Khaleej Times: Why Reading News Still Matters in UAE
Khaleej Times is one of the best known newspapers in the United Arab Emirates. Launched in 1978, it was the country’s first English language daily, and it has grown with the UAE from a young federation into a global business and travel hub. For the millions of expatriates who live there, including a very large Indian community, a trusted local paper is one of the easiest ways to keep up with rules, prices, jobs and events. This updated guide looks at the history of Khaleej Times, where it stands in October 2026, and why reading the news still matters for anyone living in or moving to the UAE.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 16 April 1978 |
| Language | English |
| Based in | Dubai, UAE |
| Publisher | Galadari Printing and Publishing |
| Website launched | 1997, redesigned January 2026 |
| Chief executive | Charles Yardley (since September 2024) |
| Editor in chief | Ted Kemp |
| Combined digital reach | 37.2 million across web and social media (publisher figure, February 2026) |
A Short History
Khaleej Times first appeared on 16 April 1978, only a few years after the UAE was formed in 1971. It began as a partnership between the UAE government, the Galadari Brothers group and Pakistan’s Dawn Group, and was the first daily newspaper in the country to be printed in English. At the time, the expatriate population was growing quickly as oil money funded new roads, ports and towns, and many of those workers needed news in a language they could read.
The paper is published by Galadari Printing and Publishing. Over the decades it built a readership across all seven emirates and among Gulf readers abroad. It launched its website in 1997, one of the early moves online by a newspaper in the region, and has since added apps, video, newsletters and social media channels.
Khaleej Times in 2026
The paper has gone through a period of change in recent years. Charles Yardley became chief executive in September 2024. Ted Kemp joined as chief content officer in May 2025 and leads the newsroom as editor in chief. On 29 January 2026 the paper launched a redesigned website with clearer sections for UAE news, World, Business, Tech and Life. Since February 2026 the publisher has listed a combined digital reach of 37.2 million, which adds its 6.5 million website users to its audiences on Facebook, Instagram, X and other platforms. It is a total across channels rather than a count of separate readers, but it shows how much of its audience now comes online rather than through print.
Like most newspapers, Khaleej Times now runs a mix of breaking news, explainers and service journalism. Service stories cover things readers use every day: public holidays, fuel prices, visa and residency rules, traffic fines, school calendars and weather alerts.
Why Reading the News Matters in the UAE
Reading the news is useful anywhere, but the UAE has some special reasons.
Rules and Fees Change Often
Visa categories, residency rules, labour regulations, school fees and traffic rules are updated regularly. A change can affect your job, your family’s paperwork or your budget. Local papers usually report official announcements quickly and explain what they mean in plain language.
Most Residents Are Expatriates
Around nine in ten people in the UAE are expatriates, and Indians form the largest single group. Many arrive without knowing local customs or systems. A good newspaper fills that gap with guides on renting, banking, healthcare, driving licences and more.
Prices Affect Daily Life
Fuel prices in the UAE are set each month, and rents, school fees and utility bills can move from year to year. Following business and consumer news helps residents plan.
Safety and Weather
The UAE has heat waves, sandstorms, fog and, at times, heavy rain and flooding. Official weather warnings are shared through the news, along with road closures and safety advice.
Work and Business
Job markets, company openings, free zone rules and tax changes, such as corporate tax and VAT, are covered in business pages. For professionals and small business owners, this can make a real difference to planning.
Connection to Home
Expatriate readers also want news from their home countries. English papers in the UAE carry regular coverage of India, Pakistan, the Philippines and other communities, along with remittance rates and flight news.
The Wider Benefits of Reading Regularly
Beyond practical updates, regular reading has quieter benefits. It builds vocabulary and writing skills, which matter in workplaces where English is the common language among colleagues from many countries. It helps readers understand the economy, technology and world events well enough to hold an informed conversation. It also makes people more aware of their neighbours, since a city like Dubai or Abu Dhabi brings together residents from more than 200 nationalities with different festivals, foods and traditions.
Long form features and opinion pages encourage readers to think through issues rather than react to a headline. Over time, that habit makes it easier to spot weak arguments and misleading claims, whatever the source.
Reading the News With Children
Many families in the UAE use the news to support their children’s learning. Schools often ask pupils to follow current affairs, and a short daily story read together can lead to good questions about science, geography or how government works. Choosing age appropriate sections, such as science, sport, environment and culture, keeps it interesting. Talking about how a reporter checks a fact also teaches children to question what they see online.
How Media Works in the UAE
Newspapers in the UAE operate under federal media rules, and the UAE Media Council, set up in 2023, oversees licensing and content standards. Readers should know that coverage reflects local laws on topics such as religion, national security and privacy. This does not reduce the value of local papers for everyday information, but it is one more reason to read widely, including international outlets, on global stories.
Edited News Versus Social Media
Many people now get news from WhatsApp forwards and social media posts. These can spread quickly but are often wrong, out of date or deliberately misleading. In the UAE, sharing false information or rumours online can also break the law. Reading a newspaper that checks facts, names its sources and corrects mistakes is a safer way to stay informed. A simple habit helps: before sharing a message about a rule change, look for the same story on a trusted news site or an official government channel.
Other News Sources in the UAE
Khaleej Times is one of several established outlets. Other English language papers include Gulf News and The National, and there are major Arabic dailies such as Al Khaleej, Al Bayan and Emarat Al Youm. Radio and television channels, along with official government portals and the state news agency WAM, also publish updates. Reading more than one source gives a fuller picture, especially on big stories.
How to Read Khaleej Times
- Website: the redesigned site organises news by UAE, World, Business, Tech and Life.
- Apps: mobile apps send alerts for breaking news.
- Newsletters: email briefings summarise the day’s main stories.
- Print: the printed paper is still sold at shops and delivered to homes and offices.
- Social media: official accounts share headlines and video.
Tips for Getting the Most From the News
- Follow one or two trusted outlets and turn on alerts only for topics that matter to you.
- Read beyond the headline before forming a view or sharing.
- Check the date of any story about rules or fees, since older articles may be outdated.
- For legal or visa matters, confirm with the official government source.
- Use business and consumer sections to plan big expenses such as rent and school fees.
If you are thinking about a media career, see our guide on choosing a journalism college in India. Indian readers weighing a move or an investment can read Bangalore versus Dubai for property, and our piece on how social media can affect you explains why rumours spread so fast.
Many residents read the news on the metro or during breaks, so short daily briefings suit busy schedules.
Students and new arrivals can also use newspaper explainers to learn the names of local authorities and services.
Readers who spot an error can write to the newsroom, and reputable papers publish corrections when needed.
What We Changed From the Old Post
The old post listed general benefits of reading and a set of newspapers and channels without sources. We rewrote it in plain English, added the paper’s history and owners, its new leadership, the January 2026 website relaunch and the latest reported reach, gave UAE specific reasons to follow the news, added a section on rumours versus edited news, and removed unsourced rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Khaleej Times started?
It was launched on 16 April 1978 as the UAE’s first English language daily.
Who publishes Khaleej Times?
Galadari Printing and Publishing, based in Dubai.
Is Khaleej Times available online?
Yes. Its website has run since 1997 and was redesigned in January 2026. It also has apps and newsletters.
Why should expatriates read local news in the UAE?
Rules, fees and prices change often, and local news explains these changes, along with safety alerts and community updates.