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
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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 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 -

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 -

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 -

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
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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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
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