With regard to your story, 'Taxi drought' hits Abu Dhabi (November 26), this is a recent phenomenon. I don't understand why, after being able to step out of my building and find a taxi in no time, all of a sudden we now have to fight to get one.
Instead, I’ve started using Uber, the app-based transport service, because the number of passengers waiting at the bus stops would mean I would never get to work on time.
I prefer to pay more for no hassle, no waiting and a guarantee to reach work on time.
However, on Sunday and Monday, neither Uber nor taxis were available. I walked about two kilometres – this was relatively easy, considering the weather – then found a taxi.
None of the others who were waiting did the same so thankfully I had the advantage.
Nancy Hassan, Abu Dhabi
Whenever I contact the taxi call centre, it is always busy or else I’m told there are no available taxis. It’s frustrating.
People are pushing in front of each other as they try to hail a taxi.
At least the weather is cooler so waiting isn’t as bad.
Samantha Jane Wood, Abu Dhabi
We have the same issue in Dubai, especially when there is an event on.
Taxi drivers get messages on their screens saying all taxis must go to a specific event location or they will be fined, so they all flock to that place. I have seen these messages myself.
What really seems crazy is that you do not seem to be able to book a taxi in advance.
Lisa Justice, Dubai
Room for Emiratis in private sector
After reading your news item, New rules for Emiratis in private sector jobs (November 26), I support private enterprises hiring Emiratis and training them to fit in with the company's culture.
They should be taught about career advancement and how to work their way up. However, private sector companies pay salaries according to skills, knowledge and experience. Young Emiratis cannot and should not expect the same salaries that they would get from government jobs.
The private sector also has different work conditions, with working hours from 9am to 6pm. Although a lot of Emiratis are willing to work those hours, there are some who are not.
But I believe young Emiratis should be treated with a little more attention and companies should offer more opportunities for progression up the corporate ladder.
Training should also be provided to ensure they are equipped with the right skills for career progression.
I believe Emiratis in the private sector should be nurtured, mentored and assisted to reach the same skill level and experience as their expatriate counterparts.
John Paravalos, Dubai
University should remain in English
In reference to your story, Law planned to preserve Arabic language in the UAE (November 26), there is no reason why the goal should not be bilingualism in Arabic and English, with Arabic as the official language of the country.
At present, many students are deficient in both languages. The authorities are right to be concerned about the level of Arabic spoken by students after finishing high school.
However, they should be concerned not only with students’ Arabic proficiency because their competence in maths and science is also a concern.
Sarah Calderwood, Abu Dhabi
I believe Arabic needs to stay at the school level, leaving universities to teach in English. This will help ensure graduates will be competitive in the workforce.
However, this requires high-quality Arabic teaching programmes in the school system. This would allow children to acquire proficiency in Arabic from the nursery to the end of high school.
Dina Abou-Zahr, Dubai
Arabic should be the medium of instruction at universities along with English, as is the case in many countries.
Being competent in one’s mother tongue as well as English will help students be competitive.
Ignoring one’s mother tongue is never a good idea.
Luisa Noor Sedai, Lebanon
‘Jewish state’ law reveals Israel’s lies
With regard to your story, Israel moves closer to declaring Jewish state (November 25), the entire narrative Israel sold everyone about being modern and democratic is clearly being seen for what it always truly was – a complete and utter lie.
Their sole objective is to cleanse Palestine of Palestinians.
Andrew Madu, Dubai
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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
Two-step truce
The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.
By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National.
The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.
The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.
The agreement also calls the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces in the city and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure distribution of aid across the country.
Read more from Kareem Shaheen
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
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- Professional ethics.
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