• The Third Place Cafe on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi has a sticker to remind customers of Covid-19 precautions. Victor Besa / The National
    The Third Place Cafe on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi has a sticker to remind customers of Covid-19 precautions. Victor Besa / The National
  • An 'X' reminds people of the need for physical distancing at the Third Place Cafe. Victor Besa / The National
    An 'X' reminds people of the need for physical distancing at the Third Place Cafe. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Third Place Cafe in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The Third Place Cafe in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Sanitation workers at Haddins Fitness, Zayed Sports City. Victor Besa / The National
    Sanitation workers at Haddins Fitness, Zayed Sports City. Victor Besa / The National
  • Fitness buff Natalie Navikova exercises at Cobra Fitness Abu Dhabi at Al Bandar. Victor Besa / The National
    Fitness buff Natalie Navikova exercises at Cobra Fitness Abu Dhabi at Al Bandar. Victor Besa / The National
  • CrossFit class at Vogue Fitness Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    CrossFit class at Vogue Fitness Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Hotel beaches are now open to guests at the Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche after Covid-19 restrictions eased. Victor Besa / The National
    Hotel beaches are now open to guests at the Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche after Covid-19 restrictions eased. Victor Besa / The National
  • Residents wear face masks as they walk in Abu Dhabi city centre. Victor Besa / The National
    Residents wear face masks as they walk in Abu Dhabi city centre. Victor Besa / The National
  • People walk along near the Ramada Hotel Abu Dhabi Corniche during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National
    People walk along near the Ramada Hotel Abu Dhabi Corniche during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National
  • A man on his e-scooter travels along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi as the sun sets. Victor Besa / The National
    A man on his e-scooter travels along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi as the sun sets. Victor Besa / The National

Coronavirus: UAE records 364 new cases


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The UAE reported 364 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections recorded since the pandemic began to 901,440.

Another 252 people recovered from the virus, meaning the recovery tally has hit 885,287.

No deaths have been reported since March 7 and this total remains at 2,302.

The latest caseload came after 268,888 PCR tests were carried out.

Mass testing and one of the world's fastest vaccination drives have helped the UAE curb the pandemic.

Authorities have confirmed 100 per cent of the eligible population have received one Covid-19 vaccine dose, with 97.83 per cent fully vaccinated.

The UAE has been lifting Covid-19 rules as it emerges from the pandemic, but authorities on Wednesday reminded residents that it is still mandatory to wear a mask inside.

Dr Taher Al Ameri, spokesman for the UAE's National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority, said at the Covid-19 briefing that the public should continue to be careful as coronavirus is still out there.

“We are keen to limit the spread of the virus and, thankfully, we have seen a decrease in the number of new infections and no deaths have been recorded since March 7,” said Mr Al Ameri.

“We are proud that we have returned to a new normal life and people should continue to follow all safety measures.”

Coronavirus pandemic around the world — in pictures

  • A young woman receives a Pfizer jab in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
    A young woman receives a Pfizer jab in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
  • A girl wearing a face mask rides on a merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
    A girl wearing a face mask rides on a merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
  • People travel on a London underground tube train on the Jubilee Line, in London, during the pandemic. AP Photo
    People travel on a London underground tube train on the Jubilee Line, in London, during the pandemic. AP Photo
  • People wait for the tram in Vienna, Austria, amid the crisis. AP Photo
    People wait for the tram in Vienna, Austria, amid the crisis. AP Photo
  • A woman passes by an empty terrace in the Marrolles quarter in Brussels, Belgium. AP Photo
    A woman passes by an empty terrace in the Marrolles quarter in Brussels, Belgium. AP Photo
  • A teacher gives online lessons via webcam at the temporarily closed elementary school in the town of Trebisov, eastern Slovakia. TASR via AP
    A teacher gives online lessons via webcam at the temporarily closed elementary school in the town of Trebisov, eastern Slovakia. TASR via AP
  • Hairdressers and clients wear masks in Amsterdam, Netherlands. AFP
    Hairdressers and clients wear masks in Amsterdam, Netherlands. AFP
  • A man disinfects seats for tourists at a beach in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
    A man disinfects seats for tourists at a beach in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
  • Israeli boy Itamar, 5, receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Meuhedet Healthcare Services Organisation in Tel Aviv. AFP
    Israeli boy Itamar, 5, receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Meuhedet Healthcare Services Organisation in Tel Aviv. AFP
  • A patient suffering from Covid-19 is admitted in the intensive care unit of the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
    A patient suffering from Covid-19 is admitted in the intensive care unit of the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
  • A health worker prepares to administer the AstraZeneca jab in Abuja, Nigeria. AFP
    A health worker prepares to administer the AstraZeneca jab in Abuja, Nigeria. AFP
The bio

His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell

His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard

Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece

Favourite movie - The Last Emperor

Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great

Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos

 

 

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

SRI LANKA SQUAD

Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay

Company profile

Name: Tharb

Started: December 2016

Founder: Eisa Alsubousi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: Luxury leather goods

Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings

 

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The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize

This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.

From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.

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 Gandhi Murder
  • 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget 
Updated: May 12, 2022, 11:57 AM