• 'Avengers' star Samuel L Jackson shared his vaccine experience with his 6.9 million followers, writing: 'At The Forum getting that 1st jab!!' Instagram, Courtesy of Diff
    'Avengers' star Samuel L Jackson shared his vaccine experience with his 6.9 million followers, writing: 'At The Forum getting that 1st jab!!' Instagram, Courtesy of Diff
  • Actor - and former Governor of California - Arnold Schwarzenegger shared his drive-through visit to get the vaccine. 'I would recommend it for anyone and everyone,' he said in a video posted to Twitter, adding the famous line from his film 'Terminator 2' - 'Come with me if you want to live'. Reuters, Twitter
    Actor - and former Governor of California - Arnold Schwarzenegger shared his drive-through visit to get the vaccine. 'I would recommend it for anyone and everyone,' he said in a video posted to Twitter, adding the famous line from his film 'Terminator 2' - 'Come with me if you want to live'. Reuters, Twitter
  • US President Joe Biden and the first lady, Jill Biden received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on January 11, following their first dose on December 21. EPA, Twitter
    US President Joe Biden and the first lady, Jill Biden received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on January 11, following their first dose on December 21. EPA, Twitter
  • Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip shared that they received the vaccine on January 9, which was administered by a doctor at Windsor Castle. AFP
    Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip shared that they received the vaccine on January 9, which was administered by a doctor at Windsor Castle. AFP
  • US Vice President Kamala Harris was joined by her husband, Doug Emhoff, in getting the Moderna vaccine. AFP, Twitter
    US Vice President Kamala Harris was joined by her husband, Doug Emhoff, in getting the Moderna vaccine. AFP, Twitter
  • Historian and 'Planet Earth' narrator Sir David Attenborough received the vaccine earlier this month. Getty Images
    Historian and 'Planet Earth' narrator Sir David Attenborough received the vaccine earlier this month. Getty Images
  • Country music legend Willie Nelson, 79, gave a thumbs up after he received the vaccine. AFP, Twitter
    Country music legend Willie Nelson, 79, gave a thumbs up after he received the vaccine. AFP, Twitter
  • English ‘Dynasty’ actress Joan Collins shared a photo of herself on Instagram receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. 'I had no after-effects and I felt absolutely fine,' she told 'Good Morning Britain'. Getty Images, Instagram
    English ‘Dynasty’ actress Joan Collins shared a photo of herself on Instagram receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. 'I had no after-effects and I felt absolutely fine,' she told 'Good Morning Britain'. Getty Images, Instagram
  • The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis, 84, had received his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. The leader of the Catholic Church said people had an 'ethical duty' to be vaccinated. Reuters
    The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis, 84, had received his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. The leader of the Catholic Church said people had an 'ethical duty' to be vaccinated. Reuters
  • Frontline worker and former ‘Love Island’ contestant Dr Alex George received the vaccine on January 6. He took to Instagram to say 'I am so glad there is light at the end of the tunnel.' Shutterstock, Instagram
    Frontline worker and former ‘Love Island’ contestant Dr Alex George received the vaccine on January 6. He took to Instagram to say 'I am so glad there is light at the end of the tunnel.' Shutterstock, Instagram
  • British thespian Ian McKellen received the Pfizer vaccine from the UK’s NHS at Queen Mary’s University Hospital in London. The 81-year-old said he would ‘recommend it to anyone’. AFP, Twitter
    British thespian Ian McKellen received the Pfizer vaccine from the UK’s NHS at Queen Mary’s University Hospital in London. The 81-year-old said he would ‘recommend it to anyone’. AFP, Twitter
  • Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones joked that the 'one good thing about being 80' was that he was one of the first line to receive the vaccine in the UK. He told fans: 'It was fine, it was just like getting the flu jab.' AFP
    Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones joked that the 'one good thing about being 80' was that he was one of the first line to receive the vaccine in the UK. He told fans: 'It was fine, it was just like getting the flu jab.' AFP
  • The ‘Great British Bake Off’ host Prue Leith, 80, called the jab ‘painless’ and said she was ‘absolutely delighted’ to receive it in her native UK. Getty Images, Twitter
    The ‘Great British Bake Off’ host Prue Leith, 80, called the jab ‘painless’ and said she was ‘absolutely delighted’ to receive it in her native UK. Getty Images, Twitter
  • Oscar-winning US director Oliver Stone received the Russian version of the vaccine in December, sharing that he got it because he was filming in the country. AFP, Twitter
    Oscar-winning US director Oliver Stone received the Russian version of the vaccine in December, sharing that he got it because he was filming in the country. AFP, Twitter
  • Oscar winner Judi Dench, 86, told the BBC she had received her first shot of the vaccine, calling it a 'great start'. AFP
    Oscar winner Judi Dench, 86, told the BBC she had received her first shot of the vaccine, calling it a 'great start'. AFP
  • US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi received the vaccine at the same time as former Vice President Mike Pence. AFP, Twitter
    US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi received the vaccine at the same time as former Vice President Mike Pence. AFP, Twitter
  • King Abdullah II, Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Hassan of Jordan received the first doses of the vaccine on January 14, the Royal Hashemite Court announced on Twitter. AFP
    King Abdullah II, Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Hassan of Jordan received the first doses of the vaccine on January 14, the Royal Hashemite Court announced on Twitter. AFP
  • Former Vice President Mike Pence got the vaccine back in December, with the dose administered on live television. The outgoing VP called it a 'medical miracle.' AFP, Twitter
    Former Vice President Mike Pence got the vaccine back in December, with the dose administered on live television. The outgoing VP called it a 'medical miracle.' AFP, Twitter
  • Michael Eavis, founder of Britain’s famous Glastonbury Festival, received his vaccination from the NHS, and has spoken about wanting to get the music festival back up and running as soon as possible. AFP, Twitter
    Michael Eavis, founder of Britain’s famous Glastonbury Festival, received his vaccination from the NHS, and has spoken about wanting to get the music festival back up and running as soon as possible. AFP, Twitter
  • Award-winning singer Tony Bennett, 94, announced on Twitter: 'I received the first dose of the Covid 19 vaccination this week and am doing fine and encourage you to do the same.' AFP
    Award-winning singer Tony Bennett, 94, announced on Twitter: 'I received the first dose of the Covid 19 vaccination this week and am doing fine and encourage you to do the same.' AFP
  • American lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, 79, shared a video of herself receiving the vaccine, adding that she 'waited in line with others.' AFP, Instagram
    American lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, 79, shared a video of herself receiving the vaccine, adding that she 'waited in line with others.' AFP, Instagram
  • House representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared her experience on Twitter and her Instagram stories, saying: 'I’d never ask you to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself.' AFP, Twitter
    House representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared her experience on Twitter and her Instagram stories, saying: 'I’d never ask you to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself.' AFP, Twitter
  • ‘Phantom of the Opera’ composer Andrew Lloyd Webber participated in the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine trial in August. The musical maestro said he volunteered as part of his efforts to 'get theatres large and small open again'. AFP, Twitter
    ‘Phantom of the Opera’ composer Andrew Lloyd Webber participated in the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine trial in August. The musical maestro said he volunteered as part of his efforts to 'get theatres large and small open again'. AFP, Twitter

