Nasa has confirmed that there are over 5,000 exoplanets beyond our solar system.
The exoplanet census surpassed this milestone with a new batch of 65 confirmed exoplanets, triggering excitement across the globe.
“It’s not just a number,” Exoplanet Archive science lead Jessie Christiansen said in a statement as reported by CNET.
“Each one of them is a new world, a brand new planet. I get excited about every one because we don’t know anything about them.”
It’s been 30 years since scientists discovered the first planets orbiting another star. Today, exoplanets are so common that astronomers expect most stars host at least one, astronomer Aurora Kesseli of Caltech was quoted as saying by Science News.
“One of the most exciting things that I think has happened in the last 30 years is that we’ve really started to be able to fill out the diversity of exoplanets,” Kesseli added.
Some exoplanets look like Jupiter or Earth. The 5,005 confirmed exoplanets include nearly 1,500 giant gassy planets, roughly 200 that are small and rocky and almost 1,600 “super-Earths,” which are larger than our solar system’s rocky planets and smaller than Neptune, according to Science News.
While discovering these exoplanets, scientists try to find out if they are habitable or not. James Webb Space Telescope is working to go beyond the diameters, masses and densities of these planets. It will gather information about their atmospheres.
NASA’s newest exoplanet hunter, the TESS mission, has confirmed more than 200 planets, with thousands more yet to verify, Kesseli pointed out. “There’s tons of exoplanets out there,” Kesseli said, “and even more waiting to be discovered”.
Delivery and courier companies in the UAE are set to benefit from a new support package aimed at keeping services running smoothly and easing cost pressures, according to the Postal Sector Regulatory Committee.
The measures target firms in the courier, express and parcels (CEP) sector, which plays a key role in supporting e-commerce and everyday deliveries across the country.
Under the new plan, companies will be allowed to defer all regulatory fees for the first quarter of 2026 to the second quarter, along with a waiver of penalties linked to that period.
Officials say the move is designed to improve cash flow, reduce financial strain, and ensure uninterrupted delivery services, particularly at a time when operators are dealing with rising costs, shipment delays, and growing demand.
For residents and expats, the decision helps support the reliability of delivery services, from online shopping to essential shipments, at a time when demand continues to rise.
The CEP sector remains a backbone of the UAE’s e-commerce ecosystem, enabling faster and more flexible deliveries for businesses and consumers alike.
The UAE is entering a weather transition period this May, with temperatures gradually rising as the country moves from spring towards summer, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
Longer daylight hours and the sun’s northward movement mean warmer conditions across most parts of the country, with average temperatures expected to climb steadily through the month.
While the heat builds, shifting weather systems may still bring occasional cloud cover and slight chances of rain, particularly when influenced by upper-level atmospheric conditions.
Humidity is expected to ease slightly compared to April, especially in the second half of May. However, early morning fog or mist may still occur in some areas during the first half of the month before gradually decreasing.
Hotter days ahead
For residents and expats, May marks the start of hotter days and fewer cool mornings, with weather becoming more stable as summer approaches. It’s also a time when conditions can briefly vary, with occasional clouds or reduced visibility in the mornings.
May weather outlook
Average temperature: 30.6°C to 33.6°C
Average highs: 37.3°C to 40.7°C
Average lows: 24.3°C to 26.8°C
Record high: 51.6°C in Sweihan (2025)
Record low: 9.0°C in Jebel Jais (2005)
Average wind speed: 13 km/h
Strongest recorded winds: 117.2 km/h at Jabal Mebreh
Average humidity: 39%
Fog patterns: More common early in the month, decreasing later
Highest recorded rainfall: 134.4 mm in Al Fali (1981)
Some of Dubai’s busiest malls are set to introduce AI-powered parking enforcement to address the misuse of spaces reserved for People of Determination (PoD).
Parkin Company has signed a multi-year agreement with Emaar Properties to roll out the system across Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall and Dubai Marina Mall.
The move aims to protect dedicated parking bays, improve compliance, and ease congestion at high-traffic retail destinations frequently visited by residents and tourists.
How the tech works
The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to monitor vehicles entering PoD-designated spaces.
Number plates are scanned and checked against valid permits. If no permit is found, the case is flagged for review at a central control centre. Drivers may face penalties, although a short grace period will allow time to move vehicles in case of mistakes.
On-ground inspections will continue alongside the new technology to ensure compliance with parking rules.
At Dubai Mall, parking systems are already integrated with Salik Company technology, including ticketless entry, number plate recognition, and automatic fee collection.
Stricter parking rules
For shoppers and mall visitors, the change means stricter enforcement of PoD parking rules to ensure these spaces remain available for those who genuinely need them.
It also signals a wider shift towards smart city solutions in Dubai, where AI is increasingly used to improve everyday services, from traffic flow to parking management, while enhancing accessibility and fairness.
