Two major subsea cables were damaged near Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, disrupting internet connectivity across the Middle East, South Asia and parts of Africa.

Global internet observatory NetBlocks confirmed failures affecting the SEA-ME-WE 4 (SMW4) and IMEWE cable systems, two critical links in the region’s digital infrastructure. The incident forced operators to reroute traffic through alternative paths, leading to widespread slowdowns.

In the UAE, customers of Etisalat by e& and du reported difficulties loading websites, streaming video and using messaging apps. Complaints surged on outage tracker Downdetector, peaking at around 9pm on Saturday.

Read more – Internet slowdown: Why the Red Sea’s SMW4 and IMEWE cables matter

Cloudflare Radar data confirmed shifts in internet routing during the incident, which impacted international traffic. Microsoft also warned that its Azure cloud customers could experience increased latency for traffic passing through the Middle East, particularly on routes linking Asia and Europe.

“Undersea fibre cuts can take time to repair; as such, we will continuously monitor, rebalance, and optimise routing to reduce customer impact,” Microsoft said.

Key data corridor

The Red Sea is a vital global data corridor, carrying around 17 per cent of the world’s internet traffic, according to telecom research firm TeleGeography. A dense web of fibre-optic cables runs through the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea, with key landing points in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Djibouti.

Even localised damage can ripple out across continents, disrupting services such as cloud applications, financial platforms and airline systems that rely on real-time connectivity.

Past incidents have underscored the vulnerability of the region. In early 2024, three cables were cut after a vessel struck by Houthi rebels drifted and dropped anchor in the Red Sea, causing weeks of service disruption.

Analysts say the region’s shallow waters, heavy shipping traffic and geopolitical tensions make it especially prone to both accidental and deliberate damage.

Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd confirmed a reduction in capacity and said it had arranged alternative bandwidth to mitigate the impact. Similar disruptions were reported in Kuwait, where authorities said the FALCON GCX cable had also been damaged.

Fixing undersea cables is a complex, costly process requiring specialised vessels, trained crews and favourable weather conditions. The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) estimates repairs can cost between $1m and $3m per incident.

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) has launched a secondary public offering of shares held by Mamoura Diversified Global Holding (Mamoura), a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, in a move that will boost its free float and trading liquidity.

The transaction will see Mamoura sell up to 342,084,084 shares, representing 7.55 per cent of du’s share capital and 75 per cent of its stake in the company, du said in a statement.

The price range has been set at between Dhs9 and Dhs9.90 per share, with the final offer price to be determined through a bookbuilding process and announced on September 15.

The offer will be split into two tranches: a retail offering in the UAE comprising 5 per cent of the shares, and a global institutional offering covering the remaining 95 per cent.

The company will not receive proceeds from the transaction as all shares are being sold by Mamoura.

Shares that are not sold will be subject to a 90-day lock-up period, du said.

du CEO says offering will expand investor base

Fahad Al Hassawi, du’s chief executive, said the offering would broaden the investor base and stimulate liquidity, supporting potential inclusion in international indices.

Dr Bakheet Al Katheeri, chief executive of Mubadala’s UAE Investment Platform, said the deal marks a “milestone for UAE capital markets” and allows Mubadala to redeploy capital while supporting du’s next growth phase.

The subscription period for the UAE retail offer opens on September 8 and closes on September 12, with investors required to apply through receiving banks or Dubai Financial Market (DFM) channels.

Each retail investor will be guaranteed a minimum allocation of up to 500 shares.

Settlement for institutional investors is expected on September 18, with shares available for trading on the DFM from September 16.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Goldman Sachs are joint global coordinators and bookrunners for the offering. Emirates NBD is the lead receiving bank.

In a move designed to better accommodate students, early-shift workers, and morning commuters, Riyadh Metro will now start daily operations at 5:30am, the city’s public transport authority has confirmed.

This schedule adjustment comes in direct response to growing commuter demand and is aimed at reducing congestion during peak hours, particularly on busy corridors.

Officials stated that the change is also part of Riyadh’s broader push to cut private vehicle use and improve air quality, a Saudi Gazette report said.

Read more-Riyadh Metro: 5 ways it will boost transport in Saudi’s biggest city

The move supports Riyadh’s ongoing strategy to expand and modernise its public transit network in line with the capital’s sustainability and quality-of-life objectives.

100 million passengers since December launch

The new operating hours follow an impressive milestone: Riyadh Metro has served over 100 million passengers since it launched in December 2024, according to the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).

According to a Saudi Press Agency report, This achievement was reached in less than nine months, highlighting the rapid adoption and popularity of the metro system. The Blue Line, which runs along the Olaya-Batha corridor, saw the highest ridership with 46.5 million passengers, followed by the Red Line on King Abdullah Road with 17 million and the Orange Line on Al Madinah Al Munawwarah Road with 12 million. The other three lines together transported 24.5 million riders.

