Latest: AR Rahman’s orchestra makes stellar live debut at Expo 2020
There was no doubting the hottest ticket in town this weekend as thousands braved the heat to stand in line for entry to pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Tourists and UAE residents alike made the most of the long weekend by flocking to the Expo site to see what was on show.
Queues were a common sight as visitors waited patiently to be admitted into the pavilions.
Among the biggest queues on Thursday and Friday afternoon were those for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, US, Italy, India and Switzerland pavilions.
“This is actually my second visit to the UAE pavilion,” said Syed Mohammed, 39, a typist from India.
“I came back again because there’s so much to see and it’s all really beautiful.
“The light displays and the big screens are fantastic – it’s definitely worth queuing for.”
One of the most eye-catching queues took the form of a sea of people holding red and white umbrellas outside the Swiss pavilion.
Visitors were each given an umbrella to protect them from the sun as they waited in line.
“The umbrellas are great in this heat,” said Pakistani Kashif Khan, 28, who works in Dubai as a store supervisor.
“I am sad that I can’t keep it as I have to give it back, but it’s a big help.”
Indian students Dushyant Agola and Nishant Detroja, both 21, came on holiday to Dubai to attend the Expo and queued for more than half an hour to see the Saudi Arabia pavilion.
“We are more than happy to wait because it’s such an incredible opportunity to learn about how Saudi Arabia looks to the future, while not forgetting about its ancient history,” said Mr Agola.
His fellow engineering student was equally upbeat about the pavilion, despite having to wait for 30 minutes to get in.
“It was brilliant to see all the displays and how the country has grown,” said Mr Detroja.
Lawyer Amir Amiri, 35, from Iran, decided to queue for the US pavilion after noticing that it seemed popular with visitors.
“I wasn’t expecting to be interested in the US pavilion but when I saw the size of the queue, I wanted to see what the fuss was about,” said Mr Amiri, who was in Dubai on a work trip.
“I’m eager to see all the culture from the different countries here.”
Shamsheer Sharfudden, 27, from India, spent almost 40 minutes waiting to get inside the Indian pavilion.
“It was a big queue and I was waiting for ages – I am not going to lie – but it was worth it,” he said.
“I already know all about the heritage of my home country but it was good to see so many others soaking it up.”
Luz Ortega, 33, from Venezuela used her technical nous to avoid queuing in the heat outside the Italian pavilion.
“I logged on to the Smart Queue online which meant I was able to get inside straight away and avoid waiting outside,” she said.
The Smart Queue system is available to all ticket holders and can be useful for avoiding long queues.
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
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):
Harry Kane, Tottenham, Premier League, 24 goals, 48 points
Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:
- Former first lady Hillary Clinton
- Former US president Barack Obama
- Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
- Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
- Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
- California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
