Dubai gold prices remained below Dh500 per gram for a second consecutive day on October 21, 2026, offering potential relief to shoppers preparing for Diwali. The 24K rate opened at Dh496 per gram, while 22K gold was priced at Dh459.25 per gram.

UAE authorities have reassured residents that unusual odours reported across Sharjah, Ajman and Dubai do not currently indicate a threat. Officials are monitoring the situation, investigating the source of the smell and coordinating efforts to reduce it.

The UAE Cybersecurity Council has thwarted nearly 750,000 cyberattack attempts in recent months, targeting vital sectors including energy and education. Authorities say the detected attempts highlight the country's ability to identify and counter evolving cyber threats.

Dubai-based boutique owner Nooha Sajeev has appealed for privacy and urged the public to avoid spreading rumours after her 19-year-old son was charged in connection with a Kerala road crash that killed three young people. The incident has also triggered intense scrutiny and misinformation on social media.

United Nations-appointed independent experts have urged Indian authorities to stop the alleged use of excessive force against protesters and called for an independent investigation into recent crackdowns. The Indian government has maintained that law enforcement agencies acted in accordance with the law.

A viral video circulating online and linked to the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia has been described as misleading by The Holy Mosques account. Authorities confirmed the executions on October 14, but the circulating video is not evidence of the reported incident or the executions.

A power outage at a Google Cloud data centre near London disrupted several online services and UK banking operations, including Revolut, Lloyds and HSBC. Google reported that most cloud services had recovered within hours of the incident.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted final approval to Boeing's 737 MAX 10 aircraft, clearing the way for deliveries to begin in the coming months. The aircraft can carry up to 230 passengers and is expected to support Boeing's financial recovery.

Elon Musk has described a potential merger between SpaceX and Tesla as a good idea. Both companies have formed special committees to discuss the proposal, but no final agreement has been reached, and shareholders would ultimately need to approve a deal.

Ongoing protests, transport strikes and partial curfews in France have prompted some UAE residents to postpone their Paris trips. Travel platforms report increased demand for flexible bookings, while Emirates and Etihad flights continue to operate as scheduled, according to travel agents.