Sergio Catalan. Courtesy The Fridge Dubai
Sergio Catalan. Courtesy The Fridge Dubai
Sergio Catalan. Courtesy The Fridge Dubai
Sergio Catalan. Courtesy The Fridge Dubai

5 things to do: catch the Sergio Catalán concert or take advantage of the Love Your Hair offer


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Catch the concert to celebrate the launch of Sergio Catalán's album Desde el Sur, as part of The Fridge Concert Series, a weekly event that features a variety of musical genres and local artists. Combining romantic songs, pop rhythm, funky, jazz and traditional Spanish music, Catalán's vocals and rhythmic Latino band fill each song with the essence of Latin soul, reminiscent of warm Mediterranean summers overlooking the ocean.  Doors open at 7.30pm, Dh50 at the door; free for students 18 and under, The Fridge, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, www.thefridgedubai.com.

Plan to wake up early tomorrow and get in a great workout at the early morning TrainYas. Due to a busy motorsports schedule in the evenings this month, Yas Marina Circuit will instead open in the early hours for biking, running and walking. Lockers and showers will be available, as well as coffee and breakfast options. Village open at 4.30am for registration, track timings 5am to 8am, free with registration, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, register at www.yasmarinacircuit.com.

Take advantage of the Love Your Hair offer from The White Room. Purchase any hair treatment worth Dh200 or more this month and get a free blow-dry. Choose among the relaxing and rejuvenating caviar treatment, Keratin treatment or even Hair Botox. From Dh200 for Hair Botox, available at The White Room branches in Dubai Marina Mall, Motor City and Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, www.whiteroomdubai.com

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Sign up for the Energy Pranic Healing Basic Course, where you will learn to de-stress, clear away blocked energy, heal physical ailments and revitalise yourself naturally in this course that runs over two consecutive Fridays. February 6 and 13, 9am to 5pm; Dh1,000 includes book, meditation CD, certificate and lunch for both days, Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi, register by Wednesday at 050 466 9551, pranasuzi@gmail.com.

Enjoy the final day of the Dubai Shopping Festival and find world-class shopping and great deals at malls and stores around the city. Plus, take part in raffles, promotions and entertainment fun for the whole family. Ends today, various locations around Dubai, www.mydsf.ae.

listings@thenational.ae

Titan Sports Academy:

Programmes: Judo, wrestling, kick-boxing, muay thai, taekwondo and various summer camps

Location: Inside Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Telephone:  971 50 220 0326

 

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

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

THE SPECS

GMC Sierra Denali 1500

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Price: Dh232,500

Four-day collections of TOH

Day             Indian Rs (Dh)        

Thursday    500.75 million (25.23m)

Friday         280.25m (14.12m)

Saturday     220.75m (11.21m)

Sunday       170.25m (8.58m)

Total            1.19bn (59.15m)

(Figures in millions, approximate)

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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THREE
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CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Results

2-15pm: Commercial Bank Of Dubai – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Al Habash, Patrick Cosgrave (jockey), Bhupat Seemar (trainer)

2.45pm: Al Shafar Investment – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Day Approach, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash

3.15pm: Dubai Real estate Centre – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Celtic Prince, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly

3.45pm: Jebel Ali Sprint by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Khuzaam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

4.15pm: Shadwell – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Tenbury Wells, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

4.45pm: Jebel Ali Stakes by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson

5.15pm: Jebel Ali Racecourse – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Rougher, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson