• Al Rashidiya metro station at the southern end of Dubai's Red Line has been renamed Centrepoint, after the department store.
    Al Rashidiya metro station at the southern end of Dubai's Red Line has been renamed Centrepoint, after the department store.
  • The newly named Sobha Realty metro station on the Red Line.
    The newly named Sobha Realty metro station on the Red Line.
  • Al Jafiliya station has been renamed Max Fashion.
    Al Jafiliya station has been renamed Max Fashion.
  • Dubai’s metro system consists of three lines – Red, Green and Route 2020.
    Dubai’s metro system consists of three lines – Red, Green and Route 2020.
  • The Route 2020 stations – Jebel Ali, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Investment Park and Expo 2020 – are more futuristic than the original network.
    The Route 2020 stations – Jebel Ali, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Investment Park and Expo 2020 – are more futuristic than the original network.
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, visits a monitoring suite for the transport network.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, visits a monitoring suite for the transport network.
  • The Red Line starts at Centrepoint station and ends at UAE Exchange. The route has 29 stations – 24 elevated, four underground and one at ground level.
    The Red Line starts at Centrepoint station and ends at UAE Exchange. The route has 29 stations – 24 elevated, four underground and one at ground level.

UAE

Dubai Metro trains to run earlier for Expo 2020 visitors

Trains will run two hours earlier than usual from 8am on Friday, October 1

Nick Webster
Nick Webster
Dubai

September 30, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Changes to the Dubai Metro timetable have been made to cater for extra demand anticipated as Expo 2020 gets under way.

From Friday October 1, all Metro stations will open at 8am, rather than the usual 10am as the world’s fair opens its gates for the first time.

Timetable changes were made by the Roads and Transport Authority on Thursday.

For all lines, from Sunday to Wednesday, Dubai Metro stations will now open at 5am until 1.15am the following day and until 2.15am on Thursday evenings.

On Fridays, all lines will run from 8am until 2.15am and on Saturdays from 5am until 1.15am.

Expo 2020 Dubai is open seven days a week, with gates opening from 10am to midnight on weekdays (Sunday to Wednesday) and 10am to 2am on weekends (Thursday and Friday).

Opening times may change for days when special events are taking place.

Two new stations to service Expo visitors opened on the new Route 2020 of the Metro Red Line in June.

Dubai Investments Park and Expo 2020 metro stations allow trains to shuttle directly from Al Rashidiya metro station, with Jebel Ali station an interchange station for those heading to or coming from UAE Exchange Station – the last stop on the Red Line.

There will also be more than 200 free buses to transport visitors to the Expo site from nine locations across Dubai.

Countdown to Expo 2020 - in pictures

  • Visitors admire the dome at Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Visitors admire the dome at Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The kaleidoscope entrance of the Monaco pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The kaleidoscope entrance of the Monaco pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    The Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
  • Dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • A night view of Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    A night view of Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • An exhibit at the Singapore pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
    An exhibit at the Singapore pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
  • A huge lantern with flashing lights and a friendly panda robot will be crowd pullers for the China pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
    A huge lantern with flashing lights and a friendly panda robot will be crowd pullers for the China pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
  • An exhibition inside Terra - the Sustainability Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site. Courtesy: WAM
    An exhibition inside Terra - the Sustainability Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site. Courtesy: WAM
  • Mission Possible - The Opportunity Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Mission Possible - The Opportunity Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Opportunity Portal, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Opportunity Portal, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • A bird's-eye view of Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    A bird's-eye view of Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Night view of 2020 Plaza and Al Wasl at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Night view of 2020 Plaza and Al Wasl at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Looking up at the 'iris' of Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Looking up at the 'iris' of Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Vistors at the Sustainability Portal, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Vistors at the Sustainability Portal, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

england euro squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Where to buy

Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com

Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)

Match on Bein Sports

The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE

Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000

Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6

Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

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

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

The%20Emperor%20and%20the%20Elephant
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Ottewill-Soulsby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrinceton%20University%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E392%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%2011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt

The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.

500 People from Gaza enter France

115 Special programme for artists

25   Evacuation of injured and sick

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Stage result

1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34

2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe

3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers

4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco

5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo

6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ

7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team

8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma

9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux

10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4

Price, base: Dh145,000

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km

Iraq and the virus
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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

W.
Wael Kfoury
(Rotana)

UAE - India ties

The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China

Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion

The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India

Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015

His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016

Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017

Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25

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Director: Jay Roach

Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie 

Four out of five stars 

Company name: Play:Date

Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day

Founder: Shamim Kassibawi

Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US

Sector: Tech 

Size: 20 employees

Stage of funding: Seed

Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund

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While you're here
Updated: September 30, 2021, 1:54 PM
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