Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport remains open and operational Monday, though travelers flying to and from the United Arab Emirates capital continue to face scattered schedule disruptions as the war between the United States and Iran intensifies across the wider Gulf region.

Unlike several other airports in the region that have faced broader suspensions, Zayed International has maintained continuous operations throughout the recent escalation, with flag carrier Etihad Airways continuing to operate an expanded global network to roughly 80 destinations across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and the Gulf Cooperation Council. UAE airspace fully reopened earlier this year following an earlier period of partial restrictions, and officials have not announced any broad network-wide suspension at Abu Dhabi’s main airport as the conflict has continued into July.

Kuwait route among those affected

While the airport itself remains open, individual routes connected to more directly affected countries have faced cancellations. Etihad confirmed it canceled flights EY653 and EY654 between Zayed International and Kuwait International Airport on both July 19 and July 20, citing operational reasons tied to the deteriorating security situation in Kuwait. The airline said its teams were working to assist affected passengers with rebooking and travel arrangements, and advised customers to ensure their contact information on file remains current so they can receive updates by text message or email.

Other UAE-based carriers have reported similar disruptions on Gulf routes. Air Arabia flights between the UAE and Kuwait faced cancellations and delays over the weekend, although several flights that had initially been listed as canceled were later reinstated. Air Arabia’s Abu Dhabi-based service between the UAE capital and Kuwait, flights 3L020 and 3L021, were among those canceled. Separately, budget carrier flydubai canceled flights on its Dubai-to-Abha route connecting to Saudi Arabia, reflecting how the conflict’s effects have rippled beyond routes directly serving Iran or Israel.

Kuwait Airways said it had rescheduled the majority of its commercial flights after Kuwait International Airport temporarily suspended takeoffs and landings on Saturday amid repeated missile and drone threats, underscoring the more severe disruptions facing airports closer to the immediate conflict zone compared with Abu Dhabi’s relatively steadier operations.

Background on the escalating conflict

The current wave of disruptions stems from a broader collapse in relations between Washington and Tehran. The two countries renewed hostilities on July 7 after each side accused the other of violating an earlier ceasefire agreement, and fighting has intensified steadily since then across Iran and the wider Gulf region. The United States has carried out consecutive nights of airstrikes against Iranian targets in the weeks since, while Iran has responded by striking targets connected to U.S. allies in the region, including facilities in Kuwait.

That expanding pattern of strikes has created a volatile operating environment for airlines across the Gulf, with route-specific cancellations and diversions becoming increasingly common even at airports, like Zayed International, that have avoided full-scale shutdowns. Aviation officials in the region have repeatedly emphasized that the situation can shift within hours, urging travelers to verify their flight status directly with airlines rather than relying on schedules published days in advance.

What Abu Dhabi Airports has said

During earlier phases of the conflict, when UAE airspace faced more direct disruption, Abu Dhabi Airports issued formal advisories warning that some inbound and outbound flights at Zayed International could experience delays, diversions or cancellations tied to temporary airspace restrictions. The airport operator said passenger safety remained its top priority and that it was coordinating closely with airlines and relevant authorities to manage disruptions and minimize their impact wherever possible. Officials urged passengers scheduled to travel to check directly with their airline before heading to the airport, rather than assuming their flight would depart as originally scheduled.

That guidance remains broadly relevant for travelers today, even though Zayed International has not faced a repeat of the more severe disruptions seen at other regional airports in recent days. Airlines continue to manage most changes on a flight-by-flight basis rather than through blanket network suspensions, meaning individual routes, particularly those connecting to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other countries more directly affected by the conflict, remain the most likely to see cancellations or rescheduling.

What travelers should do

Given the fluid nature of the situation, travelers with flights booked to or from Abu Dhabi are strongly advised to check their specific flight status directly through their airline before heading to the airport. Etihad passengers can consult the airline’s Manage My Booking tool for alternative flight options when cancellations occur more than three days before departure, while changes within the final 48 hours are typically handled directly by airline support teams. Zayed International Airport’s official website also provides live departure and arrival boards that travelers can monitor for real-time updates.

For now, Abu Dhabi’s main airport continues to function as one of the more stable aviation hubs in a region facing widespread disruption, even as individual routes connected to more directly affected countries remain subject to sudden change. Travelers are encouraged to remain flexible with their plans and to stay in close contact with their airlines as the broader conflict between the United States and Iran continues to evolve with no clear resolution in sight.

Amin said he knows that families can feel the cost of living more during the school holidays, with no free school meals and activities to find, so he hopes his offer gives them a little more support.

Nicki Kansara, chair of Erdington Academy’s Parent, Teacher and Friends Association (PTFA) and a governor at the school, said: “In my roles at Erdington Academy, I’ve seen many of the different struggles the children face first-hand.

