UAE authorities have reassured residents that the situation is safe after air defences intercepted missile and drone threats amid escalating regional conflict. A nationwide alert confirmed normal activities can resume, while urging vigilance. Meanwhile, missile exchanges, strikes and attacks across Israel, Iran and neighbouring countries highlight intensifying tensions and growing risks to regional security and stability. Follow this live blog for the latest updates:

03:35 PM, 28 March 2026

UAE air defences intercept 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones from Iran today

The UAE’s air defence systems intercepted 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones launched from Iran on March 28, the Ministry of Defence said.

The ministry added that since the start of the Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have intercepted a total of 398 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,872 drones.

02:20 PM, 28 March 2026

Iran says dozens dead in strikes

Iranian media said that US-Israeli strikes hit multiple residential areas, killing more than a dozen people overnight, though AFP was not able to independently verify any of these tolls.

Israel’s military earlier said it launched strikes on Iranian “regime targets”, as an AFP journalist in the capital Tehran reported hearing around 10 intense blasts and seeing a plume of black smoke.

01:36 PM, 28 March 2026

Iran military says targeted US vessel near Oman port

Iran’s military said Saturday that it had targeted a US logistics vessel near the Omani port of Salalah.

“A logistics vessel supporting the aggressive US army was targeted by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran at a considerable distance from the port of Salalah in Oman,” Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for Iran’s central military command said in a statement carried by state TV.

01:03 PM, 28 March 2026

Production at major Iran steel plant halted after Israeli-US strikes

Production at a major steel factory in Iran has been halted following US-Israeli strikes, Iranian media said on Saturday.

Citing a statement by the Khuzestan Steel Company in Iran’s southwest, Shargh daily said the plant’s “production lines have been shut down” after several units and steelmaking facilities were hit by strikes on Friday.

12:37 PM, 28 March 2026

Pakistan to host Saudi, Turkey, Egypt for talks on Mideast war

Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will meet in Islamabad for talks on the war in the Middle East, the government said on Saturday.

It said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had invited his counterparts and that they would be in the Pakistani capital on Sunday and Monday.

The visiting foreign ministers would also meet Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it said.

A foreign ministry source earlier told AFP that the quadrilateral meeting would take place on Monday, with delegations expected to arrive in Pakistan by Sunday evening.

Pakistan has emerged as a key facilitator between Iran and the United States as the conflict drags on, serving as an intermediary for messages between the two sides.

12:10 PM, 28 March 2026

Explosion heard near Iraq’s Erbil airport

An explosion was heard on Saturday morning near the international airport of Erbil, a city in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist reported and a witness said they saw smoke.

Erbil is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses military advisors attached to a US-led international anti-jihadist coalition. Regular drone attacks by pro-Iran armed groups are usually intercepted by air defences.

12:06 PM, 28 March 2026

Kuwait’s international airport damaged in drone attack

Spokesperson for Kuwait’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation Abdullah Al Rajhi announced that Kuwait International Airport was subjected to several drone attacks, with no casualties, but only limited damage.

Al Rajhi said in a statement that the attack caused significant damage to the airport’s radar system. He added that emergency teams and relevant authorities immediately responded to the incident, taking necessary measures to comprehensively assess the situation, ensure the safety of operations, and restore full operational readiness as soon as possible.

He affirmed the Authority’s full commitment and continued coordination with relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of civil aviation in Kuwait.

11:43 AM, 28 March 2026

Third fire breaks out in Abu Dhabi after missile debris

As part of the ongoing follow-up to the previously reported incident in the vicinity of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD, caused by falling debris following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems, authorities confirmed outbreak of a third fire.

Authorities further confirmed an additional injury as a result of the incident, to a Pakistani national, bringing the total number of injured individuals to six, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate. Authorities have controlled all three fires and the cooling process is underway.

The public is advised to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.

11:41 AM, 28 March 2026

Yemen’s Houthis claim responsibility for missile attack on Israel

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saturday claimed their first attack on Israel since the start of the Middle East war a month ago.

In a statement posted on X, the group, which controls most of northern Yemen and targeted Israel with drones and missiles throughout much of the Gaza war, said it had launched missiles at Israeli military sites.

A few hours earlier, the Israeli military said it had identified an attack from Yemen and was working to intercept it.

10:18 AM, 28 March 2026

Two drones target Salalah port in Oman, one worker injured

A security source reported that the port of Salalah was targeted by two unmanned aerial vehicles, resulting in moderate injuries to an expatriate worker and limited damage to a port crane, according to the Oman News Agency. Authorities confirmed that swift response measures were taken to contain the situation and prevent further harm.

