We take a look at other explosions that have rattled UAE in the past few years.
Published: Wed 24 Aug 2016 at 2:42 PM
Updated: Wed 24 Aug 2016 at 6:22 PM
By: Staff Report
A Wednesday morning explosion in the Al Khail Gate community in Dubai left at least one apartment destroyed.
The explosion occurred on the fifth floor of building 39 in Al Khail Community’s Phase 1.
We take a look at other explosions that have rattled UAE in the past few years.
June 2016
One person was injured in an explosion caused when a gas pipeline burst at a restaurant in karama.
October 2015: A popular Turkish restaurant in Dubai – the Bosphorus Restaurant in Umm Suqeim -was destroyed after a suspected gas leak caused a massive explosion. No injuries were reported.
July 2015: A house in Fujairah catches fire after a gas cylinder explodes. An Emirati family escaped unharmed.
November 2014: Two men received multiple injuries in an explosion at a restaurant on Red Island in Ras Al Khaimah. Investigations revealed that the blast took place as a result of a leak in an LPG cylinder at the eatery.
June 2014: A 30-year-old Pakistani worker was killed and other one sustained severe burns after a gas cylinder exploded inside their room in a labour accommodation in Al Sajjah area in Sharjah.
June 2014: Two Pakistanis received serious burn injuries in a gas explosion at a jewellery shop in Al Maraijah area in Sharjah. A third man received minor injuries.
October 2013: Nine people were injured as result of an explosion which occurred in a laundry in the Raffa area in Dubai.
May 2012: A fire broke out in an apartment in the Swan area of Ajman on Sunday night after a gas cylinder exploded. The residents were abroad.
March 2008: An explosion at a fireworks factory in Dubai’s Al Quoz leaves two people dead and led to the evacuation of nearby schools.
UAE sends rescue team, food, medicines to Afghanistan after earthquake
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the people of Afghanistan
Published: Mon 1 Sep 2025 at 10:17 PM
- By:
- WAM
UAE: How urgent care centres help keep ER rooms free for critical emergencies
One of the significant features of these UCCs is that there are much shorter wait times as compared to regular ERs
Published: Tue 2 Sep 2025 at 8:29 AM
Updated: Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 3:34 PM
- By:
- Nasreen Abdulla
Image used for illustrative purposes
More healthcare groups in the UAE are setting up urgent care centres (UCCs) to help relieve the pressure on hospital emergency rooms (ER). According to experts, it “fills a gap” in the healthcare system
“In many cases, ERs get crowded with patients whose conditions don’t require critical intervention but still need immediate care,” said Dr Sherbaz Bichu, CEO of Aster Hospitals and Clinics – UAE, Oman, and Bahrain. “By introducing a General Practitioner-led urgent care clinic within the hospital, we are ensuring that such patients are seen faster and in a more patient-friendly environment, while keeping the ER free for critical emergencies.”
In July this year, Aster Hospital Al Qusais launched this clinic, which operates daily from 10PM to 6AM, as a dedicated facility designed to deliver fast care for patients with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions.
According to Dr Srikanth Padmanabhan, Specialist in Emergency Medicine at NMC Specialty Hospital in Al Nahda, Dubai, such centres “play a crucial role” in reducing patients at ERs. “UCCs were primarily launched to fill a gap in the healthcare system by addressing the rising demand for immediate medical attention for conditions that are not life-threatening,” he said. “They reduce the burden on public ERs by absorbing non-emergency patients and mitigating the crowding.”
Dr Srikanth Padmanabhan
Shorter wait times
One of the significant features of these UCCs is that there are much shorter wait times as compared to regular ERs. “Most patients are attended to by a doctor within 15 minutes of arrival,” said Dr Sherbaz. “This is much quicker than an ER visit, where waiting times are longer.”
He said that the setup is “streamlined for rapid assessment, treatment, and discharge” which offers short wait times, while still being backed by the full resources of the hospital if escalation is required.
Dr Srikanth explained why the shorter wait times were possible. “While ERs prioritise patients based on the severity of their condition, UCCs often operate on a first-come, first-served basis,” he said. “Studies have shown that ER stays can last for several hours, whereas urgent care visits are significantly shorter.”
Reduced cost
These centres can help reduce the cost on healthcare system as a whole. “By diverting non-emergency cases away from the high-cost ER setting, the clinic saves money for patients and the broader healthcare system,” said Dr Srikanth. “The emergency rooms, which offer a specialist consult, have substantially higher overhead costs.”
