Dubai: Abu Dhabi City Municipality announced on its social media account on Friday, the closure of all parks and recreational areas, as well as its beaches. It has also suspended all events, until further notice, due to expected weather fluctuations and out of concern for the safety of community members.The announcement on Instagram stated: "Due to the anticipated weather fluctuations and in the interest of public safety, Abu Dhabi City Municipality announces the closure of all parks and recreational facilities, as well as its affiliated beaches, and the suspension of all events until further notice. Your safety is our priority.”The Abu Dhabi City Municipality also urged the public to exercise caution during periods of changing weather conditions. In another post on Instagram, it stated: “For your safety, please stay informed by following the latest weather updates and advisories issued by the National Center of Meteorology.”The authorities advised residents to call the hotline number 993 to inform them about rainwater pooling and other urgent reports.

Dubai: Have a strong road safety message to share? If you have a knack for filmmaking, it could help you win AED 30,000.Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the launch of the second edition of the Road Safety Film Festival, inviting individuals and organisations to submit their one- to three-minute film raising road safety awareness, with total prizes of up to AED 300,000.The submissions will be evaluated based on the level of creativity and innovation, the clarity of the idea, the use of research and data, the overall quality of work and the impact and effectiveness of the film.The first edition of the film festival in 2025 attracted more than 100 entries, on films showing innovative ideas and content related to road safety awareness, with submissions opening from August 24.Here is all you need to know about the competition and how you can participate.Who is the contest open to?Entries will be accepted across three main categories:1. Individuals and University Students2. Government Entities and Private Sector Companies3. Community.Each of these categories includes subcategories like raising awareness of leading causes of traffic accidents, promotion of safe driving behaviours and the portrayal of real-life stories from the community.What should the films focus on?The competition aims to promote awareness of safe road behaviours through short awareness films that cultivate a culture of compliance with traffic laws and regulations and reduce dangerous road behaviours. Each category has subcategories, which you can focus on, with clear awareness messages that need to be covered.Prizes announcedCategory 1: Individuals and University StudentsBest road safety awareness film on safe drivingFirst place: AED 30,000Second place: AED 20,000Third place: AED 10,000Best innovative road safety awareness film using modern technologiesFirst place: AED 30,000Second place: AED 20,000Third place: AED 10,000Category 2: Government entities and private sector companiesRecognition trophies each for public and private sector companiesCategory 3: CommunityBest Family Road Safety Awareness Film, a category introduced in line with the Year of Family:First place: AED 30,000Second place: AED 20,000Third place: AED 10,000Traffic Accident Victims Category – for the most impactful films:First place: AED 30,000Second place: AED 20,000Third place: AED 10,000Important datesCompetition launch and opening of submissions: August 24, 2026Submission deadline: November 22, 2026Film Evaluation: December 16, 2026Awards Ceremony and Announcement of Winners: January 2027Participation rulesEntries must align with the competition objectives, categories, and eligibility requirements.Films must be submitted through the official competition website: www.rta.ae/roadsafetyfilmfestivalAll required fields in the submission form must be completed, and the participating traffic safety film must be attached via the submission form available on the website.The organising committee reserves the right to reject any submission that does not comply with the competition requirements.RTA reserves the right to republish all submitted films and use them for awareness purposes.RTA assumes no responsibility for intellectual property ownership. Participants are solely responsible for ensuring ownership of all submitted content.Films submitted to the First Edition of the Road Safety Film Festival are not eligible.Winners across all categories will be announced during the Road Safety Film Festival.Participants must upload their films to YouTube or Vimeo and submit the viewing link through the application form, ensuring the video is publicly accessible.