• A ground level view of the Sustainability Pavilion. Organisers say the pavilion is intended to meet the highest available accreditation for sustainable architecture – LEED platinum certification.
    A ground level view of the Sustainability Pavilion. Organisers say the pavilion is intended to meet the highest available accreditation for sustainable architecture – LEED platinum certification.
  • A view of the large entry gateways that will welcome visitors to the Expo 2020 site in Dubai. Organisers expect 25 million visits to the site.
    A view of the large entry gateways that will welcome visitors to the Expo 2020 site in Dubai. Organisers expect 25 million visits to the site.
  • Geometry and landscaping combine in the Thematic Districts of Expo 2020 Dubai.
    Geometry and landscaping combine in the Thematic Districts of Expo 2020 Dubai.
  • A spectacular view of one of the Entry Portals for visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai. The world fair opens on October 1.
    A spectacular view of one of the Entry Portals for visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai. The world fair opens on October 1.
  • A pink supermoon rises behind the Sustainability Portal. Expo 2020 Dubai was postponed from last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
    A pink supermoon rises behind the Sustainability Portal. Expo 2020 Dubai was postponed from last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • The Thematic Districts comprise 86 permanent buildings spread over three separate ‘petals’, housing 136 participating countries.
    The Thematic Districts comprise 86 permanent buildings spread over three separate ‘petals’, housing 136 participating countries.
  • A nighttime view of the Mobility Pavilion. The Mobility District seeks to create connections to drive the world forward, breaking down the divide between the physical and digital worlds, say organisers.
    A nighttime view of the Mobility Pavilion. The Mobility District seeks to create connections to drive the world forward, breaking down the divide between the physical and digital worlds, say organisers.
  • The spectacular Al Wasl Dome is the centrepiece of Expo 2020 Dubai and one of the largest 360-degree projection surfaces in the world.
    The spectacular Al Wasl Dome is the centrepiece of Expo 2020 Dubai and one of the largest 360-degree projection surfaces in the world.
  • The 'Mare and Foal' statue at the Mobility Pavilion, photographed at sunrise.
    The 'Mare and Foal' statue at the Mobility Pavilion, photographed at sunrise.
  • An aerial general view of the Sustainability Pavilion.
    An aerial general view of the Sustainability Pavilion.
  • Organisers say the Opportunity Pavilion seeks to build on the history of the 'plaza', its universal significance as a place for people to connect across age, language and culture, to celebrate shared human experiences
    Organisers say the Opportunity Pavilion seeks to build on the history of the 'plaza', its universal significance as a place for people to connect across age, language and culture, to celebrate shared human experiences
  • Each country participating in Expo 2020 Dubai will be able to celebrate their national day, or an 'honour day' during the event.
    Each country participating in Expo 2020 Dubai will be able to celebrate their national day, or an 'honour day' during the event.
  • These will be held at Al Wasl Plaza, against the stunning backdrop of the Al Wasl Dome.
    These will be held at Al Wasl Plaza, against the stunning backdrop of the Al Wasl Dome.
  • Expo 2020 Dubai runs from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
    Expo 2020 Dubai runs from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

Travel

Airlines

Emirates introduces complimentary Expo 2020 Dubai day pass

Those flying to Dubai with the airline between October 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022 will receive a pass to visit the event

Janice Rodrigues
Janice Rodrigues

July 31, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

If you’re booking a flight ticket to Dubai with Emirates, you stand to get a free day pass to visit Expo 2020 Dubai.

The Dubai airline has announced that it will be giving complimentary day passes to passengers who book tickets between October 1 and March 31, 2022. One free pass will be provided for each person per booking, with the person able to choose the day they want to experience the event.

Those who are in transit will also be able to avail the offer. “Just passing through? If your connection in Dubai is more than six hours, you can still claim a free Expo 2020 day pass,” Emirates' website said.

To claim the free pass, passengers have to enter their details on the website, with the tickets emailed to them. In case flights get cancelled or dates get changed, the day pass will no longer be valid, and passengers will have to claim a new one by entering new flight details.

A single-entry ticket to Expo 2020 Dubai will cost Dh95 while a six-month pass is Dh495. A multi-entry month-long pass is also available for Dh195.

Those under the age of 18 and people with disabilities are free to enter, while the main carer or person accompanying them will be granted a 50 per cent discount.

Visitors aged 60 and over, students with a valid identity card from any academic institution in the world can also get in free.

Expo 2020 Dubai was initially set to get under way in October 2020, only to be delayed for a year owing to the coronavirus pandemic, although it has maintained its name.

The Expo 2020 Dubai site will be open daily. The opening hours are 10am to midnight, Saturday to Wednesday, and 10am to 2am, Thursday and Friday. Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory for visitor entry but is recommended. All Expo staff will be immunised and masks must be worn throughout the venue.

Sanitisation will be conducted frequently and hand sanitiser stations will be installed.

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

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
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

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Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world

New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.

The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.

Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.

“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.

"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."

WHEN TO GO:

September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.

WHERE TO STAY:

Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.

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Spec%20sheet
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7%22%20Retina%20HD%2C%201334%20x%20750%2C%20625%20nits%2C%201400%3A1%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EChip%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20A15%20Bionic%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%204-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%2C%20f%2F1.8%2C%205x%20digital%20zoom%2C%20Smart%20HDR%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%2B%40%2024%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full%20HD%2B%40%2030%2F60fps%2C%20HD%2B%40%2030%20fps%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFront%20camera%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7MP%2C%20f%2F2.2%2C%20Smart%20HDR%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%3B%20HD%20video%2B%40%2030fps%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%2015%20hours%20video%2C%2050%20hours%20audio%3B%2050%25%20fast%20charge%20in%2030%20minutes%20with%2020W%20charger%3B%20wireless%20charging%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Touch%20ID%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP67%2C%20dust%2C%20water%20resistant%20up%20to%201m%20for%2030%20minutes%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1%2C849%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dubai World Cup prize money

Group 1 (Purebred Arabian) 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic - $750,000
Group 2 1,600m(Dirt) Godolphin Mile - $750,000
Group 2 3,200m (Turf) Dubai Gold Cup – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Turf) Al Quoz Sprint – $1,000,000
Group 2 1,900m(Dirt) UAE Derby – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Dirt) Dubai Golden Shaheen – $1,500,000
Group 1 1,800m (Turf) Dubai Turf –  $4,000,000
Group 1 2,410m (Turf) Dubai Sheema Classic – $5,000,000
Group 1 2,000m (Dirt) Dubai World Cup– $12,000,000

Simran

Director Hansal Mehta

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey

Three stars

COMPANY PROFILE

● Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

● No of employees: Nine

The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

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

Updated: August 01, 2021, 7:55 AM
Dubai AirportDubaiExpo 2020 Dubai