Dubai Duty Free has announced a wide-ranging promotional campaign for May, offering travellers discounts of up to 50 per cent across several retail categories, while simultaneously celebrating the latest winners of its renowned Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws.

The retailer’s latest “take-off deals” campaign includes promotional offers on electronics, costume jewellery, watches, perfumes and cosmetics, with discounts ranging between 20 and 50 per cent on selected items. Customers can also benefit from buy-one-get-one-free offers, buy-two-get-one-free deals and a variety of multi-buy promotions available throughout the store.

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“Travelling to Dubai this May? You’ll want to take a little extra time at Dubai Duty Free. Our take-off deals are now on,” the company said in a post published on its official Instagram account.

Read more-Dubai Duty Free sales hit Dhs8.680bn in 2025: See top sellers

“With offers across electronics, costume jewellery, watches, perfumes to cosmetics, you’ll find savings of 20 per cent, 30 per cent, 40 per cent and even up to 50 per cent off on selected items. And it doesn’t stop there. Look out for buy one get one free, buy two get one free and plenty of multi-buy offers across the store. So take your time while you’re here. It’s definitely worth a look this May,” the post added.

The campaign comes as passenger traffic through Dubai International Airport continues to remain strong, reinforcing Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading aviation and retail hubs.

Indian national from Jeddah wins $1m

In a separate development, Dubai Duty Free announced the latest winners of its Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions during a draw held at the company’s head office in Ramool.

Mohammed Saleem, a 61-year-old Indian national residing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, won $1m in Millennium Millionaire Series 542 with ticket number 0794, purchased online on April 15.

Saleem, who has been participating in Dubai Duty Free promotions for the past six years, currently works as a mechanical engineer for JTECO and is a father of two.

“Thank you Dubai Duty Free for providing this opportunity, it will help me a lot in my life,” he said following the announcement.

Speaking about his future plans, Saleem added, “I will support my family back home in India, invest in a small business, and save for my children’s education and my retirement.”

Originally from Bangalore, Saleem becomes the 274th Indian national to win the $1m Millennium Millionaire prize since the promotion was launched in 1999. Indian nationals continue to represent the largest group of ticket purchasers in the long-running draw.

The draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak, alongside senior executives including Bernard Creed, senior vice president for Finance; Mona A. Ali, senior vice president for Human Resources; Michael Schmidt, senior vice president for Retail; and Sharon Beecham, senior vice president for Purchasing.

Luxury motorbike winners announced

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, Dubai Duty Free also announced the winners of two luxury motorbikes as part of its Finest Surprise promotion.

Abdel Khachnaoui, a Tunisian national based in the UAE, won a BMW F 900 GS Adventure motorbike in Finest Surprise Series 664 with ticket number 0502, purchased online on October 22, 2025. Company officials said the winner was unavailable for immediate comment.

Meanwhile, Eid Ali, a 39-year-old Emirati national living in Dubai, won an Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 motorbike in Finest Surprise Series 665 with ticket number 1134, purchased online on April 15.

Ali is already familiar with Dubai Duty Free’s prize promotions, having previously won a Mercedes-Benz SL55 in May 2024.

“Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this second win. Now that I’ve finally won both a car and a motorbike, I’m looking forward to winning the $1m promotion as well,” he said.

A regular participant in the retailer’s promotional draws for more than five years, Mr. Ali currently works for Dubai Police.

President Donald Trump’s swift rejection of Iran’s response to a US peace proposal sent oil prices surging on Monday amid concerns the 10-week-old conflict will drag on, keeping shipping through the Strait of Hormuz paralyzed.

Days after the US floated an offer in the hopes of re-opening negotiations, Iran on Sunday released a response focused on ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon, where Israel is fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

Tehran also included a demand for compensation for war damage and emphasised Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state TV said.

It also called on the US to end its naval blockade, guarantee no further attacks, lift sanctions and end a US ban on Iranian oil sales, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said.