“The cost of living has been affecting so many people, not just pupil premium students.

“That’s why this link with Razwan is so powerful. There’s potential for Razwan to inspire the children as an Erdington alumnus – he shows them that they can go from the school and make it in the real world.”

Kansara’s son Esa, a student at Erdington, has already taken advantage of the offer and said lots of pupils will do the same.

“When I get my hair cut, I feel like a new man, and it makes me feel more confident in general,” he said.

He added: “Razwan went to Erdington Academy and now he’s a successful businessman, so he makes me realise I can be successful as well. It’s empowering.”

PC Jeweller shares jumped around 6% on Monday, nearly wiping off all losses recorded in the previous session after the company announced that its board of directors approved a plan to raise Rs 1,000 crore through Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP).

The shares rose to Rs 10.27 apiece on Monday morning, before paring some gains. The stock had crashed more than 6% on Friday after the company announced that its board considered and approved raising up to Rs 1,000 crore through the issuance of equity shares with a face value of Rs 1 each and other eligible securities, or any combination thereof, through QIP in one or more tranches.

Accordingly, the board approved an increase in the authorised share capital of PC Jeweller from the existing Rs 1,310 crore (divided into 1,050 crore shares and 26 crore preference shares) to Rs 1,460 crore (divided into 1,200 crore equity shares and 26 crore preference shares) by creating an additional 150 crore equity shares, subject to shareholder approval. It also approved the constitution of a QIP committee for this purpose.

Following the announcement on Thursday, HRTI Private net sold more than 1.32 crore shares through a bulk deal on Friday. The stock crashed 6% that day, before rebounding today.

Also read: PC Jeweller repays 2 consortium banks; eyes debt-free status by Q2 FY27

PC Jeweller share price

PC Jeweller shares have gained over 11% in one month and 7% in 2026 so far, but have fallen 41% in one year. In the longer term, the shares of the company have delivered stellar returns of 220% in three years and 276% in five years.

After hitting a 52-week high of Rs 18 per share in July last year, the stock more than halved in less than a year, hitting a 52-week low of Rs 7.47 apiece in March this year. The stock has so far recovered more than 37% since then.

PC Jeweller Q1 update

Earlier this month, PC Jeweller said it delivered a strong operational performance in Q1 FY27, with consolidated revenue growing approximately 21% year-on-year (YoY). The company added that it continues to make rapid progress towards its goal of becoming debt-free and expects to achieve that milestone during the current quarter.
In line with this objective, the company said it reduced its outstanding debt to banks under the terms of the Joint Settlement Agreement by approximately 24% during Q1 FY27. With this reduction, the company added that it has cut its outstanding debt by more than 90% since executing the settlement agreement with banks on September 30, 2024.The company reported a 58% increase in Q4 net profit to Rs 150 crore, up from Rs 95 crore in the year-ago period.

Also read: PC Jeweller shares rally after Q1 update; firm eyes debt-free status this quarter

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Shares of VA Tech Wabag gained 4% during Monday’s trading session, rising to Rs 2,072, after the water technology company announced a major order win from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for the development of two energy-efficient wastewater treatment facilities in Bengaluru.

The company informed the exchanges that it secured a “Large” order inflow from BWSSB, strengthening its position in India’s municipal wastewater treatment sector.

Under the contract, WABAG will undertake the Design, Build and Operate (DBO) scope for two key wastewater treatment projects:

• A 100 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) along with a 25 MLD Tertiary Treatment Plant (TTP) at Byramangala, Bengaluru
• A 60 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Bellandur, Bengaluru

The project has been awarded by a domestic entity, BWSSB, and includes a complete technology package covering process engineering, electrical engineering, instrumentation and control systems, building services, and operations & maintenance.

The EPC portion of the project is expected to be completed within 36 months, followed by a seven-year Operations & Maintenance (O&M) period.
WABAG Strengthens Leadership in Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Commenting on the order win, Mr. S. Natrajan, Vice President & Head – Sales and Marketing, India Cluster, said the twin projects reinforce WABAG’s leadership in India’s municipal wastewater treatment segment.He highlighted that the facilities will incorporate energy-efficient treatment technologies and biogas-based power generation, creating a scalable model for resource recovery, circularity, and energy optimization.

According to the company, the projects will significantly enhance Bengaluru’s sewage treatment capacity while supporting environmentally responsible wastewater management and Karnataka’s long-term water security goals.

Understanding WABAG’s Order Classification
As per the company’s filing, domestic orders are categorized based on value : Small: Up to Rs 100 crore, Medium: Rs 100 crore to Rs 250 crore, Large: Rs 250 crore to Rs 600 crore, Major: Rs 600 crore to Rs 1,000 crore, and Mega: Above Rs 1,000 crore

For international orders, the classification is based on order value in US dollar terms. A Small order is up to $10 million, a Medium order ranges from $10 million to $30 million, a Large order is between $30 million and $75 million, a Major order falls between $75 million and $150 million, and a Mega order is above $150 million.

