This week's UAE calendar features plenty of variety – there's a film festival in Abu Dhabi, a winter pop-up in Sharjah and a much-awaited concert at a new venue in Dubai.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from October 21 to October 27.
Monday, October 21
With some UAE schools off this week, parents might want to check out Expo City Dubai's midterm camp that goes on until Friday. The activities are suited for young campers, aged five to 12, with activities focused on unleashing creativity, embedding a healthy lifestyle from a young age, mindfulness, photography workshops, cultural tasks and more. Participants can sign up for a full week for Dh845, while day tickets are available at Dh190.
Until October 25, 9am-2pm; from Dh190; Terra, Dubai Expo City
Tuesday, October 22
If you're looking to revamp your living space, in ways big or small, the Dubai Home Festival is ongoing until Sunday. More than 80 furniture stores across the city are offering discounts of up to 75 per cent on selected products. At Chattels and More, for example, a round glass-top dining table made of walnut is on offer for Dh4,778, down from Dh9,554, while The Home’s Azura corner sofa is selling for Dh4,900, down from Dh6,535.
Other participating brands include 2XL,, Pan Home, Galeries Lafayette, Crate & Barrel and Bloomingdale’s. Shoppers can also join raffle draws at participating malls including City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif, where a minimum spend of Dh300 could convert to a Dh100,000 home makeover.
Until Sunday; various locations across Dubai
Wednesday, October 23
Fans of Japanese anime can head to Manarat Al Saadiyat, as the five-day Animenia festival opens on Wednesday. Among the event highlights are musical performances, with headliners such as Rasha Rizk, the Syrian singer-songwriter and cartoon voice actress known for her work in the Arabic dubbed version of Detective Conan.
The event offers meet-and-greet opportunities with some of anime's biggest names too, such as Naoto Ohshima, the artist responsible for designing Sonic the Hedgehog and Yoko Shimomura, the music composer of Kingdom Hearts and Super Mario RPG. Gaming zones are also set up and there's a costume competition with a prize pool of Dh400,000.
Wednesday to Sunday, 4pm onwards on weekdays, 2pm on weekends; from Dh65 for a day pass; Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
Thursday, October 24
Plan your New Year's Eve ahead of time as tickets for the Burj Park celebration go on sale on Thursday. The event provides front-row seats to the world-famous fireworks and laser show at Burj Khalifa, at a considerably cheaper price than booking to see the same at a restaurant in the neighbourhood.
Tickets cost Dh580 for adults and Dh370 for children, inclusive of Dh60 food and beverage vouchers to spend at more than 10 stalls at the park. The party starts at 3.30pm on December 31, and there are plenty of activities and entertainment lined up until the big midnight show.
Mandatory badge collection will take place from December 26 to 30, at designated areas across Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall and Dubai Marina Mall.
From Dh370; tickets from mydubainewyear.emaar.com
Friday, October 25
Located in Al Madam, Sharjah, My Space Cafe has reopened, ushering in the UAE's cooler months. The desert pop-up serves an array of bites, from burgers to hot dogs, plus hot and cold beverages, from steaming espresso to a refreshing passion fruit mocktail. The USP is that you're sat in the middle of the desert, surrounded by picturesque dunes. Indoor seating is available by way of mirrored cabanas. There are plenty of spots for picture taking, including a wooden swing.
Daily, 3pm-midnight; Al Madam, Sharjah; 052 729 6666
Saturday, October 26
Award-winning DJ and record producer Calvin Harris, a frequent Dubai performer, is returning on Saturday to play a set at Ushuaia Dubai, an outpost of the popular Ibiza club. The Scottish artist has a long list of chart-topping hits, including How Deep is Your Love, Outside and This is What You Came For.
Saturday; doors open 6pm; from Dh650; Dubai Marina; dubai.platinumlist.net
Sunday, October 27
Film buffs can head to Blue Hall at NYU Abu Dhabi for the three-day film festival All Living Beings. The free event takes inspiration from a verse in the Quran that reads: “All living beings roaming the Earth and winged birds soaring in the sky are communities like yourselves.”
A selection of short and full-length features are on the line-up, which is also a mix of classic and new movies from dozens of countries. Some of the screenings include Red Turtle by Michaela Dudoka De Wita, The Night Visitors by Michael Gitlin and Against the Tide by Sarvnik Kaur.
Film viewings aside, panel discussions are also scheduled throughout the festival, with topics such as an insider look at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and marine biodiversity in the UAE. While the event is free, online registration is required.
Thursday to Sunday; various timings; NYU Abu Dhabi
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
Terminator: Dark Fate
Director: Tim Miller
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis
Rating: 3/5
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Vault%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBilal%20Abou-Diab%20and%20Sami%20Abdul%20Hadi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELicensed%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EInvestment%20and%20wealth%20advisory%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOutliers%20VC%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E14%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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.”
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3ECompany%3A%20Zywa%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202021%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Nuha%20Hashem%20and%20Alok%20Kumar%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20UAE%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%3Cbr%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%243m%3Cbr%3ECompany%20valuation%3A%20%2430m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