Dr Sherbaz said these clinics were affordable for patients as well. “The cost of visiting the urgent care clinic is comparable to a general practitioner consultation, and significantly lower than a specialist consult,” he said. “This makes it a more affordable choice for patients without compromising on quality of care.”
Dr Sherbaz Bichu
He added that the UCCs manage conditions such as fevers, flu, infections, mild asthma, sprains, minor cuts, ear and throat issues, stomach upsets, and minor burns. “Patients who present with chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or any condition requiring critical interventions are immediately directed to the ER,” he said.
Dubai: 1 dead, 2 injured in multiple-vehicle collision on Emirates Road
The accident, which involved three vehicles, took place just after the Dubai Club Bridge in the direction of Sharjah
Published: Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 3:27 PM
Updated: Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 3:58 PM
- By:
- Sahim Salim
Photo: Dubai Police
A crash on Emirates Road on Monday afternoon left one motorist dead and two others injured, the Dubai Police confirmed on Wednesday. The injuries were described as “moderate to minor”.
The three-vehicle collision happened just beyond the Dubai Club Bridge on the way to Sharjah. Police said it was caused by a driver following too closely, a violation often linked to serious traffic accidents. An image released by the authorities showed the mangled remains of a sedan and a mini truck.
Brigadier Jumaa Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Traffic Department at Dubai Police, said the crash was reported at 1.30pm. “Preliminary investigations indicate that one driver did not leave enough distance from the vehicle in front, leading to the collision,” he said.
Citing official statistics, Brigadier Jumaa noted that rear-end crashes due to insufficient spacing are among the most frequent on Dubai roads. “This violation can lead to serious or even fatal accidents. Maintaining a safe distance is a vital aspect of defensive driving, essential for preserving lives and property. Under federal traffic laws, offenders face a Dh400 fine and four black points,” he added.
According to RoadSafetyUAE, tailgating is the third biggest killer on UAE roads, as confirmed by Ministry of Interior data. The group stresses that drivers should follow the three-second rule under normal conditions: when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, you should only reach that point after counting to three. In poor visibility – such as rain, fog or sandstorms – the rule should be extended to five seconds to give motorists enough time to react and prevent deadly rear-end collisions.
In March, the Dubai Police told Khaleej Times they would use radars to monitor tailgating offences and issue fines. Last year, the police said they would impound vehicles for up to 30 days for multiple traffic offences, including tailgating.
Palestinian student from UAE among top 10 finalists for $100,000 prize
The first-generation Palestinian high school student at Al Mawakeb Al Garhoud has been chosen from nearly 11,000 nominations from 148 countries
Published: Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 3:55 PM
- By:
- Nandini Sircar
Photo: Dalia Zidan
A Dubai-based student has been named among the top 10 finalists for the prestigious Dh367,250 ($100,000) Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2025.
Dalia Zidan, a first-generation Palestinian high school student at Al Mawakeb Al Garhoud, has been chosen from nearly 11,000 nominations from 148 countries for her remarkable work in breaking barriers in STEM, particularly through her development of an AI-powered web app that supports the mental health of first-generation students.
Dalia’s drive for learning began with her recognizing the limitations around the education system
In an exclusive interview to Khaleej Times on Wednesday, she said, “At my school, most classes are determined by grade-level, rather than ability. Because of this, I have had to independently find advanced programmes and challenge myself with difficult coursework outside of school-settings.”
This led her to seek out opportunities like the World Science Scholars program, where she was chosen as one of only 54 students globally to take courses under world-renowned educators like Professor Brian Greene and Professor Cumrun Vafa.
She has also broken academic barriers at her school. “This was strictly reserved for Grade 12 students at my school,” referring to her decision to self-study AP Calculus in Grade 10 and earn a perfect score of 5 on the exam. “I am now on track to complete the most rigorous course load a student has ever taken at my school,” she added, highlighting her dedication to pushing her own boundaries.
For Dalia, technology is more than just a tool; it’s a vehicle for creating a more equitable world. She emphasizes that she believes that technology “holds the greatest potential to make the biggest impact. This is especially in under-resourced and underprivileged communities.” She wants to use her skills to empower others. “I am extremely passionate about utilising my passions for tech to drive real and lasting change, particularly for those who are less fortunate.”
Other accomplishments
Dalia believes that many intelligent students are limited by a lack of resources. “The world is filled with an incredible amount of intelligent and brilliant students who have the potential to become the next Einsteins or Newtons of our generation — though they are limited due to the lack of resources provided to them,” she added. “I believe that all students, regardless of background, should have access to resources that support their learning.”
