A look at the week ahead: Dubai Tour returns while Pakistan Super League gets underway.
Football: Premier League, Manchester United v Stoke City, Tuesday, midnight, (TV) BeIN Sports
A 2-0 defeat away to Stoke City a little over a month ago had many analysts predicting that Louis van Gaal would struggle to see in the New Year as manager of Manchester United. And while the results since then have hardly done anything to dampen the doom-mongers, the Dutchman is still in a job having presided over his team’s 3-1 victory over Derby County on Friday to secure their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup. A 1-0 defeat to Southampton last time out in the league last week had Old Trafford in open revolt; the beleaguered Van Gaal can ill-afford another home defeat or even a lacklustre performance that has characterised far too many United games this season.
Listen: Team Talk podcast: Strength of Arsenal, Man City only adds to pressure on Van Gaal at Man United - Ep 14
Cycling: Dubai Tour, Wednesday to Saturday, (TV) Dubai Sports
The third staging of the cycling event begins on Wednesday with a 179-kilometre stage from Dubai to Fujairah. Mark Cavendish is back to defend his title in what will also be the longest Dubai Tour yet with the four stages totalling a distance of 671km. The race climaxes on Saturday at the Burj Khalifa.
Read more: Dates, cyclists and teams: Everything you need to know for Dubai Tour 2016
Cricket: Masters Champions League, Wednesday, Libra Legends v Virgo Super Kings, 3pm; Gemini Arabians v Capricorn Commanders, 7.30pm, both Sharjah, (TV) Ten Sports
Kumar Sangakkara got the inaugural Masters Champions League off to an explosive start last Thursday, with the Sri Lankan left-hander hitting a blistering 86 runs off just 43 balls to help the Gemini Arabians to a 78-run victory over Libra Legends in Dubai which was backed-up by an unbeaten 41 in an eight-wicket win over Leo Lions on Saturday. The action moves to Sharjah this week for another double-header: the Arabians taking on a Michael Vaughan-led Capricorn Commanders, who have a win and a defeat from their opening two game, while Libra Legends play Virgo Super Kings in the earlier match.
Read more: Masters Champions League: The National's preview coverage and reporting
Cricket: Pakistan Super League, Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, 8pm, Dubai
The PSL gets underway on Thursday with Misbah-ul-Haq leading what is arguably the strongest squad in the league in Islamabad United: Shane Watson up top, Misbah in the middle, Andre Russell as the all-rounder and Mohammad Irfan the lead bowler. They take on a Quetta Gladiators side captained by Sarfraz Ahmed, who is likely to replace his opposite number as captain of the national team in Tests one day. Also in the squad is one Kevin Pietersen. England may have got over him but the rest of the world has not. And in these leagues, he is still some player. A run of 12 Twenty20 games in South Africa and Australia has seen him hit two hundreds and four fifties.
Read more: Pakistan Super League 2016 schedule: Times, venues in UAE
Football: Arabian Gulf League, Al Ahli v Al Wasl, Friday, 5.20pm, (TV) Dubai Sports
The Arabian Gulf League title fight is becoming a two-horse race, with second-place Al Ahli nine points clear of Al Nasr and just two behind league leaders Al Ain. Ahli cannot afford to drop many points in their remaining 11 games and have a tough test at home to fourth-placed Wasl on Friday, while Al Ain play Al Wahda on the same night.
Read more: AGL round-up: Moussa Sow strikes twice but Al Ahli blow chance to move level with Al Ain
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World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
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
HAJJAN
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Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
SQUAD
Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammed Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Saeed Ahmed, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Muhammed Jumah, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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