• A man works on a sculpture made with lemons and oranges for the 90th Lemon Festival in the French Riviera town of Menton, which runs from February 17 to March 3. EPA
    A man works on a sculpture made with lemons and oranges for the 90th Lemon Festival in the French Riviera town of Menton, which runs from February 17 to March 3. EPA
  • Ryk performs Oh Boy at the Eurovision Song Contest - The German Final 2024, in Berlin. The winner will represent Germany at the ESC in Malmö, Sweden. AP
    Ryk performs Oh Boy at the Eurovision Song Contest - The German Final 2024, in Berlin. The winner will represent Germany at the ESC in Malmö, Sweden. AP
  • A family on the beach at sunset near the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip. EPA
    A family on the beach at sunset near the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip. EPA
  • A participant prepares to perform in a drag queen competition during carnival festivities in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Reuters
    A participant prepares to perform in a drag queen competition during carnival festivities in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Reuters
  • Austin Miller comes in third in the pole vault at 5.90 metres during the USATF Indoor Championships at Albuquerque Convention Centre in New Mexico. Reuters
    Austin Miller comes in third in the pole vault at 5.90 metres during the USATF Indoor Championships at Albuquerque Convention Centre in New Mexico. Reuters
  • A drone view shows water lettuce covering the Vaal River and impairing the water's quality, lowering oxygen levels at the Luciana Country Estate, Parys, Free State, South Africa. Reuters
    A drone view shows water lettuce covering the Vaal River and impairing the water's quality, lowering oxygen levels at the Luciana Country Estate, Parys, Free State, South Africa. Reuters
  • Cars damaged and destroyed since the October 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas are stacked on a field near Netivot in southern Israel. Reuters
    Cars damaged and destroyed since the October 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas are stacked on a field near Netivot in southern Israel. Reuters
  • An abstract lantern design installation is captured on camera by a visitor during the Taipei Lantern Festival in Taipei, Taiwan. EPA
    An abstract lantern design installation is captured on camera by a visitor during the Taipei Lantern Festival in Taipei, Taiwan. EPA

Today's best photos: From a French Lemon Festival to a Taipei Lantern Festival


  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Friday's best photos: From Prince Harry sledding to Dune: Part Two premiere

Thursday's best photos: From Biathlon World Championships to the Berlinale Film Festival

Wednesday's best photos: From snow-covered New York to Valentine's Day in Taiwan

Tuesday's best photos: From rapping grannies to Valentine's Day roses

Monday's best photos: From an Italian carnival battle to Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl

Sunday's best photos: From Lunar New Year in London to Carnival in Sao Paulo

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000

Various Artists 
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
​​​​​​​

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes

Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.

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

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
What is 'Soft Power'?

Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye. 
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength. 
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force. 
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

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

Rating: 2.5/5

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Dubai World Cup draw

1. Gunnevera

2. Capezzano

3. North America

4. Audible

5. Seeking The Soul

6. Pavel

7. Gronkowski

8. Axelrod

9. New Trails

10. Yoshida

11. K T Brave

12. Thunder Snow

13. Dolkong 

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Updated: February 17, 2024, 12:06 PM