Two of music's top-selling stars have come together briefly, as Drake has released a new song featuring Beyoncé. The Canadian rapper Drake brought in the pop superstar on a song entitled Can I?. A similar version of the song had leaked on the internet, but it started airing officially over the weekend on Beats One, Apple's online radio station in which Drake is a major player. The song fuelled speculation about whether Can I? would be part of Drake's next album, the release date of which has not been set. Despite the big names, Can I? is only about two minutes long and Beyoncé's contribution is limited to one line – Can I, baby? – which she repeatedly recites over one of Drake's trademark slow, minimalist beats. Beyoncé unveiled her latest self-titled blockbuster album on Apple's iTunes in December 2013 without advance warning. But the release with Drake on Apple Music could surprise some fans as Beyoncé is closely involved with her rap-mogul husband Jay Z in the Tidal music streaming service, which has heavily promoted exclusives by her. Beyoncé may be repaying a favour after Drake appeared on Mine, a song from her latest album about her fears on motherhood. – AFP
SRK gifts films to Paulo Coelho
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has sent a collection of his films to Paulo Coelho to "introduce" him to the world of Hindi films. The celebrated author (The Alchemist, Eleven Minutes) was confused over which to watch first. "What a Monday morning gift, @iamsrk! Now I need to know where to start," Coelho tweeted from Geneva, with an image of DVDs on the floor. Khan tweeted: "Just sent some movies to @paulocoelho. Please tweet him your suggestions which one to watch first." A few months ago, Coelho praised SRK's 2010 film My Name is Khan, saying it was the best film that he has watched this year. — IANS
Lee Daniels hints at Nicole Kidman’s Empire cameo
There is no dearth of Hollywood royalty in Lee Daniels' Empire, and the TV drama about the music industry on Fox is attracting even bigger stars for cameos in the second season. Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, who previously collaborated with Daniels on the indie film The Paperboy, is headed to the fictional Lyons Den, according to The Wrap. Daniels interviewed Kidman for the October issue of Interview magazine, and let it slip that she'll soon be playing a role alongside Taraji P Henson and Terrence Howard. It's unclear if Kidman will grace the series this season, which has been heavy with drop-ins including Chris Rock, Ludacris, Kelly Rowland, Marisa Tomei, Pitbull and Funkmaster Flex. – The National Staff
Nancy Drew series in the works from Grey’s producers
CBS is developing a new take on the children's book character with Grey's Anatomy writers and executive producers, Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, along with Dan Jinks. The pitch by developers is a contemporary take on the character from the iconic book series. Now in her 30s, Nancy is a detective for the NYPD where she investigates and solves crimes using her uncanny observational skills, all while navigating the complexities of life in a modern world. If greenlit, it's easy to imagine Nancy Drew being paired with another CBS show starring an iconic female crime fighter, Supergirl, reports Entertainment Weekly. Nancy Drew joins quite a long list of older shows and movies being revived as series, with the past week alone revealing that a new MacGyver was in the works at CBS and that Fox was working on a series version of the Lethal Weapon franchise. And that's in addition to forthcoming reinventions or sequels to The X-Files, Full House (as Fuller House), Twin Peaks, The Muppets, Prison Break and Heroes (as Heroes Reborn). Nancy Drew's legacy extends back to the first novels based on the character in 1930 and was created by Hardy Boys author Edward Stratemeyer. She's been adapted for films and TV shows numerous times over the years, most recently a 2007 film starring Emma Roberts. – The National Staff
Bieber plays impromptu mini-concert with Mayweather Jr
In a video taken by an audience member, Bieber started his impromptu set with his latest hit, What do you mean?, while Mayweather stood next to him and clapped to the beat, reports aceshowbiz.com.
