UAE Condemns Houthi Attempt to Target Makkah with Drone, Reaffirms Solidarity with Saudi Arabia
The UAE has strongly condemned an attempted Houthi drone attack targeting Makkah al-Mukarramah in Saudi Arabia, calling it a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty and a threat to regional security. The statement, issued by the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, follows a separate wave of Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian areas earlier the same week and reflects deepening regional concern over esc
UAE Formally Joins Pacific Islands Forum as Strategic Partner, Opening New Trade and Climate Ties
The UAE has been formally recognised as a Strategic Partner of the Pacific Islands Forum, joining twelve other major global powers including the US, China and the EU. The status, confirmed at the Forum's Leaders' Meeting in Palau, is expected to open new opportunities for trade, investment and cooperation on climate resilience with Pacific Island nations.
UAE Aviation Holds Steady but Stays on Alert as US-Iran Tensions and Hormuz Tanker Strike Rattle the Region
Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports continued operating largely without major disruption on Tuesday even as the US-Iran conflict remained volatile, with renewed Iranian warnings and a reported strike on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. UAE officials and airlines are urging residents to stay alert and rely on verified sources rather than social media as shipping through Hormuz remains far from normal.
Dubai Enters 10-Day Mourning as Dubai Fountain Suspends Shows Following Death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid
Dubai has entered an official 10-day mourning period following the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, younger brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. The Dubai Fountain has paused its daily performances, flags fly at half-mast across government buildings, and the emirate's entertainment and broadcast schedules have shifted to reflect the solemn period through September 30.
UAE AI Minister Says Too Much Focus on Regulation Can Obscure AI's Practical Benefits
Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE's Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, says the country is giving businesses early access to frontier technologies while letting them keep control of sensitive data. He also said AI should support human interaction rather than replace it, and that further technology announcements are coming.
UAE's Gargash Calls for "New Mindset" and Direct Arab-Iran Dialogue as UN Week Opens
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, says Arab states should hold their own talks with Iran rather than leaving regional strategy to Tehran and Washington. His remarks come as Trump prepares to meet Gulf officials in New York and oil prices ease on hopes of diplomacy.
Dubai Declares 10 Days of Mourning After Death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Dubai has announced ten days of mourning after the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aged 76, the youngest brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. UAE leaders have paid tribute to a figure whose work spanned public service, football and horse racing.
Abu Dhabi Widens Holiday Home Market by Allowing Tenants to Apply Under New Regulations
Abu Dhabi has updated its holiday home framework to allow tenants with landlord consent to apply for short-term rental licences, not just property owners. The move mirrors a similar shift in Dubai and is expected to broaden the emirate's fast-growing short-term rental sector.
GISEC Global 2026 Opens in Dubai as 25,000 Cybersecurity Experts Tackle the Age of AI-Driven Threats
GISEC Global 2026, the Middle East and Africa's largest cybersecurity event, has opened at Dubai Exhibition Centre. This year's 15th edition brings together over 25,000 professionals and 750 exhibitors under the theme "Cyber First: The New Digital Order."
Dubai Approves Dh3.5 Billion Fourth Corridor: New 12-Lane Motorway to Link Sharjah and Abu Dhabi
Dubai's Crown Prince has approved an 80km, 12-lane motorway connecting Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The Dh3.5 billion first phase is expected to cut travel times by up to 60 percent once complete.
AWS Still Can't Restore Bahrain and UAE Cloud Facilities Six Months After Iranian Strikes
Amazon Web Services confirmed it remains unable to restore full service to its Bahrain region and one of its three UAE availability zones, more than six months after Iranian drone and missile strikes caused structural damage during the early phase of the regional conflict.
Saudi Arabia Declares Mecca Security a 'Red Line' After Intercepting Houthi Drone
Saudi Arabia's air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to declare the safety of Islam's holiest sites a "red line." The Houthis denied targeting the city, as the incident deepens an already volatile regional security picture.