France supports the suspension of a trade deal between the European Union and the US, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the French parliament on Tuesday, as a row over the future of Greenland intensified.

US President Donald Trump has threatened a further wave of tariffs on some European nations until he is allowed to take control of Greenland, to the dismay of European leaders.

“The threat of customs duties (is) being used as blackmail to obtain unjustifiable concessions,” Barrot said, adding that the European Commission has “very powerful instruments” to respond to Trump’s threats.

The European Parliament is expected to formally suspend on Wednesday its work on the trade deal struck with the US last summer in protest over Trump’s threats, EU lawmakers said.

The parliament had been due to vote on removing many EU import duties on January 26-27, but Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party, the largest group in parliament, said late on Saturday that approval was not possible for now.

In a post on the social media platform X, Barrot said France wants to continue working with the US on security and peace. “But when the United States makes an unacceptable proposal, it (France) is prepared to say no,” Barrot wrote.

Dubai’s Global Village has not confirmed a reopening date, with the popular family destination stating it will remain closed “until further notice” despite growing speculation online.

The update comes as social media rumours suggested the attraction could reopen as early as next week, following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the US-Iran conflict.

However, in its latest response to visitors on social media, Global Village said the closure remains in place as a precautionary measure.

“Global Village remains closed until further notice as a precautionary safety measure in line with official guidance,” the operator said in several of its latest public replies on its Facebook page overnight.

A notice on the Global Village website on Friday, 10 April also indicated it remains closed.

It added that updates on reopening would be shared on its official website and social media channels once confirmed.

The outdoor destination — one of Dubai’s most popular seasonal attractions — has been shut for over a month following the escalation of regional tensions that began on February 28.

The uncertainty comes despite signs of easing conditions. UAE authorities confirmed on April 9 that the country’s airspace was free of aerial threats for the first time in 41 days, raising hopes of a gradual return to normal activity across sectors.

Still, Global Village’s latest communication suggests a cautious approach remains in place, with no timeline yet provided for reopening.

The closure has also impacted seasonal programming, with Eid Al Fitr fireworks and drone shows cancelled earlier this month.

Now in its landmark 30th season, Global Village typically runs from October through April and features pavilions representing more than 90 countries, alongside entertainment, retail and dining experiences.

For now, visitors will need to wait for official confirmation, with the destination making clear that reopening plans have yet to be finalised.

Dubai-based carrier Emirates has announced a reduced flight schedule impacting more than 100 destinations worldwide, as airlines across the UAE continue to adjust operations in response to evolving conditions.

The airline confirmed that while services remain active, travellers should expect changes and delays, with flexibility measures introduced to ease disruptions.

“Customers can check our latest flight schedules and book,” the airline said, adding: “To provide further peace of mind, customers who make new bookings will also be offered one complimentary date change within the ticket’s validity.”

Flexible options for new and existing Emirates bookings

Passengers with existing bookings are being offered support as the airline works to accommodate shifting travel plans. Emirates stated it will attempt to rebook affected travellers on the next available flight, including those with onward connections beyond Dubai.

Read more-New routes, more flights: How UAE-based airlines are reshaping connectivity

“If your travel plans have been affected, we’ll do our best to rebook you on the next available Emirates flight,” the airline said in a statement shared via its official Instagram story.

Travellers scheduled to fly between February 28 and May 31 have been given several options, including rebooking on alternate flights up to June 18, 2026.

Passengers with departures within 72 hours are advised to make changes through the “Manage Your Booking” feature on the Emirates app, while those traveling later are encouraged to contact the airline directly.

Refunds are also available, with Emirates noting that processing may take up to 21 days.

Emirates is advising all passengers to monitor their flight status regularly, even after check-in, as schedules remain subject to change.

“Make sure your details are up to date to receive notifications and check your email for changes or cancellations to your flights before traveling to the airport,” the airline said.

The carrier added that it continues to monitor the situation closely and will adjust its operational schedule as needed.

