• Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and their daughter Arabella. Reuters
    Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and their daughter Arabella. Reuters
  • Bill Gates and Paula Hurd. Reuters
    Bill Gates and Paula Hurd. Reuters
  • Actor Shah Rukh Khan, his wife Gauri and their son Abram. Reuters
    Actor Shah Rukh Khan, his wife Gauri and their son Abram. Reuters
  • Actor Ranbir Kapoor and his wife and actor Alia Bhatt. Reuters
    Actor Ranbir Kapoor and his wife and actor Alia Bhatt. Reuters
  • Rihanna, third from left, with members of the Ambani family during the first night of pre-wedding celebrations. Reliance Industries / Reuters
    Rihanna, third from left, with members of the Ambani family during the first night of pre-wedding celebrations. Reliance Industries / Reuters
  • The singer performed some of her biggest hits in a rare performance. Reliance Industries / Reuters
    The singer performed some of her biggest hits in a rare performance. Reliance Industries / Reuters
  • Bill Gates and girlfriend Paula Hurd with Anant Ambani and Mukesh Ambani during the pre-wedding celebrations. Reliance / Reuters
    Bill Gates and girlfriend Paula Hurd with Anant Ambani and Mukesh Ambani during the pre-wedding celebrations. Reliance / Reuters
  • Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani address guests during day one of their three-day pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar. All photos: AFP / Reliance unless stated otherwise
    Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani address guests during day one of their three-day pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar. All photos: AFP / Reliance unless stated otherwise
  • Nita Ambani, chairwoman and founder of the Reliance Foundation
    Nita Ambani, chairwoman and founder of the Reliance Foundation
  • Bollywood stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan
    Bollywood stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan
  • India's former cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni with wife Sakshi
    India's former cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni with wife Sakshi
  • Bollywood actors Ajay Devgn, centre, and Akshay Kumar, right
    Bollywood actors Ajay Devgn, centre, and Akshay Kumar, right
  • Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg with wife Priscilla Chan
    Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg with wife Priscilla Chan
  • West Indies's former cricket captain Dwayne Bravo, right, and wife Regina Ramjit
    West Indies's former cricket captain Dwayne Bravo, right, and wife Regina Ramjit
  • From left, Jared Kushner, daughter Arabella and Ivanka Trump posing with billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani
    From left, Jared Kushner, daughter Arabella and Ivanka Trump posing with billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani
  • Indian businesswoman Natasha Poonawalla
    Indian businesswoman Natasha Poonawalla
  • From left, Ivanka Trump, daughter of former US president Donald Trump, and Nita
    From left, Ivanka Trump, daughter of former US president Donald Trump, and Nita
  • Akash Ambani, left, with wife Shloka Mehta and Mukesh Ambani, right, with wife Nita
    Akash Ambani, left, with wife Shloka Mehta and Mukesh Ambani, right, with wife Nita
  • India's spiritual guru and founder of Isha Foundation, Jagadish 'Jaggi' Vasudev, popularly known as Sadhguru
    India's spiritual guru and founder of Isha Foundation, Jagadish 'Jaggi' Vasudev, popularly known as Sadhguru
  • Indian politician Praful Patel with wife Varsha
    Indian politician Praful Patel with wife Varsha

Rihanna's joy at 'first real show' in eight years for Ambani pre-wedding


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

Rihanna gave a rare performance of some of her biggest hits at the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant on Friday.

Matching the dress code of “elegant cocktail", she wore a fluorescent green bodycon and glittery custom-made gown by The Attico.

The singer, who went on a musical hiatus in 2016 to focus on other projects as well as raising her two children with rapper A$AP Rocky, recaptured the magic of old in Jamnagar.

“I’m here tonight in honour of Anant and Radhika, thank you for having me here. God bless your union, I wish you all the best, congratulations,” she said as she took the stage.

She added: “How many of you believe in love?” before performing her 2011 hit track We Found Love.

Other hits she performed include Diamonds, Work and Wild Thoughts showcasing the success of her career that has produced eight albums and helped her win nine Grammys.

After leaving the stage, she told reporters: “I'll be back, I love India. The show was the best. I haven’t done a real show in eight years."

