Most adrenaline-seekers are familiar with Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s high-octane, record-breaking rides and roller coasters.
From Flying Aces, which scales 63 metres at a 51-degree incline and has the world’s highest loop, to the Fiorano GT Challenge, which pits race cars against each other on twisting parallel tracks at a speed of up to 95kph, there are plenty of ways to get your heart racing.
The park's latest attraction, Mission Ferrari, is billed as an “immersive mega coaster” and is the world’s first to feature a sideways drop.
“We have more than 40 rides and attractions, which is great. But this particular ride, being the first 5D mega coaster, adds a whole new dynamic to the park,” says Ferrari World Abu Dhabi general manager Deana Taylor.
Mission Ferrari opens to the public on Thursday, and The National's Evelyn Lau went along to find out what visitors can expect and how it compares to the park's popular Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster.
Mission accepted
As I queue up for Mission Ferrari, it’s clear the ride is different than the others. It feels immersive from the get-go, as riders step into a dimly-lit building with screens and sounds playing against concrete-looking walls meant to resemble the inside of a Ferrari factory. There are even “secret agents” who wait outside (and will be there for the first month of the roller coaster’s launch) and play into the ride's spy narrative.
Each car can hold 10 people with two rows of five seats. As I am safely buckled in with a seat belt and an overhead harness, I am told to hold onto the handle in front of me at all times, while also being reminded to lean my head back against the seat. As the ride begins, I learn that the “mission” is to safely deliver a top-secret Ferrari spy car to the carmaker's factory in Maranello, Italy.
Without giving away too many surprises, the four-minute ride is filled with so many turns, twists and drops I really can't tell what was coming next. There are multiple screens and impressive theatrics inside the ride.
It feels very much like a fun guessing game about where the car will go next. I also find the Mission Ferrari roller coaster more gentle compared to Formula Rossa.
Surviving Formula Rossa
The world’s fastest roller coaster goes from 0 to 240kph in under five seconds. Riders are given a pair of plastic goggles to protect their eyes. As I get closer to boarding, I feel myself getting nervous.
Right from the start, it’s clear Formula Rossa is going to be intense. I am in one of the last two seats of the eight-row roller coaster, and feel the 1.7g-force immediately. I try my best to force my head to lean back against the chair, but have some difficulty doing so owing to the high speed we are moving at.
There are loops that make my stomach drop, and I'm glad for the outdoor portion of the ride as the cool evening air makes me feel better.
Although the ride is only one-and-a-half minutes long, I feel a little dizzy and wobbly after getting off when we finally arrive back at the platform.
Final thoughts
The two rides attest to Taylor's claim that Ferrari World has something for everyone. Formula Rossa is great for those who want to get their blood pumping and don’t mind doing so in just under 90 seconds. It’s ideal for the ultimate thrill-seeker.
Mission Ferrari, however, is more intriguing with its sudden shifts and movements, as well as its immersive screens that tell a story. Don’t be fooled, however, this is still one for adrenaline-seekers. It goes on for a little more than four minutes, which may not be enjoyable for some. This also means the queueing up time is likely to be longer.
Although most of Mission Ferrari takes place inside the building, there is a twisting loop that extends outside of the park, enabling bystanders to watch and wave as the roller coaster goes screaming by.
“This ride is one of the most immersive attractions we have in the park. It is full of surprises, and you never know which way it's going to turn or twist next,” says Taylor. “It keeps you on the edge of your beautiful Ferrari seats throughout.”
I couldn't agree more.
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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
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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
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
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Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Godfrey, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker, White
Midfielders Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse
Forwards Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Grealish, Greenwood, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Watkins
The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
Brief scoreline:
Tottenham 1
Son 78'
Manchester City 0
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.
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
