I want to comment on traffic congestion (Dubai to implement new traffic control systems this year, May 19).
The speed of the Metro is one of the reasons I always take a taxi when travelling in Dubai. It’s so slow and inconvenient.
We need more Metro lines and the trains should go faster. It is unacceptable that it takes more than 30 minutes to get from the airport to the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Jose Hernandez, Dubai
Aid isn’t getting to those in need
In reference to John Henzell's opinion aritcile, Nepal will need your help tomorrow as well as today (May 19), I have heard first-hand reports that global donations are being held up.
I have heard of food being left to rot at Kathmandu airport, or donations being rerouted to warehouses and then sold rather than given to those in need.
Nepalis won’t see much of your donations unless you give directly to someone you know or an organisation you trust.
With the monsoon season looming, there is an even bigger humanitarian crisis in the making. Sadly, as mentioned in the article, in a few more weeks the world will have forgotten all about it.
Name withheld by request
Beaches should have lifeguards
It was sad to read Body of man who drowned off Sharjah beach found by search teams, May 18).
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that a person has drowned in this area.
Why aren’t lifeguards deployed at popular beaches to monitor activities and help if someone is in distress?
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
Think about where you park
I can understand the concerns expressed in Fine for roadside parking during prayers in Dubai (May 18). Many accidents are caused due to vehicles being parked inappropriately on the road shoulder.
Whatever their reason for stopping, motorists should act responsibly at all times.
Name withheld by request
Internet speeds must improve
I refer to Speed trials find Etisalat much faster than rival du (May 18) and the internet speed comparison chart The National published online.
There are poor internet speeds and even poor signals in many areas of the city. A lot needs to improve.
Suhail Ahmed, Dubai
In other parts of the world, people are downloading at twice the speed and uploading three times faster than we are here.
John Paravloas, Dubai
Support for a local TV soap
A UAE soap opera would be interesting (Is the UAE ready for its own Coronation Street? May 18).
There would be so many dimensions of culture and nationality.
Caitriona NiChonaill, Dubai
We don’t need another mind-numbing series to watch.
Jen Bishop, Dubai
Children’s book a sheer delight
I was impressed by Hala Khalaf's thoughtful interview with UAE children's author Alia Alshamsi about her book, Alayah (May 17).
On reading it, I immediately purchased Alayah online. I wouldn't have known about it otherwise.
I love this book with its charming illustrations, slightly poignant air and its dreamy, girlish flavour. Without doubt, this seaside tale subtly reawakens the child within the adult.
It promotes a sophisticated philosophy on how vital it is these days, in the face of an insular cityscape modernity, to hold on to things, people and places that are sure and trusted.
Within a short space, Alayah captures the flavour of Dubai perfectly. I also adore the little girl's wonderful dress collection. Susan Abraham, Dubai
Cat torturer is a violent coward
The situation described in Abu Dhabi family's anger after pet cat is shot with arrow (May 18) is absolutely horrifying.
Whoever deliberately injured and tortured an innocent cat may also be inclined to commit violence against a person. I hope the police catch this coward and justice is served.
S Al Khaluf, Abu Dhabi
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
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
