Abu Dhabi
Kids' fun
See a family-friendly performance featuring cat and mouse duo Tom and Jerry, as part of Abu Dhabi Summer Season. In the live adventure tale, the characters meet the spirit Taja who transports them to the long-lost Pawprint Island where they are sent on a quest to find four lost crystals, to help Taja regain her magic.
Daily until Saturday, 6.30pm on Thursday; 3pm on Friday; 3pm and 6.30pm on Saturday, from Dh100, Al Raha Theatre, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, www.abudhabisummerseason.ae
Abu Dhabi
Comedy show
Enjoy stand-up at Rooftop Comedy, presented by Yalla Laughs and featuring comedians from across the region. Bring your friends and colleagues and end the week on a high note.
Tonight, 8pm, free, 21+, Up and Below rooftop bar, Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Centre, Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/yallalaughs
Ras Al Khaimah
Spa offer
The spa at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah offers an Afternoon Tea facial, a 90-minute bespoke anti-ageing treatment that stimulates cell rejuvenation. The underwater-themed spa offers an array of relaxing treatments plus facilities that include a flotation bed, steam rooms and the hotel's signature herbal sauna.
Open daily, 9am to 9pm, Dh950 for the Afternoon Tea facial, age 16+, Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah, 07 203 5722, rasalkhaima.info@waldorfastoria.com
Abu Dhabi
Art exhibition
Catch the final days of Woven Identities, an exhibition of sustainable art by Dubai-based artists Stephanie Neville and Jeff Scofield. The show examines how we adapt or conform to our immediate environment and also questions how the UAE's transient lifestyle affects the sustainability of interdependent relationships.
Today and Saturday, 3 to 10pm, (closed Friday), Project Space, NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 02 628 8000, www.nyuad-artgallery.org
Abu Dhabi
Kids' camp
Register your children for the French Summer Camp presented by Alliance Française Abu Dhabi, where they can make new friends through fun activities and adventures to improve their French.
Until September 7, 9am to 2pm, from Dh120 per day including a snack, Le Royal Méridien, Abu Dhabi, register at 02 612 2900, info@afabudhabi.org
Dubai
Food trucks
Visit the Truckers Summer Warehouse for the best of the region's food trucks all under one roof, all summer long. Featuring TruckersDXB's funky, industrial set-up, the event includes 15 vehicles serving authentic and fusion cuisines from around the world, as well as interactive entertainment and live performances. Enjoy the arts and crafts market, carnival games, a mechanical bull ride, face-painting and more.
Until September 2, 4pm to 11pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays, Dh10 entry fee; free entry for children under 12, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, www.truckers.ae
Dubai
Performance
Get tickets to attend a one-night-only performance by flamenco dancer Eva Yerbabuena at Dubai Opera. Accompanied by five dancers and an ensemble of musicians, she will perform a rendition of her celebrated Carne y Hueso show. The Spanish dancer, known for her speed, power and dramatic footwork, mixes traditional flamenco forms with her own style.
October 5, 8pm, from Dh200, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com
Dubai
Writing workshop
Make plans to attend a creative writing workshop with Emirati author Mariam Al Saedi as part of Literaturhaus at Nadi, the celebration of literature and forum of creativity presented by Alserkal Programming. Al Saedi will focus on the inner-voice of the writer, using the method of addressing why, how, when, what and where. The workshop will conclude with participants writing a short paragraph that can be used as the start of a short story and is followed by a group discussion.
Saturday, 4pm to 5pm, Nadi Al Quoz, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, rsvp@alserkalavenue.ae
Dubai
Auditions
Book a table for Prime Date Night at The Meydan Hotel's fine-dining steakhouse Prime, and enjoy a special set menu created by chef Raphael Raschke. It features a choice of starters followed by the chef's signature steak, grilled to your preference, and two desserts to choose from.
Offer available daily, 7pm to 11.30pm, Dh750 per couple, Prime, 5th floor, The Meydan Hotel, Dubai, reservations at 04 381 3111, www.meydanhotels.com/PrimeDinner
Dubai
Kids' camps
Children can make full use of their holidays at the Emaar Entertainment Summer Camp, where they can learn skills and make new friends through activities at Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Ice Rink, KidZania, Reel Cinemas and the Burj Khalifa. Activities include ice-skating, visiting a heritage village, learning about marine conservation, filmmaking, film watching and team-building games.
Runs until August 31, 8.30am to 3pm, Sundays to Thursdays, Dh750 per week, including activities, snack, lunch and certificate, meeting point at KidZania entrance, The Dubai Mall, Dubai, emaarsummercamp.com
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
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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The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
UAE v United States, T20 International Series
Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.
1st match: Friday, 2pm
2nd match: Saturday, 2pm
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh
Poacher
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Company%C2%A0profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
