عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

UAE President, Japanese PM Hold Talks in Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meet in Abu Dhabi on Monday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meet in Abu Dhabi on Monday. (WAM)
TT
TT

UAE President, Japanese PM Hold Talks in Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meet in Abu Dhabi on Monday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meet in Abu Dhabi on Monday. (WAM)

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida underscored on Monday the strength of UAE-Japan relations during a meeting in Abu Dhabi.

Their discussions took place at Qasr Al Watan following an official reception ceremony to mark the start of Kishida’s official visit to the UAE.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his confidence that the visit would consolidate the robust and longstanding partnership between the two nations and support their shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future, reported the UAE’s state news agency WAM.

He noted that bilateral relations with Japan date back to before the foundation of the UAE, and that last year the two sides celebrated the 50th anniversary of the official establishment of diplomatic ties.

In 2022, the UAE and Japan signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a significant development in bilateral relations. This agreement, remarked Sheikh Mohamed, was a milestone that heralded the start of the next 50 years of increasing collaboration, especially in the fields of the economy, trade, technology, energy, space, and education.

The leaders discussed a number of regional and international developments, with Sheikh Mohamed highlighting that the UAE and Japan share a common goal of supporting peace and stability through building bridges of cooperation and dialogue. He noted both countries’ membership of the United Nations Security Council that works to enable further coordination to promote peace and the diplomatic resolution of conflicts worldwide.

Moreover, Sheikh Mohamed confirmed that the UAE is looking forward to Japan’s active participation at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai later this year, noting Japan’s longstanding role in advancing climate action, including its hosting of COP3 and being associated with one of the most significant protocols to combat climate change: the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

For his part, Kishida thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the warm welcome accorded to him and his delegation. He spoke of the deep, enduring bonds between the UAE and Japan and expressed his sincere wish to continue working with Sheikh Mohamed to further elevate these ties for the benefit of both nations and their people.

Following the meeting, a luncheon was held in honor of Kishida and his accompanying delegation.

Sheikh Mohamed and Kishida later oversaw the exchange of a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements aimed at further strengthening the robust and longstanding ties between their countries.

The MoUs and agreements, which build upon the UAE-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, were exchanged between Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; and Yoshihiko Isozaki, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary.

The agreements included an MoU between the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, related to the area of agriculture and fisheries; an MoU between the UAE Ministry of Economy and the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, related to the field of tourism and an MoU in the field of education between the UAE Ministry of Education and the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Another MoU was exchanged between the UAE Space Agency and the Japanese Cabinet Office; the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, related to space activities for peaceful purposes.

A Joint Declaration of Intent was announced between the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, related to the establishment of an Energy Security and Industry Accelerator (ESIA).

Further memoranda and agreements were announced between government agencies and private entities in both nations, spanning key sectors including sustainability, space science, technology, the environment, renewable energy, transportation, healthcare, infrastructure, industry, and others.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Kuwait Power, Water Desalination Plants Damaged by Iranian Attack

A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. (Reuters)
A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Kuwait Power, Water Desalination Plants Damaged by Iranian Attack

A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. (Reuters)
A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. (Reuters)

Two Kuwaiti power and water desalination plants were damaged by a drone attack from Iran, the electricity and water ministry said Sunday.

The attack resulted in "significant material damage and the shutdown of two electricity generating units", the ministry said in a post on X, adding there were no deaths or injuries.

Earlier, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said a fire broke out in its Shuwaikh oil sector complex, which houses the oil ministry and KPC headquarters, after a drone attack, the Kuwaiti state news agency ‌reported early ‌on Sunday.

Kuwaiti state ‌media, ⁠citing the finance ⁠ministry, said an Iranian drone hit an office complex for government ministries, causing significant material damage but no casualties.

No injuries were ‌reported.

An Iranian drone attack had also caused "significant" damage to a government building in Kuwait City on Saturday evening, a finance ministry statement said, adding there were no reports of deaths or injuries. 

Staff from the several ministries housed in the complex would work remotely on Sunday and visits would be suspended, the statement said. 

The latest attacks come as the US-Israeli war on Iran, how in its sixth week, broadens, with Tehran striking Israel and Gulf Arab states hosting US military installations.

There was no official comment from Iran.

Gulf

UAE Condemns ‘Acts of Vandalism’ at Its Embassy in Damascus

The UAE Foreign Ministry building in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
The UAE Foreign Ministry building in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
TT
TT

UAE Condemns ‘Acts of Vandalism’ at Its Embassy in Damascus

The UAE Foreign Ministry building in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
The UAE Foreign Ministry building in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates on Saturday condemned what it described as "riots, acts of vandalism, and assaults" outside its embassy and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

In a statement, the UAE's foreign ministry called on Syria to uphold its obligations to secure the embassy and its staff, investigate the incident ‌and hold ‌the perpetrators to account.

