Dubai-based Danube Group has committed to retaining its entire workforce and maintaining timely salary payments, as its founder and chairman Rizwan Sajan reaffirmed the company’s stance amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

In a social media post, Sajan emphasised that while periods of growth often dominate corporate narratives, challenging times are a true test of organisational values. He highlighted the contribution of the company’s more than 6,000 employees, noting that they have played a central role in building the business over the years.

“I’m proud to say that there will be No Layoffs in Danube Group and all salaries will continue to be paid on time,” Sajan said in the post.

The accompanying message reinforced a people-first approach, positioning employees as integral to the company’s long-term success rather than a cost centre to be reduced during downturns. Sajan added that the group has a responsibility to stand by its workforce, particularly in difficult periods.

The statement comes at a time when businesses across sectors are reassessing cost structures and workforce strategies in response to macroeconomic pressures and regional uncertainties.

Danube Group operates across building materials, home interiors, and real estate development, and has been a prominent player in the region’s construction and property sectors.

Majid Al Futtaim is expanding its retail footprint across the region through an extended partnership with Alshaya Group, with a new wave of store openings led by the launch of Primark in Dubai.

The expansion will see Primark open at City Centre Mirdif on April 9, followed by a flagship store at Mall of the Emirates and another location at City Centre Bahrain. The rollout is part of a broader strategy to introduce first-to-market brands and scale flagship retail formats across Majid Al Futtaim’s mall portfolio.

Just last week, Primark officially opened its first UAE store at Dubai Mall, with queues stretching up to 500 metres as shoppers turned out in force for the launch.

The move underscores continued momentum in regional retail, as mall operators and franchise partners invest in experiential, value-driven formats to attract consumers.

Alongside Primark’s expansion, Alshaya Group has reopened its H&M store at Mall of the Emirates following a multi-million-dirham refurbishment. The portfolio has also been strengthened with recent openings of brands including Jo Malone, Victoria’s Secret and COS.

In addition, Ulta Beauty entered the UAE market earlier this year with its debut store at Mall of the Emirates, reflecting growing demand for experiential beauty and wellness retail concepts.

Khalifa Bin Braik, chief executive officer of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management, said: “This latest expansion with Alshaya Group cements our position as the leading retail destination partner in the region. Together, we are delivering elevated, future-forward retail experiences that continue to shape the future of shopping in the Middle East. Majid Al Futtaim remains committed to creating destination malls that are hubs of commerce, culture and lifestyle for the region’s diverse consumers.”

John Hadden, chief executive officer of Alshaya Group, added: “Our long-standing partnership with Majid Al Futtaim has been instrumental in enabling some of the world’s most iconic brands to flourish in the region. This next phase of expansion reflects our shared vision of delivering best-in-class retail experiences that surprise and delight customers. We are especially proud to announce the next Dubai Primark to open in City Centre Mirdif next week.”

The latest openings form part of Majid Al Futtaim’s ongoing strategy to reposition its malls as premium, experience-led destinations, combining international brands with diversified lifestyle, fashion and beauty offerings.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), in coordination with the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, has extended remote learning for higher education institutions until April 17, 2026.

The move aligns with broader efforts across the UAE education sector to ensure continuity while safeguarding students and staff.

According to the ministry, in-person classes will resume only for priority programmes requiring physical attendance, with strict safety measures in place. Officials emphasised that institutions must comply fully with approved protocols.

Authorities urged universities to closely monitor developments and coordinate with local entities to maintain academic standards and learning quality. “The situation will be reviewed on a weekly basis, with updates shared through official channels,” the ministry said.

Schools follow similar measures

In a parallel move, the Ministry of Education had on March 30 confirmed that remote learning for all students, including those in nurseries, kindergartens, and schools, will also continue until April 17.

School administrations have already been equipped with a comprehensive remote learning framework for the third academic term, designed to ensure flexibility, structured learning, and strong engagement with parents.

Gold rose on Tuesday but stayed on track for its biggest monthly drop in more than 17 years as investors flocked to the dollar as the favoured safe haven amid the Middle East conflict that has raised inflation fears and bets for hawkish monetary policy response.

Spot gold 0.9 per cent to $4,550.68 per ounce by 0727 GMT. US gold futures for April delivery gained 0.5 per cent to $4,580.70.

Bullion has declined more than 13 per cent this month, putting it on track for its steepest decline since October 2008. Prices are, however, up about 5 per cent for the quarter, having scaled a record high of $5,594.82 on January 29. Prices are down 18.70 per cent from record highs.

Read more-Gold climbs more than 2% on softer dollar, easing fears of higher interest rates

“Traders are still seeing gold through the lens of a value investment at these levels, given where the precious metal was trading just a few months ago. So, it’s a combination of falling oil, a dip in the dollar and attractive buying levels, which has propelled gold higher today,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst, KCM Trade.

Gold is typically seen as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical risks, but the conflict-driven surge in energy costs is also raising expectations for higher interest rates and boosting the dollar’s appeal as the preferred safe haven.

The dollar was headed for its biggest monthly gain since July, making it as the strongest safe asset, supported by the US status as an energy exporter and investors’ flight to cash over the past month of conflict.

Traders have almost completely priced out any chance of a US rate cut this year from about two cuts expected before the war.

“If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, oil prices could remain volatile with potential for further upside on supply constraints. So, this high oil story, which has plagued gold prices since the conflict began, hasn’t gone away yet,” Waterer said.

Goldman Sachs, however, said it continues to expect gold prices will reach $5,400 per troy ounce by end‑2026 on central bank diversification and Federal Reserve easing.

Among other metals, spot silver rose 2.7 per cent to $71.89 per ounce, spot platinum gained 1 per cent to $1,917.49, and palladium was up 1.5 per cent at $1,427. All three metals were down about 20 per cent each so far in March.

Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal is challenging fellow tycoon Gautam Adani’s winning bid for a bankrupt real estate giant in the Supreme Court, intensifying the fight over a $4bn pool of prized assets that includes the country’s only Formula One track.

Agarwal’s Vedanta has mounted a legal challenge over a creditor committee’s decision to award the assets of Jaiprakash Associates to Adani, a portfolio that includes homes, power, cement plants and the Buddh International Circuit track near New Delhi.

Read more-India’s Adani Enterprises under US probe over possible Iran-linked transactions

Vedanta has argued its $1.8bn bid for the assets was better, but the committee, and an Indian tribunal, decided in Adani’s favour by saying its $1.5bn bid was superior because it had higher upfront payments.

Vedanta is now asking India’s top court to pause the acquisition and hear its concerns, Supreme Court listing records seen by Reuters on Tuesday showed.

Vedanta and Adani did not respond to requests for comment.

A win could give a major boost to Adani’s real-estate expansion, adding to its other key projects in Mumbai, which include redeveloping one of Asia’s largest slums, Dharavi.

Trying to restart F1 in India

F1 races have been stalled in India for 13 years due to regulatory and taxation disputes, forcing organisers to discontinue the programme. Adani’s son, Karan Adani, said at a public event last month he is “very personally engaged” to bring back F1 to India.

Vedanta’s Agarwal on Sunday expressed disappointment about how the Jaiprakash Associates sale process had been handled, writing on X: “We will place the facts in the right way.”

Vedanta’s business interests stretch across aluminium, power and steel.