One person has died and two others have been injured after debris from an intercepted drone fell in Taif Governorate in Saudi Arabia, according to the kingdom’s General Directorate of Civil Defense.

The Civil Defense said its teams responded on Thursday after debris fell following the interception and destruction of a drone that authorities said was launched by the Houthi militia.

A Yemeni resident was killed in the incident, while a Saudi woman and a Pakistani resident were injured. The Pakistani resident is in critical condition, according to the directorate.

The falling debris also caused material damage to civilian buildings and vehicles in the governorate.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense said standard emergency procedures for such incidents had been implemented.

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has introduced four compliance handbooks covering private educational institutions across the emirate, setting out requirements ranging from staffing and permits to learner rights, health and safety and emergency preparedness.

Introduced under KHDA’s Flexible Regulation Framework as part of the Education 33 (E33) strategy, the handbooks cover early childhood centres, private schools, higher education institutions and training institutes.

The new framework is intended to provide institutions with a unified regulatory reference while allowing operators to assess their own readiness, identify compliance gaps and address issues proactively, WAM stated.

The handbooks set out regulatory and operational requirements according to the type of educational institution. These include permits, staffing, educational and training programmes, inclusive education, learner rights, health and safety, facility readiness, emergency preparedness and continuity of learning.

They also cover national identity and Emirati values alongside other operational requirements.

KHDA conducted 1,026 field visits

The launch comes as KHDA steps up compliance oversight across Dubai’s growing private education sector. During the past year, its compliance teams carried out 1,026 field visits, equivalent to an average of 86 visits per month.

The handbooks outline how field visits will be conducted and clarify the respective responsibilities of educational institutions and KHDA compliance officers.

They also provide self-assessment checklists designed to help institutions prepare for compliance requirements and incorporate them into everyday operations.

Fatma Belrehif, CEO of Education Quality Assurance and Compliance Agency at KHDA, said: “The learner journey in Dubai begins with a child’s first steps in an early childhood centre, continues through school and higher education, and extends to training, skills development, and lifelong learning. Every stage of this journey should be built on clarity, quality, and accountability within an integrated framework that protects learners, safeguards their rights, and provides a safe and supportive environment. The four compliance handbooks support the goals of E33, which places learners at the heart of the education ecosystem, by clearly defining the obligations educational institutions are expected to fulfil.”

She added: “The handbooks provide clear requirements that enable institutions to continuously assess their readiness, identify gaps, and address them proactively. This strengthens accountability, supports faster decision-making, and enhances the efficiency and sustainability of education services.”

Focus on learner and parent rights

KHDA said learner and parent rights form a core part of the compliance framework, with the handbooks intended to establish clearer relationships between families and education providers and define institutions’ responsibilities towards learners.

The framework also aims to reduce the time institutions spend identifying and interpreting regulatory requirements by bringing relevant obligations together in a consistent format.

The initiative forms part of E33’s wider objective of ensuring learners have access to high-quality education in safe and supportive environments, while supporting the continued expansion and diversification of Dubai’s private education sector.

The Central Bank of the UAE’s (CBUAE) latest interest rate increase is set to push up borrowing costs for some homeowners and businesses, while potentially delivering better returns for savers, according to UAE-based financial experts.

The CBUAE raised its Base Rate by 25 basis points from 3.65 per cent to 3.9 per cent, effective September 17, following a similar increase by the US Federal Reserve.

The Fed raised its target range by 25 basis points to 3.75-4 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since 2023. The UAE’s monetary policy closely tracks US rates because of the dirham’s peg to the dollar.

For UAE consumers and companies, the impact could increasingly be felt through mortgages and business loans, particularly borrowing linked to the Emirates Interbank Offered Rate (EIBOR).

Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, said the CBUAE’s Base Rate influences overnight funding costs, meaning EIBOR is also expected to move higher.

“In terms of impact, mortgages will definitely feel it. Most UAE home loans have a fixed rate for 1-5 years before switching to EIBOR plus a bank margin. Borrowers already on variable rates will see their monthly payments increase when their loans reset,” Valecha said.

