Kuwait's air defence systems intercepted hostile missiles and drones targeting its airspace early Thursday amid heightened regional tensions. The army confirmed successful interceptions, causing explosion sounds, but reported no casualties or damage. Citizens were urged to remain calm and follow official safety guidance. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with no disruption to civil aviation.
Kuwait’s air defence systems intercepted missile and drone threats targeting the country’s airspace early on Thursday, according to the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army, as regional tensions continued to simmer.
In a statement carried by state news agency KUNA, the military said its air defence systems were responding to multiple aerial threats attempting to penetrate Kuwaiti airspace.
The army said explosion sounds heard across parts of the country were the result of successful interception operations carried out by air defence units.
No casualties or damage were immediately reported.
“The sounds of explosions heard in several areas were the result of interception operations conducted by air defence systems against hostile aerial targets,” the military said.
Kuwaiti authorities urged citizens and residents to remain calm and to follow all security and safety instructions issued by official agencies.
Reuters reported that sirens sounded across Kuwait early on Thursday, with the army confirming that its defence systems were actively engaging the incoming threats. Officials did not specify where the missiles and drones had originated.
The incident comes amid heightened regional security concerns, with the US targeting Iranian missile sites for a second time this week.
Kuwait has not announced any changes to civil aviation operations or public services following the interceptions.
Authorities said they were continuing to monitor the situation closely and would provide further updates if necessary.
Eid Al Adha 2026 in Abu Dhabi: Top experiences on offer during the holidays
The emirate’s entertainment sector is also expected to see increased holiday traffic, with Yas Island unveiling a broad range of family-focused attractions throughout Eid
Abu Dhabi’s leading cultural and entertainment destinations are preparing an extensive line-up of immersive experiences for Eid Al Adha, as the emirate strengthens its position as one of the region’s fastest-growing leisure and tourism hubs.
From interactive museum exhibitions and heritage-inspired performances to world-class theme park attractions, this year’s celebrations are designed to blend culture, creativity and family entertainment across the UAE capital.
According to a WAM report, the programme reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to promote tourism, community engagement and cultural identity through integrated holiday experiences that appeal to residents and international visitors alike.
Louvre Abu Dhabi to host immersive artistic experiences
Louvre Abu Dhabi is set to headline the cultural celebrations with a range of artistic and audio-visual experiences beneath its iconic dome.
Among the centrepiece attractions is the “Floating Breathwork” experience, which will feature guided meditation and relaxation sessions conducted in a multisensory environment on floating mats. Organisers said the experience is designed to encourage mindfulness, calm and emotional balance during the holiday period.
The museum will also stage “We Are Not Alone,” an immersive audio-visual production exploring themes of superintelligence and interstellar travel. The project includes contributions from internationally recognised voices, including Emirati artist Hussain Al Jassmi.
In addition, visitors will be able to attend screenings of “The Great Journey,” a film chronicling the emotional journey of a father and son travelling from southern France to Makkah. The production highlights themes of faith, family and human connection that align closely with the spirit of Eid Al Adha.
Emirati heritage takes centre stage
Celebrating national identity and local traditions, Zayed National Museum will host its “Eid Joy” programme from May 27 to 31, featuring a diverse calendar of poetry, storytelling, music and traditional crafts.
One of the key attractions will be an interactive poetry initiative organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi’s tourism brand, Experience Abu Dhabi. The experience invites poets in both Arabic and English to transform visitors’ memories and personal stories into original poems inspired by Abu Dhabi and its multicultural community.
The museum will also present the “Eid Morning Gathering,” an event inspired by the traditional Emirati majlis. The programme will include Nabati poetry, Al Minkous singing, Emirati coffee experiences, handicraft workshops and live performances of traditional arts including Al Ayala, Al Harbiyah and Al Na’ashat.
Family entertainment expands across Yas Island
The emirate’s entertainment sector is also expected to see increased holiday traffic, with Yas Island unveiling a broad range of family-focused attractions throughout Eid.
Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, will continue offering high-speed entertainment through its record-breaking rollercoasters and thrill rides, while Yas Waterworld plans to showcase new water attractions, including “Mataha Madness,” promoted as the UAE’s tallest waterslide tower.
Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, will welcome families with immersive experiences featuring globally recognised characters across six themed lands inspired by films and animated classics.
