Manchester City's push to secure a Uefa Champions League spot next season remains on course after their victory over in-form Wolves on Friday.
Pep Guardiola's side made it four Premier League wins on the spin thanks to a first-half finish from Kevin De Bruyne that ended Wolves' own victory-streak of six matches.
It meant City moved up to third in the table with the top five guaranteed Champions League football although they have played one game more than their rivals at the top.
With a trip to relegated Southampton up next, followed by games away to Crystal Palace and Bournemouth at home on the last day of the season, City are in the driving seat to end a troubled campaign on a positive note.
They also have a chance to secure more silverware when they face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
These games will be the last De Bruyne plays for the club after the club decided not to offer the 33-year-old at new contract once his current deal runs out this summer.
After Friday's win at the Etihad Stadium, De Bruyne said he was focused on ending the season on a high.
“It has been tough year but we are finding a bit of a groove. We are winning the games that we need to so let's hope we can end the season like that.
“I try to play as much good football as I can. I know that I only have one home game left but I just try to to my job and that's what I did today.
“A lot of teammates have said that it's sad I have to go too but that's just how it goes sometimes in life. I don't know what the future will be, but I know that I can still play here.”
About the match-winning moment in what is set to be De Bruyne's penultimate game at the Etihad, manager Guardiola added: “There was no doubt in him still being capable of doing those things.
“He has shown today that he still has that quality. I am happy for him that he scored.
“His contribution in the game against Crystal Palace when we were 2-0 down and he delivers and today the goal again. I'm happy that it is finishing that way and we have one more game in the Etihad.”
Widely considered one of the greatest players in Premier League history, De Bruyne has won the domestic title six times, League Cup on four occasions, two FA Cups as well as one Champions League crown while at City.
He has also been awarded both the Professional Footballers' Association and the Premier League's Player of the Year award on two occasions.
After City's win at Everton two weeks ago, De Bruyne – who turns 34 in June – expressed his disappointment about no being able to extend his 10-year stay in Manchester.
“I have not had any offer the whole year, they just took a decision," sai” De Bruyne, who has seen newly crowned champions Liverpool hand two of their experienced stars in Mohamed Salah (aged 32) and Virgil van Dijk (33) new contracts.
“Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it. Honestly I still think I can perform at this level like I'm showing but I understand clubs have to make decisions.
“Maybe if the team didn't struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal then maybe they take another decision."
De ”uyne has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer in the US but the playmaker still has aspirations of playing at the highest level and could yet sign for another English top-flight club.
“I feel like I still have a lot to give. Obviously I know I'm not 25 any more but I still feel like I can do my job,” he added.
“I'm open for anything. I have to look at the whole picture. I'm looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family.”
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
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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Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
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Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
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Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
