• President-elect Donald J. Trump entering the state of his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States inside the Capitol Rotunda of the U. S. Capitol building in Washington, D. C. , USA, 20 January 2025. It is the 60th U. S. presidential inauguration and the second non-consecutive inauguration of Trump as U. S. president. EPA / KENNY HOLSTON / POOL
    President-elect Donald J. Trump entering the state of his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States inside the Capitol Rotunda of the U. S. Capitol building in Washington, D. C. , USA, 20 January 2025. It is the 60th U. S. presidential inauguration and the second non-consecutive inauguration of Trump as U. S. president. EPA / KENNY HOLSTON / POOL
  • Firefighters battle the Lilac Fire near Bonsall community in San Diego County, California. AP
    Firefighters battle the Lilac Fire near Bonsall community in San Diego County, California. AP
  • Migrating Eurasian cranes flock at Hula Lake conservation area, in Hula Nature Valley, northern Israel. Getty Images
    Migrating Eurasian cranes flock at Hula Lake conservation area, in Hula Nature Valley, northern Israel. Getty Images
  • Nature enthusiasts watch the titan arum or corpse flower – nicknamed Putricia – bloom at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia. EPA
    Nature enthusiasts watch the titan arum or corpse flower – nicknamed Putricia – bloom at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia. EPA
  • Farmers work in a rice paddy field during the harvest season in Lhoknga, Indonesia's Aceh province. AFP
    Farmers work in a rice paddy field during the harvest season in Lhoknga, Indonesia's Aceh province. AFP
  • The dried-up bed of the Ravi River in Lahore, Pakistan. A winter drought is ravaging crops in Pakistan's breadbasket, farmers say. AFP
    The dried-up bed of the Ravi River in Lahore, Pakistan. A winter drought is ravaging crops in Pakistan's breadbasket, farmers say. AFP
  • A participant at the annual cold endurance festival at Kanda Myojin Shinto shrine in Tokyo. AP
    A participant at the annual cold endurance festival at Kanda Myojin Shinto shrine in Tokyo. AP
  • The waters of Lake Michigan are frozen in Montrose Harbour, in the Great Lakes region, in Chicago. AP
    The waters of Lake Michigan are frozen in Montrose Harbour, in the Great Lakes region, in Chicago. AP
  • Alek Drexler from Illinois poses inside Capital One Arena ahead of an indoor rally on the day of the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, in Washington. Reuters
    Alek Drexler from Illinois poses inside Capital One Arena ahead of an indoor rally on the day of the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, in Washington. Reuters
  • Visitors look at Christopher Joshua Benton's artwork Where Lies My Carpet is Thy Home, in the Carpet Souq in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Visitors look at Christopher Joshua Benton's artwork Where Lies My Carpet is Thy Home, in the Carpet Souq in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Lightweight Russian mixed martial fighter Usman Nurmagomedov speaks to the media ahead of the PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series on Saturday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Lightweight Russian mixed martial fighter Usman Nurmagomedov speaks to the media ahead of the PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series on Saturday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Displaced Palestinians walk along a road in Saftawi, Jabalia, heading to northern Gaza after a ceasefire deal. AFP
    Displaced Palestinians walk along a road in Saftawi, Jabalia, heading to northern Gaza after a ceasefire deal. AFP
  • The Maha Kumbh Mela along the banks of Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj. AFP
    The Maha Kumbh Mela along the banks of Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj. AFP
  • Britain's Emma Raducanu in action against Poland's Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open. Reuters
    Britain's Emma Raducanu in action against Poland's Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open. Reuters
  • People clean a sleeping Buddha statue ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration at the Buddha Dharma temple, Bogor, Indonesia. Reuters
    People clean a sleeping Buddha statue ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration at the Buddha Dharma temple, Bogor, Indonesia. Reuters
  • A rider and two men leap over a bonfire during Fiesta 'Matxa' for Sant Antoni at Vilanova d'Alcolea, Spain. EPA
    A rider and two men leap over a bonfire during Fiesta 'Matxa' for Sant Antoni at Vilanova d'Alcolea, Spain. EPA
  • Two Ethiopian Orthodox deacons look on as worshippers gather to pray during the celebration of the Ethiopian Orthodox Epiphany in Addis Ababa. AFP
    Two Ethiopian Orthodox deacons look on as worshippers gather to pray during the celebration of the Ethiopian Orthodox Epiphany in Addis Ababa. AFP
  • Motorcycle riders with India's Border Security Force rehearse for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. Reuters
