The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has imposed a financial penalty of Dh3 million on a local bank for failing to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

The fine was issued under Article 14 of Federal Decree Law No. (20) of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations, as well as Article 137 of the Decretal Federal Law No. (14) of 2018 concerning the Central Bank and regulation of financial institutions.

The CBUAE said the penalty followed an investigation which found that the bank had not met regulatory requirements outlined in UAE legislation to combat financial crime.

In a statement, the Central Bank reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the transparency and integrity of the country’s financial system. “We continue to supervise and regulate all licensed financial institutions to ensure full compliance with UAE laws, regulations, and standards,” the authority said.

The name of the bank was not disclosed.

Residents and motorists in Abu Dhabi should take note: new Mawaqif paid parking zones have been activated in several areas across the city, Q Mobility announced on Thursday, July 10.

The newly introduced paid zones include:

• Eastern Mangroves
• Dolphin Park
• Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street sectors – specifically at Al Khaleej Al Arabi Park 1, 2, 4, and 5
• Al Qurm Plaza

The rollout of the Mawaqif system in these areas is now officially in effect, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s parking regulations.

• Standard Parking – black and blue curbs:
  • Dh2 an hour
  • Dh15 for 24-hour parking
• Premium Parking Abu Dhabi – white and blue curbs: AED 3 an hour

According to Q Mobility, this move is part of ongoing efforts to better regulate vehicle movement, ease congestion, and improve the overall efficiency of public parking across the emirate. The changes follow the completion of infrastructure upgrades such as curb painting, installation of directional and awareness signage, and public notifications.

The company has also encouraged drivers to make use of the Darb app for digital payment and to carefully follow posted instructions to avoid fines.

The expansion of Mawaqif is part of a broader strategy aimed at improving traffic flow and providing smarter, more streamlined parking solutions within Abu Dhabi Island and beyond.

Good news for Dubai motorists, especially those navigating through Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim and Al Safa. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a major traffic upgrade at the busy intersection of Al Wasl Street and Al Manara Street, aimed at easing congestion and cutting down your commute time.

As part of the project, a new lane has been added for vehicles heading from Al Manara Street towards Sheikh Zayed Road. Plus, a dedicated U-turn lane has been introduced to improve traffic flow for drivers coming from Sheikh Zayed Road and heading back onto Al Wasl or Al Manara.

Thanks to these changes:

• The number of lanes at the intersection is now three, increasing capacity by 50%.
• Waiting times have dropped by up to 30–35%, according to RTA estimates.

These improvements are part of the RTA’s broader 2025 Traffic Improvement Plan, which focuses on upgrading roads across key residential areas and improving traffic flow on streets parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road. The goal? Smoother daily commutes, better road safety, and improved quality of life for residents.

So if you regularly drive through Al Wasl or Al Manara, your trip just got a bit quicker and a lot less frustrating.