The Sultanate of Oman strongly condemned the hostile attacks, describing them as unacceptable acts that threaten the country’s security and stability. Officials emphasised that all necessary measures are being implemented to protect critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of residents and workers at the port.

Oman authorities reiterated its commitment to maintaining vigilance against such threats and warned that any attempts to destabilise the nation would be met with decisive action. Security agencies continue to investigate the incident and monitor the situation closely.

09:41 AM, 28 March 2026

Trump’s war goals unmet as he eyes Iran wind-down

Washington: President Donald Trump has listed five objectives that the US wants to achieve before ending its war with Iran. Now, one month into the conflict, he has suggested the US may soon be “winding down” the operation, even though some of his key aims remain undefined or unfulfilled.

09:07 AM, 28 March 2026

Jazeera Airways to resume Karachi flights via Dammam

Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways will resume flights between Kuwait and Karachi via Dammam Airport from April 7, operating twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The route supports passenger travel and cargo flows, using an integrated air‑ground model through Dammam and Qaisumah airports to maintain operations and expand connectivity amid challenges.

08:55 AM, 28 March 2026

Thai PM says reached deal with Iran for vessels to transit Hormuz Strait

Thailand has reached an agreement with Iran to allow Thai oil vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Southeast Asian nation’s Prime Minister said on Saturday.

“An agreement has been reached to allow Thai oil tankers to transit safely through the Strait of Hormuz,” Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said at a press conference, adding the development would alleviate concerns over fuel imports.

08:51 AM, 28 March 2026

Saudi Arabia warns against sharing interception footage

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior warned against photographing, publishing, or sharing any information related to intercepting hostile missiles and drones or their impact locations.

The ministry said violators would face legal accountability. The warning comes amid ongoing interceptions of missiles and drones targeting the Kingdom.

08:20 AM, 28 March 2026

Bahrain controls fire in facility targeted by Iranian attack

The Civil Defence of the Kingdom of Bahrain has announced that it successfully distinguished a fire in a facility targeted by the Iranian aggression.

This came in a statement by the Bahraini Ministry of Interior.

08:13 AM, 28 March 2026

Israel reports war’s first missile attack from Yemen

Israel’s military reported a first missile launch from Yemen since the Middle East war began on February 28, after Iran’s Houthi allies threatened to join the fighting.

A military statement said Israeli forces had “identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defence systems are operating to intercept the threat”.

It was the first such statement mentioning a launch from Yemen during the war with Iran, which has entered its second month.

There were no reports of any casualties or damage in Israel, and media reports suggested the missile may have been intercepted.

08:01 AM, 28 March 2026

Abu Dhabi fire incidents injure five Indian nationals

Relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi are responding to fire incidents in the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), caused by debris from a ballistic missile successfully intercepted by air defence systems.

Following the incident, competent authorities confirmed that five individuals of Indian nationality sustained minor to moderate injuries.

07:55 AM, 28 March 2026

Iran reports strike at Bushehr nuclear plant, third in 10 days: IAEA

The UN nuclear watchdog said Friday it had been informed by Iran of a new strike in the area of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the third such incident in 10 days.

Tehran told the agency there was no damage to the operating reactor and no radiation release, and that the plant was functioning normally, the International Atomic Energy Agency said on X.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned that that any strike damaging a reactor could trigger a major radiological incident, urging “maximum military restraint”.

06:35 AM, 28 March 2026

UAE responds to Iranian threat, residents alerted safe

UAE residents have received a mobile alert from the Ministry of Defence confirming that the situation in the country is currently safe, following earlier warnings about potential missile threats.

The message, sent across the UAE, thanked residents for their cooperation and reassured the public that normal activities can now resume.

Authorities urged residents to stay vigilant, follow safety guidance, and monitor official channels for any updates.

Earlier, the ministry that UAE air defence systems were actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran amid ongoing regional hostilities.

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06:52 AM, 28 March 2026

Iran launches more missiles targeting Israel

Israel’s military said early Saturday that Iran fired missiles targeting the country.

The latest missiles follow an earlier salvo that killed 1 person and injure more across Israel late Friday and into Saturday.

Sirens sounded in northern Israel, along the border with Lebanon, where rocket and drone attacks from Hezbollah have been constant during the war.

04:48 AM, 28 March 2026

UAE responding to drone and missile attack

UAE air defences are engaging to incoming missiles and UAV’s threat from Iran. The UAE Ministry of Defence (MOD) asserts that the sounds heard are the result of Air Defence Systems engaging missiles and the fighters are intercepting cruise missiles and UAV’s.

