This article has been updated following further statements from the Dubai Media Office.

Authorities in Dubai said on Saturday morning said no fire or injuries were reported from debris falling on the facade of a building in the city’s Marina area following an aerial interception.

This is according to a post on X by the emirate’s media office.

Later on Saturday morning, the Dubai Media Office confirmed that an interception had also occurred around Dubai’s Internet City with debris falling on the facade of the Oracle building. No injuries were reported.

Since the Iran war started on 28 February, the UAE’s military has intercepted more than 95 per cent of all missiles and drones.

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• Article compiled with Reuters.

In a sweeping response to official instructions issued by authorities in Dubai, several of the city’s most prominent religious institutions have temporarily suspended in-person services or moved them online over the Easter period.

The measures, described as precautionary and in line with government directives, reflect how faith communities across traditions are adapting quickly to ensure both spiritual continuity and the wellbeing of worshippers.

Churches move services online

At St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Dubai, parishioners have been notified that all worship services will now be conducted exclusively online until further notice.

This includes major observances such as Good Friday, which will proceed at their scheduled times in a virtual format. Church leadership stated that the move “aligns strictly with UAE authority guidelines” and prioritises the safety of congregants while ensuring continued access to spiritual services.

Similarly, St Mina Copts Orthodox Church in Jebel Ali in Dubai, announced the cancellation of its April 3, 2026 liturgy and the temporary suspension of all church activities. In a message to members, the church reassured its congregation that the decision is “precautionary and temporary,” emphasising that it was made out of concern for public safety.

Temples and Gurudwara announce closure

Other religious institutions have taken comparable steps. The Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar in Dubai, confirmed a complete closure of its premises until further notice.

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Management expressed regret over the disruption, noting that the decision follows government-mandated security considerations. They also called for the understanding and cooperation of the Sangat, while offering prayers for the community’s safety.

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The Hindu Temple Dubai has also suspended operations indefinitely. Temple authorities said the closure is in accordance with official directives and intended to safeguard devotees. They apologised for the inconvenience and urged the community to remain supportive during this period.

Across all announcements, a consistent message has emerged: safety comes first, but faith endures. Religious leaders have encouraged followers to remain patient and cooperative, emphasising alternative ways to stay connected, including online services and personal prayer.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has warned that it could take up to 12 months to fully restore primary aluminium production following damage caused by Iranian missile and drone attacks last weekend on its Al Taweelah site in Abu Dhabi.

In an initial assessment released on April 3, the company said the Al Taweelah complex — one of the world’s largest aluminium production facilities — sustained “significant damage” during the strikes, which targeted the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD).

Read more: Emirates Global Aluminium says its KEZAD site damaged amid Iranian attacks

This comes after interceptions of Iranian missiles and drones over Abu Dhabi on March 28 resulted in debris from falling in the KEZAD area, sparking fires in the industrial zone and causing injuries, according to authorities.

The site, which includes the smelter, casthouse, power plant, alumina refinery and recycling plant, was fully evacuated as a precaution, with all facilities entering emergency shutdown, notes EGA.

To restart operations at the smelter, EGA said it must first repair infrastructure damage before progressively restoring each of the reduction cells, a process that could take up to a year.

Other parts of the complex may resume operations sooner. The company said the Al Taweelah alumina refinery and recycling plant could restart some production earlier, depending on the outcome of detailed damage assessments.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said the company was “deeply disturbed” by the attack.

“We are deeply disturbed by this attack on our people, who come from more than 40 nations and were simply doing their jobs. We thank God no one received life-threatening injuries and that those hurt are recovering well,” he said.

“Our Al Taweelah site is a foundation of the global economy, and a significant contributor to global supply, making this incident damaging to industries and prosperity worldwide. We will do our very best to support our customers around the world during this difficult period. We are working directly with customers whose deliveries might be impacted by the situation at Al Taweelah.”

The Al Taweelah smelter produced 1.6 million tonnes of cast metal in 2025, underscoring its importance to global aluminium markets.

