The Ministry of Electricity and Water and Renewable Energy Kuwait has announced a series of planned power outages as part of scheduled maintenance works across secondary substations, aimed at enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the national grid.

In a statement, the ministry said these routine upgrades may result in temporary electricity disruptions in affected areas. According to The Times Kuwait, Outage durations will vary depending on operational conditions, with authorities urging residents and businesses to cooperate and follow official updates. The public has also been advised to report any faults via the dedicated hotline (152).

The maintenance programme will be carried out in phases, with outages typically starting from 1:00am and lasting up to four hours.

On Sunday, April 5, outages will affect parts of Jaber Al-Ahmad (Block 7), Al-Oyoun (Block 1), Al-Wafra Residential (Block 6), Mubarak Al-Kabeer (Blocks 7 and 1), Salwa (Block 2), and Qortuba (Block 2).

On Monday, April 6, the schedule includes Qurtuba (Block 2), Salwa (Block 2), Al-Oyoun (Block 1), Jaber Al-Ahmad (Block 2), Al-Qusour (Block 1), Abu Ftaira Suburb (Block 1), Al-Wafra Residential (Block 6), and Al-Rai (Block 1).

On Tuesday, April 7, affected areas include Al-Rai (Block 1), Al-Qusour (Block 1), Abu Ftaira Suburb (Block 1), Al-Wafra Residential (Block 6), Al-Oyoun (Block 1), Jaber Al-Ahmad (Block 5), Salwa (Block 4), Shamiya (Block 8), and Qortuba (Block 3).

On Wednesday, April 8, outages are scheduled in Qurtuba (Block 3), Bneid Al-Qar (Block 2), Salwa (Block 5), Al-Oyoun (Block 4), Al-Wafra Residential (Block 6), Mubarak Al-Kabeer (Block 7), Abu Ftaira Suburb (Block 1), and Al-Rai (Block 1).

On Thursday, April 9, the affected areas include Al-Rai (Block 1), Al-Wafra Residential (Block 6), Mubarak Al-Kabeer (Block 7), Abu Ftaira Suburb (Block 1), Salwa (Block 12), Bneid Al-Qar (Block 2), and Qurtuba (Block 3).

On Friday, April 10, outages will impact Salwa (Block 5), Hawally (Block 9), Jaber Al-Ahmad (Block 5), Al-Rai (Block 1), and Sharq (Block 3).

On Saturday, April 11, scheduled outages will cover Sharq (Block 3), Al-Rai (Block 1), Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh (Blocks 3 and 4), Al-Wafra Residential (Block 6), Al-Naeem (Block 2), Salmiya (Block 4), and Hawally (Block 1).

Additional outages are planned later in the month, including Bneid Al-Qar (Block 1) on April 20 and 24; Keifan (Block 5) on April 21 and 23; Sharq (Block 1) on April 25; and Mirqab (Block 3) between April 28 and 30.

In early May, outages will extend to Qibla (Block 13) on May 1, Daiya (Block 5) on May 2, and Salmiya (Block 11), Bayan (Block 11), and Al-Rai (Block 1) on May 3, with continued maintenance works in Al-Rai through May 8.

The ministry said the phased schedule is part of proactive measures to strengthen grid resilience ahead of peak summer demand.

Late last month, the ministry had reported disruption to the power network after seven overhead lines were taken out of service due to damage caused by falling debris following air defence interceptions. The incident led to partial outages in several areas, with technical teams deployed to restore services as quickly as possible, according to a statement carried by Kuwait News Agency.

Read: Kuwait says Iranian drones hit oil, power and water desalination sites

Authorities have responded to separate incidents in Fujairah and Abu Dhabi involving falling debris following successful air defence interceptions, as regional tensions continue to impact parts of the country.

In Fujairah, officials confirmed that a building belonging to telecom operator du was struck by debris from a drone originating from Iran early on Tuesday morning.

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Authorities said no injuries were reported and that the situation remains under control, with further updates to be provided as more information becomes available.

In a separate incident in Abu Dhabi, debris fell on a facility operated by Raneen Systems in the ICAD industrial area in Musaffah, according to a statement from the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

The incident resulted in moderate injuries to a Ghanaian national, who received medical attention.

Both incidents were linked to successful interceptions by UAE air defence systems.

Authorities reiterated calls for the public to rely only on official sources for information and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports.

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions, with authorities maintaining a focus on public safety and rapid response measures.

The US, Iran and a group of regional mediators are discussing the terms for a potential 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a permanent end to the war, Axios reported on Sunday, citing four US, Israeli and regional sources with knowledge of the talks.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The White House and the US State Department did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Read more-Trump issues another 48-hour ultimatum to Iran

The mediators are discussing the terms of a two-phased deal, the report said, adding that the first phase would be a potential 45-day ceasefire during which a permanent end to the war would be negotiated.

The second phase would be an agreement on ending the war, the report said.

The ceasefire could be extended if additional time was required for talks, the report said.

US President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on critical infrastructure is Tuesday evening.

Dubai’s residential neighbourhoods have been getting noticeably calmer, and it’s not by accident.

Dubai Police have been running a focused, data-driven campaign under the ‘Quiet Roads’ initiative, and the latest numbers paint a clear picture of how seriously the force is cracking down on anything that disturbs community peace.

Since the campaign began, officers have seized 1,230 vehicles and issued 33,372 traffic fines tied to noise, reckless driving, and illegal modifications. It’s a firm move aimed at protecting quality of life and reinforcing the sense of safety that residents expect in their neighbourhoods.