From Pope Francis to Joan Collins: 23 famous names who have received the Covid-19 vaccine


  • English
  • Arabic

As mass vaccination programmes to protect against Covid-19 roll out across the world, just like everyone else, celebrities, politicians and royals have been in line to receive their doses.

In Jordan, King Abdullah II, Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Hassan joined forces to receive their first doses together as they kicked off the country's awareness programme. In the US, outgoing Vice President Mike Pence had his administered on national television, while in the UK, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were happy to share that they had both received their vaccinations at Windsor Castle.

Helping to dispel any lingering mystery around the vaccinations, the likes of Lord of The Rings star Ian McKellan, Dynasty actress Joan Collins, lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, and country music legend Willie Nelson have all taken to social media to share their experiences of receiving the "painless" jab.

Others shared their personal reasons for talking about their vaccination experiences. British theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, the man behind Cats, Evita and Phantom of the Opera, revealed he had participated in early vaccination trials as a way to speed up the reopening of theatres across the UK.

"Having been on the Oxford Covid vaccine trial myself, I am hugely optimistic that once the vaccine rolls out, audiences will return to theatre in droves," he told The Guardian. "My theatres will be ready for them. I am raring to go."

Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis used his NHS vaccination appointment as an opportunity to share that he hoped his world-famous music festival would return this year if enough people took the opportunity to be vaccinated.

"As far as the festival is concerned, wouldn't it be wonderful to get the majority of our population vaccinated before June 2021, so that we can celebrate next summer in proper 'Glastonbury style'," he told the NME.

Scroll through the gallery above to see which well-known faces have shared their experience of getting the Covid-19 vaccine.

While you're here
Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Omar%20Hilal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Muhammad%20Farrag%2C%20Bayoumi%20Fouad%2C%20Nelly%20Karim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes

Leap of Faith

Michael J Mazarr

Public Affairs

Dh67
 

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

Results:

Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)

Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)

Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Results

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi

From: Dara

To: Team@

Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT

Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East

Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.

Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.

I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.

This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.

It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.

Uber on,

Dara

EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEdinburgh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%204%20%3Cem%3E(unchanged)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBahrain%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%2015%20%3Cem%3E(from%20September%2015)%3C%2Fem%3E%3B%20second%20daily%20service%20from%20January%201%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EKuwait%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%2015%20%3Cem%3E(from%20September%2016)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMumbai%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20October%2027)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAhmedabad%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20October%2027)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColombo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202%20%3Cem%3E(from%20January%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMuscat%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cem%3E%20%3C%2Fem%3EMarch%201%3Cem%3E%20(from%20December%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELyon%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20March%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20December%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBologna%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20March%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20December%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Emirates%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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