Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a major contract to upgrade several of the city’s busiest roads, marking a significant step in efforts to enhance mobility and support rapid urban growth.

The project will see extensive development works carried out on Umm Suqeim Street, Al Wasl Road, and Al Safa Street, as well as seven key intersections along Jumeirah Street.

The initiative aligns with the directives of Dubai’s leadership to accelerate infrastructure development, expand road capacity, and improve traffic flow across the emirate, a WAM report said.

The project includes the construction of bridges and tunnels stretching approximately 11,000 metres in total, in addition to road widening works at ground level. Officials say the upgrades are designed to meet the demands of Dubai’s expanding population while ensuring smoother traffic movement across vital corridors.

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Once completed, the capacity of Umm Suqeim Street is expected to increase to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. Meanwhile, Al Wasl Road and Al Safa Street will each handle up to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, significantly easing congestion in these high-traffic areas.

The scope of the project covers multiple strategic routes. These include Umm Suqeim Street from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, Al Wasl Road from Umm Suqeim Street to 2nd December Street, and Al Safa Street from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Road.

Beyond Roads: Creating livable urban spaces

Authorities emphasised that the development goes beyond traditional road upgrades. The project introduces a range of urban design elements aimed at improving quality of life.

Plans include enhanced pedestrian walkways, dedicated cycling tracks, and public boulevard plazas. These features are expected to create safer, more accessible routes for residents and visitors while fostering community interaction through vibrant public spaces.

According to Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, the project is part of a broader strategy to upgrade infrastructure across key districts including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Wasl, and Al Safa.

He noted that the areas served by the project are home to a wide range of facilities, including beaches, hotels, fine-dining restaurants, residential communities, and educational institutions.

“These districts also host major tourism, arts, and sports activities, as well as commercial centres,” Al Tayer said. “They serve an estimated population of more than 2 million residents and visitors.”

Economic and mobility benefits

Al Tayer highlighted the broader economic impact of the initiative, describing transport infrastructure as a key driver of growth.

“Developing roads and transport infrastructure is a fundamental pillar supporting urban expansion and strengthening Dubai’s appeal as a destination for investment and business,” he said.

He added that improving vital corridors would enhance traffic efficiency, reduce journey times, and boost productivity across multiple sectors.

“The development of these corridors will significantly improve traffic flow and reduce delays, delivering tangible benefits for individuals and businesses alike,” he said.

Part of a larger connectivity vision

The Umm Suqeim Street Development Project forms part of a larger corridor plan extending from Jumeirah Street to Emirates Road and further to Al Qudra Street. This corridor serves several key residential and development zones across Dubai.

Al Tayer explained that the project will strengthen connectivity between four of Dubai’s main transport arteries: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road.

“The project will enhance connectivity across these strategic corridors, improving overall network efficiency,” he said.

He added that travel time along Umm Suqeim Street between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road is expected to drop dramatically, from 20 minutes to just six minutes once the project is complete.

Supporting future growth

Officials say the project reflects RTA’s commitment to long-term planning, ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with population growth and urban expansion.

“Achieving smooth traffic flow requires continuous and integrated development of the road network, alongside expanding public transport and adopting smart solutions,” Al Tayer said.

He added that RTA is moving forward with a comprehensive plan to upgrade several vital corridors, aiming to enhance daily mobility and reinforce Dubai’s global leadership in infrastructure development.

The project is expected to benefit several major residential areas, including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Sheif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has dramatically reduced the time required to process security deposit refunds to just eight minutes, marking a significant milestone in the emirate’s digital transformation journey.

The new turnaround time, achieved without human intervention, is a sharp improvement from the previous 30 minutes and a substantial leap from the four days required in earlier systems.

The enhancement applies to refunds of up to Dhs4,000 and is expected to cover approximately 90 percent of all requests, according to a WAM report.

Leadership vision drives digital leap

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, highlighted that the initiative aligns with Dubai’s broader ambition to become a global leader in digital innovation.

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“In line with the vision and directives of our wise leadership to digitalise all aspects of life in Dubai and transform the emirate into a global digital capital, positioning it among the world’s best cities in terms of quality of life, we continue to adopt the latest Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and integrate artificial intelligence across all our operations,” Al Tayer said.

He added, “We have made significant progress in reducing the security deposit refund time from four days to 30 minutes, and now to just eight minutes. This is part of our continuous efforts to provide a pioneering, fully digital customer experience that enhances happiness, meets expectations and exceeds them.”

Round-the-clock efficiency and growth

The automated system operates 24/7, independent of official working hours, improving efficiency while allowing employees to focus on innovation and service enhancements.

Al Tayer noted that DEWA’s customer base continues to expand, reaching 1,346,985 accounts by the end of March 2026—a 5.08 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.

