UAE

From the UAE to Antarctica

Emirati mountaineer Fatima Abdulrahman Al Awadhi has achieved a historic milestone for the Arab world after reaching the summit of Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, on Tuesday, 6th January 2026.

Standing at 4,892 metres, the ascent makes Al Awadhi the youngest and first Arab to reach the summit at the age of 18, marking the third major peak in her ambitious quest to conquer the Seven Summits — the highest mountains on each continent.

Al Awadhi dedicated her unprecedented achievement to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and to H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), in recognition of their unwavering support for Emirati youth and women, and their continued efforts to empower new generations to realise their ambitions and raise the UAE’s profile on the global stage.

The expedition was sponsored by Palms Sports, a globally recognised sports management and training company based in the UAE, known for its longstanding commitment to supporting and empowering Emirati youth across sporting and life disciplines.

The historic ascent followed a gruelling expedition in one of the world’s harshest natural environments, with Al Awadhi enduring temperatures plunging below minus 40 degrees Celsius, severe weather conditions and powerful winds. The climb demanded exceptional physical and mental preparedness, resilience, self-reliance and endurance.

Speaking about the experience, Al Awadhi said, “Mount Vinson is a huge step up compared to my previous summits. It is far colder and far more isolated, requiring a high level of self-reliance and mental strength. The expedition can last up to three weeks in extreme cold that reaches minus 40 degrees Celsius, surrounded by endless snow. At first, Vinson’s challenges frightened me, but once I stood at the summit and looked out over a sea of ice pierced by sharp peaks cutting through the horizon, I realised the mountain did not make me suffer — it made me much stronger. I know I will return to Antarctica one day; I am completely captivated by the vastness and beauty of this continent.”

Al Awadhi also expressed profound gratitude to the UAE and its wise leadership for fostering an environment that nurtures ambition and supports bold dreams.

“Raising the UAE flag with pride on the world’s highest peaks represents 54 years of a nation built on opportunity and inspiration,” she said. “It is a country I am deeply grateful to have grown up in, and I hope to give back. Without the continuous support the UAE offers its youth, this journey would have been far more difficult.”

She stressed that hoisting the UAE flag atop Antarctica’s highest mountain carries a powerful national message — that Emiratis, with the support of their leadership, are capable of reaching the highest summits and overcoming the toughest challenges, regardless of how extreme the conditions may be.

“Beyond pride, I feel immense gratitude towards my leadership, my country, my sponsors and everyone who supports me — especially my family,” she added. “I am fortunate not only to dream, but to have the support and resources that allow me to turn those dreams into reality. Everyone deserves the right to dream, and everyone deserves the chance to pursue those dreams, no matter how distant or impossible they may seem.”

Currently a university student majoring in Economics, Al Awadhi emphasised the importance of balancing ambition with education and career development.

“It’s not just about summits,” she said. “I want Arab youth — especially young women — to answer the call to climb their own mountains. We are not just the generation of the future; we are the generation of today. So why wait to pursue our ambitions when we can start now and aim for the highest peaks across all fields?”

The expedition also received sponsorship from Dar Al Takaful Finance, one of the UAE’s leading financial institutions, which had previously supported Al Awadhi in her successful ascent of Mount Elbrus (5,642 metres), Europe’s highest peak, on 6 July 2025, when she became the youngest Emirati to reach its summit.

Al Awadhi’s ascent of Mount Vinson marks another major step towards achieving the prestigious Explorer’s Grand Slam — a global challenge that involves climbing the Seven Summits and reaching both the North and South Poles — further cementing the UAE’s presence regionally and internationally in adventure sports and high-altitude mountaineering, while positioning her as an inspiring role model for youth and women alike.

WAM

politics

UAE air defences intercept 3 ballistic missiles, 129 drones

The Ministry of Defence announced that UAE air defence systems successfully intercepted three ballistic missiles today, 4th March 2026, and detected 129 drones, of which 121 were intercepted while eight fell within the territory of the state.

The ministry stated that since the start of the blatant Iranian aggression, 189 ballistic missiles launched towards the UAE have been detected, with 175 missiles destroyed, 13 falling into the sea and one missile landing within the territory of the state. A total of 941 Iranian drones have also been detected, of which 876 were intercepted, while 65 fell within the country. Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed.

The attacks caused some collateral damage and resulted in three fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationalities, as well as 78 minor injuries among individuals of Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese and Afghan nationalities.

