(Credit - Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) X Page)
Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project Hits 80% as Deira Commuters Near Relief
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) confirmed, that the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project has reached 80% completion, bringing one of Deira’s most anticipated road upgrades within striking distance of the finish line. The 1,650-metre tunnel is engineered to push up to 12,000 vehicles per hour through one of Dubai’s most congested urban corridors , a figure that signals a fundamental shift in how traffic moves through this part of the city.
Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project: 1,650m Route Confirmed
The tunnel runs from the end of the Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira to the Al Khaleej Street, Al Wuheida Street intersection. It carries three lanes in each direction, creating a six-lane grade-separated facility beneath a stretch of road that has long been bottlenecked by surface-level junctions and signalised crossings. The project forms part of Phase 4 of Dubai’s broader infrastructure development programme , a sequenced approach that ensures new capacity feeds cleanly into the surrounding road network rather than simply relocating congestion to the next junction.
Grade separation is the core engineering principle at work here. By routing through-traffic underground, the tunnel removes the conflict points that force vehicles to slow, stop, and merge at surface intersections. Local access, deliveries, and bus movements continue at street level without being blocked by cross-city traffic passing through. The Al Khaleej Street, Al Wuheida Street intersection , currently one of the denser signal-controlled nodes in Deira , stands to see a significant reduction in peak-hour queuing once the tunnel is operational.
What This Means for Deira Drivers and Businesses
For the tens of thousands of commuters and freight operators who pass through Deira daily, the RTA’s milestone update points to faster and more predictable journey times on a corridor that connects dense residential neighbourhoods to major bridges and arterial roads feeding central Dubai. Logistics companies operating out of Deira’s commercial districts face lower idle-time costs when stop-start congestion eases. Retailers and hospitality businesses near the waterfront gain improved access for customers arriving from across the emirate , an advantage that compounds during peak seasons and large city events.
| Project Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Tunnel Length | 1,650 metres |
| Start Point | End of Infinity Bridge ramp, Deira |
| End Point | Al Khaleej Street, Al Wuheida Street intersection |
| Lane Configuration | Three lanes in each direction (six total) |
| Designed Capacity | Up to 12,000 vehicles per hour (both directions) |
| Completion Status | 80% as of May, 2026 |
| Infrastructure Phase | Phase 4 of Dubai’s road development programme |
- Corridor Role: Al Khaleej Street is a key coastal artery linking Deira’s residential and commercial zones to central Dubai and the northern waterfront.
- Traffic Relief: The tunnel removes surface conflict points, allowing through-traffic to bypass signalised intersections entirely.
- Network Integration: Phase 4 sequencing ensures the tunnel connects to adjacent road upgrades without creating new bottlenecks at entry and exit points.
- Urban Constraint Solution: Grade separation was chosen because street-level widening in built-up Deira is restricted by existing buildings, utilities, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is delivering the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel as part of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, one of the emirate’s flagship mobility programmes aimed at easing congestion and improving connectivity across Deira and Bur Dubai.
With 80% of the 1,650-metre tunnel complete as of May, 2026, the remaining construction window will determine exactly when the 12,000-vehicles-per-hour capacity comes online and how quickly journey time savings materialise. The 1.65-kilometre Al Khaleej Street Tunnel remains under construction and is expected to be completed soon, positioning it as a near-term capacity boost for one of Deira’s busiest corridors.
Indonesia earthquake: 54 dead
Indonesia Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 54
The death toll from a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Indonesia's Flores Island has risen to 54, with thousands of people still displaced across eastern Indonesia. Rescuers are battling landslides, aftershocks, and shortages to reach survivors, as local media reported over 130 people injured and approximately 7,000 residents forced from their homes into temporary shelters.
Aftershocks remain a major concern, with 1,598 recorded in Nusa Tenggara Timur following Saturday's earthquake. Authorities continue to monitor the sequence, and another magnitude 5.7 earthquake was reported offshore Flores on Monday, with no tsunami warning issued. The central government has sent 25 tonnes of supplies, including ready-to-eat food, drinking water, and medical teams, to support the affected communities.
The destruction has created urgent shortages of food, clean water, medicines, and other basic supplies in some of the hardest-hit communities. Indonesia has dispatched about 275 tons of aid, while emergency authorities work to establish additional medical facilities, including field hospitals. Roads to some previously cut-off villages have been reopened, but several areas remain difficult to reach.
This disaster has unfolded as Indonesia marked its 81st Independence Day on Monday, overshadowing celebrations in Jakarta and leaving communities on Flores focused on survival and recovery. The popular Flores tourism destination, Wae Rebo, has temporarily suspended visits due to vulnerable trekking routes.
As of Monday afternoon, the emergency response on Flores has shifted from the immediate rescue phase towards relief, recovery, and continued monitoring of aftershocks. University Nusa Nipa and the NTT police are providing trauma-recovery assistance to children and other displaced residents.
The earthquake damaged over 1,300 homes across East Nusa Tenggara, with nearly 250 destroyed on Flores alone, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. Schools, hospitals, health centers, and government buildings were also damaged, leaving some medical services operating under emergency conditions.
