Delighted parents shared a double celebration in the early hours of Thursday as the first new babies arrived across the country on Eid Al Fitr.
At Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, Emirati couple Nasser Rashed Alkaabi and Wadhha Ali Mohammed were among the first to welcome a new family addition, a daughter, early on Thursday.
"We knew that the delivery would be happening around the Eid celebrations," Mr Alkaabi said.
“But we never expected she would arrive on the Eid Al Fitr day to add to our joy.
“We are truly blessed and will cherish this happiness forever.”
Baby Mousa weighed a healthy 2.45kg.
I can't express my happiness in words
Meanwhile, Zyad Salovm and Viorika Petryshena were also celebrating with a new baby boy at the same hospital.
Daniel was born on the stroke of midnight, weighing 2.77kg, and is the couple's fourth child.
"We have been longing for the arrival of our baby since Viorika became pregnant," Mr Salovm said.
As healthcare staff across the country marked another International Nurses Day, mums-to-be were being prepared for delivery just a few hours later.
Dr Sausan Abdul Rahman, a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at Burjeel Hospital, said delivering babies at the time of a religious celebration was always an extra special occasion for staff.
“The birth of a child always brings joy and happiness,” he said.
“We wish the baby and parents the best and a happy and healthy life.”
At NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah, Dalia Imam gave birth to her fourth child.
The baby girl arrived at 1.27am to the delight of her parents, who are from the Dominican Republic.
"Our hearts are fuller for God's grace and what an auspicious day to celebrate her birth," said father Tariq Redwan, an investor.
“She has given us a reason to smile and a blessing to cherish.”
Thrilled Indian parents Deepti Kumar and her husband Rajesh Kumar, an electrical engineer, celebrated the birth of their second child, a baby girl in the early hours of Eid Al Fitr.
"We are very thrilled and relieved for the safe delivery of our baby girl. Our experience has been smooth and the staff were very kind," Ms Kumar said.
Over at Aster Hospital in Qusais, Rubeena Laeeq, from Mumbai in India, delivered a baby girl weighing in at 3.05kg.
The child arrived at 3.29am to delight her parents.
“I can’t express my happiness in words,” said new father Faizy Khan, also from Mumbai.
“This is the most precious gift from God. Alhamdulillah on the day of Eid.”
At RAK Hospital, Jordanian couple Saed Khursheed and Alaa Abu Hejleh welcomed their baby girl Masa Saed Khursheed at 2.24am in Ras Al Khaimah.
Baby Masa weighed 3.31kg and is the couple's third child.
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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.
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
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
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