05:06 AM, 28 March 2026

Israel launches fresh wave of strikes vs Hezbollah targets in Beirut

Israeli army says it has launched a “wave of strikes targeting Hezbollah terror infrastructure in Beirut” and issued an evacuation warning for several neighbourhoods in the southern suburbs.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) also reported Israel strikes on south Beirut’s Tahouitet Al-Ghadir area, and the east.

03:46 AM, 28 March 2026

Trump says he really believes he’s a peacemaker

The president made the comment when he was asked what he would like his legacy to be. He responded by saying that “it doesn’t sound right for me to say this, but I’d love my legacy to be made as a great peacemaker.”

He added: “I really believe I’m a peacemaker. It doesn’t seem it right now, but I think I’m a peacemaker.”

03:01 AM, 28 March 2026

Trump says economy will take off like a ‘rocket ship’ after Iran war

The president said in his speech at the FII Priority Summit in Miami that economic growth would surge once the war ends, suggesting that the world would benefit from Iran no longer pursuing nuclear weapons or using terrorist proxies.

The president played down recent declines in the stock market, saying “It hasn’t been that bad” and that he thought oil prices were going to be higher than they are now.

01:23 AM, 28 March 2026

Turkey to hold regional talks on Iran conflict this weekend

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced Friday night that he will be meeting with his Egyptian, Saudi and Pakistani counterparts in Pakistan over the weekend regarding the war in Iran.

Fidan was asked about Turkey’s role in the war during an interview with private news channel A Haber, where he said telephone diplomacy was ongoing and that they were currently in the middle of a “difficult and painful” process.

He also added that Turkey was working to prevent the escalation of mistrust between Iran and its Gulf neighbors, who are under attack by Tehran.

“That’s exactly the scenario Israel wants, for the Muslim countries engaging in a long-term regional war,” Fidan said.

12:19 AM, 28 March 2026

IAEA investigates damages caused by strike on Iran facility

The IAEA is looking into the damage caused by a strike on Iran’s Shahid Rezayee Nejad Yellow Cake Production Facility in Yazd province. The agency said on X that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported.

Earlier on Friday, the US and Israel launched multiple attacks on industrial and nuclear sites in Iran just hours after Israel threatened to “escalate and expand” its campaign against Tehran.

12:03 AM, 28 March 2026

Iran vows ‘HEAVY price’ for strikes on industrial sites

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Israel struck two of his country’s largest steel factories, a power plant and nuclear sites, among other infrastructure that were hit earlier in the day.

“Israel claims it acted in coordination with the US Attack contradicts POTUS extended deadline for diplomacy. Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes,” he wrote on X.

The US and Israel launched multiple attacks on industrial and nuclear sites in Iran just hours after Israel threatened to “escalate and expand” its campaign against Tehran.

GN

Dubai World Cup 2026: Who’s racing

The Dubai World Cup returns to Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, 28 March, showcasing some of the world’s finest horses racing for huge prizes.

Horses to look out for

The headline race will see top international contenders battle for one of horse racing’s most prestigious prizes.

Forever Young, a global superstar with victories in the Saudi Cup and Breeders’ Cup Classic, is expected to be the favourite in the World Cup race. The defending champion, Hit Show, will be in the mix and aim for back-to-back glory, while U.S. challenger Magnitude and England-based Heart of Honor add further depth to the field. Local UAE horses, including Meydaan, Imperial Emperor, Tumbarumba, Walk of Stars, and Tap Leader, will bring homegrown talent to the race.

Beyond the main event, the festival features other elite horses in key supporting races. Calandagan, one of the world’s top Flat horses and recent Japan Cup winner, is set to contest in the Dubai Sheema Classic. Rebel’s Romance, a multiple Grade 1 winner with international success, and Ethical Diamond, a top Irish-trained contender, are also expected to compete, highlighting the global nature of the meet.

The 2026 Dubai World Cup offers a spectacular showcase of international racing talent, with horses from Japan, Europe, the United States, and the UAE all vying for glory. Fans can expect thrilling races throughout the day as these elite thoroughbreds compete on one of the world’s richest and most prestigious race days.

Prize money up for grabs

The 2026 Dubai World Cup festival boasts a total prize pool of $30.5 million, with the headline Dubai World Cup offering a staggering $12 million to the winner.

Other feature races include the Dubai Sheema Classic at $6 million over 2,410 metres on turf, the Dubai Turf at $5 million over 1,800 metres, and the Dubai Golden Shaheen, a $2 million sprint on dirt over 1,200 metres.

The UAE Derby, Al Quoz Sprint, Dubai Gold Cup, Godolphin Mile, and the Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians each offer purses ranging from $1 million to $1.5 million, showcasing world-class talent across both turf and dirt surfaces at distances from 1,200 to 3,200 metres.

GN