Dubai’s Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion has been longlisted in two categories for the 2021 Dezeen Awards.
One of the top attractions at the coming Expo 2020 Dubai, the pavilion made the longlist for the coveted architecture prize in the Sustainable Building and Landscape Project categories.
Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the structure features a 130 metre-wide oval building at its centre, with circular sprout-like solar panels called Energy Trees huddled around it.
The site is fitted with 4,912 solar panels and 18 Energy Trees, generating 4GWh of electricity per year, or as the Expo 2020 Dubai website says, “enough to charge more than 900,000 mobile phones.”
The site also utilises innovative irrigation methods, including a greywater recycling system, aiming to reduce water use in the landscape by 75 per cent.
The structure’s design and function were inspired by natural processes, which was a deciding factor in nominating the site for the Sustainable Building award.
“The relationship of building to the site and its physical and cultural contexts is critical,” the Dezeen Award page explains. “The facility demonstrates a new way of living sustainably in a challenging desert environment.”
The building, which will function as a science centre after Expo 2020 ends, is also in the running for the Landscape Project prize.
Designed by landscape architects desert INK, the site features native and adapted plants with hard landscape materials that are either locally sourced or contain recycled content. An intelligent irrigation system has been installed to supply water only when needed.
A handful of other projects from the region have also been longlisted in the 12 categories of the 2021 Dezeen Awards. These include the Khor Kalba Turtle and Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharjah, which is nominated in the Cultural Building category.
Designed by Hopkins Architects, the site features a cluster of round buildings and is located in one of the most diverse nature reserves in the Gulf. It functions as a sanctuary for rehabilitating turtles and endangered birds.
Seven interconnected pods on the site make up a visitors' centre, which presents a panoramic view of the mangrove forest and distant mountains. The site also features a trail to encourage visitors to explore the reserve’s mangroves and mud flats, which are home to turtles, stingrays, gazelles and the rare Arabian collared kingfisher.
A multi-unit residential building in Kuwait is in the running for the Housing Project prize. Named Project Jade, the building takes the traditional courtyard house concept with mashrabiyas and applies them to an apartment building. Featuring living units designed around green courtyards, the building aims to achieve an optimised balance between privacy and openness.
Seven projects from Iran have also made the Dezeen Awards longlist in various categories. Igol House, a holiday destination in the Igol village for hikers, is nominated in he Rural House category. Inspired by the aesthetics of old Persian gardens, the house features terraces that appear as layered gardens.
The Alibaba Travel Agency headquarters, consisting of 10 industrial sheds, has been longlisted in the Business Building category. Tehran’s Silk Tree Park, designed with spatial guidelines for deaf and hard of hearing people, is longlisted for the Landscape Project category. The other longlisted projects from Iran are Sabzevar Arc House, the Aptus Showroom, the Sharif Office Building, and the Presence of Hormuz 2 buildings.
We’ll have to wait until September to find out which regional projects make the shortlist for the Dezeen Awards. The longlist will be assessed by a jury of leading professionals including Ole Scheeren, Lina Ghotmeh and Hanif Kara.
The 12 winners will then be announced in November. Winning projects will go on to compete for the overall architecture project of the year prize.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Start times
5.55am: Wheelchair Marathon Elites
6am: Marathon Elites
7am: Marathon Masses
9am: 10Km Road Race
11am: 4Km Fun Run
Company%C2%A0profile
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Calls
Directed by: Fede Alvarez
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
4/5
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
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
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Company%20profile
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Jawan
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAtlee%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Nayanthara%2C%20Vijay%20Sethupathi%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
