Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi will perform as part of the benefit concert One World Together at Home.
He is the only Arab musician in a star-studded bill, featuring Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga and Coldplay's Chris Martin.
The six hour event, which will be streamed live from 10pm UAE time on Saturday, April 18, aims to raise awareness and celebrate healthcare workers on the frontline in the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic. A condensed two hour version of the event will be streamed from 4am UAE time on Sunday, April 19.
Each performer in the concert is being filmed separately, in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Al Jassmi is scheduled to perform between 10pm and 12am. All performances will be broadcast live on Dubai TV and streamed on the event’s website and social media accounts, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
A musical message of hope
In a statement announcing his participation, Al Jassmi said he was proud to represent the Arab world in this global expression of solidarity.
“We will strive to spread awareness, smiles and spread confidence in a better future,” he said. “This will be done through the values of friendship, partnership and taking the responsibility to overcome difficulties and challenges with determination, persistence and the positivity to conquer the impossible.”
As for his set list, Al Jassmi confirmed that he will perform some of his biggest hits, as well as his new song, Benaady.
Translated as “we shall overcome”, it is a stirring new single which calls for resilience in the face of the pandemic. With lyrics by Emirati poet Anwar Al Mashiri and music by Kuwaiti composer Fahad Al Nasser, the song has been viewed more than one million times since it was released on YouTube on April 3.
Also set to appear with Al Jassmi in the online broadcast are two Emirati doctors, who will share their experiences in combatting the pandemic.
The first is Ajlan Al Zaki from Stanford University's hospital in California, followed by obstetrician and gynaecologist Aisha Al Mundhiri from the Claude Bernard University Hospital in Paris.
An artist for the big moment
Al Jassmi is no stranger to performing at grand occasions.
In 2018, he was the first Arab artist to perform at the Vatican's annual
Christmas concert. He followed it up a year later by taking part in the opening ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup at Zayed Sports City Stadium and the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi. He was part of an A-list cast of singers, including Luis Fonsi, Avril Lavigne, Assala Nasri and Tamer Hosny, who
performed the ceremony's official anthem Right Where I Am Supposed to Be.
Speaking to The National on the eve of his Special Olympic performance, he explained that representing the UAE and the wider Arab world through his art has been the most satisfying aspect of his near 20-year career.
“I feel proud to be doing this,” he says. “Not just as an Emirati singer, but as a Khaleeji and an Arab. It is a privilege to show people our country and culture.”
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Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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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.
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
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Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