Rihanna poses for a picture after performing at the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant at the airport in Jamnagar. Reliance Industries / Reuters
Rihanna poses for a picture after performing at the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant at the airport in Jamnagar. Reliance Industries / Reuters

Anant is the youngest son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. He is hosting a lavish three-day celebration in the Gujarati city, on the west coast of India, which began on Friday.

The 1,200-strong guest list is a who's-who of Bollywood, business leaders, Indian cricketers, politicians and business tycoons.

UAE businessman and Emaar Properties founder Mohamed Alabaar with his wife; Bollywood stars Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone; Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan; Shah Rukh Khan and his family; and Ivanka Trump were some of the guests seen arriving at the airport in Jamnagar city.

  • Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone lead the celebrities and business leaders arriving at Jamnagar Airport for the Ambani pre-wedding celebrations. AFP
    Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone lead the celebrities and business leaders arriving at Jamnagar Airport for the Ambani pre-wedding celebrations. AFP
  • UAE businessman Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties, and wife Ghamzeh arrive for the celebrations ahead of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding. EPA
    UAE businessman Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties, and wife Ghamzeh arrive for the celebrations ahead of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding. EPA
  • Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan arrive. AFP
    Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan arrive. AFP
  • Reliance Industries' chairman Mukesh Ambani's son Akash Ambani, centre, arrives for the celebrations. EPA
    Reliance Industries' chairman Mukesh Ambani's son Akash Ambani, centre, arrives for the celebrations. EPA
  • Suhana Khan, daughter of Shah Rukh Khan, arrives in a Rolls-Royce. EPA
    Suhana Khan, daughter of Shah Rukh Khan, arrives in a Rolls-Royce. EPA
  • Khan's son Aryan arrives. AP
    Khan's son Aryan arrives. AP
  • Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor. AP
    Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor. AP
  • All guests were flown via chartered flights into Jamnagar, including Akash Ambani, Anant's brother. Reuters
    All guests were flown via chartered flights into Jamnagar, including Akash Ambani, Anant's brother. Reuters
  • The lavish three-day event has a guest list of 1,200. Reuters
    The lavish three-day event has a guest list of 1,200. Reuters
  • Bollywood's Arjun Kapoor. AP
    Bollywood's Arjun Kapoor. AP
  • Ambani and Merchant host a communal dinner for 51,000 local villagers ahead of their pre-wedding celebration. AP
    Ambani and Merchant host a communal dinner for 51,000 local villagers ahead of their pre-wedding celebration. AP

All were flown on chartered flights into Jamnagar. However, the main wedding event will be held in July in Mumbai.

According to a nine-page event guide and wardrobe planner sent to guests and seen by The National, the celebrations will include several themed parties, which began with a cocktail party called An Evening in Everland on Friday.

The Ambanis are not known to cut corners for their weddings. Anant's sister Isha Ambani's star-studded 7 billion rupee nuptials ($86 million) in 2018 is still the most expensive Indian wedding of all time and included a performance by Beyonce.

  • Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant at their engagement party in Mumbai on January 19, 2023. AP
    Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant at their engagement party in Mumbai on January 19, 2023. AP
  • The couple's pre-wedding celebrations will kick-start in March. Reuters
    The couple's pre-wedding celebrations will kick-start in March. Reuters
  • The Ambani family. AP
    The Ambani family. AP
  • Actor Ranveer Singh and his wife actor Deepika Padukone at the engagement party. Reuters
    Actor Ranveer Singh and his wife actor Deepika Padukone at the engagement party. Reuters
  • Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her daughter Aaradhya. AFP
    Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her daughter Aaradhya. AFP
  • Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan arrives for the engagement party. Reuters
    Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan arrives for the engagement party. Reuters
  • Actor John Abraham. Reuters
    Actor John Abraham. Reuters
  • Producer Boney Kapoor and his son, actor Arjun Kapoor. Reuters
    Producer Boney Kapoor and his son, actor Arjun Kapoor. Reuters
  • Actress Katrina Kaif. Reuters
    Actress Katrina Kaif. Reuters
  • Gauri Khan, the wife of actor Shah Rukh Khan, and her son Aryan Khan. Reuters
    Gauri Khan, the wife of actor Shah Rukh Khan, and her son Aryan Khan. Reuters
  • Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar. AFP
    Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar. AFP
  • Bollywood director and producer Karan. AFP
    Bollywood director and producer Karan. AFP
  • Bride-to-be Radhika Merchant at her mehendi party in a multicolour lehenga embroidered with flowers and mirrors, by designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. Photo: Instagram / abujanisandeepkhosla
    Bride-to-be Radhika Merchant at her mehendi party in a multicolour lehenga embroidered with flowers and mirrors, by designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. Photo: Instagram / abujanisandeepkhosla
  • Merchant is set to marry Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. Photo: Instagram / abujanisandeepkhosla
    Merchant is set to marry Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. Photo: Instagram / abujanisandeepkhosla
  • Merchant is the daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant. Photo: Instagram / abujanisandeepkhosla
    Merchant is the daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant. Photo: Instagram / abujanisandeepkhosla
  • Isha Ambani wore a pink outfit by designer Anuradha Vakil for the pre-wedding mehendi ceremony. Photo: Instagram / stylebyami
    Isha Ambani wore a pink outfit by designer Anuradha Vakil for the pre-wedding mehendi ceremony. Photo: Instagram / stylebyami
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20OneOrder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20March%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tamer%20Amer%20and%20Karim%20Maurice%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cairo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E82%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Series%20A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WITHIN%20SAND
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Moe%20Alatawi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Ra%E2%80%99ed%20Alshammari%2C%20Adwa%20Fahd%2C%20Muhand%20Alsaleh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet

Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape

THE SPECS

Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre

Transmission: Seven-speed auto

Power: 165hp

Torque: 241Nm

Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000

On sale: now

 


 

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

Need to know

Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.

Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7%22%20Super%20Retina%20XDR%20OLED%2C%202796%20x%201290%2C%20460ppi%2C%20120Hz%2C%202000%20nits%20max%2C%20HDR%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%2C%20always-on%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20A17%20Pro%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%206-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20iOS%2017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Triple%3A%2048MP%20main%20(f%2F1.78)%20%2B%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20(f%2F2.2)%20%2B%2012MP%205x%20telephoto%20(f%2F2.8)%3B%205x%20optical%20zoom%20in%2C%202x%20optical%20zoom%20out%3B%2010x%20optical%20zoom%20range%2C%20digital%20zoom%20up%20to%2025x%3B%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20HD%20%40%2030fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%2C%20ProRes%20(4K)%20%40%2060fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20TrueDepth%20(f%2F1.9)%2C%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3B%20Animoji%2C%20Memoji%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%2C%20ProRes%20(4K)%20%40%2030fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204441mAh%2C%20up%20to%2029h%20video%2C%2025h%20streaming%20video%2C%2095h%20audio%3B%20fast%20charge%20to%2050%25%20in%2030min%20(with%20at%20least%2020W%20adaptor)%3B%20MagSafe%2C%20Qi%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%2C%20second-generation%20Ultra%20Wideband%20chip%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Face%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP68%2C%20water-resistant%20up%20to%206m%20up%20to%2030min%3B%20dust%2Fsplash-resistant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20eSIM%20%2F%20eSIM%20%2B%20eSIM%20(US%20models%20use%20eSIMs%20only)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Black%20titanium%2C%20blue%20titanium%2C%20natural%20titanium%2C%20white%20titanium%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EiPhone%2015%20Pro%20Max%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20woven%20cable%2C%20one%20Apple%20sticker%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh5%2C099%20%2F%20Dh5%2C949%20%2F%20Dh6%2C799%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Omar Yabroudi's factfile

Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah

Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University

2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship

2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy

2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment

2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment

2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager

 

 

 

 

Essentials

The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

The Florida Project

Director: Sean Baker

Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe

Four stars

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

HOW TO WATCH

Facebook: TheNationalNews 

Twitter: @thenationalnews 

Instagram: @thenationalnews.com 

TikTok: @thenationalnews   

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

Updated: March 03, 2024, 9:49 AM