Sharjah Civil Defence has urged schools, parents and students to strengthen fire safety measures ahead of the new academic year, calling for greater preparedness to ensure a safe learning environment across the emirate.

The authority said safety should become part of everyday school practices, with administrations ensuring fire alarm systems, firefighting equipment and extinguishers are fully operational and regularly inspected.

Schools have also been instructed to keep emergency exits, evacuation routes and corridors free from obstructions and to address any safety concerns immediately. Fire protection equipment should not be blocked, disabled or covered, the authority said.

Sharjah Civil Defence also highlighted the importance of electrical safety, urging schools to avoid overloading power sockets, stop using damaged electrical wiring or equipment showing signs of overheating, and ensure flammable materials are stored away from heat sources and electrical appliances.

The authority called on schools to maintain up-to-date evacuation plans, familiarise staff and students with emergency exits and assembly points, and conduct regular evacuation drills throughout the academic year.

Teachers were encouraged to strengthen students’ awareness of fire safety and provide organised assistance during emergencies, particularly for pupils requiring additional support.

Students were also reminded not to tamper with fire alarms, extinguishers or other safety equipment and to immediately report any signs of smoke, burning smells or other potential hazards to teachers or supervisors.

Sharjah Civil Defence also stressed the importance of school bus safety, urging operators to check vehicles after every trip to ensure no student is left onboard.

Parents were encouraged to reinforce safety awareness at home and encourage children to report potential hazards encountered at school or while travelling on school buses.

The authority said preventing fires and minimising the impact of emergencies requires the collective commitment of the entire school community, calling for continued cooperation to foster a culture of prevention and ensure a safe start to the new academic year.

Saudi Arabia’s industrial footprint expanded to 13,660 establishments in the second quarter of 2026, up from 12,289 a year earlier, as the kingdom’s industrial and logistics sector recorded tight occupancy across its major markets, according to JLL.

Occupancy levels exceeded 90 per cent across Riyadh, Jeddah and the Dammam Metropolitan Area, JLL said in its KSA Industrial Market Dynamics Q2 2026 report.

The real estate consultancy said strong investor confidence, a strategic realignment of regional trade flows and continued progress towards Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 industrial diversification goals were strengthening the kingdom’s position as a logistics hub.

Supply chain rerouting is also reshaping logistics demand, with global shipping disruptions redirecting major cargo flows towards Saudi Arabia’s western ports, according to JLL.

The shift comes as companies increasingly prioritise regional risk mitigation amid broader uncertainty, supporting demand across the kingdom’s multi-port network and for strategically positioned logistics facilities.

“The resilience and adaptability of the kingdom’s logistics sector, backed by national directives and strategic port infrastructure investments in line with Vision 2030 goals, have strengthened Saudi Arabia’s strategic position as a global trade hub,” said Saud Al Sulaimani, CEO and head of Capital Markets for Saudi Arabia at JLL.

“This structural demand, including enhanced capacity of the kingdom’s Red Sea ports, is creating a dependable ecosystem for investment and growth, and fueling interest in premium, strategically positioned logistics spaces, even amidst broader macroeconomic uncertainties,” he added.

The Ajman Government has confirmed Friday, August 28, 2026, as a holiday for government entities in the emirate to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday for 1448 AH, giving public-sector employees a three-day break.

The Department of Human Resources of the Ajman Government announced on August 25 that official working hours will resume on Monday, August 31, a WAM report said.

The department extended its congratulations and greetings to the UAE’s leadership, including Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Ajman Executive Council.

It also conveyed its greetings to Ajman Government employees and the people of the UAE, praying that the occasion would return with goodness, prosperity and blessings.

Dubai confirms same holiday date

Dubai had announced earlier, on August 11, that the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday holiday for Dubai Government departments, authorities and institutions would also fall on Friday, August 28, with official working hours resuming on Monday, August 31.

The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) said the holiday does not apply to entities whose employees work on shifts or whose duties involve serving the public or managing public service facilities.

For these employees, individual entities will determine working hours based on operational requirements while ensuring public services continue without interruption throughout the holiday period.