She’s already putting this belief into action through her work with the International Youth Science Journal (IYSJ). “Across our website and media platforms, IYSJ has reached over 100,000 views across 45 countries, published more than 150 articles, released 13 seasonal issues, and hosted events ranging from writing workshops to our first-ever research symposium,” she said.
Her school club, AMTech, has also made a significant impact, earning over $9,000 in competition prizes and collaborating with the UAE government to host Dubai AI Week. “Additionally, as Co-President of my school’s tech club, AMTech, I’m currently creating a platform with my peers to offer students access to extracurricular and scholarship opportunities, as well as custom-made AP, SAT, and coding guides,” she said.
Her passion for making complex topics accessible is even on display in her children’s book, Catching Infinity, which introduces math to young readers and was recognized as a global innovation finalist.
A dream of supporting others
Dalia’s ultimate goal is to use her success to uplift others. “I had always hoped to make a wider impact with my initiatives but had never dreamed that I would be one of the top 10 finalists for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize,” she said, expressing her gratitude. “I am so proud and grateful to the Varkey Foundation and Chegg.org for creating such a powerful platform for students to have a voice.”
She believes that everyone has the potential for greatness, but many lack the resources to achieve it. “We’re all born with the ability to achieve greatness, but many students don’t have access to opportunities they deserve because they lack funding and resources,” she explained. “As a result, they never get the chance to discover their love of STEM. I believe it is the duty of those fortunate enough with access to these resources, such as myself, to support and uplift students who lack access to the same opportunities.”
If she wins the prize, Dalia plans to use the funds to buy tech kits for students, run international STEM contests, and continue her mission of making STEM inclusive for all.
About the prize
The Global Student Prize, a sister award to the $1 million Global Teacher Prize, was created to shine a spotlight on extraordinary students who are reshaping the world through innovation, leadership, and service. This vision is something Dalia embodies in all her projects.
Nathan Schultz, the President and CEO of Chegg, Inc., expressed his admiration for Dalia’s approach, stating that her work is not just about solving problems but about lifting up entire communities.
“Huge congratulations to Dalia on being named a top 10 finalist. Your work is bold, thoughtful, and deeply needed. You’re not just solving problems; you’re lifting up communities and showing the world what’s possible when passion meets purpose,” said Schultz.
Schultz pointed out that Chegg believes that students can be trailblazers, and this prize is meant to celebrate that spirit.
“At Chegg, we believe students are among the most powerful change agents in the world. This prize is about elevating student voices, spotlighting their ideas, and reminding all of us what can happen when young people lead with vision, courage, and heart,” he said.
Sunny Varkey, the Founder of the Varkey Foundation, emphasized that Dalia’s story is a reminder of education’s power to address global challenges.
“Congratulations, Dalia, on being a top 10 finalist for the Global Student Prize. Your story is an urgent reminder that education is a powerful catalyst to solve some of the greatest challenges in history — from inequality and climate change to devastating diseases,” said Varkey.
He added that a better future for everyone depends on investing in education and human potential.
“By investing in learning, technology, and human potential, we can build a future of opportunity, resilience, and compassion,” he said.
Assessment criteria
Students’ achievements are assessed on a number of criteria, including their academic achievement, impact on peers and community, creativity, and the ability to overcome odds.
The winner, to be selected by the Global Student Prize Academy, is expected to be announced next month.
Dubai tightens school canteen food inspections to safeguard student health
Officials say immediate action is taken in cases of non-compliance, including withdrawal of products and banning circulation
Published: Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 3:51 PM
- By:
- Sahim Salim
Photos: Dubai Municipality
The Dubai Municipality has tightened monitoring of food served in schools across the emirate as part of efforts to safeguard students’ health in the new academic year.
The inspections cover kindergartens, nurseries, and schools, with a dedicated team of food safety officers tasked with checking 456 institutions annually. Field visits are supported by daily monitoring through the “DM Checked” platform, which tracks canteen performance and reviews menus to ensure they meet the city’s nutrition and food safety standards.
Officials said immediate action is taken in cases of non-compliance, including the withdrawal of products, banning their circulation, and requiring corrective steps from schools.
Canteens are required to follow the smart food choices system which categorizes into four groups — green, yellow, red, and black — to limit unhealthy foods and encourage fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, water, and low-fat milk.
Beyond food inspections, the Municipality is carrying out broader checks on facilities, including air-conditioning and ventilation systems, swimming pools, and water supply networks. Reports on water tank cleaning and sterilisation are reviewed regularly, while school uniforms are also inspected for compliance with approved specifications.
Training workshops are being held for canteen staff and nutrition officers, while awareness sessions aim to encourage students to adopt healthy eating habits and reduce food waste.