blocking emergency vehicles from reaching accident scenes on time.

1 min

UAE launches economic diplomacy index

Aims to track impact of the country's global engagement strategy

2 mins

From solving crime to rescue missions: This policeman brings out the best in K9s

For First Lieutenant Naser Al Falasi, a seasoned dog trainer with the Dubai Police, training canines is more than a profession - it's a hobby, passion and learning.

2 mins

Obesity a disease; BMI does not reveal all about your health, say doctors

Recommend using waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio or bone density scans for correct diagnosis

2 mins

Kids thrilled; mixed response from parents

As the UAE prepares to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) as a mandatory subject in public schools starting next year, students are excited to embrace the technology.

2 mins

KHDA allows 2.35% fee hike in pvt schools

“This sustainable approach to regulating school fees reflects Dubai Government's commitment to transparency and efficiency in the education sector. It ensures that Dubai remains a leading destination for high quality education in line with the goals of the Education 33 Strategy,” she added.

1 min

UAE reaffirms respect for ICJ as Sudan verdict awaited today

The UAE reaffirmed its “commitment to international law and full respect for International Court of Justice (ICJ)” as the ICJ is set to deliver on Monday its decision regarding the case filed by by Sudan against the UAE.

1 min

Dubai's kunafa chocolate drives up pistachio costs by Dh8 a kg

When we asked our suppliers, they told us it’s due to high demand.

2 mins

Educators call for training teachers as AI becomes mandatory subject

School leaders across the UAE are viewing the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into public school curricula from kindergarten through Grade 12 as a \"transformational opportunity\" for both students and educators.

2 mins

From number plates to prison gates: Abu Sabah gets 5-yr jail

For years, Balvinder Singh Sahni, widely known as Abu Sabah, was a familiar figure in Dubai’s elite circles — a businessman whose love for the number 9, the colour blue, luxury cars and rare licence plates made headlines more often than his commercial ventures.

2 mins

Is it legal to co-own property in Dubai with my friend?

Question: I wish to purchase property in Dubai with my friend. Is co-ownership legal in Dubai? Could you explain how it works?

2 mins

How can Muslim women start divorce proceedings to get Khula in Dubai?

Khula is a separation between spouses at the request of the wife and the husband’s acceptance of the consideration offered by the wife or someone else

3 mins

Egypt signs deal with AD Ports to set up logistics zone

Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone signed a 50-year concession deal with the Abu Dhabi Ports Group to set up a 20-square km logistics and industrial zone east of Port Said, AD Ports managing director said in a televised address on Sunday.

1 min

UAE developer inks world's largest realty tokenisation deal

In the world's largest real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation initiative to date, MAG, a leading real estate developer in the UAE, has signed a $3 billion tokenisation agreement with MultiBank Group, the world's largest financial derivatives institution based in Dubai, and Mavryk, a leading blockchain innovator.

2 mins

UAE carriers lead aviation boom as Mideast emerges as global hub

The Middle East aviation market is emerging as the world's second-fastest-growing region with a 5.0 per cent expansion since 2019, trailing only South Asia's 12 per cent growth, according to a leading travel data provider.

2 mins

Dubai stocks gain most among GCC peers

The strength of the Dubai equity markets once again came to the fore last month, as the DFM General Index registered the biggest monthly gain in the GCC during April 2025 with a surge of 4.1 per cent to close at 5,307.15 points.

3 mins

LuLu Retail links with federal eprocurement platform

In a significant move to enhance the efficiency and transparency of government procurement, the Ministry of Finance has signed an agreement with LuLu Retail Holdings to integrate its B2B e-commerce platform, LuLuOn, into the UAE federal government's digital procurement system.

1 min

Pakistan outlines vision to build $1т economy

According to World Bank figures, Pakistan’s GDP stood at $338B, mainly driven by agriculture, construction and IT

2 mins

UAE card transactions likely to surge to Dh565.5B in '25

The UAE's card transactions market is experiencing remarkable growth, with payment values projected to reach Dh565.5 billion in 2025.

3 mins

Transforming sustainability reporting in the UAE

Financial reporting is evolving - with sustainability no longer merely an add-on but a core aspect of business performance.

2 mins

Hotpack plans to invest $100м in first US plant

Hotpack, a UAE-based leader in sustainable food packaging, is set to invest $100 million in a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Edison, New Jersey, marking its first production base in North America.

2 mins

Sobha Realty expanding its modular facility to cater to future demand

Sobha Realty, the leading global luxury real estate developer, is accelerating the expansion of its cutting-edge Sobha Modular Facility in the UAE.

2 mins

Technology reshaping UAE entrepreneurship

Technology is playing a pivotal role in reshaping the entrepreneurship scene in the UAE, and is expected to remain a key driver of the future economy.

2 mins

Why older people may not need to watch blood sugar so closely

Intensive management of diabetes pays fewer dividends as patients age and raises the chances of hypoglycemia. But many people have not gotten the message.

5 mins

Qataris hooked on traditional fishing competition

On the Doha seashore, rows of wooden dhow boats line a pier, with scores of fish on display — part of a festival seeking to revive the country’s long seafaring tradition.

