• Justin Bieber performs during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Justin Bieber performs during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • BTS perform from South Korea for the American Music Awards on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    BTS perform from South Korea for the American Music Awards on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Dua Lipa performs during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Dua Lipa performs during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Billie Eilish and Finneas perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Billie Eilish and Finneas perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • The Weeknd performs during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    The Weeknd performs during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Shawn Mendes performs 'Wonder' during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Shawn Mendes performs 'Wonder' during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Jennifer Lopez and Maluma perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Jennifer Lopez and Maluma perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Katy Perry and Darius Rucker perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Katy Perry and Darius Rucker perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Machine Gun Kelly performs during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Machine Gun Kelly performs during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Bebe Rexha and Doja Cat perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Bebe Rexha and Doja Cat perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Nelly and Lavell Webb perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Nelly and Lavell Webb perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie Devoe of band Bell Biv DeVoe perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie Devoe of band Bell Biv DeVoe perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • 24KGoldn and Iann Dior perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    24KGoldn and Iann Dior perform during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Lewis Capaldi performs 'Before You Go' during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Lewis Capaldi performs 'Before You Go' during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
  • Kenny G performs during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP
    Kenny G performs during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP

Music

American Music Awards 2020: BTS, The Weeknd and Taylor Swift win big

BTS have been named Best Pop / Rock Group at the Los Angeles awards ceremony

Farah Andrews
Farah Andrews
Dubai

November 23, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The 2020 American Music Awards are in full swing.

A host of stars from the world of music turned out at the ceremony in person, with performances from Los Angeles' Microsoft Theatre from the likes of Dua Lipa, Maluma and Jennifer Lopez.

Other stars have performed from a distance, including BTS in South Korea and The Weeknd, who used an empty street as his stage.

I'm just happy to be off the couch and in some real fashion

It was a big night for The Weeknd, who picked up three of the eight awards he was nominated for so far – Favourite Male Soul / R&B Artist, Favourite Soul/R&B Album and Favourite Soul / R&B Song. On the night, he arrived and performed at the awards sporting a large white bandage wrapped around his face and nose.

Click through the gallery above to see photos from performances at the 2020 American Music Awards. 

He gave no reason for his appearance, which confused fans on social media, but it appeared to be an artistic choice that started with his March album cover where he sported a bloodied and broken nose.

The Weeknd accepts an award during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22 in Los Angeles. AP Photo
The Weeknd accepts an award during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22 in Los Angeles. AP Photo

The Weeknd and Californian rapper Roddy Ricch went into the fan-voted awards show with a leading eight nominations apiece.

Both musicians are competing for the top award, Artist of the Year, along with Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Taylor Swift, but lost out to the Folklore singer – the only female nominated in the category.

Along with The Weeknd, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift topped the winners list, with three awards each, followed by Dan + Shay, Bad Bunny, BTS, Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj, who each took home two apiece.

The show was hosted by Golden Globe-winning actress, Taraji P Henson, who said as she opened the night: "I'm just happy to be off the couch and in some real fashion." The Empire actress wore a silver Armani Prive dress, Tom Ford shoes, and Tiffany & Co jewellery to arrive at the show.

"It has been a long year and, now that 2020 is coming to an end, it's time to remember that we are one country, y'all. We need to heal," she added.

Host Taraji P Henson dances during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP Photo
Host Taraji P Henson dances during the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. AP Photo

Masked dancers and stripped-down performances were the order of the night, kicking off with Bieber singing his hits Lonely and Holy before being joined by Shawn Mendes for their duet Monster.

The show celebrated the surge in popularity of Latin music with expanded categories and a performance by Jennifer Lopez and Colombian singer Maluma singing Lonely in both English and Spanish.

Becky G, whose parents are Mexican-American, won Best Female Latin Artist and dedicated her award to immigrant workers.

BTS accepts the award for Favourite Pop/Rock Duo or Group at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. AP Photo
BTS accepts the award for Favourite Pop/Rock Duo or Group at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. AP Photo

K-Pop stars BTS were named the Favourite Pop / Rock Group, and accepted their award from South Korea, after performing remotely during the show.

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion marked her debut performance at the American Music Awards with Body and later accepted the Best Rap / Hip-Hop Song trophy for her summer collaboration WAP with Cardi B.

