• Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa for the New Year 2020 celebration at Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa for the New Year 2020 celebration at Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Fireworks illuminate the sky around Burj Khalifa. EPA
    Fireworks illuminate the sky around Burj Khalifa. EPA
  • Burj Khalifa is prepared for the fireworks of New Year 2020 celebrations. EPA
    Burj Khalifa is prepared for the fireworks of New Year 2020 celebrations. EPA
  • People have their photos taken at the Tim Hortons café outside the Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National
    People have their photos taken at the Tim Hortons café outside the Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People gather near to Burj Khalifa prior to the fireworks of New Year's eve. EPA
    People gather near to Burj Khalifa prior to the fireworks of New Year's eve. EPA
  • Sky divers with special lights flies over Burj Khalifa. EPA
    Sky divers with special lights flies over Burj Khalifa. EPA
  • Light decoration around Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National
    Light decoration around Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Bruno Mars kept it fun and slick at the du Arena in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Flash Entertainment
    Bruno Mars kept it fun and slick at the du Arena in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Flash Entertainment
  • NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National
    NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National
  • NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • DJ Aboud Rogeh rocks the house down at the NYE celebrations at Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National
    DJ Aboud Rogeh rocks the house down at the NYE celebrations at Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National
  • NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National
    NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National
  • Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • People at the beach. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    People at the beach. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Street entertainers at the beach in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Street entertainers at the beach in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • People arrive at the beach in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    People arrive at the beach in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP
    New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP
  • New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP
    New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP
  • New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP
    New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP

Dubai Police to send 4,000 officers to keep revellers safe on New Year's Eve


  • English
  • Arabic

About 4,000 Dubai Police officers will ensure the safety of New Year's Eve revellers across the emirate on Thursday.

Officers will be stationed at 23 main locations where celebrations are being held.

At least 2,000 patrol cars will roam the streets and 200 security points will be set up across the city.

Police said they would use artificial intelligence to monitor the temperatures of people attending the celebrations.

Thousands of Dubai Police officers will be stationed across the emirate for New Year's Eve. Pawan Singh / The National
Thousands of Dubai Police officers will be stationed across the emirate for New Year's Eve. Pawan Singh / The National

The increased police presence is part of a plan to manage traffic, enforce Covid-19 safety precautions and ensure the health and safety of people ringing in the New Year.

Three field hospitals will be set up across the emirate in case anyone is in need of medical care, Dubai Health Authority said.

About 50 doctors and nurses will be on call, with 10 support staff members ready to help.

On Sunday, Dubai Civil Defence and the emirate's Roads and Transport Authority shared a comprehensive plan to manage traffic and ensure compliance with safety measures.

Roads near Burj Khalifa will close from 4pm on Thursday to prevent congestion and public transport schedules will be expanded to cater for crowds.

Maj Gen Rashid Al Matroushi, director general of Dubai Civil Defence, said more than 585 officers would be stationed around the emirate on New Year's Eve.

Gen Al Matroushi said 21 civil defence stations would be set up near celebration sites with 71 fire and rescue vehicles on hand.

At least 122 ambulance stations will be open across the emirate, with 78 emergency stations near popular areas.

Another 200 ambulances will be at celebration sites with about 700 paramedics and other medical staff on duty.

Ambulances and medical stations will be routinely disinfected to ensure compliance with Covid-19 safety measures.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile

Started: 2016

Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel 

Based: Ramallah, Palestine

Sector: Technology, Security

# of staff: 13

Investment: $745,000

Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors

Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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

RESULTS

1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner: Dirilis Ertugrul, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer)
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: Kidd Malibu, Sandro Paiva, Musabah Al Muhairi
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
Winner: Raakezz, Tadhg O’Shea, Nicholas Bachalard
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
Winner: Au Couer, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
Winner: Rayig, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
Winner: King’s Shadow, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

What is graphene?

Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.

It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.

It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.

It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.

Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.

The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.

SERIE A FIXTURES

Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)

Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),

Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),

Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)

Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm) 

Benevento v Napoli (6pm) 

Parma v Spezia (6pm)

 Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)

Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)

Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)

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 Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

Tips for SMEs to cope
  • Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
  • Make sure you have an online presence
  • Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
  • Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
    Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
THE BIO:

Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.

Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.

Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.

Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.