2 mins

Netanyahu threatens retaliation after missile fired by Houthis lands near Israel's main airport

A missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels towards Israel on Sunday landed near Ben Gurion Airport, the country's main international airport, sending a plume of smoke into the air and causing panic among passengers in the terminal building.

2 mins

Hamas executes looters in Gaza as food crisis worsens under Israeli blockade

Hamas has executed a number of alleged looters after several incidents in which heavily armed gangs attacked food stores and community kitchens in the Gaza Strip this week, sources close to the Palestinian militant group said.

2 mins

Maldives president holds record 15-hour press conference

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu addressed a press conference for nearly 15 hours, his office said on Sunday, claiming it broke a previous record held by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

1 min

India-Pakistan gunfire triggers horror of past

For 10 nights straight, gunfire between Indian and Pakistani soldiers has echoed from the mountains and deep valleys that form the heavily defended de facto border between the nuclear-armed rivals.

2 mins

Now, church donation box goes digital in Greece

Devout regulars attending Athens’s main Roman Catholic church that honours a first-century saint have discovered a 21st-century update: their donation box is now hooked up to a digital payments system.

1 min

Singapore ruling party wins election in landslide

Voters have handed Singapore’s long-time ruling party a landslide election victory, offering Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a clear mandate to navigate the trade-orientated South-east Asian nation through economic upheaval sparked by looming US tariffs.

2 mins

Sexual abuse of nuns: One of the Catholic Church's last taboos

Nuns sexually assaulted by priests are one of the last Catholic taboos, but with reports of abuse rising, it is a scandal that will be difficult for the future pope to ignore.

2 mins

Fourteen children arrested in UK after boy dies in fire

British police have said 14 children aged between 11 and 14 were arrested in a northeastern English town after a teenage boy died in a fire at an industrial park.

1 min

Brazil police foil bomb plot targeting Lady Gaga concert

‘Two million’ throng the free event at Rio’s Copacabana

1 min

UK hard right sets sights high after poll triumphs

With a thumping success in local elections this week, the hard-right Reform UK party has loosened Britain’s two-party stranglehold and is already eyeing Downing Street.

2 mins

Trump: 'I don’t know' if must uphold US Constitution as president

US President Donald Trump said in a television interview that he does not know whether he must uphold the US Constitution.

1 min

Trump posts AI-generated photo as pope, drawing Internet outrage

Former Italian PM blasts 'shameful' post

2 mins

US president to meet Gulf leaders in Riyadh, says Saudi source

US President Donald Trump is due to meet the heads of state of six Gulf countries while on a visit to Riyadh later this month, a source close to the Saudi government told AFP on Sunday.

1 min

Some Americans look to make a life in Europe over Trump policies

Relocation firms describe a spike in enquiries; UK and Ireland see an increase in passport applications; some considering the move concerned by right-wing populism in Europe

5 mins

Chelsea outplay champions Liverpool in 3-1 win

Chelsea improved their chances of qualifying for the Champions League with a vital 3-1 victory as Liverpool suffered a Premier League title hangover, while United's winless run in the Premier League reached six games after a 4-3 defeat at Brentford on Sunday.

2 mins

After Suryavanshi, CSK's 17-year-old Mhatre makes his mark

The euphoria around the 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has not died down yet and India appear to have unearthed another teenage batting sensation in Chennai Super Kings opener Ayush Mhatre.

1 min

UAE gear up for final with big win over Oman in ACC U16 West Zone Cup

The UAE juggernaut continued at the ACC Men's U16 West Zone Cup 2025 in Qatar with an emphatic 209-run win over Oman in their last league game on Saturday — their fifth straight win in the tournament.

1 min

Knights survive Parag's six-hitting blitz at Eden

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders survived a batting blitz including six sixes in a row from Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag to win a high-scoring IPL thriller by one run on Sunday.

2 mins

Mohammed conquers the racing world in one glorious weekend

Godolphin achieved the impossible and swept the unprecedented Kentucky-Newmarket Classic quartet to carve its name into the annals of racing history

3 mins

Bollywood stars to watch out for at Met Gala 2025

It is that time of the year again. The biggest night in the world of fashion is just around the corner.

1 min

Gigi Hadid makes things Insta official with Bradley Cooper

Gigi Hadid made her relationship with actor Bradley Cooper official on social media.

1 min

Ahtisa Manalo wins Miss Universe Philippines 2025

After a fiercely competitive Miss Universe Philippines 2025 pageant, one woman emerged victorious: Ma. Ahtisa Manalo from Quezon Province.

1 min

Contestants in India for Miss World competition

With the Miss World 2025 pageant around the corner, excitement is building as contestants from across the world begin to arrive in Hyderabad.

1 min

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Khaleej Times Newspaper Description:

Khaleej Times is the first English newspaper to be launched in the UAE in 1978.

The broadsheet comprises of the general news section, the business pages and a lively sports section. Khaleej Times is the highest circulated of the English language newspapers throughout the Gulf.

It reaches out to all parts of the UAE. Additionally, it covers Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia through a dedicated distribution network.