Live updates: Follow the latest on Syria
President Sheikh Mohamed on Monday met Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, in Abu Dhabi during which the British leader spoke of efforts to bolster trade ties in the Gulf and welcomed the collapse of the "brutal" Assad regime in Syria.
During the meeting at Al Shati Palace Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Starmer discussed areas of co-operation and the importance of historical ties.
Mr Starmer congratulated Sheikh Mohamed after the UAE celebrated Eid Al Etihad, its national day, last week. They also discussed their desire for peace in the Middle East.
Also in attendance were Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser. Mr Starmer stressed the need to forge a path to progress in Syria, and emphasised the importance of maintaining the Lebanon ceasefire and bringing an end to violence in Gaza, in an interview with Sky News Arabia.
"The people of Syria have lived under a brutal regime for far too long, so I welcome the fact that Assad is gone. I think the whole world welcomes that," he told the broadcaster.
"What we now need is a political way forward, a rejection of violence, rejection of terrorism … and the protection of civilians and minorities. So it is a really important moment, a really significant moment."
Hopes for peace in region
The UK Prime Minister told of his hopes that a peace deal could be brokered in Gaza to alleviate a worsening humanitarian crisis amid the continued war with Israel.
"I think there is now the potential in Gaza for that ceasefire," Mr Starmer said. "We've long been calling for it, but there are intense discussions going on now which are intended to, and I hope will, lead to a much-needed ceasefire, which will allow the remaining hostages to be released, will allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to go into Gaza and open the door for the only solution in Gaza, which is a political solution."
In a bid to secure a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the UK will provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with training and kit.
The package supports the initial training of hundreds of recruits and provides equipment through contractors to bolster the LAF’s ability to maintain security in southern Lebanon.
The UK has also increased work to support the Palestinian Authority as part of the drive to a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine question.
Keir Starmer visits the UAE - in pictures
Turning to his visit to the Emirates, Mr Starmer underlined the significance of the UAE-UK partnership and stated his commitment to furthering well-established ties.
"UAE is a major and strategic and important partner to the UK," said Mr Starmer. "It is significant. This is my first Gulf state as Prime Minister that I've visited.
"And my reason for being here is to try to create the opportunity to enhance that partnership, whether that's on trade and investment, whether it's on defence and security, energy, AI.
"I think the potential is there, but this is a very important strategic partnership and I'm very pleased to be here."
Gulf tour
Mr Starmer's visited the landmark Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on Monday, where he was received by Yousef Al Obaidli, director general of the mosque, who showed him around the site.
He arrived in the UAE on Sunday. He travelled to Saudi Arabia late on Monday for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He was greeted at King Khalid International Airport by the deputy governor of Riyadh region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Crown Prince Mohammed later received Mr Starmer at Al Yamamah Palace in the Saudi capital, where an official reception was held in his honour before the two men held "extensive talks", SPA said.
Keir Starmer visits Saudi Arabia - in pictures
During the meeting the British leader discussed the shared challenges and opportunities between the two countries, including in defence and security, growth, and research and development
Mr Starmer said Saudi Arabia is already playing a central role in supporting growth and job creation in the UK, especially through the green energy sector, and the leaders agreed that the relationship between the two countries is also central to regional stability.
On Gaza, he pushed for more aid to reach the enclave and welcomed Prince Mohammed’s reflection on how the suffering on all sides could be ended. At the end of the meeting, Mr Starmer invited Prince Mohammed to visit the UK, adding he hoped the leaders would be able to watch a game of football in between meetings.
No 10 hopes the visit will help consolidate partnerships focused on “driving high-quality growth”, with UAE investment in the UK valued at £23 billion ($28 million). British trade with Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is thought to be worth £17 billion.
“Driving long-term growth at home requires us to strengthen partnerships abroad,” Mr Starmer said.
He and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim last week agreed on a long-term green energy partnership, pledged to deepen defence and security ties and discussed the importance of regional stability. The UK Prime Minister is also expected to travel to Cyprus, where he will meet President Nikos Christodoulides in the capital Nicosia on Tuesday, before meeting British troops on the Mediterranean island who are posted over Christmas.
Euro 2020
Group A: Italy, Switzerland, Wales, Turkey
Group B: Belgium, Russia, Denmark, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria,
Georgia/Kosovo/Belarus/North Macedonia
Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Scotland/Israel/Norway/Serbia
Group E: Spain, Poland, Sweden,
N.Ireland/Bosnia/Slovakia/Ireland
Group F: Germany, France, Portugal,
Iceland/Romania/Bulgaria/Hungary
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
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The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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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Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
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Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
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Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
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Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
