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Pegula and Pliskova power through DDF Tennis Championships knockouts

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World No 3 Jessica Pegula overcame an early scare to defeat qualifier Ana Bogdan by a score of 6-4, 6-3 and go to the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Bogdan of Romania defeated her top-ranked foe in game two and quickly raced to a 3-1 lead, but Pegula then turned on the jets and won five of the next six games to take the opening set.

Attempting to reach a second successive WTA final after her loss to World No 1 Iga Swiatek in Doha last weekend, Pegula remained on top in the second set, closing the match out in just one hour and 36 minutes to become the first name in the Dubai quarter-finals.

“She came out really intense so I really had to raise my level. I’m just glad I was able to come back in that first set and kept my focus,” said Pegula, whose parents own NFL team Buffalo Bills and NHL outfit Buffalo Sabres.

World No 3 Jessica Pegula is in the quarter-finals.

Madison Keys, a countrywoman of Pegula, kept up her remarkable form by defeating 15th seed Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-1, in just 57 minutes as she attempted to advance to her maiden quarterfinal in Dubai.

With a leg injury, Azarenka appeared to be having trouble moving, but Keys triumphed easily after stunning Caroline Garcia, the fourth seed, in the Round of 32. Keys, a Grand Slam finalist at the US Open, worked really hard to complete the task.

“Obviously not feeling well, but I guess I get to play another match,” said Azarenka. The 27-year-old stated, “I’ll use what I did today and do it again tomorrow. “The only thing you can do in a circumstance like this is concentrate on your own game and make your shots.”

Over on Court One, Karolina Pliskova continued her fine form at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, securing her place in the quarter-finals with a 7-5, 6-7, 6-2 victory over Anhelina Kalinina.

Admitting she feels “relaxed” in Dubai, 2015 runner-up Pliskova followed up her emphatic 6-1, 6-2 victory over No 6 seed Maria Sakkari in the Round of 32 with another solid performance against the Ukraine’s Kalinina, who dumped out 10th seed Veronika Kudermetova in her opening match.

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Dh1,000 fine and 4 black points: Dubai Police issue warning on sudden swerving

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Dubai Police have issued a renewed and stern warning to motorists regarding the dangers of sudden swerving, labelling the manoeuvre as a primary catalyst for fatalities and severe collisions on the emirate’s high-speed roads.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs, highlighted that while missing an exit or attempting a quick overtake may seem minor, the resulting “side-impact collisions, loss of vehicle control, and rollovers” are often life-altering.

The split-second danger

Recent monitoring by Dubai Police has recorded a surge in incidents where drivers changed lanes without indicators or ensured the road was clear. On high-speed corridors, these actions leave zero reaction time for surrounding motorists.

“Arriving late is far better than not arriving at all,” said Major General Al Mazrouei. “Missing an exit never justifies putting lives at risk. We urge the public to remain calm, use indicators correctly, and avoid impulsive decisions behind the wheel.”

The cost of a sudden turn

To deter risky behaviour, Dubai Police reminded the public of the strict penalties under Article 29 of the Federal Traffic Law. Motorists caught swerving suddenly face:

  • A Dh1,000 fine.
  • Four black points added to their traffic file.

Community vigilance: We are all police

Road safety is a shared responsibility. The public is encouraged to report dangerous driving behaviour via the “Police Eye” feature on the Dubai Police smart app or by using the “We Are All Police” service by calling 901.

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The Philippines guarantees unemployment cash benefits for Middle East overseas workers amid regional crisis

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As a 14-day ceasefire brings a temporary lull to regional conflict, the Social Security System (SSS) of the Philippines has issued a major reassurance to its 540,000+ active paying OFW members across the Middle East. SSS President Robert Joseph de Claro confirmed today that digital infrastructure remains fully operational, ensuring that displaced workers can access critical “Unemployment Benefits” and pension services regardless of the security situation on the ground.

Who qualifies?

With over 4,300 Filipinos already repatriated as of April 6, the SSS “Unemployment Benefit” serves as a vital bridge for those involuntarily separated from their jobs. To qualify, OFW members must meet the following:

  • Age: 60 years old or below.
  • Contributions: At least 36 monthly contributions, with 12 months paid within the 18 months immediately preceding the job loss.
  • Certification: Involuntary separation must be certified by the DMW (formerly POEA).
  • Timeline: Applications must be submitted via the My.SSS portal within one year of separation.

Recognising the difficulty of physical travel during the current conflict, SSS has launched a breakthrough Facial Authentication with Liveness Check for its pensioners. This allows retirees in the Middle East to complete their Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) via smartphone, eliminating the need to visit embassies or consulates.

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Heading to Abu Dhabi this weekend? What motorists need to know about road closures 

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Abu Dhabi Mobility has announced a series of temporary traffic modifications and partial road closures affecting major arteries in the capital starting today, Friday, April 10, through Monday, April 13, 2026.

The scheduled works will impact Al Fursan Street and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (E20), key routes connecting Khalifa City and Zayed City. Motorists are urged to exercise caution and plan for potential delays.

The closure schedule:

To minimise weekday disruption, the closures are concentrated over the weekend:

  • Friday, April 10 (2pm – Monday, April 13 (5am): The right lane on Al Fursan Street heading towards Abu Dhabi will be closed. Traffic flow will be maintained on the remaining open lanes.
  • Saturday, April 11 (12am) – Sunday, April 12 (11pm): A full closure of entry and exit points on Al Fursan Street will be in effect.

Guidance for motorists

Abu Dhabi Mobility has implemented a comprehensive traffic management plan. While diversions will be clearly marked with directional signage, authorities recommend the following:

  • Plan in advance: Use navigation apps to check for real-time congestion before departing.
  • Alternative routes: Utilise surrounding roads, including the main Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (E20) corridor, to bypass the affected zones.
  • Safety first: Adhere to posted speed limits within diversion zones to ensure the safety of road crews and fellow drivers.

These measures are part of ongoing scheduled works designed to improve the capital’s infrastructure and long-term traffic efficiency.

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