Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced temporary road closures on Friday, February 21, 2025, due to ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation works.

Drivers are also being warned about weekend traffic delays on Emirates Road towards Sharjah. The affected area is between Dubai-Al Ain Road and the Al Amardhi–Al Awir Road intersection.

The delays are expected every weekend from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, and will continue until August 30, 2025.

Motorists are advised to plan their routes in advance and allow extra travel time to avoid getting stuck in traffic. The RTA also encourages road users to stay updated through its official channels for any changes.

On World Pilots’ Day, Emirates celebrated the strength and dedication of its pilots while announcing major recruitment plans as part of its global growth strategy.

The Dubai-based airline reaffirmed its commitment to hire over 1,500 new pilots in the next two years, expanding its 4,600-strong flight crew team.

As part of this expansion, Emirates is actively seeking experienced aviators across four key programmes: Direct Entry Captains, Accelerated Command, First Officers Type Rated, and First Officers Non-Type Rated.

The airline’s Accelerated Command Programme, which fast-tracks First Officers to Captain roles, is already proving successful. More than 80 pilots are currently on track for the upgrade.

Its global recruitment roadshow is visiting over 40 cities, with upcoming stops in Norway, Finland, and Sweden this May, following recent sessions in Italy.

Pilots joining Emirates will fly one of the world’s youngest and most modern fleets, including the Airbus A380, Boeing 777, and the new A350. With a network covering 148 destinations across six continents, Emirates pilots enjoy some of the most scenic flight routes in the industry, from cityscapes like San Francisco and Sydney to natural wonders like the Himalayas and the aurora borealis.

In addition to tax-free salaries, Emirates offers profit sharing, a world-class provident fund, life and health insurance, and retirement benefits.

Businesses in the UAE that missed the deadline to register for corporate tax have been given a welcome break. A new decision by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) waives administrative penalties for those who missed the registration deadline, as long as they meet specific conditions.

To benefit from the waiver, companies must submit their corporate tax returns or annual statements within seven months of their first tax period, in line with the UAE Corporate Tax Law.

Even better, businesses that already paid fines, but now meet the new conditions, will be eligible for refunds, according to the FTA.

This Cabinet-approved move aims to support businesses during the first year of corporate tax implementation, giving them more flexibility to comply with the new rules without facing hefty penalties.

Who’s Eligible?

• Companies or exempt entities that missed the registration deadline
• Must file their tax return or annual statement within 7 months of their first tax period

Why It Matters

The waiver reflects the UAE’s intention to ease the transition into the new corporate tax regime and encourage businesses to regularise their status without fear of penalties.

(Source: Wam)