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”.
Pedestrians in Abu Dhabi are being reminded to use designated bridges, tunnels and crossings to stay safe and help reduce road accidents, according to Abu Dhabi Police.
The advisory comes as part of GCC Traffic Week 2026, held under the theme “I Cross Safely,” which focuses on improving road safety awareness across the region.
Officials warned that crossing roads from undesignated areas remains a high-risk behaviour, putting both pedestrians and drivers in danger, especially on busy roads where vehicles may not be able to stop in time.
Pedestrian crossings in place
Authorities highlighted that the UAE’s road network includes well-equipped pedestrian bridges, tunnels and marked crossings, designed to ensure safe and smooth movement across major roads.
Shared responsibility
Police are urging residents and visitors alike to follow traffic rules and act responsibly, stressing that road safety depends on collective efforts from both pedestrians and motorists.
For residents, the message is simple: use the right crossing points to stay safe and avoid unnecessary risks.
The US Mission to the UAE has advised American expats in the country to remain alert following warnings of potential aerial threats.
The guidance comes after alerts issued by the UAE Ministry of Interior, with officials confirming that recent aerial threats were successfully intercepted.
A Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory from the US Department of State remains in place, urging citizens to exercise increased caution while in the country.
Embassy operations continue with adjustments
The US Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai remain open but are operating with reduced staffing under an ordered departure status, with non-essential personnel temporarily relocated.
Routine visa services are currently suspended, although emergency consular services remain available.
What US expats should know?
Authorities have encouraged citizens to stay informed through official channels and be prepared to follow safety instructions if needed, including temporary shelter-in-place measures.
Precautionary advice includes:
Staying away from windows during incidents
Keeping basic emergency supplies ready
Maintaining communication with family members
Officials say the situation is being closely monitored, with further updates expected as needed. UAE authorities have emphasised that response systems are active and effective, with safety remaining a top priority.
Passport services at Pakistani missions in the UAE have resumed, bringing relief to thousands of expats affected by a recent outage.
The Consulate General of Pakistan and Embassy of Pakistan confirmed that passport services are now fully operational as of Tuesday, May 5.
The disruption, which lasted around eight days, was caused by a technical fault at the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI & P) headquarters in Islamabad, leading to a temporary suspension of passport services at missions abroad from April 29.
What should applicants do now?
Officials have advised applicants to visit embassies and consulates during designated service hours to complete passport applications and renewals.
Wider impact across the Gulf
The outage affected Pakistani missions across multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait, leaving many unable to process documents during the disruption.
Pakistanis expats can now move forward, easing pressure for those needing urgent travel or documentation.
