Dubai opens new bridge on Hessa Street to ease traffic congestion

Authorities say a new bridge opened in Dubai's Hessa Street will significantly reduce the travel time in one of the city's most notorious areas for heavy traffic.

The two-lane bridge, which spans 1km, will enhance traffic flow between Hessa Street and the Al Khail Road, reducing travel time from 15 to three minutes, according to the emirate's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The bridge is a key part of a wider project, with a total cost of Dh689 billion, which will also see the upgrading of four intersections at Hessa Street to Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Road, Al Asayel Street, and the Al Khail Road, as well as the creation of a 13.5km cycling track.

Hessa Street will also be expanded from two to four lanes in each direction, doubling its capacity to accommodate up to 8,000 vehicles per hour. The project is said to be 54 per cent complete, with all intersections scheduled to open by the last quarter of 2025.

“[The] Hessa Street development project is one of the key infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing Dubai's road network,” said RTA director general Mattar Al Tayer. “It serves several key residential and developmental areas, including Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha Residential Area, and Jumeirah Village Circle.

“By 2030, the population in the areas served by this project is projected to exceed 640,000 residents. The project will double Hessa Street's capacity, increasing it from 8,000 vehicles per hour in both directions to 16,000 vehicles per hour.”

The 13.5km of cycling and e-scooter tracks will connect Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills through Hessa Street. The RTA estimate the track's capacity at 5,200 users per hour.

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Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri

Rating: 1/5

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

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Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers

1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.

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European arms

Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.

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