Within hours, Trump dismissed Iran’s proposal with a post on social media.

“I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, without giving further detail.

The US had proposed an end to fighting before starting talks on more contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear program.

Oil prices jumped more than $4 a barrel on Monday following news of the continued stalemate that leaves the narrow Strait of Hormuz largely closed. Before the war began on February 28, the waterway carried one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows, and has emerged as one of the central pressure points in the war.

“The oil market continues to trade like a geopolitical headline machine, with prices swinging sharply based on every comment, rejection, or warning coming from Washington and Tehran,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.

Three tankers transit the strait in recent days

While traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is at a trickle compared to before the war, shipping data on Kpler and LSEG showed three tankers laden with crude exited the waterway last week, with trackers switched off to avoid Iranian attack.

Surveys show the war is unpopular with US voters facing sharply higher gasoline prices less than six months before nationwide elections that will determine whether Trump’s Republican party retains control of Congress.

The US has also found little international support, with NATO allies refusing calls to send ships to open the Strait of Hormuz without a full peace deal and an internationally mandated mission.

It is not clear what fresh diplomatic or military steps may be ahead.

Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday. With mounting pressure to draw a line under the war and the global energy crisis it has ignited, Iran is among the topics Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to discuss.

Trump has been leaning on China to use its influence to push Tehran to make ​a deal with Washington.

Addressing whether combat operations against Iran were over, Trump said in remarks aired on Sunday: “They are defeated, but that doesn’t mean they’re done.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war was not over because there was “more work to be done” to remove enriched uranium from Iran, dismantle enrichment sites and address Iran’s proxies and ballistic missile capabilities.

The best way to remove the enriched uranium would be through diplomacy, Netanyahu said in an interview that aired Sunday on CBS News’ “60 Minutes.” But he did not rule out removing it by force.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a social media post that Iran would “never bow down to the enemy” and would “defend national interests with strength.”

Despite diplomatic efforts to break a deadlock, the threat to shipping lanes and the economies of the region remained high.

Recent days have seen the biggest flare-ups in fighting in and around the strait since a ceasefire began in early April.

On Sunday, the UAE said it intercepted two drones coming from Iran, while Qatar condemned a drone attack that hit a cargo ship coming from Abu Dhabi in its waters. Kuwait said its air defences had dealt with hostile drones that entered its airspace.

Clashes have also continued in southern Lebanon between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, despite a US-brokered ceasefire announced on April 16.

An end to hostilities with Iran would not necessarily bring an end to the war in Lebanon, Netanyahu said in the “60 Minutes” interview, in which he also said Israeli planners had underestimated Iran’s ability to choke off traffic through the Hormuz Strait.

“It took a while for them to understand how big that risk ​is, which they ⁠understand now,” he said.

Dubai’s Global Village said on Sunday it would extend its milestone Season 30 until May 31, allowing visitors to celebrate Eid al-Adha at the multicultural destination.

The attraction, operated by Dubai Holding Entertainment, had previously announced it would reopen on April 20 and said strong visitor demand prompted the extension.

“Season 30 marks a significant milestone for Global Village, reflecting three decades of growth, evolution and shared success. It has shown the strength of the destination, the dedication of our teams and partners and the continued trust of our guests,” Fernando Eiroa, chief executive officer of Dubai Holding Entertainment, said in a statement.

“Concluding the season during Eid Al Adha, a time that brings communities together, allows us to celebrate alongside the families, residents and visitors who have made this chapter so memorable,” he added.

End-of-season shopping promotions and more at Global Village

The destination said visitors in the final weeks of the season would have access to end-of-season shopping promotions, more than 250 dining options and live performances at its Main Stage and Kids’ Theatre.

It also announced a Carnaval offer providing unlimited access to rides for Dhs99, while a family package offers four entry tickets for Dhs30, with additional tickets priced at Dhs7.50 each.

