Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The UAE on Friday urged the public to donate crucial supplies for Lebanese people caught up in deadly conflict at dozens of centres set up across the country.
The Emirates Red Crescent appealed for essential items including food, medical supplies, hygiene products, milk powder, blankets, jackets and shoes.
The donation sites opened on Friday in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah, Al Dhafra, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Al Ain City.
The key initiative is part of the country's UAE Stands with Lebanon campaign, which aims to show solidarity with Lebanese people facing a worsening humanitarian crisis amid continued Israeli air strikes.
More than 2,000 people have been killed since October 8 last year in Lebanon, with more than half of those deaths in the past two weeks due to escalating violence in the region.
“Donate now at the nearest centre of the campaign across the country to support them in their time of need,” the authority wrote on X platform. The authority also urged the public to donate online via the ERC website.
Show of support
The UAE is working to deliver aid quickly to those in need across Lebanon, Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, said on Friday.
“We were immediately mobilised. The first plane delivered aid just 12 hours after we received an appeal for help,” Ms Al Hashimy said as she toured Dubai Humanitarian, where the UAE is organising and delivering aid to Lebanon.
“The aid is being delivered in a transparent way and the conflict hasn't hindered our efforts to deliver,” she added.
Fouad Dandan, Lebanon's Ambassador to the UAE, praised the Emirates for its efforts in helping the Lebanese people.
“There is no safe place in Lebanon with daily bombardment, around 2,200 people killed and more than 10,000 others injured. There are 1.2 million people displaced due to the current situation,” Mr Dandan said on Abu Dhabi TV.
“We are thankful for the UAE leaders and people for their support to our people in Lebanon.”
The UAE has sought to deliver critical support to Lebanon amid an Israeli invasion and persistent air strikes.
On Monday, President Sheikh Mohamed directed $30 million in aid to support displaced Lebanese citizens in Syria. More than 200,000 Lebanese have fled across the border amid Israeli air strikes, the UN said.
The UAE sent six planes with 205 tonnes of aid to help civilians in Lebanon and launched a nationwide charitable campaign in support of the country, it was announced on Sunday.
The support for displaced Lebanese citizens in Syria is part of the UAE's “continued efforts to help the Lebanese people overcome current challenges”, state news agency Wam reported.
The UAE has announced two aid packing events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this weekend that are part of the humanitarian campaign.
The first is on Saturday from 9am to 1pm at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai. The second is on Sunday, also from 9am to 1pm, at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Abu Dhabi Ports (Terminal 1).
Many volunteers of all nationalities and from across UAE society are expected to turn out for the events. Thousands supported similar aid collection events held in support of Gaza last year.
The initiative is being organised with the Emirates Foundation’s Volunteers Platform and other volunteer groups.
Where to donate in the UAE
Dubai
ERC headquarters in Al Garhoud; Al Quoz warehouses; Alserkal Avenue; City Centre Mirdif; Deira City Centre and Mall of the Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
Lulu Hypermarket, Baniyas; Baniyas Co-operative Society; Lulu Express, Shawamekh; Al Shahama (next to Al Shahama Co-operative Society); Carrefour (next to Carrefour Airport Road); Al Taqa (next to Dewa customer service centre); Marina Mall; Khalifa A (behind Khalifa Market).
Sharjah
ERC headquarters in Al Rahmaniya; ERC office in Al Nekhailat.
Ras Al Khaimah
ERC headquarters in Dafan Al Khor; Ras Al Khaimah donation tent; Al Dhait South donation tent; Shaam donation tent; Al Mairid donation tent
Fujairah
ERC headquarters in Al Faseel; Dubai Islamic Bank donation tent at 83 Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi Road, Dibba Al Fujairah donation tent.
Ajman
ERC headquarters in Meshairef; Festival Land; Al Murad Mall; Nesto Hypermarket in Al Rashidiya and Al Raqaib areas; Ajman Markets Co-operative Society in Al Jirf, Al Rashidiya and Al Rumaila.
Al Dhafra
Madinat Zayed Office (Zayed City); Al Dhannah Office; Al Sila Office; External offices located at Tamm Centre; Al Dhafra main centre.
Al Ain City
ERC warehouses in Al Markhaniah.
Umm Al Quwain
ERC headquarters at Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street; Carrefour Umm Al Quwain Mall, City Mall, Al Safeer Mall and Al Zeina.
What you can donate
Food baskets: Boxes of dates; cans of tuna, chickpeas, beans, sweet corn and green peas; cooking oil; flour; salt; tea; glucose biscuits; sugar; spices.
Children's baskets: Soap; toothbrushes and toothpaste; diapers; baby shampoo; baby food; baby feeding bottle; infant formula; baby cream; towels; blankets; glucose biscuits.
Women's baskets: Soap; shampoo; toothbrushes and toothpaste; sanitary napkins; towels; body cream; hand sanitiser; razors; blankets.
Shelter items: Blankets; towels; children's socks, jackets and slippers; adult's socks, jackets and slippers.
Lebanon residents defiant in face of attacks
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Company%20profile
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Company%C2%A0profile
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The five pillars of Islam
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
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
MATCH INFO
Bangla Tigers 108-5 (10 ovs)
Ingram 37, Rossouw 26, Pretorius 2-10
Deccan Gladiators 109-4 (9.5 ovs)
Watson 41, Devcich 27, Wiese 2-15
Gladiators win by six wickets