“These developments come alongside continuous growth in customer accounts,” he said, adding that DEWA remains committed to strengthening its electricity, water and digital infrastructure to support Dubai’s rapid population, economic and urban growth.

DEWA also reported a surge in digital transactions, with more than 3.7 million completed in the first quarter of 2026, up from over 3.5 million during the same period last year.

By the end of 2025, customer accounts stood at 1,327,182 before rising steadily in early 2026, underscoring the growing reliance on digital services.

US President Donald Trump was evacuated from a high-profile media event in Washington after a gunman opened fire outside the venue, triggering panic among more than 2,500 attendees.

The incident unfolded overnight at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, held at the Washington Hilton. Guests, including senior government officials, journalists and business leaders, were seated in the ballroom when shots rang out near an entrance checkpoint.

According to the president, a man described as a “lone wolf” rushed past security before opening fire at a law enforcement officer. Secret Service agents responded immediately, neutralising the suspect within moments.

“One officer was shot but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is doing great,” Trump said in a press briefing shortly after the incident. He added that the attacker appeared to be acting alone and described him as a “very sick person”.

Witnesses reported scenes of confusion as attendees took cover under tables, while others formed makeshift barricades using chairs. Media reports, citing law enforcement officials, said the suspect was armed with a shotgun and was apprehended at the scene.

High-ranking officials, including Vice President JD Vance, were present at the event, which is considered one of Washington’s most prominent gatherings of political and media elites.

Despite the disruption, Trump signalled his intention to proceed with the event at a later date. “We’re going to do it again,” he said. “We’re not going to let anybody take over our society.”

The incident marks the latest in a series of security threats involving the president, following two assassination attempts during the 2024 election cycle.

Authorities said the situation was quickly contained, with no fatalities reported. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack.

ENOC Group and Emirates Petroleum Company (Emarat) have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a joint business continuity planning framework.

The agreement focuses on strengthening coordination between the two firms to ensure reliable delivery of Jet A-1 fuel, particularly during disruptions.

It outlines processes for managing fuel supply chains, including pipeline transfers and truck loading operations, to support uninterrupted services at key aviation hubs.

The initiative reflects broader efforts in the UAE to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure and maintain its position as a global aviation centre.

“As a vital contributor to the UAE’s energy ecosystem, ENOC recognises the importance of maintaining uninterrupted fuel supplies for the aviation sector,” said Hussain Sultan Lootah, CEO of ENOC Group.

He added that the partnership would enhance preparedness through advanced logistics solutions and coordinated emergency response strategies.

ENOC-Emarat agreement formalises cooperation for routine and emergency scenarios

Burhan Al Hashemi, CEO of Emarat, said the agreement formalises cooperation between the two entities in both routine and emergency scenarios. “By aligning our preparedness, our people, and our procedures in advance, we are strengthening operational resilience and ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability when it counts,” he said.

The business continuity plan will provide documented procedures to guide the response, recovery, resumption, and restoration of operations of the two organisations.

The plan also will involve regular tests, exercises, and training of personnel, alongside equipment and connectivity testing to maintain peak operational readiness.

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has launched a daily oral treatment option for obesity under its Personalised Weight Management Programme, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC).

The programme combines medical treatment, behavioural support and continuous digital monitoring, aiming to improve long-term health outcomes and quality of life, a WAM report said.

Focus on adherence and patient-centred care

The new oral option is designed to address one of the key challenges in obesity management: long-term treatment adherence. It offers a more flexible and convenient alternative to traditional therapies, supporting sustained care continuity for patients.

Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, under-secretary of DoH, said the initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to integrated, patient-centred healthcare.

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“The initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s approach to advancing integrated, patient-centred care that responds to real-life challenges, particularly adherence,” she said.

She added that expanding access to innovative therapies supports better outcomes and long-term quality of life.

Global milestone in obesity treatment access

The UAE is now the second country globally, after the US, to approve this treatment for adults living with obesity or those overweight with related conditions, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position in healthcare innovation.

As part of the rollout, Imperial College London Diabetes and Endocrine Centre (ICLDC) will deliver the treatment to eligible patients through a structured programme that combines digital monitoring, personalised clinical care and integrated coverage.

New GLP-1 therapy and coverage model

The treatment, Foundayo (orforglipron), is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that helps regulate appetite and food intake, supporting weight management outcomes.

Rashid Alsuwaidi, director-general of ADPHC, said the initiative also focuses on behavioural change and sustainable lifestyle support.

“The programme focuses on addressing behavioural challenges and enabling individuals to adopt sustainable healthy habits through practical and flexible solutions,” he said.

The treatment will be covered for eligible adults under the programme, expanding access to comprehensive obesity care in the emirate.