The impact will not, however, be uniform across mortgage holders.

Valecha said borrowers coming off fixed-rate deals agreed in 2020 and 2021 could experience a larger increase because they may have locked in significantly lower rates. Those already paying fixed rates of around 5.5 per cent or higher could see little or no immediate change.

New mortgage customers could also face higher borrowing costs.

“New home-loan applicants are also likely to face higher rates, with offers moving above the mid-3 per cent levels seen through much of 2026,” Valecha said.

SMEs face higher financing costs

The impact is also expected to extend to UAE businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with floating-rate debt.

“Companies and SMEs with EIBOR-linked loans will pay more interest, adding pressure to margins, particularly in sectors already dealing with higher energy and shipping costs,” Valecha said.

Hamza Dweik, head of trading (MENA) at Saxo Bank, said financing costs are likely to remain elevated as the UAE follows the direction of US monetary policy.

“For the UAE, the immediate implication is that financing costs are likely to remain elevated. Given the dirham’s peg to the US dollar, the UAE Central Bank typically mirrors Fed moves, meaning borrowing costs for mortgages, personal loans and business lending are unlikely to ease anytime soon,” Dweik said.

However, he expects the wider UAE economy to be able to absorb the tighter monetary environment, supported by non-oil economic activity, population growth, tourism and continued investment.

“While higher rates may slow some credit demand, particularly among SMEs and highly leveraged borrowers, they are unlikely to materially derail growth. Rather, the impact is more likely to be seen through a moderation in borrowing activity rather than a sharp slowdown in economic activity,” Dweik said.

Madhur Kakkar, founder and CEO of Elevate Financial Services, similarly pointed to the GCC’s underlying financial position as a buffer against higher rates.

“For the UAE and the wider GCC, the impact is largely transmitted through the dollar peg, implying tighter domestic financial conditions and higher borrowing costs. That said, the region remains relatively well positioned given strong banking-system liquidity, healthy sovereign balance sheets and continued support from the energy sector,” Kakkar said.

Personal loans, credit cards and deposits

Existing personal and auto loan borrowers could be less exposed to the latest increase because these products are generally offered at fixed rates for the duration of the loan, according to Valecha.

Credit card rates are also unlikely to change significantly because they are already considerably higher than money-market rates.

Savers, meanwhile, could emerge as beneficiaries if banks respond to higher benchmark rates by increasing deposit rates.

“There is a benefit for savers. Deposit rates, which declined during the previous easing cycle, could now move higher. UAE banks may also see some improvement in lending margins as interest rates rise,” Valecha said.

Dweik added: “Higher benchmark rates support stronger returns on deposits and cash holdings, which has become an increasingly attractive proposition after years of near-zero rates.”

Could UAE rates rise again?

Attention will now shift to how long the higher-rate environment lasts and whether the Fed delivers another increase this year.

Kakkar said the Fed’s accompanying message was ultimately more significant for markets than the widely anticipated 25-basis-point increase itself.

“The Committee is signalling that inflation risks are not yet fully behind it, keeping the door open for further tightening and reinforcing a higher-for-longer rate environment,” he said.

Dweik said another US increase before the end of the year remains possible, which would have implications for borrowers in the UAE.

“The bigger takeaway is that the Fed is signaling inflation remains a concern. US inflation is still running at around 3.4 per cent, well above the Fed’s 2 per cent target, and policymakers have indicated that one additional rate increase this year remains a possibility. If that outlook materialises, UAE borrowers could face elevated financing costs for longer than previously expected.”

For UAE households and companies, Dweik said the key issue has therefore shifted from the latest increase itself to the duration of elevated rates.

“I think the key question for the UAE is no longer whether rates move higher today, but how long they stay at these levels. The Fed has effectively signaled that inflation remains the priority, which suggests borrowing costs across the UAE are likely to remain elevated well into 2027,” Dweik concluded.

Read: Trump challenges Fed rate hike, calls for 1% interest rates

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Airports are stepping up coordination on future road and public transport infrastructure serving Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), as the emirate prepares for continued growth in aviation, population and development around Dubai South.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, and Paul Griffiths, chief executive officer of Dubai Airports, discussed future transport plans for DWC as well as traffic projects aimed at improving flows on road corridors leading to and from Dubai International (DXB).