Punctual and popular

Riyadh Metro has also earned praise for its punctuality, recording an operational on-time rate of 99.78 per cent. Some of the busiest stations include Qasr Al Hokm, KAFD, stc, and the National Museum, which together accounted for over 29 per cent of total passenger traffic.

Seamlessly connected to a wide-reaching bus network, on-demand shuttles, and public transport parking facilities, the metro is a key part of Riyadh’s vision for a modern, accessible, and eco-friendly transportation ecosystem. Authorities say these efforts aim to provide convenient, reliable alternatives to private car use for both residents and visitors.

Skywatchers across the Arab world are in for a treat on Sunday evening, as the International Astronomical Centre will livestream the total lunar eclipse from the Al Khattm Astronomical Observatory. The four-hour live broadcast will run from 7:30pm to 11:50pm UAE time, offering a front-row seat to a rare and visually captivating cosmic event.

Read more-Here’s why AI will never replace the voice in your head

Engineer Mohammed Shawkat Odah, Director of the International Astronomical Centre, confirmed the eclipse will be visible in varying degrees across the Arab region.

The moon will rise above the eastern skies before the eclipse begins, while those in central areas will see it already underway. In the western Arab world, the Moon will appear above the horizon during the latter stages of the phenomenon, a WAM report said.

Timings and phases of the eclipse

According to the Centre’s timeline, the eclipse will unfold in several distinct stages:

• 7:28pm – Moon enters the penumbra
• 8:27pm – Partial eclipse begins
• 9:31pm – Total eclipse starts
• 10:12pm – Peak of the eclipse
• 10:53pm – End of total eclipse
• 11:57pm – End of partial eclipse
• 12:55am (Monday) – End of entire event

Odah noted the moon will be clearly visible to the naked eye from 8:15pm to 12:15am, especially during totality, when it may turn a range of colors, from bright orange to deep red, due to sunlight refracting through Earth’s atmosphere.

He emphasised that the color and brightness of the moon during an eclipse are indicators of atmospheric purity. Increased pollution or volcanic activity, for example, can darken the Moon’s hue significantly. He cited the total lunar eclipse of December 12, 1992, when the moon nearly vanished from view due to the lingering effects of the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

UAE calls for Eclipse Prayer

In a spiritual reflection of the event, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat in Abu Dhabi has called on the public to perform the Eclipse Prayer on Sunday evening. This aligns with Islamic tradition, following the example of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), who performed special prayers during cosmic events.

The UAE Council for Fatwa stated that the prayer is recommended for all adult Muslims, regardless of whether the eclipse is partial or total.

Whether you plan to tune in online or gaze skyward from your backyard, Sunday’s eclipse promises to be a mesmerising blend of science and spirituality. With perfect timing and clear visibility expected across most of the UAE, it’s an ideal moment to pause and reflect on the wonders of the universe, and perhaps, say a prayer too.

82-minute lunar eclipse set for Sunday

A total lunar eclipse will be visible to the naked eye across Saudi Arabia, other Arab nations, much of Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe and Africa, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency.

Majed Abu Zahra, Director of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, stated that the eclipse will last approximately five hours and 27 minutes in total. The totality phase, the most visually striking part of the event, will last for 82 minutes, making it one of the longest total lunar eclipses since 2018.

The UAE will host the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai from September 8 to 19, bringing together more than 2,000 delegates from 192 member states to discuss the future of the global postal sector.

The event, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre. It will also draw virtual participants.

Delegations will adopt the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) 2026-2029 roadmap, to be named the “Dubai Strategy”, and elect new leadership including the UPU DG, deputy DG, and members of the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council.

“The UAE demonstrates its substantial role in developing an integrated international ecosystem that reinforces international communication and creates platforms for meaningful dialogue aimed at crafting future-focused policy,” said Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, chairman of the Supreme Supervision & Preparation Committee for the Congress.

Universal Postal Congress is held every four years

Held every four years, the congress is the UPU’s highest decision-making body and convenes ministers, national postal chiefs and experts from both public and private sectors. This year’s event comes amid rising eCommerce volumes, growing digitalisation, and increasing demands for quality, reliability and cybersecurity in postal systems.

The congress is expected to approve changes to postal products and remuneration systems, raise service standards, and promote collaboration across the wider logistics ecosystem. Other outcomes include expanding postal financial services to support financial inclusion, improving sustainability and energy transition efforts, and enhancing data protection and cybersecurity.

“The congress serves as the primary platform for channelling international efforts towards a more inclusive, secure and efficient postal and logistics system,” said Badr Al-Olama, honorary chair of the congress and chairman of the Board of Directors, 7X. “The projected results, especially the UPU Postal roadmap, or ‘Dubai Strategy’, will boost digital integration and enhance service experience for individuals and businesses by embracing unified standards.”

The event is being hosted by the UAE government in cooperation with federal and local authorities, as well as regulatory and service partners.