Watch: Five people rescued as 4x4s swept away in Sharjah flash floods


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Five people were rescued after four cars were swept away in flash floods in Sharjah on Monday as heavy rain lashed the northern emirates.

Dramatic footage of the incident was widely shared on social media.

It shows the 4x4 cars being pushed down Wadi Shees by the fierce waters.

Sharjah Police came to the aid of the group who were left stranded in the wadi.

“The forcefully rushing waters of the valley swept their vehicles away,” said Sharjah Police in a statement.

“The rescue teams got them out of the wadi without injuries.”

Police urged members of the public to avoid wadis during hazardous weather.

Heavy rain was reported on Monday over Khor Fakkan and Wadi Shees in Sharjah and light to moderate rain over Wadi Al Ejili in Ras Al Khaimah, Masafi in Fujairah and Al Rafisah Dam in Sharjah.

The National Centre of Meteorology said that more rainfall is expected in some eastern and northern parts of the country in the coming days.

“Heavy to moderate rain is expected over some eastern areas such as Masafi and Khor Fakkan from Tuesday until Thursday and might reach some areas in Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain,” said Alya Al Hantoobi, an NCM forecaster.

Flash flooding is common in northern parts of the Emirates and police always advise residents not to drive near wadis during treacherous weather.

Ali Al Shammari, founder of volunteer group UAE Rescue, said that irresponsible acts can lead to accidents and sometimes deaths.

“We always tell people to avoid wadis and dangerous places during the rainfall as water can come down suddenly from the mountains and fill the wadis in only few second,” he said.

“If people wish to observe the rain they should do that from high and safe places to avoid accidents and deaths caused by flash floods.”

Fair to partly cloudy weather will persist across the country for the rest of the week. Light to moderate winds will pick up dust and reduce visibility in some areas.

Morning fog will persist as humidity will remain high overnight.

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50 of the best images of the UAE under fog

