Tanzanian football fan Thani Alghafry has won more than Dh11,000 ($2,995) in prize money after shedding a third of his body weight in a get-fit challenge staged by RAK Hospital, in Ras Al Khaimah.
Weighing in at 110kg, the 42-year-old office worker was inspired to get in shape after seeing others slim down in a previous anti-obesity drive overseen by the hospital.
Just two months after starting a diet of fruit, vegetables and water — paired with three hours of exercise a day — Mr Alghafry now tips the scales at 73kg.
My office is on the 28th floor, so taking the stairs each day helped me to lose weight
Thani Alghafry
Losing 37kg won Mr Alghafry top prize in RAK Hospital’s annual weight loss challenge.
The challenge sets out to inspire people to live a healthier life and avoid obesity associated problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
“It is not easy to lose this amount of weight unless you are committed,” said Mr Alghafry, who is married and has a 19-year-old daughter. He lives in Al Qusais in Dubai.
“I have always exercised, but never to the extent of the past two months.
“It was three times a day, for an hour each time without a rest day, and I ate mainly fruit and vegetables, with only occasional fish, meat and rice.
“I would ride for an hour every day at home on my static exercise bike, and also skip for 500 rotations on four or six occasions each day, depending on how I was feeling.”
During the challenge he would have green tea and a boiled egg for breakfast, and then watermelon and an apple for lunch.
In the evening he ate cooked vegetables most nights and cut out oily and sweet foods with sugar, while drinking two litres of water every day.
The one downside of losing so much weight is that few of Mr Alghafry's old clothes now fit him. The cash prize, however, will help him splash out on a new wardrobe.
“My office in Dubai Tower in Nasser Square is on the 28th floor, so taking the stairs each day also helped me to lose weight,” said Mr Alghafry, who loves football and supports Manchester City.
“I have shown if you want something badly enough you can do it.
“I used to play football three times a week with a Tanzanian team and it was hard work.
“Now, I can run harder and faster than before.”
The weight and body mass index of participants were recorded at the beginning of the challenge, with the final weigh-in on March 18 and March 19.
Entrants either visited RAK Hospital or sent weight-loss certificates attested by their local clinics.
In total, contestants in the RAK biggest weight loss challenge lost a combined 576kg in excess weight.
The eight-week challenge began on January 20, and two other men each lost about 34kg.
Better health
Masood Rasheed managed to shed 34.5kg, while Muhammad Antash Ali lost 33.9kg.
In the women’s category, Noha Metwally Ali Allam lost 24.7kg, while Jilsheena Palakka shed an impressive 18.3kg. Third place went to Seham Abdulrahman Al Daher Al Dairi who lost 17.4kg.
In the corporate event category, a team from the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort collectively lost 64kg.
“Obesity is the biggest pandemic of our times and a risk factor leading to various chronic and deadly diseases,” said Dr Raza Siddiqui, executive director of RAK Hospital.
“We think it’s our greatest responsibility to support people, understand the consequences and motivate them to get on a healthier path to build a healthy community.”
Healthy ways to lose weight - in pictures
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
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
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJesse%20Armstrong%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Brian%20Cox%2C%20Jeremy%20Strong%2C%20Kieran%20Culkin%2C%20Sarah%20Snook%2C%20Nicholas%20Braun%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile
Company name: Nestrom
Started: 2017
Co-founders: Yousef Wadi, Kanaan Manasrah and Shadi Shalabi
Based: Jordan
Sector: Technology
Initial investment: Close to $100,000
Investors: Propeller, 500 Startups, Wamda Capital, Agrimatico, Techstars and some angel investors
MATCH INFO
South Africa 66 (Tries: De Allende, Nkosi, Reinach (3), Gelant, Steyn, Brits, Willemse; Cons: Jantjies 8)
Canada 7 (Tries: Heaton; Cons: Nelson)
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
OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday September 12
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Fulham v Arsenal
Liverpool v Leeds United
Tottenham v Everton
West Brom v Leicester
West Ham v Newcastle
Monday September 14
Brighton v Chelsea
Sheffield United v Wolves
To be rescheduled
Burnley v Manchester United
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
