Good morning from The National on December 31, 2025.
Here is your digest of what is making the headlines in the Emirates.
The UAE is withdrawing all counter-terrorism teams from Yemen, after a Saudi strike hit armoured vehicles belonging to its forces in the southern port of Mukalla.
The Emirates ended its military presence within the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in 2019 but a limited number of specialised teams remained to continue counter-terrorism work.
Saudi Arabia has led the anti-Houthi alliance since 2015, with the UAE playing a key role in halting the advance of the Iran-backed rebels, expelling them from the south, and combatting extremist groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIS.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the withdrawal in a statement that came after the Saudi-led coalition announced a “limited military operation” against weapons and combat vehicles in southern Yemen.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed the developments with Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State. He stressed the UAE's commitment to working closely with Washington to establish sustainable peace in the region.
You can read all the latest here.
And to find out more about what the UAE's role has been since 2015, The National's Mohamad Ali Harisi breaks down all the details for you in a video here.
UAE set for high winds and chilly weather for New Year's Eve celebrations
If you're going out tonight to celebrate New Year's Eve, it's unlikely you will need an umbrella but you might want to wrap up tight, with dry but chilly and windy weather expected.
The National Centre of Meteorology said winds could reach up to 50kph in some areas on Wednesday, with a drop in temperatures but it wasn't expected to rain.
Fireworks displays and light shows will illuminate the sky and usher in 2026 at some of the country's best known landmarks, including Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace and Dubai's Burj Khalifa.
The blustery weather could also whip up dust, hampering visibility issues for drivers.
Read the full report here
Will Smith and MrBeast to attend 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai
YouTube sensation MrBeast, Hollywood superstar Will Smith and former England and Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand are among the big names taking part in 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai next month.
The event returns to the emirate, the fifth such event, on January 9, with more than 15,000 content creators expected to take part over three days.
“The speakers in the first summit had one billion followers, today the speakers have more than 3.5 billion followers,” said Saeed Al Eter, head of the UAE Government Media Office.
“There are around 200 million content creators worldwide. It’s a rapidly growing sector. About 47 per cent of content creators are working full-time.”
Read more from Ali Al Shouk here
Fact of the day
An Abu Dhabi cafe renowned for its coffee and brunch has opened a branch in London’s Knightsbridge area. The Ten11 cafe is across the road from Hyde Park Corner and a few steps from the Peninsula and Lanesborough hotels. Read the full story here
Today's must-reads
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