  • Reem Island in Abu Dhabi is covered in 2018. Emmanuel Samoglou / The National
    Reem Island in Abu Dhabi is covered in 2018. Emmanuel Samoglou / The National
  • Miguel Angel Jimenez and other golfers on the fog covered range at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2011. Mike Young / The National
    Miguel Angel Jimenez and other golfers on the fog covered range at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2011. Mike Young / The National
  • Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
    Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Towers in Dubai Media City during the early morning fog in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
    Towers in Dubai Media City during the early morning fog in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Fairmont Marina peeks through the fog on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, on a sunny morning. Victor Besa / The National
    The Fairmont Marina peeks through the fog on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, on a sunny morning. Victor Besa / The National
  • Morning fog descends over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
    Morning fog descends over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
  • The ground below is swallowed up by fog in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The ground below is swallowed up by fog in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Only the tallest buildings in Dubai sometimes escape the blanket. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Only the tallest buildings in Dubai sometimes escape the blanket. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Window cleaners work on Al Ain Tower with view of Etihad Towers in the background in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi. Erica ElKhershi / The National
    Window cleaners work on Al Ain Tower with view of Etihad Towers in the background in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi. Erica ElKhershi / The National
  • A variety of light captured during fog in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National
    A variety of light captured during fog in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National
  • A fisherman on a misty morning in 2016. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    A fisherman on a misty morning in 2016. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
  • Morning fog burns off near Electra Street in Abu Dhabi on December 31, 2008. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    Morning fog burns off near Electra Street in Abu Dhabi on December 31, 2008. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
  • Fog in Abu Dhabi seen from The Gate Towers on Reem Island in 2015. Irene García León for The National
    Fog in Abu Dhabi seen from The Gate Towers on Reem Island in 2015. Irene García León for The National
  • A light fog covers the Dubai skyline in 2015. Sarah Dea / The National
    A light fog covers the Dubai skyline in 2015. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Cars drive through the morning fog on 24th street in Abu Dhabi in 2009. Galen Clarke / The National
    Cars drive through the morning fog on 24th street in Abu Dhabi in 2009. Galen Clarke / The National
  • Gate Towers on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island in 2013. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Gate Towers on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island in 2013. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • Fog over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
    Fog over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Sheikh Zayed bridge engulfed in fog in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National.
    Sheikh Zayed bridge engulfed in fog in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National.
  • Abu Dhabi city on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Abu Dhabi city on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Fog in the city of Abu Dhabi on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Fog in the city of Abu Dhabi on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The UAE flag stands in the clear against a misty backdrop in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The UAE flag stands in the clear against a misty backdrop in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A lady takes her morning walk amid the fog at the Khalifa City A in 2018. Victor Besa / The National
    A lady takes her morning walk amid the fog at the Khalifa City A in 2018. Victor Besa / The National
  • Fog engulfed with high humidity in Abu Dhabi. Rajesh Korde / The National
    Fog engulfed with high humidity in Abu Dhabi. Rajesh Korde / The National
  • The Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A man goes for an early morning cycle as fog covers Dubai on September 21, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A man goes for an early morning cycle as fog covers Dubai on September 21, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Misty conditions around JBR in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National
    Misty conditions around JBR in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National
  • A worker walks through Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A worker walks through Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Fog over Dubai Marina. Courtesy Ollie Maher
    Fog over Dubai Marina. Courtesy Ollie Maher
  • Towers in JLT in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
    Towers in JLT in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Cars emerge from early morning fog on Muroor Road in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Cars emerge from early morning fog on Muroor Road in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Dense fog blankets the Abu Dhabi skyline with Etihad Towers visible. Erica ElKhershi / The National
    Dense fog blankets the Abu Dhabi skyline with Etihad Towers visible. Erica ElKhershi / The National
  • Workers during early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Workers during early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
    Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The sun tries to break through a foggy sky in Dubai. Rajesh Korde / The National
    The sun tries to break through a foggy sky in Dubai. Rajesh Korde / The National
  • The Corniche in Abu Dhabi in February 2018. Victor Besa / The National
    The Corniche in Abu Dhabi in February 2018. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Dubai high rises peek out above the fog. Sarah Dea / The National
    The Dubai high rises peek out above the fog. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Fog hovers in Ras Al Khaimah. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
    Fog hovers in Ras Al Khaimah. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
  • A gloomy start to a day in Abu Dhabi in 2013. Delores Johnson / The National
    A gloomy start to a day in Abu Dhabi in 2013. Delores Johnson / The National
  • A morning fog rolls in over Abu Dhabi at the public beach in Al Bateen on October 28, 2009. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    A morning fog rolls in over Abu Dhabi at the public beach in Al Bateen on October 28, 2009. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
  • Buildings on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi wrapped in fog in 2013. Brian Kerrigan / The National
    Buildings on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi wrapped in fog in 2013. Brian Kerrigan / The National
  • Thick morning fog over Dubai Marina. Mark Asquith / The National
    Thick morning fog over Dubai Marina. Mark Asquith / The National
  • Early morning fog around the Dubai Marina area. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Early morning fog around the Dubai Marina area. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dubai Marina has almost vanished in the fog with just the walkway visible in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
    Dubai Marina has almost vanished in the fog with just the walkway visible in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
  • Dubai Marina in a mix of sunshine and fog in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
    Dubai Marina in a mix of sunshine and fog in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
  • Fog reported in areas of Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Al Dhafra on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fog reported in areas of Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Al Dhafra on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The seaside takes on a calm serenity in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
    The seaside takes on a calm serenity in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Fog during the morning in the Tecom area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fog during the morning in the Tecom area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Reem Island's Gate Towers stand tall above the cloud line in Abu Dhabi. Thamer Al Subaihi / The National
    Reem Island's Gate Towers stand tall above the cloud line in Abu Dhabi. Thamer Al Subaihi / The National
  • Despite heavy fog in Abu Dhabi, a woman spends the morning along the shore in January 2011. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    Despite heavy fog in Abu Dhabi, a woman spends the morning along the shore in January 2011. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
While you're here
UAE cricketers abroad

Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.

Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.

Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.

MATCH INFO

Aston Villa 1 (Konsa 63')

Sheffield United 0

Red card: Jon Egan (Sheffield United)

 

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

While you're here

Michael Young: Where is Lebanon headed?

Kareem Shaheen: I owe everything to Beirut

Raghida Dergham: We have to bounce back

The Africa Institute 101

Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction. 

South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate 

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ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon

For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.

Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34

Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
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Company Profile

Name: JustClean

Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries

Launch year: 2016

Number of employees: 130

Sector: online laundry service

Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding

Under-21 European Championship Final

Germany 1 Spain 0
Weiser (40')

Scores

Oman 109-3 in 18.4 overs (Aqib Ilyas 45 not out, Aamir Kaleem 27) beat UAE 108-9 in 20 overs (Usman 27, Mustafa 24, Fayyaz 3-16, Bilal 3-23)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Hani%20Abu%20Ghazaleh%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20with%20an%20office%20in%20Montreal%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%202018%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Virtual%20Reality%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%241.2%20million%2C%20and%20nearing%20close%20of%20%245%20million%20new%20funding%20round%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.

Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.

Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.

Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.