According to WAM, the discussions focused on integrating Dubai’s road and public transport network more closely with its airports, with the aim of improving passenger movement and creating more seamless connections for residents and visitors.

Al Tayer said DWC and Dubai South are of strategic importance to RTA’s future planning due to the rapid urban and economic development taking place in the area.

He said: “Guided by the vision and directives of its leadership, Dubai continues to invest in developing world-class infrastructure aligned with its future aspirations and supporting sustained growth.”

RTA said it is developing an integrated and flexible network of roads and public transport systems to accommodate Dubai’s growing population and visitor numbers and support continued urban and economic expansion.

Improving access to DXB and DWC

During the meeting, RTA and Dubai Airports reviewed planned road and public transport projects intended to accommodate anticipated growth at DWC and Dubai South and improve access to the area from across Dubai.

The two organisations also discussed aligning future transport infrastructure projects with the aviation sector’s expansion plans.

Griffiths said: “Close collaboration with RTA is essential to shaping a seamless, integrated travel experience for our guests, from the moment they set out for the airport and throughout every stage of their journey. As Dubai enters a new phase of growth, the seamless integration of airports with road networks and all modes of public transport is a key element of our vision to reimagine the future of travel in the emirate.”

He added: “We will continue working with RTA to develop a flexible, future-ready mobility ecosystem that raises standards for ease of access, efficiency and passenger service, while supporting the central role of DXB and DWC in strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading global gateway for travel and aviation.”

The two sides will continue coordinating on future projects linking airports with roads and public transport, including measures aimed at improving traffic flow and accommodating population and urban growth around Dubai’s expanding aviation infrastructure.

The UAE Ministry of Finance has announced the second issuance under its Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme, offering UAE nationals and residents access to a five-year, government-backed Shariah-compliant investment from a minimum of Dhs1,000.

The latest issuance follows strong demand for the inaugural offering, which attracted Dhs445m in subscription orders — nearly nine times its initial Dhs50m target.

The Ministry of Finance said the profit rate for the second issuance will be announced on September 22, 2026.

The programme is designed to broaden retail participation in UAE sovereign investment instruments while encouraging long-term saving and investment. The sukuk is fully backed by the UAE Government.

HE Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said: “The Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme represents an advanced strategic step towards empowering all segments of society, including UAE nationals and residents, by providing them with direct access to Shariah-compliant sovereign investment instruments backed by the UAE Government.

“The programme goes beyond being a government financial instrument. It serves as a key pillar in supporting long-term financial planning and fostering a culture of saving and secure investment, in direct alignment with the objectives of the Year of Family 2026 to build a more sustainable financial future for individuals and families across the UAE.”

How investors can subscribe

Retail investors will be able to subscribe through Dubai Financial Market’s (DFM) eIPO platform, the iVestor app and DFM app, as well as through digital channels provided by participating banks.

Emirates NBD will serve as the lead receiving bank, while Emirates Islamic, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Ajman Bank, Mashreq, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank will participate as receiving banks.

Following allocation and settlement, the sukuk will be listed on Nasdaq Dubai, allowing investors to trade it on the secondary market.

First T-Sukuk attracted Dhs445m in orders

The inaugural issuance attracted Dhs445m in subscription orders against an initial issuance size of Dhs50m. Following the strong demand, the Ministry increased the final issuance size to Dhs100m.

Around 76 per cent of demand was for investments of Dhs10,000 or less, while UAE nationals represented 72 per cent of the investor base.

Young investors under 25 and women together accounted for 45 per cent of subscribers, according to the Ministry.

The first issuance carried a two-year tenor and an annual profit rate of 4.30 per cent, with returns distributed every six months. It was subsequently listed for secondary-market trading on Nasdaq Dubai on July 2, 2026.

The second issuance extends the tenor to five years as the Ministry seeks to broaden the investor base for UAE dirham-denominated government debt instruments and deepen participation in the domestic capital market.