Air Arabia resumes limited operations across key routes

Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Air Arabia has begun operating a limited number of flights to and from the UAE, subject to regulatory approvals.

In a travel update issued on April 10, 2026, at 07:51 GMT, the airline confirmed that passengers can now book available flights via its website, mobile app, or travel agents.

Those whose flights were previously canceled may also rebook, provided they have not already used their modification or refund options.

The airline’s partial network currently includes routes connecting Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah with destinations across multiple regions, including Bahrain, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Thailand, and Greece.

Passengers affected by cancellations are being offered multiple options, including one free date change within 30 days, a full credit voucher, or a full refund to the original form of payment.

Air Arabia emphasized that travelers experiencing difficulties should use the chat feature to connect with a customer service agent for assistance.

Booking management and official updates

Customers who booked directly through Air Arabia can manage their reservations online via the “Manage Booking” page, while those who used travel agents are advised to contact them directly.

The airline also reminded passengers to ensure their contact details are updated to receive timely notifications.

Both Emirates and Air Arabia подчеркнули that operations remain fluid, with schedules likely to change as conditions develop.

As uncertainty continues to impact global travel, passengers are urged to remain flexible, stay informed, and plan ahead to avoid disruptions.

Careem Pay has expanded its remittance offering to include Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, allowing UAE residents to transfer money directly to bank accounts in both markets within minutes.

The move extends Careem Pay’s regional footprint, with the platform now supporting transfers to more than 35 countries, including key corridors such as India, Pakistan, Europe, the UK and Egypt.

Transfers to both Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are processed within 5 to 10 minutes, with funds deposited directly into recipients’ bank accounts. The service supports high-value transactions, with limits of up to Dhs150,000 for Türkiye and Dhs36,000 per transfer to Saudi Arabia.

Careem Plus members will benefit from zero transfer fees and preferential exchange rates, positioning remittances as a value-added feature within the broader Careem ecosystem.

Mohammad El Saadi, VP of Careem Pay, said: “These two corridors were natural next steps for us, and each one reflects a different customer need. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, people want to know their money is moving securely and that trust matters as much as the speed. For Türkiye, slow transfers and uncertainty about when the money actually lands has been an issue. We’re solving that with funds arriving in under 10 minutes. At a time when staying connected to family feels more important than ever, we want to make sure that’s one less thing people have to worry about.”

The expansion targets two distinct remittance dynamics. Saudi Arabia remains a major global remittance market, supported by strong cross-border flows and policy initiatives such as Saudi Vision 2030, which aim to boost financial inclusion and digital payments adoption.

Türkiye, meanwhile, represents a high-value remittance corridor driven by a large diaspora population, with the UAE serving as a key source market for outbound transfers.

The rollout reflects increasing demand for faster, more reliable cross-border payment solutions, as fintech platforms compete to capture a larger share of the region’s remittance flows.

The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) introduced a set of temporary economic measures on Thursday to ease operational pressures on companies across its three business zones, aiming to support resilience amid current regional conditions.

DIEZ, which oversees Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity, said the measures are effective immediately and designed to help firms manage costs and maintain business continuity.

The steps include stabilising rental rates on contract renewals, waiving selected administrative fees such as penalties for late licence renewals, and allowing companies to pay rent in monthly instalments without instalment-related charges.

DIEZ said the rent instalment option is intended to support liquidity during the temporary regional situation.

The authority is also offering a three-month deferral of shareholder amendment fees, as well as waivers on fees related to company restructuring and authorised capital changes.

Fees for licence activity amendments will also be deferred for three months to give companies more flexibility to adjust operations or expand into new activities.

DIEZ measures to maintain business stability

DIEZ executive chairman Mohammed Al Zarooni said the measures reflect Dubai’s focus on maintaining business stability by providing flexible solutions that respond to current circumstances.

He added that the initiative aligns with the emirate’s broader economic agenda, which prioritises adaptability, innovation and competitiveness.

DIEZ said the package forms part of its effort to offer practical support that strengthens business confidence and contributes to a dynamic economic environment capable of keeping pace with shifts in market conditions.