Meanwhile, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will offer interactive workshops and educational activities centred on creativity and sustainability, including Eid biscuit decorating, henna art, palm frond weaving and nature-inspired mosaic design.
The wide-ranging programme highlights Abu Dhabi’s continued investment in cultural tourism and experiential entertainment, reinforcing the emirate’s ambition to deliver festive experiences that combine heritage, education and world-class leisure offerings.
Iran says it could reopen Hormuz within 30 days, if a deal is sealed
Tehran says shipping through the Strait could return to pre-war levels within a month under a proposed framework deal with Washington, though the White House has dismissed reports of any draft agreement
Tehran would restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month in a framework deal with the US to also include withdrawing US forces from Iran’s vicinity, Iranian state television reported on Wednesday.
The report said the US would end a naval blockade of Iranian shipping, citing a memorandum of understanding being negotiated between the two sides to end the war which has choked global energy supplies through the strategic waterway.
Iranian state TV said it had obtained an unofficial draft of the MOU though it was not final and may not be agreed.
The US denied the report, saying it was “complete fabrication” in a White House statement on social media.
Iran’s government did not comment.
The issue of US troops in the region also needs further discussion, the TV report said without being more specific.
There was no mention of Iran’s nuclear programme which the US wants disbanded.
The state TV report was the latest signal of possible progress towards a deal, although publicly Tehran and Washington have outlined positions starkly at odds and the potential terms outlined by the broadcaster did not appease all US demands.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday it may take a few more days, after President Donald Trump had raised hopes over the weekend for an imminent end to the war.
Key sticking points have included reopening and management of the waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flowed before the conflict and the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capacity.
Oil prices fell more than 5 per cent on Wednesday after the Iranian TV report.
It was not immediately clear what a US military pullback as described by Iranian state television would look like.
The US military has some 15,000 troops currently enforcing a blockade of Iran and has thousands of additional forces at bases throughout the region, including in Gulf states like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
US naval vessels, some with thousands of sailors and Marines aboard, regularly transit the region, stopping in ports including in Oman. The
India's SEBI is considering stricter oversight of equity capital usage from public markets, aiming to improve investor confidence. Draft proposals, mirroring a UK model, grant monitoring agencies (typically credit rating firms) greater power, including direct reporting to stock exchanges and penalties for non-cooperation. The monitoring threshold will also be lowered, broadening scrutiny.
India’s markets regulator plans to tighten oversight of how companies use equity capital raised from public markets, according to a copy of draft proposals reviewed by Reuters.
The proposals are aimed at bolstering investor confidence and accountability of issuers at a time when fundraising momentum has cooled due to a selloff in Indian equity markets following the Iran conflict.
A panel of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) will send the draft proposals to the regulator, which will seek market feedback before changing the rules. The proposed rules have not been previously reported.
An email query sent to SEBI on Wednesday was not answered.
The proposals would give greater powers to monitoring agencies, typically credit rating firms, to hold firms accountable for how funds are used.
Proposed changes include direct reporting by rating agencies to stock exchanges, the introduction of penalties when companies do not cooperate, and a lower threshold of funds raised to trigger mandatory monitoring.
SEBI’s proposed framework mirrors the UK model, where the regulator mandates strict oversight of IPO proceeds by an investment bank or an advisory firm.
Currently, credit rating firms in India must monitor end-use of funds raised through public offers but often face a lack of information from companies and do not have to make those reports public.
Under the proposed changes, credit rating firms would submit reports on fund use directly to exchanges and would be required to flag companies that are not cooperating.
“Monitoring agency reports are intended to enhance transparency, accountability and safeguarding investor interests. Therefore, timely and adequate submission of report to exchanges is paramount to ensuring investor protection,” according to the draft proposals.
The regulator’s panel is also proposing penalties of INR50,000 ($522) per violation for issuers that obstruct monitoring.
The regulator also wants to lower the threshold for mandatory monitoring from INR1bn to INR500m, expanding scrutiny across IPOs, rights issues, preferential allotments and qualified institutional placements.
While the pipeline of IPOs approved and waiting for regulatory approvals is at a record high at INR2.5tn rupees across 190 companies, only 15 companies have gone to the market since the start of the calendar year, due to economic uncertainty stemming from the Middle East conflict.