Bieber and country singers Dan + Shay won Best Country Song and Best Collaboration for 10,000 Hours, while Katy Perry gave her first major performance since giving birth to a baby girl, Daisy, in August.

The 2020 American Music Awards winners: 

Artist of the Year

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Justin Bieber

Post Malone

Roddy Ricch

The Weeknd

New Artist of the Year

WINNER: Doja Cat

Lewis Capaldi

DaBaby

Lil Baby

Roddy Ricch

Megan Thee Stallion

Collaboration of the Year

WINNER: Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, 10,000 Hours

Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, WAP

DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, Rockstar

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, Rain On Me

Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyonce, Savage (Remix)

Favourite Social Artist

WINNER: BTS

Billie Eilish

Exo

Ariana Grande

NCT 127

Favourite Music Video

WINNER: Taylor Swift, Cardigan

Doja Cat, Say So

Future featuring Drake, Life Is Good

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, Rain On Me

The Weeknd, Blinding Lights

Favourite Male Artist – Pop / Rock

WINNER: Justin Bieber

Post Malone

The Weeknd

Favourite Female Artist – Pop / Rock

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Dua Lipa

Lady Gaga

Favourite Duo or Group – Pop / Rock

WINNER: BTS

Jonas Brothers

Maroon 5

Favourite Album – Pop / Rock

WINNER: Harry Styles, Fine Line

Taylor Swift, Folklore

The Weeknd, After Hours

Favourite Song – Pop / Rock

WINNER: Dua Lipa, Don’t Start Now

Lewis Capaldi, Someone You Loved

Post Malone, Circles

Roddy Ricch, The Box

The Weeknd, Blinding Lights

Favourite Male Artist – Country

WINNER: Kane Brown

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen

Favourite Female Artist – Country

WINNER: Maren Morris

Gabby Barrett

Miranda Lambert

Favourite Duo or Group – Country

WINNER: Dan + Shay

Florida Georgia Line

Old Dominion

Favourite Album – Country

WINNER: Blake Shelton, Fully Loaded: God’s Country

Luke Combs, What You See Is What You Get

Morgan Wallen, If I Know Me

Favourite Song – Country

WINNER: Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, 10,000 Hours

Maren Morris, The Bones

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Nobody But You

Favourite Male Artist – Rap / Hip-hop

WINNER: Juice WRLD

DaBaby

Roddy Ricch

Favourite Female Artist – Rap / Hip-hop

WINNER: Nicki Minaj

Cardi B

Megan Thee Stallion

Favourite Album – Rap / Hip-hop

WINNER: Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial

Lil Baby, My Turn

Lil Uzi Vert, Eternal Atake

Favourite Song – Rap / Hip-hop

WINNER: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, WAP

DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, Rockstar

Roddy Ricch, The Box

Favourite Male Artist – Soul / R&B

WINNER: The Weeknd

Chris Brown

John Legend

Favourite Female Artist – Soul / R&B

WINNER: Doja Cat

Jhene Aiko

Summer Walker

Favourite Album – Soul / R&B

WINNER: The Weeknd, After Hours

Doja Cat, Hot Pink

Summer Walker, Over It

Favourite Song – Soul / R&B

WINNER: The Weeknd, HeartlessChris Brown featuring Drake, No Guidance

Summer Walker, Playing Games

Favourite Male Artist – Latin

WINNER: Bad Bunny

J Balvin

Ozuna

Favourite Female Artist – Latin

WINNER: Becky G

Karol G

Rosalia

Favourite Album – Latin

WINNER: Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG

Anuel AA, Emmanuel

Bad Bunny, Las que no iban a salir

Favourite Song – Latin

WINNER: Karol G and Nicki Minaj, Tusa

Bad Bunny, Vete

Black Eyed Peas X J Balvin, RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)

Favourite Artist – Alternative Rock

WINNER: Twenty One Pilots

Billie Eilish

Tame Impala

Favourite Artist – Adult Contemporary

WINNER: Jonas Brothers

Lewis Capaldi

Maroon 5

Favourite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational

WINNER: Lauren Daigle

For King and Country

Kanye West

Favourite Artist – EDM

WINNER: Lady Gaga

Kygo

Marshmello

Favourite Soundtrack

WINNER: Birds of Prey: The Album

Frozen II

Trolls: World Tour

Additional reporting by Reuters 

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While you're here
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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Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

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Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

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