It has been an emotional seven days for Emirati Twitter users, with local hashtags prominent in their social- media posts.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, asked Tweeters to help name the UAE’s Mars probe, prompting a lot of suggestions and expressions of pride in the project.
A hashtag “Describe the UAE in two words” had some tweeters lost in translation, with several suggestions exceeding the word limit.
Meanwhile, the humble personality and kindness of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, inspired people to call him “the soul of the UAE”.
Mars probe
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid started it all when he tweeted that the Mars probe “is an Arab-Islamic project, we want all Arabs to be involved in this project and to open doors of hope and optimism. This is the beginning of Arabs entering space”.
@JustAfkary shared what she thinks about the project: “It’s a probe of love and peace.”
@HeshamAlhosani, a member of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, tweeted: “I suggest we call it ‘Al Marasheed probe’.”
@SAS_Ajman, who is a writer at Al Roya newspaper, suggested "Zayed probe".
@sghamdyy, a researcher in the production of clean energy from nature, noted: “This is the beginning of our space invasion”.
The Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (@ADVETI_AbuDhabi) also suggested the names “Zayed probe” and “Peace probe”.
Describe the UAE
People in the UAE are always keen to show their love for their country, so this topic gave them the chance to do so.
@7dooo21 came up with two phrases: “Developed country” and “loyal citizens”.
@alsyasiyeh shared a slogan that was launched by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and points to the unity of the UAE. She wrote: “Our house is united.”
@waseem_yousef, the imam of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, wrote: “We are Zayed’s sons.”
@s_almogren, who is a columnist at Al Jazeera newspaper and author for a number of books, wrote: "The words to describe the UAE are not created yet."
@majedalraeesi1 shared his opinion of the UAE by simply tweeting: “Number one.”
The soul of the UAE
The humbleness of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed created great emotion among Twitter users. Rather than words, many of them preferred to use photographs of Sheikh Mohammed hugging children, saluting army officers and, in one picture, praying. Many people noted how much he looks like his late father, Sheikh Zayed.
@sarab_shj expressed the thought that the UAE leaders demonstrate good morals in helping their citizens: “They are leaders who make their people happy.”
@bintkhalifa2020 wrote that Sheikh Mohammed was a “personality who helped shape history”. @yasooof119 had the same opinion.
@queen_shmoo5 tweeted: “We see Zayed in him.” And @alfaz3aaa wrote: “We see Sheikh Zayed in Sheikh Mohammed, we will defend him with our hearts and souls with all our strength.”
@mayar_laith: “You can see the kindness in his face, may Allah protect him.”
@ADUAEA said that Sheikh Mohammed’s deep insight was clearly obvious in his popular saying, “Al Bayt Mitwahid”, which means that the UAE is one united house. “He is the soul of the Emirates,” the tweeter concluded.
Sarah Khamis is The National’s social media editor
salalawi@thenational.ae
On Twitter: @SarahKhamisUAE
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
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Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
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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
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