“When companies come back to market to raise funds, tightened governance around capital deployment would help bolster investor sentiment,” a source with direct knowledge of the proposed rule changes said.
Goldman Sachs lifts S&P 500 year-end target to 8,000 on strong earnings outlook
The brokerage also raised its S&P 500 earnings-per-share forecasts to $340 for 2026, implying 24 per cent year-on-year growth, and to $385 for 2027, a further 13 per cent increase
Goldman Sachs has increased its S&P 500 year-end 2026 forecast to 8,000, driven by strong corporate earnings. They anticipate continued earnings growth, projecting $340 EPS for 2026 and $385 for 2027. This optimistic outlook, shared by other brokerages like UBS, is partly fuelled by AI infrastructure investment, which is expected to offset consumer spending concerns.
Goldman Sachs has raised its 2026 year-end forecast for the S&P 500 index to 8,000 from 7,600, citing continued strength in corporate earnings.
The target is 6.4 per cent higher than the index’s last close of 7,519.12.
“Earnings growth has powered the entire S&P 500 return so far this year, and we expect this dynamic to continue in the coming months,” Goldman Sachs said in a note on Tuesday.
The brokerage also raised its S&P 500 earnings-per-share forecasts to $340 for 2026, implying 24 per cent year-on-year growth, and to $385 for 2027, a further 13 per cent increase.
Goldman’s move adds to a growing wave of bullish calls from brokerages, with UBS GWM the latest to lift its outlook last week, citing robust AI-driven earnings that could help offset inflationary pressures and supply risks from the Iran conflict.
The brokerage said AI infrastructure beneficiaries are set to drive about half of the index’s earnings growth this year, adding that while weak consumer spending and elevated costs pose risks, strong AI investments would offset these pressures.
“In addition, while S&P 500 earnings estimates have risen more quickly than index price appreciation, the semiconductor stocks at the heart of the AI infrastructure complex have recently outpaced their forward earnings,” analysts at Goldman Sachs said.
Dubai's Super Sale has expanded to five days to coincide with Eid Al Adha, aiming to boost retail, tourism, and entertainment. The event features discounts across 500+ brands and focuses on enhancing customer experience through loyalty programmes and exclusive launches.
Dubai has expanded its traditional 3-day Super Sale into a five-day retail festival, aligning the event with Eid Al Adha and a broader push to deepen consumer engagement across shopping, tourism and entertainment.
The timing of this year’s edition is central to the decision, as Eid Al Adha remains one of the strongest retail periods in the UAE calendar, when residents and visitors typically spend on fashion, jewellery, homeware, beauty and travel-related experiences.
Image credit: Supplied
“The extension was mainly driven by the timing. This edition falls during Eid Al Adha, one of the strongest retail periods of the year, when families are already shopping for gifts, fashion, jewellery, homeware, beauty, dining and holiday experiences,” said Mohammed Feras Arayqat, acting VP, Retail Calendar and Promotions at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE).
By extending the event to five days, organisers are aiming to give shoppers more flexibility to plan purchases, compare offers across destinations and participate more widely in Dubai’s Eid in Dubai programme.
Building a citywide retail and tourism engine
Beyond extending the shopping window, the initiative is designed to strengthen Dubai’s integrated economic model, where retail activity is closely linked with tourism, hospitality and entertainment.
“The campaign is not only about discounts of up to 90 per cent; it is about building a full citywide retail moment across more than 500 brands, thousands of outlets, online platforms, loyalty programmes, mall activations and major incentives such as Win Your Home in Dubai,” Arayqat said.
The five-day format is also intended to encourage longer dwell time across the city, where a single shopping trip can evolve into a full-day or multi-day experience involving dining, leisure and events.
“It also supports Dubai’s wider strategy of turning key seasonal moments into economic drivers,” he added. “During this same period, the city is hosting Eid entertainment, Dubai Esports and Games Festival, Dubai Restaurant Week, live performances, cultural events and staycation offers.”
Curated brand mix across 500+ names
Participation in the Super Sale is carefully curated to ensure a broad retail offering that reflects Dubai’s positioning as a global shopping hub.
“For 3DSS, participation spans more than 500 brands across categories such as fashion, beauty, electronics, lifestyle, homeware, accessories, watches and jewellery,” Arayqat said.
