[BBC] The United Arab Emirates has launched operations at the Arab world's first nuclear power plant, on the Gulf coast just east of Qatar.Nuclear fission has begun in one of four reactors at the Barakah plant, which uses South Korean technology.
The plant was due to open in 2017 but start-up was delayed for what officials said were safety requirements.
The oil-rich UAE wants Barakah to meet a quarter of its energy needs, as it adopts more sustainable energy sources.
Just two weeks ago the UAE sent a probe on a mission to Mars - another high-profile scientific first for the Gulf nation.
The UAE is also investing heavily in solar power - a plentiful energy source in the Gulf. Some energy experts question the logic of Barakah, arguing that solar power is cleaner, cheaper and makes more sense in a region plagued by political tensions and terrorism.
Last year Qatar called the Barakah plant a "flagrant threat to regional peace and environment". Qatar is a bitter regional rival of the UAE and Saudi Arabia.