Cristiano Ronaldo Retirement
Ronaldo Announces Likely Final Season
Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that the upcoming 2026-27 season will likely be his last as a professional football player. The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward made these remarks in an interview with Vogue magazine, indicating his plans to retire after a 25-year career. Ronaldo's current contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, which he joined in December 2022, expires in June 2027.
Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards, five UEFA Champions League titles, and has scored 976 goals throughout his career. He expressed his desire to leave a spectacular legacy and is already planning for life beyond football. The Portugal captain mentioned that he has mapped out his future and plans to focus on various interests after retirement, including travel, playing padel, and spending time with his family.
The announcement marks the end of an era for one of football's greatest players. Ronaldo's decision to retire will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the football world, as he has been an iconic figure in the sport for over two decades.
Ronaldo recently married his longtime partner Georgina Rodríguez, and the couple has been enjoying their life together with their children. As he prepares for life after football, Ronaldo is looking forward to exploring new interests and spending more time with his loved ones.
The 2026-27 season will likely be an emotional one for Ronaldo and his fans, as they bid farewell to an incredible career. With his contract set to expire in June 2027, Ronaldo's retirement will bring an end to a remarkable chapter in football history.
AED 200 Fine for Etihad Rail Ticket Violations
Travelers Face AED 200 Penalty for Ticket Misuse on Etihad Rail
Etihad Rail now imposes a AED 200 fine on any passenger caught without a valid ticket, evading fare or tampering with a ticket, according to its Passenger Charter.
Who It Affects
The rule applies to every person boarding an Etihad Rail train or bus, from daily commuters to corporate travelers and tourists. Anyone who presents a ticket that doesn’t match the date, time, name or has been used before is subject to the fine.What You Need To Do
- Check that each ticket displays the correct date, time and passenger name and that it hasn’t been used previously.
- Carry the ticket and a valid government ID so Etihad Rail staff can verify identity at any checkpoint.
- Keep a charged mobile device if the ticket is electronic, because staff may ask to see the screen.
- If you’re stopped without a valid ticket, purchase a Flexible ticket on the spot through the train supervisor or the Etihad Rail mobile application.
- Never alter, share, or buy tickets from unauthorised sources; doing so triggers the same AED 200 fine.
Fine Schedule
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Traveling without a valid ticket (including using another person’s ticket) | AED 200 |
| Fare evasion or using discounted fare without entitlement | AED 200 |
| Forging or altering tickets | AED 200 |
| Ticket misuse (using category‑specific tickets without eligibility) | AED 200 |
Etihad Rail also warns that paying the fine doesn’t stop further action: the company can refuse travel, end the journey, ban the passenger from future service and refer the case to the Public Prosecution, which may impose additional penalties, including imprisonment where the law allows.
Trump Oman Threat: US Strike Looms
Trump Threatens Oman Over Iran Deal
US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it "gets in the way" of a US deal with Iran on the Strait of Hormuz, in a statement to Fox News on August 17, 2026. Iranian and Omani officials have been in talks for weeks over future maritime navigation arrangements through the strait. Trump's threat comes as Washington pursues its own negotiations with Iran, with the US President calling for Iran to surrender.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy waterway, has been effectively closed by Iran since the start of the Middle East war on February 28. Trump has insisted that the strait is under US control, despite traffic remaining throttled. Iran has used its control over the strait as leverage against US-led attempts to destroy its military and force it to abandon its nuclear power program.
Trump also stated that there is a direct back-channel between his administration and officials of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, and that Iran should "put up the white flag of surrender." The US President expressed no hurry to reach a deal, despite the deep unpopularity of the war among Americans ahead of November midterm elections.
The situation is being closely watched, as any escalation could have significant implications for global energy shipments and commodities. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping route, with Iran's coast flanking the north side and Oman on the south.
This development follows Trump's previous statements on the Strait of Hormuz, including his claim that he would declare the strait part of US territory. Iran has retorted that the waterway "will remain Iranian." The US-Iran negotiations are ongoing, with Trump demanding Iran's surrender and reparations for "damages over 50 years."
Trump Loses Supreme Court Appeal
Trump's Second Appeal Rejected in Carroll Defamation Case
The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected for a second time President Donald Trump's attempt to overturn a jury judgment that he sexually assaulted and defamed writer E Jean Carroll. Carroll, 82, a former journalist and columnist, accuses Trump of assaulting her in a dressing room of a New York department store in 1996. Trump paid $5.6 million to Carroll last month after a civil jury found he sexually assaulted and defamed her.
The Supreme Court did not give any reason for its decision not to hear the president's challenge, leaving the underlying civil verdict intact. This decision comes after Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million to Carroll in a separate defamation case in New York, which he has also appealed to the Supreme Court.
The case against Trump began when Carroll published allegations of sexual assault in a 2019 book, prompting Trump to call her a "nut job" and claim she had fabricated her case. The rejection of Trump's appeal marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Trump and Carroll.
This case is similar to other high-profile defamation cases, such as those involving public figures and media outlets, where the courts have had to weigh the balance between free speech and protection from harm to one's reputation.
41 Wall Street, the location of the alleged assault, is a notable location in this case, given its history and significance in New York City.