Strong Stock Market Performance
The latest order win comes amid strong momentum in WABAG’s stock performance. The company’s shares have gained around 45% in the last three months, while over the past three years, the stock has delivered a remarkable rally of nearly 291%.

VA Tech Wabag currently has a market capitalisation of approximately Rs 12,406 crore. The stock 52-week high stands at Rs 2,253 and a 52-week low of Rs 1,033.

Technical Outlook
From a technical perspective, WABAG’s 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at around 50.9, indicating a neutral trend. An RSI below 30 generally signals oversold conditions, while readings above 70 indicate overbought territory.

The stock is currently trading above 5 out of 8 key Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), suggesting a positive trend in its price movement.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)

A professional lipreader claims Catherine, Princess of Wales, intervened during a tense public appearance in 2022 to caution Prince William and Prince Harry amid a visible disagreement between the brothers, a resurfaced claim that comes as the two siblings reportedly remain estranged with little indication of an imminent reconciliation.

According to lipreading specialist Nicola Hickling, who analyzed silent footage of the interaction for the Channel 5 program “Lip-Reading The Royals,” Catherine appeared to instruct the brothers to “stop arguing” during a royal walkabout at Windsor Castle. The moment reportedly unfolded just two days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, during a period when the royal family made a series of public appearances together to greet mourners outside the castle.

Hickling’s analysis suggested that Prince William then turned to his wife and said, “Let’s move,” seemingly seeking to defuse the tension and continue with the walkabout. The specialist also claimed that Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, sensed the strain between the brothers, allegedly telling them, “Not today,” in an apparent effort to encourage the group to set aside their differences for the public event.

The 2022 appearance took place shortly after the queen’s death, when William, Harry, Catherine and Meghan briefly reunited in public as what had previously been dubbed the “fab four,” a nickname used during an earlier period when the two couples were seen as the most prominent younger members of the royal family carrying out joint engagements. That earlier era of unity had already given way to visible strain by the time of the 2022 appearance, with the brothers’ relationship having deteriorated significantly in the years prior.

Roots of the rift trace back to 2018

Tensions between William and Harry are widely reported to have first emerged around the time Harry began his relationship with Meghan Markle. William reportedly voiced concerns to his brother about the pace at which the relationship was progressing ahead of Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding, according to earlier reporting cited by The Independent.

The relationship between the brothers deteriorated further following Harry and Meghan’s widely watched 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which the couple made a series of allegations about their treatment within the royal family. The rift deepened again after the 2023 release of Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” which included numerous claims about internal royal family dynamics that drew significant public attention and reportedly strained relations even further.

Harry’s recent efforts toward reconciliation

Despite the yearslong estrangement, Prince Harry has spoken publicly about his desire to repair his relationship with his family. During a BBC interview in May 2025, Harry said any path toward reconciliation would ultimately depend on his relatives’ willingness to engage, adding that if they did not want that, the decision would be entirely up to them.

Those comments have taken on renewed significance following a recent visit Harry made to the United Kingdom this month. The Duke of Sussex spent five days in the country, during which he met privately with his father, King Charles III. Harry traveled to Highgrove House, the royal family’s estate in Gloucestershire, where he was received by the king and Queen Camilla.

Notably, no meeting between Harry and his brother took place during the visit, according to reports, suggesting that whatever progress may have been made in Harry’s relationship with his father has not yet extended to a similar thaw with William. The absence of any reported contact between the brothers during the trip has fueled continued speculation among royal watchers about whether the two will reconcile in the near future.

A relationship watched closely by the public

The brothers’ fractured relationship has remained a subject of intense public interest since their public roles diverged following Harry and Meghan’s 2020 decision to step back from official royal duties and relocate to the United States. Public appearances that once featured the two couples working closely together, including the widely covered 2018 wedding and joint engagements in the years that followed, have since given way to separate public schedules and limited direct contact between the brothers.

While claims based on lipreading analysis are inherently interpretive and cannot be independently verified with certainty, the resurfaced 2022 moment has added another data point to ongoing public speculation about the state of the relationship between William and Harry. Royal commentators have continued to debate whether any reconciliation between the brothers is likely in the near term, particularly given the absence of a direct meeting during Harry’s most recent visit to the UK.

For now, representatives for the royal family have not offered detailed public comment on the specific interaction described by Hickling’s analysis, and the full context of the 2022 exchange between the brothers has not been independently confirmed beyond the lipreading interpretation offered on the Channel 5 program. Observers say any definitive signal of reconciliation between William and Harry would likely come through a joint public appearance or direct communication, neither of which has been reported since tensions between the brothers became public in the years following Harry and Meghan’s departure from official royal duties.