• Strawberry Moon seen between the Etihad towers, Grand Hyatt Hotel & Bab Al Qasr structures in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Strawberry Moon seen between the Etihad towers, Grand Hyatt Hotel & Bab Al Qasr structures in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Native American tribes in the 1930s called it a "Strawberry Moon" because the event coincided with strawberry harvesting season. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Native American tribes in the 1930s called it a "Strawberry Moon" because the event coincided with strawberry harvesting season. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The Strawberry Moon rises by Business Central Towers in Dubai. This is the last supermoon of the year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Strawberry Moon rises by Business Central Towers in Dubai. This is the last supermoon of the year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A supermoon occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit and appears larger than normal. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A supermoon occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit and appears larger than normal. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • This will be the last supermoon of the year. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    This will be the last supermoon of the year. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Strawberry supermoon rising. EPA/ALI HAIDER
    Strawberry supermoon rising. EPA/ALI HAIDER

Last supermoon of the year brightens UAE skies


Salam Al Amir
  • English
  • Arabic

Stargazers and amateur astronomers were treated to brilliant supermoon display in the skies of the UAE on Thursday night.

The last of the year, it appeared bigger and brighter than other full moons because it orbited closer to Earth.

Called the "strawberry moon", it does not actually appear to be pink.

Instead the annual event got its name from native Americans who noted its appearance at the start of strawberry harvesting season.

This was the third supermoon of the year. The first was in April and appeared 7 per cent bigger and 14 per cent brighter than a regular moon.

The second appeared in May and was the biggest and brightest one of the year.

Other coming astronomical events in the UAE include the Perseid meteor shower in August, the Leonid meteor shower in November and the Geminid meteor shower in December.

In pictures: astronauts take a six hour space walk outside the International Space Station

  • French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, left, of the European Space Agency is attached to a foot restraint while installing new solar panels on the International Space Station, with US astronaut Shane Kimbrough. AFP
    French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, left, of the European Space Agency is attached to a foot restraint while installing new solar panels on the International Space Station, with US astronaut Shane Kimbrough. AFP
  • The astronauts installed the panels in a six-hour spacewalk on Sunday, 20 June. AP Photo
    The astronauts installed the panels in a six-hour spacewalk on Sunday, 20 June. AP Photo
  • The pair attached, positioned and deployed six new-generation panels, known as Roll-Out Solar Array, or iROSA. AP Photo
    The pair attached, positioned and deployed six new-generation panels, known as Roll-Out Solar Array, or iROSA. AP Photo
  • Once installed, the panels unrolled over a 10-minute period. Watching them unfurl, Thomas Pesquet described the process as 'beautiful'. AP Photo
    Once installed, the panels unrolled over a 10-minute period. Watching them unfurl, Thomas Pesquet described the process as 'beautiful'. AP Photo
  • A sideview of the newly installed solar panels seen from US astronaut Shane Kimbrough's helmet camera. Five more rollout panels have still to be installed. AFP
    A sideview of the newly installed solar panels seen from US astronaut Shane Kimbrough's helmet camera. Five more rollout panels have still to be installed. AFP
  • US astronaut Shane Kimbrough seen from ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet's helmet camera, fixing bolts on the new solar panels. AFP
    US astronaut Shane Kimbrough seen from ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet's helmet camera, fixing bolts on the new solar panels. AFP
  • A view of Shane Kimbrough, left, and Thomas Pesquet, at work shows the scale of the iROSA solar panels. AFP
    A view of Shane Kimbrough, left, and Thomas Pesquet, at work shows the scale of the iROSA solar panels. AFP
  • Thomas Pesquet uses a space drill while installing the new solar panels. Parts of the ageing International Space Station date from 1998, and the panels with boost energy supplies. AFP
    Thomas Pesquet uses a space drill while installing the new solar panels. Parts of the ageing International Space Station date from 1998, and the panels with boost energy supplies. AFP
  • Shane Kimbrough seen from Thomas Pesquet's helmet camera during unfolding and alignment of the solar panel. The 19-metre panels should have a 15-year lifespan. AFP
    Shane Kimbrough seen from Thomas Pesquet's helmet camera during unfolding and alignment of the solar panel. The 19-metre panels should have a 15-year lifespan. AFP
  • The Earth provides a dramatic backdrop to the newly installed solar panels on the International Space Station. AFP
    The Earth provides a dramatic backdrop to the newly installed solar panels on the International Space Station. AFP
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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%3Cp%3EVara%20will%20cater%20to%20three%20categories%20of%20companies%20in%20Dubai%20(except%20the%20DIFC)%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20A%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Minimum%20viable%20product%20(MVP)%20applicants%20that%20are%20currently%20in%20the%20process%20of%20securing%20an%20MVP%20licence%3A%20This%20is%20a%20three-stage%20process%20starting%20with%20%5B1%5D%20a%20provisional%20permit%2C%20graduating%20to%20%5B2%5D%20preparatory%20licence%20and%20concluding%20with%20%5B3%5D%20operational%20licence.%20Applicants%20that%20are%20already%20in%20the%20MVP%20process%20will%20be%20advised%20by%20Vara%20to%20either%20continue%20within%20the%20MVP%20framework%20or%20be%20transitioned%20to%20the%20full%20market%20product%20licensing%20process.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20B%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Existing%20legacy%20virtual%20asset%20service%20providers%20prior%20to%20February%207%2C%202023%2C%20which%20are%20required%20to%20come%20under%20Vara%20supervision.%20All%20operating%20service%20proviers%20in%20Dubai%20(excluding%20the%20DIFC)%20fall%20under%20Vara%E2%80%99s%20supervision.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20C%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20New%20applicants%20seeking%20a%20Vara%20licence%20or%20existing%20applicants%20adding%20new%20activities.%20All%20applicants%20that%20do%20not%20fall%20under%20Category%20A%20or%20B%20can%20begin%20the%20application%20process%20through%20their%20current%20or%20prospective%20commercial%20licensor%20%E2%80%94%20the%20DET%20or%20Free%20Zone%20Authority%20%E2%80%94%20or%20directly%20through%20Vara%20in%20the%20instance%20that%20they%20have%20yet%20to%20determine%20the%20commercial%20operating%20zone%20in%20Dubai.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km

Price: from Dh94,900

On sale: now

In%20the%20Land%20of%20Saints%20and%20Sinners
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERobert%20Lorenz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Liam%20Neeson%2C%20Kerry%20Condon%2C%20Jack%20Gleeson%2C%20Ciaran%20Hinds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

 

 

Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Glossary of a stock market revolution

Reddit

A discussion website

Redditor

The users of Reddit

Robinhood

A smartphone app for buying and selling shares

Short seller

Selling a stock today in the belief its price will fall in the future

Short squeeze

Traders forced to buy a stock they are shorting 

Naked short

An illegal practice  

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

THE LOWDOWN

Photograph

Rating: 4/5

Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies

Director: Ritesh Batra

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz

Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eamana%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karim%20Farra%20and%20Ziad%20Aboujeb%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERegulator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDFSA%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinancial%20services%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E85%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESelf-funded%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Blah

Started: 2018

Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and talent management

Initial investment: Dh20,000

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 40