Author: Editorial Team

WASHINGTON — The US Supreme Court on Monday dealt a major blow to President Donald Trump’s plan to restrict mail-in voting before November’s midterm elections, rejecting his request to lift an order halting the divisive plan. The justices upheld a federal judge’s order that temporarily blocked the US Postal Service (USPS) from moving forward with new requirements for postal ballots. Only two of the six conservative justices on the nine-member panel offered a dissent. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a conservative, agreed with the ruling, but indicated he might later rule in Trump’s favor as litigation in the case continues. Kavanaugh, in…

Cinema Akil is bringing BLACKBIRD back to Dubai for its second edition, with a three-day programme exploring Black memory, voice and legacy through cinema. Running from September 25 to 27 at the independent cinema’s home in Alserkal Avenue, the programme will feature screenings, filmmaker Q&As and conversations with special guests. Curated by Shannon Ayers Holden, Associate Director of Community Relations at Alserkal Avenue, this year’s edition is inspired by Nina Simone’s song Blackbird and brings together films connected by a Black point of view. The programme opens with Mira Nair’s 1991 romantic drama Mississippi Masala, starring Denzel Washington and Sarita…

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose 4.6 percent year-on-year in August 2026, mainly driven by an 8.2 percent increase in other transportable goods and a 2.2 percent rise in metal products, machinery and equipment. According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), basic chemical prices recorded a particularly sharp 51.4 percent annual increase. Prices of metal products, machinery and equipment increased 2.2 percent annually, supported by a 5.4 percent rise in basic metals and a 10.5 percent increase in fabricated metal products. Agriculture and fishery product prices rose 4.8 percent year-on-year, driven by a 9 percent increase…

Saudi Investment Promotion Authority CEO Khaled Alkhattaf opened the second edition of the Life Sciences Innovation Forum, held under the theme “Where Capital Meets Biotech Pioneers,” on the sidelines of the Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit (RGMBS 2026), with the participation of leading investors, innovators, research institutions, and biotechnology sector leaders. In his opening remarks, Alkhattaf emphasized that the forum reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to connecting scientific discovery with investment and commercial viability, and transforming scientific innovations into scalable companies and technologies that create sustainable economic value. He highlighted the importance of providing a stimulating investment environment and effective partnerships that…

Unveiled in Riyadh, the new factory-customised flagship combines premium comfort, advanced technology and all-terrain capability as Jetour UAE prepares for its arrival in the Emirates Published: Tue 15 Sept 2026, 9:58 AM Jetour has marked the regional debut of the new G700 TopFire in Saudi Arabia, introducing a more performance- and adventure-focused interpretation of its flagship G700 SUV ahead of the model’s upcoming arrival in the UAE through Elite Group Holding, Jetour’s exclusive partner in the country. The G700 TopFire was officially unveiled on August 27 at Nofa Riyadh during a regional gathering that brought together Jetour owners, club representatives…

Abdullah A. Qaisi, CEO of EVAD. EVAD, a regional value-added distributor specialising in cybersecurity, has announced its participation in GISEC Global 2026, taking place from 16 to 18 September at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai.  Having participated in previous editions of GISEC Global, EVAD will return in 2026 to connect its technology vendors and channel partners with organisations across the Middle East and Africa.  Through a network of more than 235 channel partners and operations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kenya and Egypt, EVAD supports the regional delivery of specialised cybersecurity technologies. Its portfolio brings together 15…

JERUSALEM — Israel will continue operations to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address on Monday, as he warned of heavy reprisals against the country’s enemies. Netanyahu said the destruction of Hezbollah positions at the Beaufort and Ali Al-Taher ridges was a “massive victory”. “We have achieved another huge victory over Hezbollah. We destroyed its major terrorist stronghold on the Beaufort ridge and the Ali al-Taher ridge,” Netanyahu said. “Our policy is clear: we will continue to destroy terrorist infrastructure in the security zone in Lebanon. We will continue to eliminate any…

Charithra Chandran believes the entertainment industry has lost some of the momentum it gained around representation since the second season of Bridgerton was released in March 2022. Speaking to Khaleej Times during the Middle East Film & Comic Con in Abu Dhabi, the British actress gave a candid response when asked whether the industry had genuinely changed since she appeared as Edwina Sharma in the Netflix period drama. The 29-year-old British actress was born in Perth, Scotland, to Tamil Indian parents. She spent part of her early childhood in Tamil Nadu before returning to the UK, where she was raised.…

The Ministry of Culture has issued a guide on the ethics of using artificial intelligence in the cultural sector, one of the products of the Cultural Policy Lab. The guide aims to promote informed, responsible and fair practices in using AI technologies across the creative industries and mitigate the risks of misuse. It balances harnessing AI’s potential with preserving the authenticity of Saudi creativity and culture. The guide can be downloaded through the ministry’s website via this link: ‏https://www.moc.gov.sa/-/media/Project/Ministries/Moc/Publications/CompaniesUtilizingArtificialIntelligenceinCulturalHistoryArabic.pdf. The guide covers 11 cultural sectors and targets cultural institutions and practitioners, as well as AI technology developers. It outlines potential forms of misuse…

Apple’s latest device lineup includes iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro models, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5. The 2026 portfolio includes the foldable iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro models, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 Apple has unveiled its 2026 device portfolio, led by the company’s first foldable iPhone, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, two new Apple Watch models and AirPods 5. The announcements introduce Apple’s A20 Pro processor, new AI and camera capabilities, advanced health sensing, and an expanded range of devices powered by iOS 27 and watchOS…