Selection is not solely driven by discount depth, but by overall customer experience and category balance.
“The criteria are not only about the size of the discount. The strength of the offer, category relevance, customer demand, accessibility across malls and online channels, and the ability to deliver a strong shopping experience all play an important role,” he said.
This year’s lineup includes international and regional brands such as Balenciaga, Damas, Sephora, Gap, Magrabi, Next, Pan Home, Pandora, Sacoor Brothers, Toys R Us, Virgin Megastore, Mango, Lululemon, Home R Us, Geox, Borders and Harman House.
The mix is designed to appeal to a wide spectrum of consumers, from families preparing for Eid celebrations to tourists and residents planning larger discretionary purchases during the long weekend.
Retailers prepare for peak demand across five days
For participating retailers, the extended format requires more structured preparation across inventory, staffing and omnichannel operations.
“3DSS requires peak-season preparation. This includes stock planning, staff scheduling, pricing, in-store displays, online updates, loyalty programme integration, and customer service readiness,” Arayqat said.
Unlike shorter flash-sale formats, the five-day duration spreads demand more evenly, requiring retailers to maintain consistency in stock availability and customer experience throughout the event.
“The five-day format makes this even more important because demand is spread across a longer period rather than concentrated into one weekend,” he added.
Malls across Dubai are also preparing for increased footfall, with destinations such as Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Festival City Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Mercato, WAFI, Bluewaters, City Walk and The Beach JBR expected to see a surge in visitors combining shopping with Eid entertainment and dining.
Experience-led retail and exclusive launches
A notable shift in Dubai’s retail strategy is the growing emphasis on experiences, exclusive launches and reward ecosystems rather than price-led promotions alone.
“Yes, and this is becoming a bigger part of how retail campaigns are evolving in Dubai. Discounts remain the main attraction, but shoppers today are also looking for launches, experiences, rewards and reasons to visit a destination,” Arayqat said.
A key highlight this year includes the opening of the UAE’s first PACSUN store at Mall of the Emirates during the Super Sale period, reinforcing the event’s role as a platform for new retail activations.
Brands are also increasingly leveraging loyalty programmes and reward structures to enhance value.
During the campaign, shoppers can access programmes such as BLUE Rewards, SHARE, Amber, Tickit, AURA, Privilege Plus, MUSE, Shukran, Club Apparel and Skywards Everyday.
“This means the experience is no longer just about getting a discount; it is about saving, earning rewards and unlocking further value through the citywide retail ecosystem,” Arayqat said.
Economic impact and consumer engagement
The Super Sale is expected to generate stronger retail footfall and spending, while also contributing to broader economic activity across tourism, hospitality and entertainment sectors.
However, its impact is intentionally designed to extend beyond retail transactions.
“Because 3DSS is taking place during Eid in Dubai, the campaign can benefit several sectors at once,” Arayqat said. “A family may visit a mall for the sale, dine out as part of Dubai Restaurant Week, attend an Eid performance, explore Dubai Esports and Games Festival, or book a staycation during the long weekend.”
A major consumer incentive is the “Win Your Home in Dubai” draw, where shoppers spending Dhs500 at participating outlets earn entry to win one of 12 residential units supplied by Binghatti Developers, with additional entries unlocked for every Dhs500 spent.
The rise of Dubai’s “total value economy”
At the heart of the Super Sale’s evolution is a clear shift in consumer behaviour. Price remains important, but it is no longer the sole driver of purchasing decisions.
“Mega-discount events are highly significant because they create urgency. When shoppers know that discounts of up to 90 per cent are only available for a few days, it encourages faster decision-making,” Arayqat said.
However, Dubai’s retail model is increasingly defined by what industry stakeholders describe as “layered value”, where cash back, loyalty points, airline miles, prize draws and experiences combine within a single shopping journey.
“But Dubai’s retail model has moved beyond discounting alone. What makes 3DSS powerful is the layered value,” he said. “That changes consumer behaviour. The decision is no longer based only on price. It becomes about total value.”
This shift reflects a broader transformation in Dubai’s retail ecosystem, where shopping is increasingly embedded within lifestyle, tourism and entertainment experiences rather than treated as a standalone activity.
