Follow the latest on the earthquake in Turkey
Thousands of volunteers provided a vital helping hand in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on Saturday for people affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Volunteers from all nationalities packed into boxes vital supplies such as dry food, blankets and toothpaste for survivors of the disaster, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Expo City Dubai’s exhibition centre.
The UAE initiative — called “Bridges of Giving” was organised by the Emirates Red Crescent and supported by several other charitable organisations, such as Dubai Cares and Sharjah International Charity.
“I found out about this initiative through the UAE volunteers app, and registered online right away, ” said Nazia Afrin, a student at Abu Dhabi University, who took part in the event in the capital.
“ I then rallied my friends to sign up as well and take part.”
Syrian citizen Reem Al Azem drive down from Dubai, after she couldn't register on Dubai cares website, due to the overwhelming number of volunteer applicants.
“I needed to give back somehow. thankfully, my family is safe as they live closer to Damascus, but we are all feeling the sense of urgency to send out whatever help and aid we can, ” Ms Al Azem said.
Among the volunteers, was a row of tables set up for young students of the British International School Abu Dhabi, who were sending out postcards to the children affected by the earthquake, filled with words of love and encouragement.
“ We are very fortunate that our young students are always keen to support those in need,” said Bisad's principal Liam Cullinan.
“It's part of their DNA.”
Catherine Lester and her eight-year-old daughter Alexandra were filling out many postcard, with Alexandra drawing big red hearts all over.
“As a United Nations employee, I make sure that my daughter understands from a young age, there are many people out there who will always need our help and support,' said Ms Lester.
“Alexandra is quite occupied right now with sending love hearts to them.”
Soon after 10am, the halls were overcrowded by volunteers prompting the ERC to establish a new plan to ensure that every one had a part to play.
“With five large assembly lines in place in one of Adnec's halls, we decided to let 10-15 people work on each line and package about 50 boxes and then leave, to give other volunteers to participate in the packing efforts,” said Hamoud Al Junaibi, ERC's Secretary-General.
Palestinian Rasha Khalil said this volunteer campaign brought back so many memories of the UAE always at the forefront of setting up aid initiatives to give support and aid to those suffering in the region.
Envoys hail UAE support
Dr Hamdan Al Mazrouei, chairman of the board of directors of ERC was seen on the floor of the packaging site, along with Tugay Tuncer, Turkey's Ambassador to the UAE and Syrian charges d’affairs, Ghassan Abbas.
Mr Tuncer thanked the leaders of the UAE and the government have been leading in relief efforts.
“The UAE has done so much from the very first day, and has been one of the very first countries to respond, Today, I witnessed another form of support with all these volunteers, its quite emotional.”
“For Turkey to feel this support its very important.”
Helpers descend on Dubai
Organisers at Expo City Dubai were grateful for the huge outpouring of support.
From 9am, volunteers waited to enter the halls where organisers set up several assembly lines.
Five were dedicated to food and two more for hygiene items and winter clothing. Each box moved down the line, was filled and then stacked on crates. From there they were sent to warehouses before being shipped to Turkey and Syria.
“I feel the pain of the people and I wanted to come,” said Zahida Sattar, one of the volunteers.
“It is a good cause and I brought my daughter to help as well. This will reach the right people at the right time. It is about helping one another.”
Officials plan to send an equal amount to both countries and figures for how many boxes were packed are expected to be announced later.
“It is a very special cause,” said another volunteer, Anu Telikicherla. “It could happen to anyone, anywhere. It is part of humanity to help one another.”
The packing drive was scheduled only for Saturday but over the next two weeks ERC is spearheading a donation campaign to further assist those affected. Members of the public can donate on the ERC website.
“People have come here from the early morning so they are supporting and are giving,” said Rashed Ali Alyammahi, the head of the ERC's fund-raising department. “It is a challenge but we have the manpower. We call on people to help and give. This is the need.”
Other volunteers spoke about how emotionally affected they were at seeing what has happened in Turkey and Syria and how inspiring it was to see volunteers come out.
There was also a corner where children could write messages of solidarity to those affected with notes appearing in Turkish, Arabic and English. “The UAE is praying for you,” stated one, while another went: Hello Syria and Turkey, we are with you, all of the world are with you.”
More than 23,000 people have been killed in Turkey and Syria and rescue efforts are continuing.
Abdulla Al Shehhi, chief operating officer of Dubai Cares, said the response from the UAE community had been “overwhelming” but this was not a surprise.
“The number of registrations for volunteers closed within an hour because of numbers interested,” he said. “We had to open more spots for people to come.”
“It is a huge crisis in two countries. Every day there are new statistics for numbers of missing or dead. This is a real devastation.”
Saturday’s drive was part of the UAE's large response to assist. Authorities have sent field hospitals, dispatched aid and flown expert rescue teams to the affected areas. People were still arriving to help in Dubai hours after the doors opened determined to do whatever they could top assist those most in need.
“I like the whole spirit of Dubai coming together as a community,” said Ms Telikicherla. “This is the least that I can do. My girl goes to an international school, where her best friend is from Turkey. It is our way of giving back.”
Emirati search and rescue teams continue search for earthquake survivors — in pictures
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
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
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Directed: Smeep Kang
Produced: Soham Rockstar Entertainment; SKE Production
Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Jimmy Sheirgill, Sunny Singh, Omkar Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma
Rating: Two out of five stars
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Read more about the coronavirus
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.
More on Quran memorisation:
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.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Secret Nation: The Hidden Armenians of Turkey
Avedis Hadjian, (IB Tauris)
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Genesis G80 2020 5.0-litre Royal Specs
Engine: 5-litre V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 505Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L/100km
Price: Dh260,500
Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
Jawab Iteiqal
Director: Mohamed Sammy
Starring: Mohamed Ramadan, Ayad Nasaar, Mohamed Adel and Sabry Fawaz
2 stars
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%E2%80%98White%20Elephant%E2%80%99
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
New schools in Dubai
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
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