Author: Editorial team

[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.] UAE air defences on Saturday, March 21, dealt with 3 ballistic missiles and 8 drones coming from Iran. Since the start of the brazen Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have dealt with 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1748 drones. These attacks resulted in the death of 2 members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as the killing of 6 civilians of Pakistani, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, and Palestinian nationalities. A total of 160 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate…

A landmark cultural institution celebrates Uzbekistan’s centuries-old contribution to Islamic scholarship, science, and global intellectual heritage Published: Tue 17 Mar 2026, 8:59 AM A new chapter in the celebration of Central Asia’s intellectual legacy begins in Tashkent, highlighting the region’s pivotal role in the advancement of global knowledge. For centuries, the Silk Road was more than a trade route; it was a pathway for the exchange of ideas, culture, and scientific discoveries, many of which originated from the cities of modern-day Uzbekistan. Today, this tradition continues with the opening of the Islamic Civilization Center – a 10-hectare complex that honors…

ABU DHABI, 21st March, 2026 (WAM) — The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced the opening of two new marine bridges linking Al Reem Island directly to the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway (E 12). Designed to handle up to 7,200 vehicles per hour, this high-capacity route is expected to reduce travel times by 60 percent, or 15 minutes, during peak hours. The landmark AED450 million project streamlines journeys between the islands of Al Reem and Saadiyat, as well as the Dubai-bound highway (E-12). By easing congestion on Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street and Mina Road, the development significantly…

ABU DHABI, 14th March, 2026 (WAM) — As part of the weekly awareness campaign of the Cyber Pulse initiative launched by the Cyber Security Council (CSC), the council warned against fake applications and the risks of downloading them onto users’ devices, noting that such applications may serve as gateways for data theft, fraud or cyber extortion. In its weekly awareness message, CSC emphasised that avoiding the download and use of suspicious applications helps minimise risks, limit fraudsters’ access to user data and safeguard personal information. The council noted that fake applications have become one of the most dangerous cyber fraud…

UK regulator Ofcom recently called on the most popular social media platforms to enforce minimum age rules for people using their services. They went on to argue that the companies should be doing more to ensure children are kept safe online. Ofcom stated it and data watchdog the Information Commissioner’s Office wrote to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Roblox, TikTok and YouTube, requiring them to prove to parents “a genuine commitment to protecting children online”. Since the UK’s online safety laws came into effect in 2025, Ofcom explained it had been investigating nearly 100 services, which resulted in progress being made around…

SHARJAH, 21st March, 2026 (WAM) — His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, continued on Saturday to receive well-wishers on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr. The reception, held at Al Badi’ Palace, was attended by H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; and H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. The Ruler of Sharjah accepted congratulations on this blessed religious occasion from…

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, extended his wishes on Mother’s day. He said’ Mothers are the first school for their children, the place where children learn belonging, responsibility and the values that shape strong nations. Today, to mark Mother’s Day, we have directed the Community Development Authority to adopt the title “Generation Shaper” instead of “housewife”, in recognition of a role that no words or titles can truly capture. To all our mothers… Thank you. You are the foundation of everything good. Happy Mother’s Day.’ Stay up to date with the latest news.…

With decades of experience across the UAE, Al Fardan Exchange continues to help residents send money home with confidence through both digital and in-person channels Published: Tue 17 Mar 2026, 10:11 AM As the sacred month of Ramadan draws to a close, remittance activity across the UAE enters one of its busiest periods of the year. For many residents, sending money home ahead of Eid is a deeply meaningful tradition, helping families prepare for celebrations, manage important expenses, and stay connected. During this time, the choice of where and how to send money becomes especially important. Customers look for reliability,…

BEIJING, 21st March, 2026 (WAM) — A Chinese research team has pioneered a novel wireless communication technology that simultaneously supports networks ranging from 2G to 6G. It enables base station miniaturisation, reduces power consumption by over tenfold, and provides hardware support for frontier applications such as embodied intelligence and satellite communications, according to a study published recently in the journal Nature Photonics. The ever-growing demands for data communication have accelerated the rapid evolution of networks, transitioning from 2G to 6G. However, each generation of network has required dedicated, frequency-specific hardware, a stacking approach that has burdened infrastructure with severe hardware…

Microsoft recently set up a healthcare-focused edition of its Copilot AI to convene information from various sources, the reason given for this development was to help improve public understanding in their medical interactions. The software giant pitched Copilot Health as a way to prepare for medical appointments or understand test results, though emphasised the AI is not intended to replace real-life doctors. Microsoft stated its existing consumer products already handle more than 50 million health questions per day. These range from seeking knowledge about symptoms to garnering information on medical conditions and treatments. Copilot Health collates information from “your health…