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”.
Amid ongoing regional tensions, UAE officials have reaffirmed stability, preparedness and continuity across key sectors. From schools to national defence, here’s the latest.
During a media briefing on the latest developments and current situation on Tuesday, the broadcast opened with strong condemnation from the GCC and the Arab League against violations targeting Arab states, emphasizing the right to respond to such attacks.
Attention then shifted to education.
Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education, confirmed that online learning will continue temporarily to ensure the safety of students and staff.
She emphasised that the UAE is fully prepared, highlighting the country’s advanced digital infrastructure and previous experience with remote learning.
Importantly, she clarified that no exams have been postponed, and urged the public to rely only on official sources for updates.
Parents, she added, play a key role in helping students stay on track and maintain their daily routines.
A special report followed, describing the UAE’s remote learning system as a leading model in digital transformation, praised for its flexibility, sustainability and quality outcomes.
Later, authorities addressed misinformation.
The Public Prosecution warned against spreading rumours, stressing that false information can negatively impact social stability and national security.
Officials reassured the public not to panic and that any loud booming sounds heard around the country were the result of the country’s defence systems operating effectively.
Life continues as normal, trust in official authorities, and avoid spreading rumours or engaging in fraudulent activity, was the message from officials.
The British Embassy in the UAE has announced emergency helpline numbers for British nationals requiring urgent consular assistance.
The advisory comes amid escalating regional tensions, with the embassy urging citizens to stay informed and register their presence with UK authorities.
Emergency numbers
If you are a British national in urgent need of assistance, you can call:
+44 (0) 207 008 5000
+971 4 309 4444
+971 2 610 1100
The embassy acknowledged that some callers are experiencing difficulties getting through due to issues with UAE phone lines.
“We are urgently working to resolve this issue, so please keep trying all the numbers,” the mission said in a social media update.
Register with the UK government
Earlier, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) asked British nationals in several Middle East countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine and Qatar, to register their presence.
The registration allows citizens to:
Receive direct security and travel updates
Get guidance during emergencies
Ensure consular teams can reach them if needed
Those unable to use the online registration form can call +44 20 7008 5000 for assistance.
The embassy also warned that the registration website is currently under strain and advised users to keep trying if they encounter error messages.
Shelter-in-place advisory
The UK government had earlier advised its citizens in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar to shelter in place as a precautionary measure.
British nationals are encouraged to:
Monitor official embassy and FCDO channels Follow local authority guidance Keep communication lines open
In a major digital shift, Emirates Health Services (EHS) has begun implementing a plan to abolish the health card, replacing it with the Emirates ID as the primary identifier for patients across its hospitals and healthcare centres.
The move is aimed at simplifying access to treatment and cutting administrative red tape.
What’s changing?
For years, patients needed a valid health card to register and receive treatment at EHS facilities, including renewals when expired.
Under the new system:
The Emirates ID will serve as the unified patient identifier
No separate health card will be required
Registration procedures will be streamlined
Administrative steps will be reduced
The aim? Faster access, shorter waiting times and smoother admissions.
Who will benefit first?
According to EHS, the rollout will happen in phases.
Phase One:
Emirati citizens
UAE residents
Nationals of GCCcountries
Later phases will include:
Children of Emirati women
Spouses of Emirati citizens
People of determination
Additional categories requiring coordination with other entities
Saif Abdullah Al Hassani, Head of Service Development and User Experience at EHS, said the move aligns with the UAE’s digital transformation agenda and national database integration.
In simple terms: one ID, one system, less paperwork.
EHS confirmed it is technically ready to cancel the health card for all groups immediately. However, a phased rollout is being adopted to monitor system performance and address any operational challenges before full implementation.
When will it be fully implemented?
The first group of beneficiaries has already completed technical and regulatory preparations, with a formal announcement expected soon.
Further categories will be added gradually as coordination with external entities is completed.