Brigadier Jumaa Salem bin Suwaidan, director of the General Department of Traffic, said the initiative fits squarely within Dubai Police’s broader goal of preserving public tranquillity.

He noted that the campaign was designed to respond to recurring behaviours that were becoming a headache for residents: revved engines late at night, aggressive driving through quiet streets, and vehicles modified in ways that push both noise and safety limits.

Dubai Police vehicle seizures across several categories

What sets this initiative apart is how targeted it is. Dubai Police have been analysing resident complaints, community reports, and violation trends to pinpoint exactly where issues keep reappearing. That approach allows patrols and enforcement teams to go straight to the hotspots rather than spreading resources thin across the city.

The results cut across several categories. Officers recorded 1,178 cases of illegal engine or chassis modifications, 412 violations linked to noise disturbance, 341 incidents of reckless driving, and 230 fines tied to misuse of horns or audio systems.

Motorcyclists and riders of electric bikes and bicycles were also on the radar, with over 31,000 violations between them, showing how varied the sources of disruption can be in dense residential areas.

A key part of the campaign is how Dubai Police measure success. Beyond fines and seizures, they are tracking the community’s “sense of safety”, a performance indicator that reflects whether residents actually feel the difference on the ground.

Early readings suggest the integrated approach of awareness, monitoring, and enforcement is having the intended impact.

Brigadier bin Suwaidan said the work won’t slow down. More data-led interventions are already in development, all designed to keep neighbourhoods calm, safe, and predictable.

He encouraged residents to stay involved and report disruptive behaviours, noting that community participation plays a big role in maintaining the safety and order Dubai aims for.

If the numbers are any indication, the message is landing. The roads are getting quieter, and Dubai Police intend to keep them that way.

Abu Dhabi community forum highlights reckless driving

in other news, Abu Dhabi Police have stepped up efforts to raise awareness about risky driving, using a community forum to underline how dangerous behaviours behind the wheel threaten public safety and social security.

The discussion, held at Al Maqam Majlis in Al Ain and organised with the Abu Dhabi Councils under the Presidential Court’s Citizens and Community Affairs Office, brought together local residents and participants from the ‘We Are All Police’ programme as part of the Year of the Family 2026 initiatives.

Colonel Sultan Subaih Al Menai, director of the Al Maqam Police Centre, said the force is focused on community forums that address social issues, promote awareness, prevent negative behaviours, and reinforce positive values to support stability.

He emphasised that road safety is a shared responsibility, and compliance with traffic laws is critical to protecting road users.

Officials also stressed the importance of vigilance against dangerous driving habits such as speeding, distracted driving, tailgating, sudden lane changes, not wearing seatbelts, failing to stop for pedestrians, and running red lights to build a more informed and safer generation.

Dubai is preparing to expand green, walkable spaces for its fast-growing communities. In its latest announcement, Dubai Municipality has set out plans to open 35 parks this year, backed by Dhs348m in investment.

The new parks, spanning more than 340,000 square metres, will serve 23 residential communities.

The projects are part of the municipality’s Blue and Green Spaces Roadmap 2030 wider plan to expand green and waterfront spaces across Dubai.

That roadmap includes projects exceeding Dhs4bn, with more than 120 parks and 200 sports and recreational facilities scheduled for delivery over the next five years.

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Accessible public spaces

The municipality said park locations were chosen according to planning standards that ensure residents can reach them within a five-minute walk.

All parks will be open and unfenced to blend with surrounding neighbourhoods, with designs incorporating climate-responsive features and resilient infrastructure.

Dubai Municipality is also preparing curated programmes and seasonal activations aimed at driving year-round use and longer visits.

Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said: “Dubai Municipality continues to accelerate the delivery of public and neighbourhood parks in line with the Dubai Parks and Greenery Strategy and the Blue and Green Spaces Roadmap 2030. This portfolio reflects our commitment to expanding integrated public spaces within a human-centric urban ecosystem that enhances wellbeing and strengthens social cohesion.

“By ensuring parks are within walking distance and designed around the evolving needs of communities, we are setting a new benchmark for the role of public spaces in improving quality of life and supporting sustainable urban growth across the emirate.”

Environmental resilience is built into the projects, with biodiversity strategies, climate adaptation measures, and sustainable systems guiding design and operations.

Measures include expanded tree planting, recycled irrigation water, renewable energy solutions, and the use of artificial intelligence and robotics to improve environmental governance and resource efficiency.

Dubai Municipality said it is inviting private sector partners to participate through public-private partnership models.

A unified regulatory framework will govern standards, operations, and long-term sustainability across the park network.

New parks in Dubai to feature five integrated zones

The new parks will follow a five-zone layout designed to encourage all-day and all-season use. The zones include early childhood play areas, active playgrounds, youth and adult sports facilities, social and experiential F&B zones, and flexible community spaces.

Collectively, the parks will include more than 60 children’s play areas, 18 football fields, 20 multi-use sports courts, skate areas, running and cycling tracks, open green spaces, shaded seating, picnic areas, water features, and F&B offerings.

The municipality has also created a centralised, data-driven framework using flexible park typologies and design standards to assess community needs and ensure consistency and scalability.

By 2040, Dubai Municipality aims to deliver 310 new parks and upgrade more than 220 existing parks, creating an interconnected network of community-driven public spaces across the emirate.

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