A bottle of cold water or an ice cream may seem like a small gesture, but during Dubai’s summer heat, it can make a meaningful difference.

That’s the idea behind the third edition of the Al Freej Fridge campaign, launched on July 3 at Al Khawaneej Majlis. The community initiative aims to distribute two million bottles of cold water, juices and frozen treats to workers across Dubai throughout the summer.

Supported by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and organised in partnership with Suqia UAE and the UAE Food Bank, the campaign brings together volunteers, government entities and community organisations to recognise the contributions of workers who spend long hours outdoors.

Bigger campaign, more volunteers

Organisers say this year’s campaign will expand volunteer participation to around 200 volunteers while encouraging more government entities, companies and residents to get involved.

Portable fridges will also be introduced, allowing volunteers to stock refreshments and distribute them directly to workers across different parts of Dubai.

For workers, the cold water, juice and ice cream are welcome relief during the hot summer days.

This campaign will continue until September 3, reaching workers across construction sites, industrial areas and other outdoor workplaces throughout Dubai.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is rolling out a series of traffic improvement projects at 28 locations across the emirate between July and September 2026 to ease congestion, improve road safety and reduce travel times.

The works are being carried out during the summer holidays to minimise disruption while traffic volumes are lower.

What’s changing?

The programme covers:

• 4 locations near schools.
• 3 locations in development areas.
• 21 locations across major roads and residential communities.

The upgrades aim to improve traffic flow, strengthen connections between residential and commercial areas, and support Dubai’s growing population.

Emirates Road expansion

One of the biggest projects is the expansion of Emirates Road, where two new lanes are being added along a 5km stretch from Sharjah towards Al Amardi Street.

According to the RTA, the project is expected to reduce peak-hour journey times by 25% on one of the busiest roads connecting Dubai with neighbouring emirates.

Other key road improvements

The RTA will also introduce traffic upgrades at several busy locations, including:

• The intersection of Trade Centre Street and Marasi Drive in Business Bay.
• Latifa bint Hamdan Street near Al Quoz Industrial Area.
• Ras Al Khor Road towards Al Khail Road.
• The intersection of Al Khawaneej Street and Al Amardi Street.
• The right turn from Ras Al Khor Road to Dubai–Al Ain Road, which will be expanded from one lane to two.
• Algeria Street in Al Mizhar 4, where an additional lane will improve access near labour accommodation.

These upgrades are expected to reduce queues and improve traffic flow in high-demand areas.

School zone upgrades

Ahead of the new academic year, the RTA is also improving access around schools by adding parking spaces and enhancing traffic movement at:

• Zayed Educational Complex in Al Mizhar 2.
• Horizon International School in Umm Al Sheif.

The improvements are designed to reduce congestion during school drop-off and pick-up times while improving safety for students and parents.

How were the locations selected?

The RTA said the projects were chosen after analysing:

• Historical traffic data.
• Field surveys.
• Intelligent transport system data.
• Traffic camera monitoring.
• Feedback and suggestions from the public.

The authority says the “Quick Wins” programme is designed to deliver practical improvements that reduce congestion, shorten journey times and enhance the overall driving experience across Dubai.

Dubai Police have urged parents to stop children from copying a viral social media trend that involves heating slime in a microwave, warning it could cause serious burns and other injuries.

The warning comes as schools break for the summer holidays, when children are likely to spend more time online.

Why is the trend dangerous?

According to Dubai Police, placing slime in a microwave can trigger chemical reactions that cause it to:

• Expand rapidly.
• Release extremely hot vapours.
• Explode or splatter when removed.
• Cause burns to the face, hands and body.
• Damage microwave ovens or even start small fires.

Officials said many children may imitate the videos without understanding the risks involved.

What advice has Dubai Police given parents?

Dubai Police is urging parents to:

• Monitor the content their children watch on social media.
• Explain the dangers of copying viral online challenges.
• Never allow children to use microwaves or other electrical appliances without adult supervision.
• Encourage safe and educational activities during the summer holidays.

Learn more about online safety

Parents are also encouraged to use Dubai Police’s eCrime Hub, which provides safety advice in Arabic and English on cybercrime, online risks and harmful social media trends.

Why the warning matters

Dubai Police said raising awareness about online challenges is essential to preventing avoidable accidents. The force is encouraging families to promote safe behaviour at home and help children make responsible choices online throughout the summer break.