Dubai advertises contracts to extend metro lines by more than 20km

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has issued procurement notices to contractors to look at significantly extending the city's metro network.

The work would involve more than 20 kilometres of tracks being built and a dozen new stations created, if the project goes ahead.

The Green Line extension would be the most significant of the two lines, with 20.6km of new track and 11 new stations, according to a notice published online.

The plan appears to match a scheme outlined almost a decade ago, which was designed to unlock parts of the city with few transport links.

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That was to extend the Green Line from its current terminus at Al Jadaf across the Creek to Emaar's Dubai Harbour development and then onto Academic City.

The Red Line would be extended by 3.5km from the current terminus at Rashidiya to finish at Mirdif City Centre, a large suburban mall close to Dubai International Airport, with a single new station built.

The original plan for at least four metro lines was scaled back more than a decade ago.

But a six-station 15km extension to Expo 2020, at an estimated cost of $2.9 billion, was regarded as a major factor in the success of the world's fair, transporting hundreds of thousands of visitors there.

The existing Green Line stations are in Bur Dubai and Deira in the city's old town, while the Red Line cuts through the metropolis in a straight line, connecting the old city and airport to Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Expo 2020 in the far south-west.

The RTA did not comment on the new contracts but in May said it was looking at how to “develop the infrastructure of road networks and means of transportation, including the expansion of Dubai Metro lines”.

Dubai's population of 3.5 million is forecast to reach 5.8 million by 2040, according to a government report last year, with new public transport links crucial to handling that capacity.

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Tips to stay safe during hot weather

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.

- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law

Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net

Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.

Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.

A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.

Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.

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Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)

Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)

Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)

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The biog

Name: Sarah Al Senaani

Age: 35

Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2

Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism

Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding

Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier

Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

BRIEF SCORES

England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)

Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1