Global Village said it would extend operating hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm to 1 am, while operating from 5 pm to midnight from Sunday to Thursday.

During Season 30, the destination hosted more than 90 cultures, 3,500 retail outlets and over 250 dining options. It also featured 450 performers staging more than 40,500 shows, alongside more than 200 rides, games and attractions at Carnaval.

Global Village said it would now shift focus to Season 31, with plans to introduce new concepts and enhance the visitor experience.

The UAE’s Ministry of Education announced on Sunday that in-person learning would resume across the country from Monday, May 11, following a period of disruption linked to regional developments.

The ministry said all students, teaching staff and administrative employees in public and private schools, nurseries, and public and private higher education institutions would return to classrooms starting Monday.

The decision follows continuous monitoring of developments and coordination with the relevant authorities.

Schools to continue implementing approved safety protocols with in-person learning reinstated

The ministry said educational institutions would continue to implement approved safety and security protocols to support the smooth continuation of classes.

It also said schools, nurseries and universities would remain prepared to shift to alternative learning models if required, depending on ongoing developments and assessments.

The ministry added that they were continuing to coordinate with educational institutions to ensure a smooth return to in-person learning and said any further updates would be communicated through official channels.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened a new 500-metre bridge under the World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project, marking another major step in the emirate’s efforts to improve mobility and ease traffic congestion across key routes.

The newly launched bridge is designed to serve outbound traffic from Al Bada’ towards 2nd December Street, providing smoother access to Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Mustaqbal Street. Officials said the project forms part of Dubai’s wider strategy to strengthen road infrastructure and support the city’s growing population and urban expansion.

According to a Dubai Media Office report, the bridge is expected to significantly improve traffic movement in one of Dubai’s busiest districts, while supporting the leadership’s vision of making Dubai one of the world’s best cities for mobility and quality of life.

Travel time reduced from eight minutes to two

RTA said the single-lane bridge stretches approximately 500 metres and can handle up to 1,200 vehicles per hour. The authority added that the new route is expected to reduce travel time for motorists heading from Al Bada’ towards Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Mustaqbal Street from eight minutes to just two minutes.

Read more-Dubai’s road overhaul: New roads, bridges to transform commutes

The bridge is the latest addition to the World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project, which has already seen the opening of three bridges aimed at improving connectivity and reducing delays across surrounding areas.

Officials highlighted that the Trade Centre district remains one of Dubai’s most strategically important locations due to its proximity to Sheikh Zayed Road, a major traffic corridor connecting several parts of the city.

“The project reflects RTA’s ongoing commitment to developing integrated infrastructure solutions that enhance the efficiency of Dubai’s road network,” the report stated.

Major infrastructure push continues

As part of the wider project, RTA is also converting the signalised intersection on 2nd December Street into a free-flow intersection. The move is expected to further improve traffic circulation and reduce congestion for motorists travelling towards Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Mustaqbal Street.

The World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project includes the construction of six bridges spanning a total of 5,000 metres. Once completed, the project will allow free-flowing traffic in several directions and improve connectivity between major roads across the area.

RTA previously opened a bridge connecting Sheikh Zayed Road with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street in February 2026.

Earlier, in December 2025, two additional bridges were launched to serve traffic moving from 2nd December Street towards Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street, eventually linking with Al Mustaqbal Street.

The two bridges, with a combined length of 2,000 metres, can accommodate around 6,000 vehicles per hour.

More upgrades planned across the area

The project also includes two additional bridges featuring two lanes in each direction. These bridges will connect Al Majlis Street and Sheikh Rashid Road with 2nd December Street while strengthening links to Al Mustaqbal Street.

Together, the upcoming bridges will extend another 2,000 metres and support traffic volumes of approximately 6,000 vehicles per hour.

In addition, the existing World Trade Centre Roundabout will be transformed into a signalised at-grade intersection, further enhancing mobility and streamlining traffic movement in the surrounding district.