EGA said it holds substantial metal stock both in transit and stored within the UAE and overseas, which may help cushion immediate supply disruptions.

The site’s alumina refinery produced 2.4 million tonnes in 2025, meeting 46 per cent of the company’s total alumina requirements, while the recycling plant has an annual production capacity of 185,000 tonnes.

Three Omani-linked vessels are attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz without using the Iran-controlled Larak Island detour, in what could mark the first challenge to Tehran’s grip on the key shipping route in nearly three weeks.

According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, the vessels — two very large crude carriers (VLCCs), Dhalkut and Habrut, along with LNG carrier Sohar LNG — are sailing close to the Omani coastline rather than following the established Tehran-approved corridor.

If successful, the move would represent the first known instances since March 15 of ships bypassing the Larak Island route, which has effectively functioned as a controlled passage under Iranian oversight.

Read more: Iran’s $2m ‘toll gate’: How tiny Larak Island became a Hormuz chokepoint

The vessels, all operated by Omani companies, are reportedly heading towards ports in Oman. However, it remains unclear whether the transits have been coordinated with Iranian authorities or are proceeding independently.

Fragile reopening signals

The developments come as tentative signs emerge of activity returning to the Strait, albeit under highly constrained conditions.

Lloyd’s List data shows that 53 vessels transited the waterway during Week 13, from March 23 to 29, the highest weekly total since the disruption began, though still sharply below normal levels. Traffic across March remains down around 94 per cent year-on-year.

Much of the movement continues to be dominated by vessels with links to Iran or operating within the so-called shadow fleet, which accounted for 77 per cent of tanker and gas carrier traffic last week.

Overall, around 73 per cent of vessels transiting the Strait since the start of March have had some form of Iranian nexus, including ownership, flagging, sanctions exposure or trading patterns.

Larak route still dominant

Despite the Omani-linked attempt, most international shipping continues to rely on the Larak Island detour, a route widely viewed as operating under Iranian approval.

A CMA CGM container ship, CMA CGM Kribi, is among the latest vessels to resume movement via this corridor.

The ship, which had been idle in UAE waters following the effective closure of the Strait, is now heading eastbound out of the Gulf using the Larak route, according to AIS tracking data, according to Lloyd’s List.

The vessel had previously called at ports including Jebel Ali and Hassyan before departing on a scheduled service linking the Middle East, India and Africa.

Controlled chokepoint

Since mid-March, Iran’s de facto control over the Strait has forced most vessels to either halt operations or comply with the designated detour route, turning one of the world’s most critical energy corridors into a tightly managed passage.

From March 1 to date, Lloyd’s List has tracked 221 transits through the Strait, with a heavy skew towards eastbound traffic and cargo vessels such as bulk carriers, tankers and gas carriers.

The emergence of Omani-linked ships attempting an alternative route suggests early signs of testing the limits of that control, though whether it leads to a broader reopening of the waterway remains uncertain.

For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains far from normal, with global shipping still navigating a highly restricted and politically sensitive chokepoint.

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar, and France’s TotalEnergies have agreed to form a 50 50 joint venture valued at $2.2bn that will combine their onshore renewable energy operations across nine Asian markets, the companies said on Tuesday.

The venture will become the sole platform for both companies to develop, build, own and operate onshore solar, wind and battery storage projects in Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Uzbekistan once the deal closes.

Masdar and TotalEnergies will each contribute assets of comparable value.

The portfolio will include 3 gigawatts of operating capacity and an additional 6 gigawatts in advanced development expected to come online by 2030.

Masdar Chairman Dr Sultan Al Jaber said Asia is set to drive global electricity demand growth this decade, adding that the JV would help accelerate renewable deployment across key markets.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar’s CEO, said the partnership strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a global energy hub and will support expansion into high growth markets.

TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné said the agreement aligns with the company’s strategy to build a larger renewable power business and will allow both partners to secure stronger positions in Asia than if they acted separately.

The new company will be headquartered at Abu Dhabi Global Market and employ about 200 staff from both partners.

The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.