A wide international coalition, including the UAE, EU and dozens of countries such as the US, UK, France, Saudi Arabia and Japan, has issued a joint statement condemning a drone attack near the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE.

The May 17, 2026 strike, attributed to armed factions in Iraq, targeted electrical infrastructure outside the plant’s inner perimeter and was described as a “flagrant violation of international law”. The signatories warned of serious safety, environmental and humanitarian risks, urged an immediate halt to attacks on the UAE, and reaffirmed support for the peaceful operation and security of nuclear facilities under IAEA oversight.

A joint statement on the attack on the Barakah Nuclear Plant has been issued by the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Egypt, Ecuador, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tonga, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam, and Yemen. Following is the statement:

“We condemn in the strongest terms the drone attack of 17 May 2026 launched by armed factions in Iraq on electrical infrastructure outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates.

This attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and threatens regional and international peace and security. The attack posed significant risks for civilian lives and objects and of potential severe transboundary radiological, environmental, and human health consequences.

We express our deep concern over this dangerous escalation and demand the immediate and permanent cessation of all attacks against the United Arab Emirates, including attacks against nuclear facilities devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes. We call on States to refrain from acts of aggression and to respect their obligation, under international law, to ensure that their territory is not used by non-state actors to launch attacks against other States.

We strongly support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates, in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

We commend the prompt and transparent information provided to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by the United Arab Emirates through its competent authorities about the consequences of this attack, successful mitigation actions and radiation levels around the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant which remained normal.

We appreciate the continued efforts of the United Arab Emirates authorities to ensure the safe, secure and peaceful operation of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant under Agency safeguards and in accordance with the highest international standards, and welcome the ongoing coordination between the IAEA and the relevant United Arab Emirates authorities.

We reaffirm that the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant was designed, constructed, and is operated in accordance with the highest international standards and under the oversight of the United Arab Emirates’ Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), and in line with the safety standards of the IAEA.

We support the continued efforts of the IAEA and the Director General in monitoring developments relevant to nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards in member States.

We call on States to refrain from any action that may endanger the safety and security of nuclear power plants devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes.

This drone attack affecting infrastructure in proximity to the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant facility underscores the urgent importance of protecting nuclear infrastructure devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes from threats and hostile acts.

We call for strengthened international cooperation aimed at protecting nuclear power plants devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes and related sites and infrastructure, including through enhanced physical protection, emergency preparedness, and resilience measures.”

GN

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner meaning football fans in the UAE need to prepare for a summer of late nights and early mornings.

While not having free-to-air World Cup coverage, the UAE will still have full access to every single match through beIN SPORTS, the official broadcaster for the Middle East and North Africa region. That means all 104 games will be shown live, but via subscription-based platforms.

 There are a few ways fans can tune in with the most traditional option through a beIN SPORTS satellite subscription, which delivers dedicated World Cup channels straight to your TV.

For those who prefer streaming, beIN CONNECT offers live coverage on mobile, laptop and smart TV devices. Meanwhile, TOD by beIN has become a popular standalone streaming option, giving fans more flexibility to follow the action without needing a full satellite package.

What time do the games kick-off in UAE?

With the tournament being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, spanning multiple time zones, matches will follow a structured daily rhythm designed for global audiences, but it isn’t so helpful for UAE fans.

During the group stage, the matches will most frequently rotate through the following set of kick-off windows:

• 11:00 PM GST
• 2:00 AM GST
• 5:00 AM GST
• 8:00–11:00 AM GST

It means fans in the Emirates will get a real mix of late night and sunrise football. Whether it’s gathering with friends late at night or catching highlights over morning coffee, the World Cup will be part of daily life across the country for a month-long stretch.

While the absence of free-to-air coverage means viewers need a subscription to follow every match, the upside is complete access to the entire tournament in one place, with full coverage, analysis, and dedicated World Cup programming across beIN’s platforms.

And of course, football in the UAE rarely stays behind closed doors. Across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and beyond, fans can expect packed sports bars, fan zones, and public screenings throughout the tournament, creating that shared World Cup atmosphere that brings people together no matter who they support.

So, whether you’re watching at 11pm, 2am or even grabbing a quick nap before a 5am kick-off, one thing is certain, the World Cup is set to take over life in the UAE once again.

GN

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has launched a new initiative that expands the range of expenses eligible for value-added tax (VAT) refunds for UAE nationals building new homes, in a move aimed at supporting families and reducing construction costs.

The initiative comes in line with the UAE leadership’s directives and coincides with the Year of Family, reinforcing efforts to support home ownership and family wellbeing.

According to the FTA, the expanded list of eligible expenses is expected to generate around AED 200 million in VAT savings for Emirati citizens, with the average refund estimated at about AED 25,000 per claim.

The authority said the total value of approved refund claims is expected to exceed AED 1 billion in 2026, compared to around AED 754 million recorded in 2025.

More construction costs covered

The FTA explained that the initiative is now active and applies to all VAT refund applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, provided all requirements are met.

Under the updated rules, UAE nationals can now claim VAT refunds on a wider range of construction-related expenses that form part of the residence and are intended for personal or family use.

Newly eligible items include staff accommodation for watchmen, drivers and domestic workers, home gyms, game rooms, integrated smart home systems and security systems, as well as electronic and smart doors for homes and garages.

The expanded list also covers swimming pools, fountains, decorative indoor water features, landscaping works and complete home reconstruction projects, including demolition and rebuilding costs.

The FTA said these features must be part of the residential property, built on the same plot of land and directly connected to the main residence in order to qualify for a refund.

Awareness campaign planned

The authority said it will organise awareness sessions across the UAE to help citizens understand the new initiative and how to benefit from it.

These sessions will be held at local district councils and will also provide an opportunity for residents to share feedback and suggestions on FTA services.

Abdulaziz Al Mulla, Director-General of the FTA, said the initiative reflects the UAE leadership’s commitment to supporting citizens and providing services that improve their quality of life.

He added that the expanded refund programme aims to make the process more transparent and easier for UAE nationals constructing new homes.

The FTA also confirmed that its digital VAT refund platform has been updated to include the newly approved categories, making it easier for applicants to identify eligible expenses and submit their claims.

Officials said the initiative is expected to provide meaningful financial support to families while encouraging home ownership and helping reduce the overall cost of building a new residence.

GN