UAE authorities have explained why some residents receive emergency alerts while others do not, stressing that the system is designed to be precise, not universal.

According to the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), the country’s Early Warning System (EWS) operates using geographic targeting. Alerts are issued only to areas directly affected by a specific incident, based on its location, nature and potential impact.

That means residents in one area may receive a notification, such as a missile alert or severe weather warning, while others nearby may not.

Authorities say this is intentional.

“The Early Warning System is a vital preventive tool designed to promptly alert the public and strengthen national preparedness in times of emergency,” NCEMA said in a statement. “For your safety, always rely on official instructions and adhere to the guidance issued by relevant authorities.”

The system uses real-time data to define risk zones, ensuring alerts reach those most likely to be affected, while avoiding unnecessary disruption elsewhere.

This also explains why two people in the same city, or even close to each other, may have different experiences. Alert delivery can vary depending on a device’s exact location at the time of issuance, as well as individual phone settings.

Authorities added that hearing sounds linked to interception activity does not necessarily mean an alert will be received, as notifications are tied to defined impact zones rather than general proximity.

Not receiving an alert does not indicate a fault in the system. Instead, it reflects how the platform is designed to work: delivering accurate, location-specific warnings to those who need them most.

Gold rose more than 2 per cent on Wednesday, buoyed by a softer dollar, while a drop in oil prices eased concerns about elevated inflation and higher global interest rates, amid reports of a US plan to end the Middle East war.

Spot gold rose 2.5 per cent to $4,587.09 per ounce as of 0218 GMT. US gold futures for April delivery gained 4.2 per cent to $4,586.10.

The dollar eased, making greenback-priced bullion cheaper for holders of other currencies.

Read more-Gold dives to 4-month low as inflation pressures lift rate hike bets

With hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East conflict, and “as USD strength eased, safe-haven demand starts to reassert. This reinforces the view that gold didn’t lose its safe-haven appeal. It was briefly crowded out by the USD, and now that pressure is easing,” said Christopher Wong, a strategist at OCBC.

“Near-term, gold is likely to stay sensitive to Federal Reserve policy path expectations, USD and geopolitical developments, but the rebound suggests dips may continue to find support unless real yields move meaningfully higher.”

Oil prices fell below $100 a barrel, easing inflation concerns, on the prospect of a possible ceasefire easing supply disruptions from the key Middle East producing region.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the US was making progress in its efforts to negotiate an end to war with Iran, including winning an important concession from Tehran, while a source confirmed that Washington had sent Iran a 15-point settlement proposal.

Higher crude prices tend to fuel inflation by pushing up transport and manufacturing costs. Although rising inflation typically boosts gold’s appeal as a hedge, high interest rates weigh on demand for the non-yielding asset.

Interest rate futures have erased any prospect for a US Federal Reserve rate cut this year, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

“Despite gold prices trading at 17 per cent below pre-conflict levels amid USD strength and broad-based de-risking, this flush has historically been a tactical dip to buy, and the bullish case strengthens the longer the conflict persists,” JP Morgan said in a note.

The UAE is experiencing unstable weather conditions, with heavy rainfall expected in multiple waves through to March 28, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

Rain began early Wednesday, March 25, over western regions and islands before spreading across Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the northern emirates, with convective clouds bringing intense downpours.

Satellite and radar data show cloud systems moving eastward across the country throughout Wednesday morning until midday — as seen in video footage from Rain.ae — covering coastal, inland and eastern areas including Al Ain and Fujairah.

Conditions are expected to ease slightly on Thursday, with light to moderate rainfall at intervals, mainly over islands and northern regions.

A final, more intense wave is forecast from Thursday evening into Friday, bringing heavy rain, lightning, thunder and possible hail in some areas.

By Saturday, conditions will improve, with decreasing cloud cover, cooler temperatures and strong northwesterly winds. Sea conditions are expected to remain rough in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Oil prices sank about 4 per cent on Wednesday after reports the USA had sent Iran a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, raising prospects of a ceasefire that could ease supply disruptions in the region.

Brent crude futures fell $4.17, or 4 per cent, to $100.32 a barrel by 0708 GMT, after declining to as low as $97.57. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down $3.11, or 3.4 per cent, at $89.24 a barrel, after falling to as low as $86.72.

Both benchmarks rose nearly 5 per cent on Tuesday, before paring gains in volatile post-settlement trading.

“Expectations of a ceasefire have risen slightly and profit-taking is leading the market,” said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, chief strategist of Nissan Securities Investment, a unit of Nissan Securities. “But the outlook remains uncertain as to whether negotiations will succeed, limiting selling.”

Read more-Oil prices retreat as US moves to boost supply amid Iran war

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the US was making progress in negotiating an end to the war with Iran, while a source confirmed that Washington had sent Iran a 15-point settlement proposal.

Israel’s Channel 2 said the US was seeking a month-long ceasefire to discuss the plan, which includes the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, ceasing support for proxy groups, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Some analysts were sceptical on the progress of such talks, expecting markets to remain volatile.

Oil shipments via Hormuz largely halted

Phillip Nova’s senior market analyst Priyanka Sachdeva said Middle East developments would remain the “dominant price driver” keeping oil prices moving in a wide range in the near term.

