LIVE: Sultan Al Neyadi's mission to space
Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi will clamber through the hatch of the International Space Station on Friday after a rocket blast-off that enthralled the Arab world.
The SpaceX Dragon capsule is due to dock at 10.17am UAE time following a 24-hour journey to deliver four astronauts to their new home for six months.
After checks are completed, they will be welcomed by the existing crew of seven shortly before midday — and begin their tour of duty 400km above Earth.
On Thursday, the Falcon 9 rocket carrying their detachable spacecraft took off right on time after a last-minute postponement on Monday.
“Thank God, we made it to space. The launch was incredible,” father-of-five Dr Al Neyadi, 41, said in a message broadcast back to Earth.
Dr Al Neyadi is the second Emirati to travel into space, following Hazza Al Mansouri's eight-day stay on the ISS in 2019.
“I would like to say thanks to everybody, my parents, my family, our leadership, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre for their trust and everyone who trained us got us ready for this launch,” he said.
“The launch was incredible. And, lastly, thanks to Nasa and SpaceX. Go Dragon and go SpaceX.”
President Sheikh Mohamed said the communications engineer was a source of “great pride”.
“I join the nation in congratulating Sultan Al Neyadi as he begins his pioneering mission aboard the International Space Station”, Sheikh Mohamed said.
“His inspiring achievement is a source of great pride to the UAE and another milestone in the journey of our nation and the ambitions of our people.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said Dr Al Neyadi was a true “son of the Emirates”.
Dr Al Neyadi carried a stuffed toy, named Suhail, as the zero-gravity indicator on to the capsule.
“And allow me to introduce you to the fifth crew member. His name is Suhail,” Dr Al Neyadi said in his message shortly after take-off.
“This is the second flight for Suhail because it flew with Hazza Al Mansouri in 2019. Many people think Suhail is an alien but to me, he is from Earth, in a spacesuit — with high ambitions.
“Thank you once again and talk to you from the ISS.”
The Crew-6 astronauts made it to space during a second launch attempt by Space and Nasa, after the first one on February 27 failed owning to a technical issue on the rocket.
Farewell to loved ones
Dr Al Neyadi had bid a public farewell to his children during the first launch attempt, after appearing from the crew quarters in his SpaceX pressure suit.
He waved to his sons and daughter before boarding a Tesla, which took him to the launch pad.
Dr Al Neyadi's father, Saif Al Neyadi, and his brothers and cousins were also in Florida to watch the launch.
They met with him several days before the launch, but had to keep their distance, as he had to remain in isolation.
Dr Al Neyadi will be carrying out 19 science experiments for various UAE universities and will be taking part in more than 200 experiments assigned by Nasa.
He will also be doing maintenance work on the ISS, including a possible spacewalk.
One of the experiments involves studying heart cells in microgravity and being able to watch the tissue ‘beating in space’.
Science work
“This is something like a cutting edge technology that one day, when we start 3D printing organs, this is really important to see how the structure is built in microgravity,” Dr Al Neyadi said when he arrived in Florida.
“So this can give us a really good insight how these tissues are built.”
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, said on Twitter: “We have determination and will to expand the boundaries of knowledge and develop space technology stemming from the belief of the United Arab Emirates in the importance of space exploration.
“We are proud of the progress made by the Emirati astronauts in this historic and exceptional mission, and we eagerly await their arrival and learn about the developments of their journey.”
The trip to space for Dr Al Neyadi comes after five years of rigorous training around the world.
He was the first of two astronauts chosen by the UAE in 2018, alongside Hazza Al Mansouri, who became the first Emirati in space the following year.
Dr Al Neyadi has trained in Russia, parts of Europe, Canada and completed Nasa’s basic training programme in Houston and did mission-specific training for this trip.
He has learnt to speak Russian, spent hours daily in space simulators to familiarise his body with the effects of microgravity, trained to fly supersonic jets and completed spacewalk training.
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
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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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What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
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1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
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Results
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Reem Baynounah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Afham, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle
7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Haqeeqy, Dane O’Neill, John Hyde.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.