It was the perfect April Fools' Day marketing prank that could have been.
On Monday, car maker Volkswagen accidentally published a draft version of a press release announcing that its US operations will be changing its name to "Voltswagen". The move, read the release, was to signify the company's commitment to electrifying its fleet.
The post, which was immediately taken down, was dated April 29, and said the name change was expected to take effect in May.
The next day, however, the German brand issued a clarification, saying that the "announcement" was intended to be an elaborate April Fools' joke, and also to promote its latest electric car.
"The renaming was designed to be an announcement in the spirit of April Fools' Day, highlighting the launch of the all-electric ID.4 SUV," Mike Tolbert, Volkswagen's US spokesman told CNBC.
Volkswagen’s American Twitter account on Tuesday then changed its name to Voltswagen.
"We know, 66 is an unusual age to change your name, but we've always been young at heart. Introducing Voltswagen. Similar to Volkswagen, but with a renewed focus on electric driving. Starting with our all-new, all-electric SUV the ID.4 – available today," it posted.
The joke didn't land very well online however, prompting prominent tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee to tweet: "This was awful."
However, Volkswagen is hardly the first brand to attempt an April Fools' marketing stunt, or suffer a misfire. Here's a look at other viral campaigns in the past that have gotten people talking.
1) BMW's moon power
Another automaker, BMW, is known for its April Fools' Day adverts. In 2019, it announced "Lunar Paint", a car paint that can charge electric vehicles by moonlight.
"Lunar Paint uses revolutionary photovoltaic technology to passively recharge your battery in the hours of darkness," the company said.
The post was widely praised on Twitter.
The brand later thanked its followers while also promoting its electric cars.
"We hope you enjoyed this year’s BMW April Fool’s. Whilst Lunar Paint may not be of this world quite yet, BMW i does have an innovative range of existing charging technologies for you to discover – including solar and digital," it posted.
2) Google introduces Screen Cleaner
Google, also known for its funny pranks, cancelled April Fools' Day in 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2019 however, it released a number of zingers, including the Google Screen Cleaner, a new feature on Android smartphones that could clean physical dirt from your phone. Using what it called "haptic micromovement generator", the Screen Cleaner when activated magically cleans dirt and stains. Then the phone vibrates, creating a non-stick shield "with a fresh pineapple scent."
While there were laughs with that one, Google doesn't always get it right.
In 2016, it apologised after complaints about an April Fools' mic drop feature it added on Gmail. The option allowed users to add a GIF showing a minion tossing away a microphone to emails.
"It looks like we pranked ourselves this year," the company said on its official blog later, saying the feature had given them "more headaches than laughs."
3) Duolingo's Push
Language learning app Duolingo's prank went viral in 2019. The app, known for its persistent reminders, claimed to launch a new service called Duolingo Push, which would activate the app's owl mascot Duo to appear in-person, to nudge users to continue their lessons. The video introducing the joke feature has been viewed more than 5 million times.
4) Tinder introduces height verification
Dating app Tinder's prank was also a huge success in 2019. The app announced it was launching a height verification tool to bring "truthfulness back into the world of online dating".
The feature would require users to input their "true, accurate height" along with a photo of themselves standing next to any commercial building. The app's algorithm would then verify if they're really as tall as they say they are.
The accompanying video has been viewed more than 3.5 million times.
"Wow this tweet blew up, check us out in the App Store," Tinder tweeted later.
5) Make your own carbonated drink, with your breath
SodaStream, the Israeli brand of carbonation products, is known for its celebrity ambassadors. In 2019, its April Fools' prank featured American astronaut Scott Kelly, best known for spending the most time in space.
Kelly "launched" SodaStreamMe, an on-the-go bottle that enables you to carbonate your own drink simply by blowing into it.
The ad claimed the product was best for people who suffered from excess levels of carbon dioxide, causing them to burp. The video has been viewed more than 2.9 million times.
6) The Burger King toothpaste
Fast food chain Burger King is no stranger to online controversies, with the brand upsetting Egyptians just this week by making light of the Suez Canal crisis. But when it comes to April Fools' pranks, it usually gets it right.
In 2017, it announced the Whopper Toothpaste that "embodies the iconic flavour of the Whopper and combines it with active ingredients for optimal teeth and gum hygiene."
7) Mark Zuckerberg x H&M
In 2016, a parody website called MarkforHM.com went live on April Fools' Day, purportedly unveiling a special collaboration between fashion brand H&M and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. H&M, known for its collaboration with high-end labels and designers, has launched a limited capsule collection of "reissued iconic pieces from H&M basics", the website claimed.
The Mark Zuckerberg x H&M collection featured a set of seven basic grey t-shirts and a pair of basic jeans. The website even has pictures of Zuckerberg at various events wearing similar t-shirts and jeans.
The prank was widely praised, with Vogue magazine saying the collection was "actually not a bad idea."
Created by two marketing executives, the website even won an honorary Webby Award in 2017.
8) Emirates launches chauffeur-less drones
UAE brands have proven they have great sense of humour as well.
In 2019, Dubai airline Emirates tweeted about their new chauffeur-less drones that could transport passengers to Dubai International Airport from anywhere in the city. "Each drone features two fully-enclosed First Class private suites," Emirates tweeted on April Fools' Day. The new drone airport transfer service would be offered to all Emirates Skywards Platinum members, it said.
9) Etihad's Air-Cart
Etihad Airways in 2019 also introduced its Air-Cart, a flying trolley that will no longer disrupt walking around the aisle during meal service.
"Ever been stuck in the aisle during meal service? Introducing the Etihad Air-Cart. #NeverBeStuckAgain," the airline tweeted, along with a video which has been viewed more than 56,000 times.
10) Namshi's Falcon express delivery
Online shopping platform Namshi announced in 2019 it was launching a Falcon Express delivery, a new service powered by falcons. "Travelling at a speed of 390km per hour, the birds are guaranteed to get your parcels to you within three hours of ordering," the website said.
"The fine feathered fleet are now fully fledged members of our delivery team and will take to the air to deliver smaller packages weighing less than 500g." The prank was widely praised on social media.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Four tips to secure IoT networks
Mohammed Abukhater, vice president at FireEye in the Middle East, said:
- Keep device software up-to-date. Most come with basic operating system, so users should ensure that they always have the latest version
- Besides a strong password, use two-step authentication. There should be a second log-in step like adding a code sent to your mobile number
- Usually smart devices come with many unnecessary features. Users should lock those features that are not required or used frequently
- Always create a different guest network for visitors
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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.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
- 1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
- 2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
- 3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
- 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16
Squads:
- UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
- Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
THE BIO: Mohammed Ashiq Ali
Proudest achievement: “I came to a new country and started this shop”
Favourite TV programme: the news
Favourite place in Dubai: Al Fahidi. “They started the metro in 2009 and I didn’t take it yet.”
Family: six sons in Dubai and a daughter in Faisalabad
RESULT
Bayern Munich 3 Chelsea 2
Bayern: Rafinha (6'), Muller (12', 27')
Chelsea: Alonso (45' 3), Batshuayi (85')
Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt
Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure
Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers
Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
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