The war has all but halted shipments of oil and liquefied natural gas through the Strait, which typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s gas and crude supply, causing what the International Energy Agency has called the biggest-ever oil supply disruption.

“The market outlook remains tight notwithstanding the prospects of a war off-ramp,” said Saul Kavonic, head of energy research at MST Marquee.

He said that even if flows through the Strait resume, “it’s not clear all shut-in production will resume until there is more clarity on the durability of a ceasefire.”

Iran has told the United Nations Security Council and the International Maritime Organization that “non-hostile vessels” may transit the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Iranian authorities, according to a note seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

Still, US, Israeli and Iranian strikes continued and sources said Washington was preparing to send more troops to the region.

To offset the Hormuz disruptions, oil exports from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Yanbu port rose to nearly 4 million barrels per day last week, a sharp increase from before the war broke out, shipping data shows.

In the US, crude, gasoline and distillate stocks rose last week, according to market sources who cited American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Crude stocks rose by 2.35 million barrels in the week ended March 20, gasoline inventories rose by 528,000 barrels and distillate inventories rose by 1.39 million barrels from a week earlier, the sources said.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host two key exhibitions from April 13-16, 2026 — InnoEX and Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, presenting global innovation and technology (I&T) achievements, latest electronics products and advanced technology solutions.

Industry professionals, investors, buyers, and technology users from different sectors, including SMEs, are encouraged to attend the fairs.

In 2025, the two fairs successfully brought together more than 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions, and attracted around 88,000 industry buyers from 148 countries and regions.

InnoEX is a core event of the Business of Innovation and Technology Week, driven by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and global innovations.

Under the theme of “Innovate • Automate • Elevate”, InnoEX 2026 will spotlight five dynamic areas: AI+, Robotics, Low-altitude Economy (such as unmanned aerial vehicle and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft), Property Technology, and Retail Technology.

The fairs will be held in an exhibition plus hybrid model, complemented by the “Click2Match”, an online smart business matching platform that will operate from April 6 to 23, providing a convenient and efficient platform for traders to connect.

In addition, the “Scan2Match” function also enables offline-to-online connections.

Enabling important partnerships

Last year, the fairs successfully helped buyers and exhibitors establish important partnerships. Philippine buyer Digital Pilipinas and International Digital Economies Association signed a distribution agreement with the UK’s exhibitor Unifi.id to introduce its smart card system for buildings to the Philippines, with hopes of expanding into other emerging markets in the future.

Xi’an Meinan Biotechnology Co also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with H & Y Building Decoration Electrical Engineering (HK), aiming to enhance the quality of construction projects in Hong Kong and internationally by utilising Meinan’s waterproof mortar technology, promoting sustainable development.

Entering its 22nd edition, the Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) continues to connect international exhibitors with buyers worldwide, displaying groundbreaking electronics products and solutions aligned with evolving tech trends.

The 2026 fair will spotlight products and solutions in the sectors of smart home and solutions, health tech and gadgets, and pet intelligence.

20 product zones to host global brands

The fairs will host over 20 product zones, including the Hall of Fame that will feature more than 500 global electronics brands and their creation; the Tech Hall will showcase next-generation electronics and modern lifestyle solutions; the Immersive Experience Zone will offer visitors hands-on experiences with wearable technology and interactive games; and the Start Up Zone will highlight the latest innovations and creative ideas from entrepreneurs.

Other thematic product zones will cover categories such as energy storage and e-mobility, home appliances, audio-visual products, computing and gaming, automotive and in-vehicle electronics, and more.

Shenzhen Antop Technology Co from the Chinese Mainland, an exhibitor at last year’s Electronics Fair, said, “We have made contact with many potential buyers from India and South America at the exhibition, and in the first two days, we received about 50 potential leads, with at least one third showing significant collaboration potential.”

The company was also discussing a contract for an order valued at approximately $2.5m. Additionally, Hong Kong medical technology exhibitor CYBERMED, discussed business deals with two buyers from Mainland China and the Middle East, with each order valued at approximately $200,000.

The two fairs will also introduce the RoboPark, unveiling robots’ potential and innovations through immersive scenario-based demonstrations and live robotics performances.

From humanoids and robotic arms to quadrupeds and autonomous mobile robots, visitors can explore how robotics is reshaping business, daily life, healthcare, and industries today.

Forums, presentations, and other events

During the fair, forums, presentations, and other events will be held, inviting experts to share insights and provide valuable networking opportunities for industry professionals.

Startups will also have excellent platforms to promote innovative ideas, seek support from investors, and gain advice from experts on business development.

Key information

Fair dates: April 13 – 16, 2026: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and April 6 – 23, 2026: Click2Match (Online)

For more details, visit: InnoEX and HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition)

HKTDC Marketplace App: By using the app, buyers can scan the dedicated QR codes of exhibitors to bookmark their favourite exhibitors, browse product information, view e-floor plans, and chat with exhibitors even after the fair to continue the sourcing journey.

Get the latest updates on social media: Facebook: @HKTDC Exhibition Channel and Instagram: @hktdclifestyle