Power, violence, betrayal and of course, dragons.
House of the Dragon, a prequel to the hit show Game of Thrones, has been released on HBO Max, with viewers in the UAE able to watch it on OSN+ from today, August 22.
House of the Dragon is set 200 years before Game of Thrones and chronicles the tumultuous events that mark the beginning of the end for the most powerful house of the realm: the Targaryens.
From fickle premonitions, wavering alliances and brutal action including sword fights and fire-breathing dragons, here are five things to keep in mind about the new show.
What is 'House of the Dragon' about?
The show is based on the second half of Fire & Blood by George R R Martin, which details the lead up to the Targaryen civil war.
King Viserys I Targaryen has ruled the Seven Kingdoms for nearly 26 years and names his firstborn, Princess Rhaenyra, as his sole heir.
He is vehemently challenged by his brother Daemon Targaryen and the councilmen of Westeros who firmly believe that a woman cannot sit on the Iron Throne.
Matters are further complicated when Alicent Hightower, Princess Rhaenyra's childhood best friend, marries King Viserys and later conceives a son, Aegon.
As tensions escalate, Princess Rhaenyra refuses to back down and is resolute in claiming her birthright, no matter the consequences.
Who is in the cast?
One of the most challenging aspects of watching Game of Thrones was remembering the names of the characters, understanding their relationships with one another and their apparent motives. To better prepare you for the show, here are the main characters and the actors who play them.
Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen: Current king of Westeros.
Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra: King Viserys’s firstborn and, initially, sole heir to the Iron Throne.
Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower: Daughter of the Hand of the King, Princess Rhaenyra’s childhood best friend who later marries Rhaenyra’s father King Viserys.
Prince Daemon Targaryen: King Viserys's younger brother and Princess Rhaenyra’s uncle, who has his own claim to the Iron Throne.
Otto Hightower: Hand of the King and a highly political character who questions many of the decisions he’s forced to make.
Lord Corlys Velaryon: Head of House Velaryon and Princess Rhaenyra’s confidant and mentor.
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen: Wife of Corlys, who passed the throne to her male cousin King Viserys.
There's plenty more dragons
During Game of Thrones, dragons were game changers. As viewers learnt, control a dragon and you can rule the Seven Kingdoms. However, there were only three dragons that fans were able to see and only one epic fight featured between two dragons, during GoT's eight seasons.
In House of the Dragon, however, there are reportedly up to 17 dragons, which makes sense given that the Targaryens run the Seven Kingdoms. Plus, with a civil war brewing, we can only hope for more epic battles on the ground and in mid-air.
Women in power
While Game of Thrones had women in positions of power, such as Cersei Lannister, Sansa Stark, and Daenerys Targaryen, House of the Dragon is set earlier in the Westeros timeline, where patriarchy has a firmer hold on society.
The theme of how this affects the women in the story will be most evident with Princess Rhaenyra. She is someone who never expected to be heir, but when her father chooses her to be his successor despite societal norms, Princess Rhaenyra becomes at odds with herself and her womanhood.
'Game of Thrones' Universe
Game of Thrones was a pop culture phenomenon and a turning point for the high fantasy genre. To capitalise on the show’s mainstream success, HBO has four other spin-offs already in development, including the only sequel centred around Jon Snow, with Kit Harington already attached to the project.
Scroll the gallery below to see images of how the 'Game of Thrones' characters changed from season 1 to 8:
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
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Scoreline
Man Utd 2 Pogba 27', Martial 49'
Everton 1 Sigurdsson 77'
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
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CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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South Korea
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
