The UAE will develop advanced radar satellites to “develop solutions to climate change, environmental sustainability and improved disaster management” under the new AED 3 billion National Space Fund.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled the fund on Sunday.
Taking to Twitter, Sheikh Mohamed the move will “accelerate innovation in environmental sustainability”.
The Fund will support ground breaking new programmes launched to support international and Emirati companies co-operating in leading edge space sector engineering, sciences and research applications.
United Arab Emirates to develop and launch advanced radar satellite constellation under new AED3 billion space sector fund pic.twitter.com/5GsbYPApYF
Sheikh Mohammed added that the “goal is to support the establishment of national companies in the space sector, support new national strategic and research projects, and develop the capabilities of our Emirati engineering cadres in space technology”.
“Only with advanced science can we contribute to the march of human development,” he added. It makes the UAE the first Arab country to develop a swarm of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.
The ‘Sirb’ project will provide 24-hour all-weather earth imaging and will monitor the changes that occur on the planet due to climate changes and help find innovative solutions for environmental sustainability.
بدعم من رئيس الدولة ومتابعة من نائب رئيس الدولة.. دولة #الإمارات تطلق أول مشروع لتطوير سرب من الأقمار الاصطناعية الرّادارية الحديثة . . وتعلن عن تأسيس صندوق وطني بقيمة 3 مليار درهم لدعم قطاع الفضاء pic.twitter.com/KNMCmb4snD
The Ministry of Interior has issued a warning against vehicles that produce disturbing noises, stating that such behaviour causes anxiety and inconvenience to residents.
In a statement shared on X, the ministry stressed that offenders will face legal consequences. It added that making unauthorised modifications to a vehicle’s engine or chassis is considered a traffic violation.
Authorities confirmed that violators will face:
A fine of Dhs1,000
12 black points on their driving record
Vehicle impoundment for 30 days
The ministry noted that these penalties fall under Article 73 of the Schedule of Violations outlined in Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 on traffic rules and procedures.
Officials are urging drivers to comply with regulations and help maintain a safe and peaceful environment for all residents.
Authorities in the UAE have urged residents in areas affected by unstable weather to prioritise safety and perform Friday prayers at home. The decision comes as rain alerts have been issued across much of the country, with heavier showers expected from Thursday evening.
Mosques have been instructed to announce “Pray in your homes” after the call to prayer in affected areas. If mosques remain open, imams may combine prayers depending on weather conditions.
Officials are also advising motorists to drive carefully, reduce speed, and follow safety guidelines during the rainy conditions.
The move aims to protect public safety while ensuring religious practices can continue without risk.
The Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC) has issued a warning over a growing number of scams involving fake QR codes, especially those sent through email.
According to the authority, cybercriminals are exploiting how quickly information spreads by sharing QR codes that appear to offer urgent updates or important services. However, scanning these codes can expose users to serious risks.
DESC explained that such QR codes may install malware on devices or redirect users to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information.
How to protect your device
Residents are being urged to stay cautious by verifying the source of any email before scanning QR codes, avoiding suspicious messages, and never entering sensitive details on untrusted links.
To boost online safety, DESC also recommends using the RZAM app, which provides real-time alerts about unsafe websites and allows users to scan links before opening them.