Syria's foreign ministry said ‌in a statement on Friday evening that it took a "firm and unwavering ⁠stance" ⁠against any attack on or attempt to approach embassies and diplomatic missions.

Gulf

Iranian Attacks Target Energy Facilities in Kuwait, UAE

Mina al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait (KUNA) 
Mina al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait (KUNA) 
TT
TT

Iranian Attacks Target Energy Facilities in Kuwait, UAE

Mina al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait (KUNA) 
Mina al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait (KUNA) 

Iranian attacks struck key energy infrastructure in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates on Friday, prompting air defense responses across the Gulf and causing casualties and material damage, authorities said.

In Kuwait, drones targeted the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery as well as a power generation and water desalination plant. In Abu Dhabi, operations were suspended at the Habshan gas facilities after debris fell following a successful interception, officials said. The incident killed an Egyptian resident and injured four others from Egypt and Pakistan, and sparked two fires.

Emirates Global Aluminium said it shut down its Al Taweelah site — one of the world’s largest aluminum production complexes — after it sustained severe damage in what it described as Iranian missile and drone attacks.

The incidents come amid Gulf efforts to repel Iranian strikes targeting energy installations and vital infrastructure, which have caused injuries and limited material damage.

Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed 14 drones on Friday, according to defense ministry spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki.

Kuwait

Kuwait’s defense ministry spokesman Colonel Saud al-Atwan said seven ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 26 hostile drones were detected in the country’s airspace over a 24-hour period.

Interior ministry spokesman Brigadier Nasser Bousleib said nine reports of falling debris were recorded in the same period, bringing the total since the start of the Iranian attacks to 649. Warning sirens were activated five times in 24 hours, for a total of 164 activations since the attacks began.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery was hit by drones early Friday, causing fires in several operational units. Emergency and firefighting teams were deployed immediately and were working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading. No casualties were reported, the company underlined.

It added that precautionary measures were taken to ensure worker safety and protect facilities, and that coordination was ongoing with environmental authorities to monitor air quality. No negative environmental impact had been recorded so far.

The electricity and water ministry said one of its power generation and water desalination plants sustained material damage, according to spokeswoman Fatima Hayat, adding that technical teams were working to maintain operations.

Meanwhile, National Guard spokesman Brigadier Jadaan Fadhel denied reports circulating on social media of a possible radiation leak, saying readings in the country’s airspace and territorial waters remained within normal levels. He told state news agency KUNA that monitoring systems were operating around the clock.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE said its air defenses intercepted 18 ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 47 drones launched from Iran on Friday, bringing the totals since the start of the attacks to 475 ballistic missiles, 23 cruise missiles and 2,085 drones.

The defense ministry said the attacks had killed two members of the armed forces and a Moroccan civilian contractor, as well as eight others of various nationalities.

A total of 203 people have been injured since the attacks began, with injuries ranging from minor to severe.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said authorities dealt with debris falling at the Habshan gas facilities after a successful interception, prompting a temporary suspension of operations and a fire at the site.

It later said an Egyptian resident was killed during the evacuation, while four others — two Egyptians and two Pakistanis — were injured. Two fires broke out but were brought under control by emergency response teams. The office said the incident caused significant damage to facilities, with assessments ongoing.

In a separate incident, debris fell in the Ajban area, injuring six Nepalese residents and five Indians, with one Nepalese sustaining serious injuries.

Emirates Global Aluminium said its Al Taweelah complex in Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) suffered severe damage, triggering a full emergency shutdown of operations, including the aluminum smelter, casting facilities, power plant, alumina refinery and recycling plant.

The company said restoring full primary aluminum production could take up to 12 months, depending on damage assessments, while some operations at the alumina refinery and recycling plant may resume earlier.

Bahrain

Bahrain’s National Communication Center said 16 drones targeting the country were intercepted and destroyed over 24 hours, bringing the total since the start of Iranian attacks to 188 missiles and 445 drones.

The Bahrain Defense Force said targeting civilian sites and private property with ballistic missiles and drones constituted a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, warning the attacks posed a direct threat to regional peace and security.

Authorities urged residents to remain indoors except when necessary, avoid damaged areas and suspicious objects, refrain from filming military operations or debris sites, and rely on official sources for information.

The interior ministry said four Bahraini citizens sustained minor injuries and homes were damaged in the Sitra area due to falling debris from an intercepted Iranian drone. Civil defense and ambulance services were responding at the scene.

Qatar

Qatar’s defense ministry said the country was targeted by several Iranian drones, all of which were successfully intercepted.

The environment and climate change ministry said air quality remained within normal and safe limits and was being continuously monitored through a nationwide network.

In a post on platform X, the ministry advised precautionary measures during periods of increased fine particulate matter, including staying indoors — especially for vulnerable groups — keeping windows closed, wearing masks when outside and avoiding outdoor activities.