    Motorcycle riders with India's Border Security Force rehearse for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. Reuters
  • The Esplanade theatre in Singapore undergoes maintenance work. AFP
    The Esplanade theatre in Singapore undergoes maintenance work. AFP
  • Devastation in central Rafah, Gaza. Palestinians have begun to return to their homes after a ceasefire came into effect. AFP
    Devastation in central Rafah, Gaza. Palestinians have begun to return to their homes after a ceasefire came into effect. AFP
  • Khalida Jarrar arrives in the occupied West Bank city of Beitunia after being released from an Israeli prison under the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. AP
    Khalida Jarrar arrives in the occupied West Bank city of Beitunia after being released from an Israeli prison under the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. AP
  • Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea's President, attends a hearing at the Constitutional Court of Korea in Seoul, South Korea. Bloomberg
    Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea's President, attends a hearing at the Constitutional Court of Korea in Seoul, South Korea. Bloomberg
  • Dancers perform on the main streets during the 'Saint Sebastian' celebration in Chiapa de Corzo, Mexico. Getty Images
    Dancers perform on the main streets during the 'Saint Sebastian' celebration in Chiapa de Corzo, Mexico. Getty Images
  • Elon Musk gestures during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. AFP
    Elon Musk gestures during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. AFP
  • Former US president Barack Obama attends the 60th presidential inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. Bloomberg
    Former US president Barack Obama attends the 60th presidential inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. Bloomberg
  • Displaced Palestinians pursue an aid truck in Rafah, southern Gaza. More supplies are able to enter the enclave since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Sunday. EPA
    Displaced Palestinians pursue an aid truck in Rafah, southern Gaza. More supplies are able to enter the enclave since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Sunday. EPA
  • A helicopter surveys a wildfire, named Lilac Fire, in San Diego County, California. AFP
    A helicopter surveys a wildfire, named Lilac Fire, in San Diego County, California. AFP
  • Passengers read the Rodong Sinmun newspaper on a digital monitor at Kaeson station on the Pyongyang Metro, in the North Korean capital. AFP
    Passengers read the Rodong Sinmun newspaper on a digital monitor at Kaeson station on the Pyongyang Metro, in the North Korean capital. AFP
  • Sunrise over peaks at the border between Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sunrise over peaks at the border between Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel at Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu province, north-west Turkey. The blaze killed 79 people. AP
    Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel at Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu province, north-west Turkey. The blaze killed 79 people. AP

Pictures of the week: From Donald Trump’s inauguration to the Turkish ski resort fire


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Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Frida%20
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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
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

Group A

Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA

Group B

Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti

Group C

Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia

Group D

Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh12 million

Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto

Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm

Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds

Top speed 420 kph (governed)

Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)

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

%3Cp%3EMATA%0D%3Cbr%3EArtist%3A%20M.I.A%0D%3Cbr%3ELabel%3A%20Island%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

Zakat definitions

Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.

Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.

Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.

Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
ATP WORLD No 1

2004 Roger Federer

2005 Roger Federer

2006 Roger Federer

2007 Roger Federer

2008 Rafael Nadal

2009 Roger Federer

2010 Rafael Nadal

2011 Novak Djokovic

2012 Novak Djokovic

2013 Rafael Nadal

2014 Novak Djokovic

2015 Novak Djokovic

2016 Andy Murray

2017 Rafael Nadal

2018 Novak Djokovic

2019 Rafael Nadal

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How Filipinos in the UAE invest

A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.

Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).

Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.

Updated: January 24, 2025, 6:01 PM