If you’ve ever tried squeezing into the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station during New Year’s Eve or a long weekend, you’ll know the struggle. The good news? Relief is officially on the way.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is giving one of the city’s busiest metro stations a serious expansion, boosting passenger capacity by a massive 65 per cent. Once complete, the station will be able to handle up to 12,320 passengers an hour, compared to the current 7,250, and as many as 220,000 passengers a day.

The move comes as passenger demand continues to surge, especially during major events, holidays and celebrations. Just to put things into perspective, during New Year’s Eve 2026 alone, the Dubai Metro carried over 1.24 million passengers across its Red and Green Lines, with Downtown Dubai stations taking the biggest hit.

So what’s changing? 

The station’s total area will expand from 6,700 to 8,500 square metres, with wider concourses, larger platforms, more escalators and lifts, and additional fare gates. Entry and exit gates will also be separated to keep foot traffic flowing smoothly, a small change that should make a big difference during peak hours.

Pedestrian bridges and station entrances are being upgraded too, along with better integration with other transport options. There’ll even be expanded commercial spaces, making the station feel less like a bottleneck and more like a proper transit hub.

With passenger numbers climbing past 10.5 million in 2024 and showing no signs of slowing down, this upgrade couldn’t come at a better time. Fewer queues, smoother movement, and less elbowing your way through crowds.

Abu Dhabi Police are urging residents to stay alert when clicking on online advertisements, following a rise in electronic fraud involving misleading links 

In a public warning, police said unknown individuals are exploiting search engines, job portals, and real estate platforms to circulate fake links designed to steal personal and financial information.

According to authorities, scammers are creating websites that look legitimate and promoting ads with unusually low prices to lure users into entering credit card details and other sensitive data.

Abu Dhabi Police advised residents to use only officially approved apps and trusted platforms when shopping online or requesting services. Users are also urged to carefully verify links before clicking or entering any information.

The public has been warned not to share confidential details online, including:

• Bank account or credit card information
• Online banking passwords
• ATM PINs and security codes
• Any other sensitive personal credentials

Police also stressed the importance of safeguarding credit card details and avoiding platforms of questionable credibility.

Anyone who suspects fraud is encouraged to report it through the Aman service via:

• Call centre: 800 2626
• SMS: 2828
• Abu Dhabi Police smart app
• Email: aman@adpolice.gov.ae
• Police station services on mobile phones

Abu Dhabi Police reaffirmed their commitment to raising cybersecurity awareness and combating online crime, as part of their ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and prevent fraud.

Parents of children enrolled in Dubai private schools are being urged to stay alert after education and health authorities raised concerns about dangerous social media trends circulating among students.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), alongside the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), has issued an advisory warning parents about risky behaviours reported in some schools. These include choking, breath-holding, applying pressure to the neck or head, and participation in viral challenges.

One of the most concerning trends highlighted is the “Skull Breaker Challenge”, where two people deliberately kick the legs from under a third person, causing them to fall, often backwards, risking serious head or spinal injuries. The challenge previously gained attention on social media in 2020 and had prompted warnings from Dubai Police at the time.

KHDA stressed that while children may see these actions as jokes or harmless fun, they carry serious and immediate health risks. Students found participating in, encouraging, or recording such behaviour will face disciplinary action under their school’s behaviour policy. In more serious cases, matters may be referred to external authorities.

What parents should watch out for

Parents are encouraged to remain vigilant and look out for both physical and behavioural warning signs, including:

• Marks, redness, or bruising around the neck
• Headaches, dizziness, fainting, or bloodshot eyes
• Sudden secrecy around online activity
• Talking about viral challenges or risky games
• Unexplained mood or behaviour changes
• Wearing clothing that hides the neck area

Any concerns should prompt an immediate conversation with the child and contact with the school if worries persist.

Why are these activities dangerous

According to DHA, restricting breathing or blood flow to the brain can be fatal:

• Brain damage can occur within seconds without oxygen
• Irreversible damage may happen in under a minute
• Oxygen deprivation can trigger seizures and heart rhythm disturbances
• Pressure on the neck can damage airways and blood vessels
• Multiple countries have reported deaths among children aged 7 to 17
• There is no safe way to take part in these activities

What parents can do

KHDA is urging parents to:

• Speak openly with children about the dangers of these behaviours
• Reinforce that they are not games and can be life-threatening
• Monitor online activity and be aware of peer influence
• Contact the school or seek medical advice if they have immediate concerns

While schools are addressing the issue directly with students, KHDA emphasised that parent involvement is critical to reinforcing safety messages beyond the classroom.