Author: Gulf Times

Australia have maintained a commanding lead in both the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings and the ICC Women’s ODI Team Rankings following the annual updates carried out on Friday. The latest rankings, which rate all matches played since May 2025 at 100 per cent and those of the previous two years at 50 per cent, see Australia keep a 12-point lead over South Africa in the Men’s Test Rankings and are 35 points ahead of England in the Women’s ODIs table. The Men’s Test Rankings see Australia and South Africa retain their top two positions after gaining three rating points…

RABAT (WAM) — Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture, oversaw a series of cultural and humanitarian initiatives organised by the Foundation in Rabat, in celebration of the city’s designation as UNESCO World Book Capital 2026. Designed to support children and expand access to learning, the initiatives reflect a shared commitment to advancing knowledge, inclusion, and human development through meaningful cultural engagement. The visit featured Kalimat Foundation’s two flagship programmes. Under the “Pledge a Library” initiative, the Foundation gifted a Portable Library containing Arabic-language children’s books…

ABU DHABI, 29th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, organised a virtual forum under the “Nafea” community and national awareness campaign, dedicated to safeguarding children and youth. Held across public schools in the UAE, the forum coincided with the Year of the Family 2026. It forms part of a strategic partnership aimed at reinforcing authentic Emirati values and translating national directives into practical initiatives that enhance quality of life and promote a safe, supportive learning environment. The forum featured a series of educational sessions delivered by specialised departments within the Ministry…

DUBAI, 29th April, 2026 (WAM) — Dubai Founders HQ, an initiative by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, has successfully completed its first wave of accelerator programmes, delivering tangible execution, impactful corporate engagement, and credible venture scalability. Delivered in partnership with global innovation leader Plug and Play, the programmes have demonstrated a new model for rapidly translating innovation into commercial deployment. Delivered over 100 days, the programme brought together 23 startups, featuring Emirati and resident founders, and 5 leading corporate partners, resulting in 36 proof-of-concept (PoC) opportunities, of which 15 are currently…

AS AL KHAIMAH (WAM) — As part of its efforts to enhance the transportation system and simplify the mobility experience within the emirate, Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) has signed an agreement with Uber, to launch the Uber app services in the emirate. The agreement aims to strengthen the transport ecosystem in Ras Al Khaimah and provide smart and diverse mobility options by enabling users to book taxis and limousines through the Uber app. The agreement was signed by Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi, Director-General of RAKTA, and Tala Nsouli, General Manager of Uber UAE, at RAKTA’s headquarters, in the…

DUBAI, 29th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Dubai Civility Committee commended the civic contributions and positive initiatives of several individuals who assisted with water drainage across the emirate’s streets following the recent unstable weather conditions. As part of Dubai’s exceptional response to recent weather impact, their efforts helped facilitate traffic flow, report sidewalk damage, and support environmental preservation. The Committee recognised Ahmed Nasser Lootah for opening his private yard in Muhaisnah 1 as a vehicle bypass, helping drivers avoid flooded streets. Student Mohammed AlMheiri, Talabat driver Ahmed Zulfiqar and Keeta driver Azeem Fayyazz were recognised for their social responsibility and…

Johnson Controls launches Balanced Cooling to resolve low Delta T performance and cut energy waste in mission‑critical UAE campuses Eliminates low Delta T at scale, cutting surcharges by up to 100%, reducing pumping energy by up to 40%, and minimizing comfort complaints in continuously operating facilities. End‑to‑end Delta T optimization, combining smart valve retrofits, real‑time monitoring, AI diagnostics, and intelligent control. Cuts energy waste and carbon emissions, directly supporting decarbonization goals in large, centralized cooling systems. UAE‑ready and retrofit‑friendly, designed to integrate seamlessly with existing centralized plants and BMS infrastructure. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April, 27, 2026 –  Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), a…

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH) has unveiled ‘Sports Hub Cares,’ a bold new community initiative designed to make sport accessible to all by opening its world-class facilities free of charge for all during specific hours. The six-week programme, running until 31 May 2026, marks a major step forward in ADCSH’s refreshed 2026 community strategy placing accessibility, participation, and wellbeing at the heart of its offering. Under a single, unifying umbrella, ‘Sports Hub Cares’ brings together a wide range of programmes and partnerships aimed at delivering meaningful, long-term impact across Abu Dhabi’s diverse population. Phase 1 of the…

South Africa captain, Laura Wolvaardt has advanced two slots to third place and career-best rating points of 786 in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings following the conclusion of her team’s successful home series against India. Wolvaardt smashed an unbeaten, 56-ball 92 to finish the five-match series with a total of 330 runs – the most individual runs in a women’s bilateral T20I series – as her team won the series 4-1. She was awarded the Player of the Series award and is now just two rating points behind number two, Beth Mooney and 29 behind Georgia Voll who tops…

Dubai – The Consul General of Pakistan, Hussain Muhammad, underscored the vital role of overseas Pakistanis as a national asset, praising their continued contributions to the country’s economic stability through formal remittance channels. He expressed these views at the launch ceremony of Index Exchange’s awareness campaign titled “Ab Ki Baar — Roshan Pakistan Ki Bahaar” held in Dubai. He stated that remittances sent through legal channels significantly strengthen Pakistan’s economy and contribute to sustainable national development. He further noted that the campaign not only acknowledges the efforts of the Pakistani diaspora but also represents a positive step toward a brighter,…