The 21-year-old singer also sat on a piano and sang a cover of the Beatles' Let It Be. – The National Staff
Teen star of YouTube’s Bratayley family dies at age 13
Teen YouTube star Caleb Logan LeBlanc, part of the popular Bratayley family on YouTube known for posting humorous, wholesome daily videos, has died suddenly at age 13, his family and police said. LeBlanc died on Thursday in Maryland following a "medical emergency," the Anne Arundel County Police Department said in a statement on Monday. Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious and an autopsy will be conducted in Baltimore. LeBlanc's mother, Katie, wrote on her Instagram social media account on Friday that her son had died of natural causes but did not give details. The Bratayleys, whose name is said to be a play on the name "Haley," have garnered more than 1.6 million YouTube subscribers with fun videos surrounding the three LeBlanc children showing daily activities such as gymnastics practice and playtime with their dog, Piper. Walt Disney Co-owned Maker Studios, the digital media company which represents the Bratayleys, said the loss was tragic, joining thousands of emotional tributes from fans online. LeBlanc, an avid video-game fan, posted videos of his exploits on the computer game Minecraft, with some videos racking up as many as 100,000 views. In a video posted a day before his death, LeBlanc appeared playful with his sisters at what appeared to be his family's home, talking about what he would ask his "future self". The children's mother, Katie, said the family, including her husband, Billy, and younger children, Annie and Hayley, would take a break from YouTube. Disney recently recruited the Bratayley family for its global livestreaming event surrounding the "unboxing" of the latest Star Wars toys in September. – Reuters
Rapper Tupac Shakur’s letters from jail go up for sale
A handwritten letter by the late Tupac Shakur is going up for sale for a reported $225,000. The rapper penned the note to Nina Bhadresher, who edited Death Row Uncut magazine and her own publication The Real State, while in jail on sexual assault charges in 1995. In it, he set out his intent to start a "new chapter" of his life, according to the Mirror website. He wrote: "I am not granting this information to any other publication, not even Time & Rolling Stone so please represent it as it is layed. I trust u.(sic)" The rapper was fatally shot a year after writing the letter. Speaking about the letter, which is being sold by Moments in Time, Nina described it as the beginning of their "real" correspondence. – The National Staff
Nicolas Cage almost played lead character in Lord of the Rings
In an interview with Newsweek, Nicolas Cage sat down to talk about his new horror film, Pay the Ghost, and his extensive film resume, including a few of the roles he's turned down. Most notably? Aragorn in Lord of the Rings and Neo in The Matrix. The actor said personal issues precluded him from being able to travel and be away from home for three years, according to Entertainment Weekly. Despite the turndowns, Cage says he doesn't regret those decisions, but admits that having done them could have benefited his career. – The National Staff
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
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday Stuttgart v Cologne (Kick-off 10.30pm UAE)
Saturday RB Leipzig v Hertha Berlin (5.30pm)
Mainz v Borussia Monchengladbach (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Union Berlin v SC Freiburg (5.30pm)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (5.30pm)
Sunday Wolfsburg v Arminia (6.30pm)
Werder Bremen v Hoffenheim (9pm)
Bayer Leverkusen v Augsburg (11.30pm)
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Full list of Emmy 2020 nominations
LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Don Cheadle, Black Monday
Ted Danson, The Good Place
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
Ramy Youssef, Ramy
LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christina Applegate, Dead to Me
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me
Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
Issa Rae, Insecure
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
OUTSTANDING VARIETY/TALK SERIES
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jason Bateman, Ozark
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Steve Carell, The Morning Show
Brian Cox, Succession
Billy Porter, Pose
Jeremy Strong, Succession
LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Olivia Colman, The Crown
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Laura Linney, Ozark
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
Zendaya, Euphoria
OUTSTANDING REALITY/COMPETITION PROGRAM
The Masked Singer
Nailed It!
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef
The Voice
LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Jeremy Irons, Watchmen
Hugh Jackman, Bad Education
Paul Mescal, Normal People
Jeremy Pope, Hollywood
Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True
LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
Shira Haas, Unorthodox
Regina King, Watchmen
Octavia Spencer, Self Made
Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere
OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
Little Fires Everywhere
Mrs. America
Unbelievable
Unorthodox
Watchmen
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Dead to Me
The Good Place
Insecure
The Kominsky Method
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Schitt’s Creek
What We Do In The Shadows
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Better Call Saul
The Crown
The Handmaid’s Tale
Killing Eve
The Mandalorian
Ozark
Stranger Things
Succession
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Russia v Scotland, Thursday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