The ministry confirmed that the sounds heard in different parts of the country are the result of air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft intercepting drones and cruise missiles. These operations caused minor to moderate material damage to a number of civilian facilities.

The ministry strongly condemned this military targeting, describing it as a blatant act of aggression and a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law. It affirmed that the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its people and its residents, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security and stability and protects its national interests and capabilities.

The Ministry of Defence reiterated that it remains fully prepared and ready to address any threats and is taking all necessary measures to firmly confront anything that seeks to undermine the country’s security and stability. It added that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised.

The ministry also urged the public to obtain information from official sources within the country and to avoid circulating rumours or unverified information.

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politics

UAE intercepts 9 ballistic missiles, 6 cruise missiles and 148 drones

The UAE Ministry of Defence said on Monday that the country’s air defence systems had successfully intercepted and destroyed nine ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles and 148 drones during attacks launched by Iran.

In a detailed update, the ministry said that since the beginning of the assault, a total of 174 ballistic missiles had been detected heading towards the country.

Of these, 161 were intercepted and destroyed, while 13 fell into the sea. It added that 689 Iranian drones had also been tracked, with 645 intercepted and 44 falling within the UAE.

The ministry said eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed, noting that some caused limited collateral damage. The attacks resulted in three deaths and 68 minor injuries.

It said the sounds heard in different parts of the country were the result of interceptions carried out by air defence systems against ballistic missiles, as well as by fighter aircraft targeting drones and cruise missiles. These operations, it said, led to minor to moderate material damage to a number of civilian sites.

The ministry strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as a blatant act of aggression and a serious violation of national sovereignty and international law.

It said the UAE reserves the full right to respond to the escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, safeguard its security and stability, and defend its national interests.

The ministry added that it remains on high alert and fully prepared to address any threats, stressing that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority.

It also urged the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports.

UAE

Mansour, Khaled Attend Abu Dhabi’s ‘Barzat’ at Qasr Al Hosn

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court; and H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, have attended the Abu Dhabi Government’s Ramadan Majlis, Barzat Abu Dhabi, organised by the Abu Dhabi Media Office at Qasr Al Hosn from 21 to 26 February 2026.

Their Highnesses exchanged Ramadan greetings and well wishes with Abu Dhabi Government leaders, employees, and their families, praying that the blessed month brings continued prosperity, peace, and progress to the UAE, its leadership, citizens, and residents.

H.H. Sheikh Mansour underscored that Ramadan Majalis provide an important platform to strengthen community engagement and reinforce values of cohesion and social solidarity.

He noted that bringing together Abu Dhabi Government employees and their families at Barzat Abu Dhabi reflects the spirit of one united family that characterises Emirati society, particularly as 2026 has been designated the Year of Family.

H.H. Sheikh Mansour added that the Holy month of Ramadan renews the values of generosity and giving, fosters unity and collective action, and supports a government work culture grounded in collaboration and teamwork, contributing to the continued progress of the UAE’s development journey.

For his part, H.H. Sheikh Khaled emphasised that Barzat Abu Dhabi, rooted in the UAE’s longstanding Ramadan majalis tradition, reflects the Abu Dhabi Government’s commitment to cultivating a positive and motivating work culture that balances professional and family life, strengthens institutional excellence, and enhances the efficiency and quality of government performance.

He highlighted that organising the initiative during the Year of Family reflects the leadership’s vision to reinforce the family as a cornerstone of social and institutional stability, fostering a more cohesive and high-performing government ecosystem that advances national development across all sectors through a spirit of teamwork.

Barzat Abu Dhabi serves as a platform to strengthen institutional cohesion and promote a culture of collaboration across Abu Dhabi Government entities. Drawing on the enduring traditions of Ramadan majalis and the UAE’s values of social solidarity, the initiative supports the development of a more connected and integrated work environment, enhancing the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of government performance.

The initiative coincides this year with the designation of 2026 as the Year of Family, aligning with the leadership’s vision to empower families and reinforce their central role as the foundation of a stable and thriving society. The participation of employees’ families in the Ramadan majlis activities further promotes work-life balance and nurtures a cohesive government community that continues to contribute effectively to the nation’s comprehensive development journey.

Employees’ family members participated in a range of accompanying cultural and recreational activities, including interactive handicraft workshops, art exhibitions, and live heritage and musical performances. These activities celebrate the richness of Emirati cultural heritage and help instil national identity among present and future generations.

The event was attended by H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court; as well as a number of ministers and senior Abu Dhabi Government officials.

WAM