DGHR also extended its congratulations and best wishes to the UAE’s leadership, residents and citizens, praying for continued security, stability, prosperity and well-being across the country.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a series of traffic improvements at six school-zone locations across Dubai, benefiting more than 10 schools as part of efforts to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for students, parents and school staff.

The initiative forms part of RTA’s broader efforts to strengthen connectivity between residential, educational and development areas while providing safe and convenient access to schools. The upgrades are also aimed at improving the quality of life for residents and visitors across Dubai, a WAM report said.

Summer works target smoother traffic

The improvements were carried out during the summer break to minimise disruption to daily traffic and take advantage of lower traffic volumes. The timing allowed RTA to accelerate the delivery of the projects, reduce their impact on road users and maintain high safety standards at the targeted locations.

Read more: Dubai RTA completes Al Marabea’ Street upgrades, cuts peak travel times by up to 30%

The works covered school zones in Wadi Al Safa 4, Al Barsha, Umm Al Sheif, Dubai Motor City, Dubai Studio City and Al Sufouh.

Among the key upgrades was the construction of a new road linking Al Qudra Road and Hessa Street via Dubai Motor City and Dubai Studio City. The new connection is designed to improve access to and from GEMS Metropole School – Motor City, helping ease traffic movement around the school.

RTA also added parking spaces for Horizon International School in Umm Al Sheif, doubling its parking capacity and increasing the availability of dedicated spaces for school-related traffic.

Road and safety upgrades across school zones

The project also included improvements to the entrances and exits of the service road adjacent to the Al Barsha South schools complex. At-grade improvements were carried out around The International School of Choueifat – Dubai in Al Sufouh to improve traffic movement and access in the area.

In Wadi Al Safa 4, RTA upgraded the road near GEMS Winchester School – Dubai and introduced safety and traffic-calming measures around the schools.

Together, the improvements are expected to streamline the movement of teachers, school-bus drivers and parents while strengthening safety for students and other road users during busy school hours.

The upgrades come as Dubai continues to focus on improving transport infrastructure around key community facilities, with school zones requiring particular attention because of increased pedestrian and vehicle activity during drop-off and pick-up periods.

RTA urges parents and school-bus drivers to stay alert

RTA has urged school-bus drivers and parents to follow traffic-safety procedures when dropping off and collecting students.

The authority advised motorists to use designated pick-up and drop-off areas and avoid random stopping or parking, particularly in spaces reserved for People of Determination or emergency vehicles.

Drivers were also urged to stop when school buses display warning signs or signals, remain alert to students moving around school premises, reduce speed and comply with all traffic signs and signals.

RTA said these practices are essential to creating a safe, accident-free environment around schools and ensuring that the benefits of the new traffic improvements are supported by responsible road-user behaviour.

beIN MEDIA GROUP has appointed former Canada international Kaylyn Kyle as executive presenter for beIN SPORTS, where she will lead the broadcaster’s English-language football coverage across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Based in Doha, Kyle will become the face of beIN SPORTS’ English channels, fronting studio programming across the network’s extensive football rights portfolio. She is scheduled to make her debut on August 29, presenting the Premier League fixture between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.

The appointment marks a return to beIN SPORTS for Kyle, who previously featured as part of the network’s English-language coverage during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. She joins after four years with Major League Soccer’s (MLS) broadcast team, adding to a media career built on more than a decade of experience as a professional footballer.

Mohammed Al-Bader, managing director of beIN Channels – MENA, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kaylyn back to beIN SPORTS as our new executive presenter. Her experience at the highest level of football, combined with her broadcasting expertise and familiarity with beIN, makes her a valuable addition to our English-language team. We look forward to seeing Kaylyn lead our English-language coverage, bringing her insight and experience to viewers across the MENA region.”

Kyle said: “I’m excited to be returning to beIN SPORTS and taking on this new role as Executive Presenter. Having been part of the team during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 makes returning to Doha particularly special. I look forward to working alongside the team once again, connecting with beIN SPORTS viewers across the region, and enjoying all that Qatar has to offer with my family.”

Kyle earned 101 caps for Canada during her international career, representing her country at two FIFA Women’s World Cups and helping the team secure a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Since retiring from professional football, she has established herself as a sports broadcaster, most recently covering Major League Soccer.