Arab superstars Nancy Ajram and Ragheb Alama will perform at Expo 2020 Dubai on November 12. The event is part of Infinite Nights, a series of concerts that will take place throughout the Expo with performances focused on themes tied to the world's fair.
Performing live from Al Wasl Plaza, the show will also be streamed to a global audience.
LIVE BLOG: Latest on Expo 2020 Dubai here
Alama, whose career spans more than three decades, plans to introduce a new and innovative performance that highlights how music connects people from around the world and encourages collaborative experimentation, tied with Expo’s mobility sub-theme.
"I want to mix cultures together. I want their audience to hear me, and I want my audience to hear them. I have always liked opening doors, and Expo’s Infinite Night series is the perfect platform to make this happen,” said Alama.
Ajram will perform her biggest hits in a never-before-seen performance under the Al Wasl Plaza dome. In light of Expo’s sub-theme sustainability, she’ll convey a message of how human values and attitudes need to change in order to help create a more resilient future.
“When we all work together and collaborate, we can build a better society. I cannot wait to be part of Expo 2020’s incredible journey – I hope my show will inspire positivity among young people everywhere, building bridges to connect with one another regardless of culture, background or belief,” said Ajram.
The first concert of the series will take place on Friday, with Iraqi superstar Kadim Al Sahir. Nicknamed “the Caesar of Arabic songs” and "Iraq's ambassador to the world", he is one of the most successful singers from the Arab region and has been putting out music since the 1980s.
Fans who attend or tune in to his concert can expect to hear classics such as Ana Wa Laila, Ha Habibi and Dhomni Ala Sadrak.
The show will be featured on Expo2020dubai.com and Expo TV on YouTube, and will be available worldwide across several channels.
Infinite Nights will take place throughout Expo 2020 Dubai, which runs until Thursday, March 31, 2022.
The World Expo features more than 190 country pavilions, as well as themed exhibitions, plus 200 dining venues and up to 60 shows a day.
A day pass costs Dh95. More information on ticket prices is available here.
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
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
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Tips for entertaining with ease
· Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.
· As the host, your mood sets the tone. If people arrive to find you red-faced and harried, they’re not going to relax until you do. Take a deep breath and try to exude calm energy.
· Guests tend to turn up thirsty. Fill a big jug with iced water and lemon or lime slices and encourage people to help themselves.
· Have some background music on to help create a bit of ambience and fill any initial lulls in conversations.
· The meal certainly doesn’t need to be ready the moment your guests step through the door, but if there’s a nibble or two that can be passed around it will ward off hunger pangs and buy you a bit more time in the kitchen.
· You absolutely don’t have to make every element of the brunch from scratch. Take inspiration from our ideas for ready-made extras and by all means pick up a store-bought dessert.
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