It seems that Taylor Swift gives as much thought to announcing her albums as crafting the songs themselves. They aim to galvanise her fan base and induce a mini pop-culture moment, while also acting as subtle cues towards the album's themes. TS12, or The Life of a Showgirl as we now know it is called, is no different.
The title of her upcoming 12th album was revealed in a promotional clip for her appearance on partner and NFL footballer Travis Kelce's podcast, New Heights. In one clip from the episode, which will be released in full on Thursday morning, Swift takes out a deliberately blurred version of the colourful album cover.
Fans are already speculating and interpreting meaning in every step of the announcement. Does the vibrant colour palette allude to the glitz and glamour of being a pop star, or is the choice of platform a hint that it could be an album about her relationship with Kelce?
When will The Life of a Showgirl be released?
There is no confirmed release date for the album yet. However there is a The Life of a Showgirl vinyl record, CD and cassette available to pre-order on Swift's website. The website states that the items will be shipped before October 13, with the disclaimer "this is not the release date, official release date to be announced".
Swift typically has a two-month lead time between announcement and launch. A favourite fan theory release date is October 3, which has been deduced using show dates that Swift wore orange and green (the new album's associated colours) during the Eras Tour.
If it is October 3, that would be 52 days between announcement and release – in the past, she has had between 54 and 97 days lead time (not counting her pandemic albums and re-releases). It also avoids a clash with her friends Sabrina Carpenter and Ed Sheeran, who are bringing out new albums on August 29 and September 12 respectively.
To date, three of Swift's albums have been announced in August and released in October − Red, 1989 and Midnights.
With the album-associated hashtag #TS12 instantly trending, Swift has once again shown that, more than a huge billboard or massive advertising campaign, an effective album announcement is all about the right place and time. Her memorable album launches of the past are evidence of that.
Speak Now (2010)
Announcement to release time: 97 days
By the time she was ready to release her third album, Swift had already announced herself as a prodigious singer-songwriter with a knack for writing about relationships with clarity and, at times, acidic wit.
Perhaps she knew she had a great album on her hands because Speak Now was the first record she would go on to announce personally, this time as part of a live stream reveal − very literally speaking to her fans. The moment suited the music, with the release being one of her most intimate albums to date.
Red (2012)
Announcement to release time: 70 days
That approach work so well for Speak Now that Swift returned online to herald Red, a fun and boisterous break-up album that set the stage for the pop star she was to become.
On a Google Hangouts live chat, she announced the album as well as premiering the lead single We Are Never Getting Back Together.
1989 (2014)
Announcement to release time: 70 days
Swift turned it up a notch when revealing the details of blockbuster album 1989. As well as a Yahoo live stream, sponsored by US broadcaster ABC, the American singer invited fans to a select-number of online listening events described as “secret sessions.”
The bold approach was in sync with the overall message of the album, one of a talented artist turned global pop star.
Reputation (2017)
Announcement to release time: 79 days
One of her most audacious media roll-outs to date, the act began when Swift suddenly erased all of her social media content before unveiling the album’s cover art on Instagram.
The seemingly brash nature of the decision, which caused a fan frenzy, is linked to the confrontational nature she would take on in Reputation, an album where she deconstructs the trials and tribulations of fame.
Folklore and Evermore (2020)
Announcement to release time: 1 day (each)
Released during the pandemic, with all major pop tours halted indefinitely, Swift released the two sister albums with no real media build-up.
Folklore was announced on her social media channels 16 hours before it was available to stream, while Evermore was also announced the night before its release.
Both approaches were meant to complement the freewheeling nature of their recording process and meditations on time, regrets and seizing the moment.
Midnights (2022)
Announcement to release time: 54 days
After more than a decade of announcing projects online, Swift took to the stage to reveal Midnights as part of her acceptance speech for Video of the Year at the 2022 MTV Music Awards.
A well-oiled promotional machine, the project was confirmed on social media alongside dark and broody images befitting the album’s nocturnal themes as soon as her speech was done.
The Tortured Poets Department (2024)
Announcement to release time: 75 days
Swift went one better for The Tortured Poets Department by letting the world know about the impending album at the Grammy Awards when receiving the Best Pop Vocal Album award for Midnights.
It was a giant industry flex that laid the groundwork for her blockbuster Eras tour.
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Match info
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Kolarov (56')
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
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 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
The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full
1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion
