Fire crews tackle explosion at Abu Dhabi gas plant

Emergency services battled a fire in the Al Mafraq industrial area of Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning following a gas cylinder explosion.

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence responded to reports of a fire at a gas plant in the area.

Investigations are now under way as to the cause of the explosion.

No injuries were reported.

Earlier this month, firefighters tackled a blaze in Dubai's Barsha Heights that caused extensive damage to a residential tower.

Videos taken by people living nearby showed that the roof of a mid-rise residential building had caught fire.

The fire appeared to be on the top floor and roof area of Al Meer Tower, next to the Ramee Rose Hotel.

Dubai Media Office said the tower was evacuated before the blaze took hold, with no injuries reported.

Barsha Heights fire: in pictures

Residents spoke of the panic they experienced when their building went ablaze on Wednesday evening. Patrick Ryan/ The National
The damage to the facade of the tower was extensive. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The blackened exterior of the damaged building. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Fire crews tackle a blaze at a building in the Barsha Heights district of Dubai. Photo: Dubai Civil Defence
This image shows the extent of the damage to Al Meer tower in Barsha Heights. Photo: Dubai Civil Defence
The fire started shortly before 9pm on Wednesday. Photo: Dubai Media Office
The fire appeared to be on the top floor and roof area of the building.
The flames quickly spread down the exterior of the building.

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The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

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Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

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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Types of bank fraud

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The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.

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Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.

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Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.

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Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.

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Fire crews tackle explosion at Abu Dhabi gas plant

Emergency services respond to incident in Al Mafraq on Saturday morning

Barsha Heights fire: in pictures

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if you go

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

While you're here

While you're here

While you're here

On Women's Day

Army of the Dead

Types of bank fraud

THE SPECS

Groom and Two Brides

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