• Commuters will pass through a row of smart gates when entering the new metro stations which will connect passengers to the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Wam
    Commuters will pass through a row of smart gates when entering the new metro stations which will connect passengers to the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Wam
  • A look inside the Expo 2020 station. Wam
    A look inside the Expo 2020 station. Wam
  • The Roads and Transport Authority says once open to commuters, Jumeirah Golf Estates station will be the largest on the Dubai Metro network. Wam
    The Roads and Transport Authority says once open to commuters, Jumeirah Golf Estates station will be the largest on the Dubai Metro network. Wam
  • 40 retail outlets and five sales kiosks will be spread across all seven stations. Wam
    40 retail outlets and five sales kiosks will be spread across all seven stations. Wam
  • A view of the new Discovery Gardens metro station in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A view of the new Discovery Gardens metro station in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Seven new stations along the Route 2020 line boast a fresh, streamline interior and will be able to accommodate up to 125,000 riders a day by 2021. Pawan Singh / The National
    Seven new stations along the Route 2020 line boast a fresh, streamline interior and will be able to accommodate up to 125,000 riders a day by 2021. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Fifty trains will serve passengers across the new 15km line which includes both overground and underground stations. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fifty trains will serve passengers across the new 15km line which includes both overground and underground stations. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Workers attend to the exterior of one of the stations during the under construction phase. It took 80 million hours to complete the work on the new Dubai Metro line. Pawan Singh / The National
    Workers attend to the exterior of one of the stations during the under construction phase. It took 80 million hours to complete the work on the new Dubai Metro line. Pawan Singh / The National

First look inside Dubai Metro's futuristic new Route 2020 stations


Kelly Clarke
  • English
  • Arabic

UAE residents have been given a look inside the sprawling new Route 2020 stations which will soon open along the Dubai Metro network.

The Expo 2020 line, which spans 15 kilometres, connects seven new stations on the popular public transport network.

An extension of the existing Red Line, commuters will have direct access to the Dubai South site and other areas of the emirate.

On Monday, the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai shared pictures from inside the stations.

The spacious interior will accommodate up to 125,000 commuters per day in 2021.

The seven stations on the route include Jebel Ali Station; The Gardens Station; Discovery Gardens Station; Al Furjan Station; Jumeirah Golf Estates Station; Dubai Investment Park Station and Expo Station.

Once open, Jumeirah Golf Estates station will be the biggest along the Dubai Metro network and will stretch 226 metres.

The authority invited businesses to make use of the retail space inside the stations, which includes 40 outlets and five sales kiosks.

The Dh11 billion project, which runs from Jebel Ali Station direct to the Expo 2020 site, was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in July.

Fifty trains will serve passengers across the seven stations including one interchange with the red line, one flagship station at the Expo 2020 Dubai site as well as three elevated and two underground stations.

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

While you're here
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl

Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: Dh99,000

On sale: now

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet

If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).

Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
​​​​​​​Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books

THE BIO:

Sabri Razouk, 74

Athlete and fitness trainer 

Married, father of six

Favourite exercise: Bench press

Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn

Power drink: A glass of yoghurt

Role model: Any good man

Notable Yas events in 2017/18

October 13-14 KartZone (complimentary trials)

December 14-16 The Gulf 12 Hours Endurance race

March 5 Yas Marina Circuit Karting Enduro event

March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge

Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier

Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August

 

Group A

Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar

Group B

UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

 

UAE group fixtures

Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran

Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait

Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi

 

UAE squad

Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed