• Fireworks on the boardwalk at New York's historic Coney Island. Photo: Bob Jagendorf
    Fireworks on the boardwalk at New York's historic Coney Island. Photo: Bob Jagendorf
  • Face-painting is often a US holiday tradition. Photo: US National Archives
    Face-painting is often a US holiday tradition. Photo: US National Archives
  • The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities, this time in 2019 in Washington DC. Nara Photo by Jeffrey Reed.
    The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities, this time in 2019 in Washington DC. Nara Photo by Jeffrey Reed.
  • Washington Nationals Racing Presidents stop at the National Archives to shoot a new fourth-inning race introduction video, where they were met by US Archivist David Ferriero.
    Washington Nationals Racing Presidents stop at the National Archives to shoot a new fourth-inning race introduction video, where they were met by US Archivist David Ferriero.
  • Visitors read the US Constitution on display at the National Archives in Washington.
    Visitors read the US Constitution on display at the National Archives in Washington.
  • The skyrockets' red glare lights up the Washington Monument. Photo: Joseph Gruber
    The skyrockets' red glare lights up the Washington Monument. Photo: Joseph Gruber
  • The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities on July 4, 2019, in Washington DC. NARA Photo by Jeffrey Reed.
    The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities on July 4, 2019, in Washington DC. NARA Photo by Jeffrey Reed.
  • A man and his patriotic dog show their civic pride. Photo Faith Goble
    A man and his patriotic dog show their civic pride. Photo Faith Goble
  • Role players recreate a scene from 1776 for an audience outside Washington's National Archives. Photo: US National Archives
    Role players recreate a scene from 1776 for an audience outside Washington's National Archives. Photo: US National Archives
  • Disneyland's Space Mountain and an epic fireworks display. Photo: Don Sullivan
    Disneyland's Space Mountain and an epic fireworks display. Photo: Don Sullivan
  • The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities on July 4, 2019 in Washington DC. NARA Photo by Ted Chaffman.
    The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities on July 4, 2019 in Washington DC. NARA Photo by Ted Chaffman.
  • Costumed role players participate in Washington's Independence Day tradition. Photo: US National Archives
    Costumed role players participate in Washington's Independence Day tradition. Photo: US National Archives
  • Independence Day in the US is celebrated from coast to coast. Photo: US Army
    Independence Day in the US is celebrated from coast to coast. Photo: US Army
  • Flag-bearing Fourth of July revellers rumble through the streets of middle America. Photo: Ken Mattison
    Flag-bearing Fourth of July revellers rumble through the streets of middle America. Photo: Ken Mattison
  • Macy's department store hosts one of the nation's largest displays of fireworks on New York's East River. Photo: Dan Nguyen
    Macy's department store hosts one of the nation's largest displays of fireworks on New York's East River. Photo: Dan Nguyen
  • A four-legged American shows its colours. Photo: Randy Robertson
    A four-legged American shows its colours. Photo: Randy Robertson
  • Parades throughout the streets of America are a Fourth of July tradition and give classic car owners a chance to strut their stuff. Photo: Robert Couse-Baker
    Parades throughout the streets of America are a Fourth of July tradition and give classic car owners a chance to strut their stuff. Photo: Robert Couse-Baker
  • Residents of Berkeley, California, enjoy an evening of pyrotechnics. Photo: Daniel Parks
    Residents of Berkeley, California, enjoy an evening of pyrotechnics. Photo: Daniel Parks
  • A giant bald eagle balloon makes its way through Washington and past the National Archives. Photo: US National Archives
    A giant bald eagle balloon makes its way through Washington and past the National Archives. Photo: US National Archives
  • The National Archives hosts an annual Independence Day celebration with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities. Photo: US National Archives
    The National Archives hosts an annual Independence Day celebration with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities. Photo: US National Archives
  • An air dancer by the National Archives on the Fourth of July in Washington. Photo: US National Archives
    An air dancer by the National Archives on the Fourth of July in Washington. Photo: US National Archives
  • The National Mall, with Washington monuments and the US Capitol in the background, forms a beautiful and patriotic backdrop to America's Independence Day celebrations. Photo: Carol Highsmith
    The National Mall, with Washington monuments and the US Capitol in the background, forms a beautiful and patriotic backdrop to America's Independence Day celebrations. Photo: Carol Highsmith

World

US

July 4: America set for day of fireworks and hotdogs on Independence Day 2022

American Independence Day celebrations set to return on a scale not seen since before the pandemic

The National

July 04, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, marks the date in 1776 when the 13 original colonies of North America officially declared themselves to be free from the British Crown in an event that is considered to be America's birthday.

The date has been a public holiday since 1941, and this year the US will celebrate the day with patriotic events including spectacular fireworks displays, parades, picnics and barbeques on a scale not seen since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

What US events are planned for 4th July 2022?

In Washington, the Fourth of July parade is back for the first time since 2019, and the US capital's Mayor, Muriel Bowser, invited locals and visitors to join her on the walk along a flag-festooned National Mall.

Also in Washington this weekend is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which features stands and displays showing Emirati culture in the Living Landscape, Living Memory exhibition.

Public celebrations in Washington were all but cancelled in 2020 as the pandemic raged but returned on a small scale last year.

In New York, a hot-dog-eating contest sees contestants gulping down as many sausages and buns as they can in 10 minutes.

The defending champ and men's record holder is Joey Chestnut, who managed 76 hot dogs in 2020. The top woman is Michelle Lesco, who ate 30.75 hot dogs at last year's event.

Not happening in Washington in 2022: a repeat of the military parade that former president Donald Trump ordered for 2019, in which F-18s flew over DC and tanks thundered down its streets.

The cost of the extravaganza raised eyebrows in Washington and locals in the heavily Democrat city worried it was more like a “Make America Great Again” rally than a joyful celebration of the nation's founding.

  • In this July 4, 1971 photo, President Richard Nixon signs the Constitution's newest amendment which guarantees 18-year-olds the right to vote in all elections. AP Photo
    In this July 4, 1971 photo, President Richard Nixon signs the Constitution's newest amendment which guarantees 18-year-olds the right to vote in all elections. AP Photo
  • In this July 4, 1981 photo, US President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn Carter, right, and daughter Amy Carter, wave to the crowd along Peachtree Street as they lead a parade through the streets in Atlanta. AP Photo
    In this July 4, 1981 photo, US President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn Carter, right, and daughter Amy Carter, wave to the crowd along Peachtree Street as they lead a parade through the streets in Atlanta. AP Photo
  • In this July 4, 1984, photo, President Ronald Reagan congratulates stock car driver Richard Petty, who won the Firecracker 400 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Ira Schwarz, File)
    In this July 4, 1984, photo, President Ronald Reagan congratulates stock car driver Richard Petty, who won the Firecracker 400 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Ira Schwarz, File)
  • In this July 4, 1996 photo, President Bill Clinton, right, watches a young American Bald Eagle named Freedom being released into the wild. AP Photo
    In this July 4, 1996 photo, President Bill Clinton, right, watches a young American Bald Eagle named Freedom being released into the wild. AP Photo
  • In this July 4, 2001 photo, President George W Bush celebrates the Fourth of July holiday in Philadelphia and poses with that city's baseball mascot, the Philly Phanatic. AP Photo
    In this July 4, 2001 photo, President George W Bush celebrates the Fourth of July holiday in Philadelphia and poses with that city's baseball mascot, the Philly Phanatic. AP Photo
  • In this July 4, 2009 photo, President Barack Obama shakes hands with members of the United States armed services and their guests while hosting a Fourth of July party on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. AP Photo
    In this July 4, 2009 photo, President Barack Obama shakes hands with members of the United States armed services and their guests while hosting a Fourth of July party on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. AP Photo
Results

2-15pm: Commercial Bank Of Dubai – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Al Habash, Patrick Cosgrave (jockey), Bhupat Seemar (trainer)

2.45pm: Al Shafar Investment – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Day Approach, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash

3.15pm: Dubai Real estate Centre – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Celtic Prince, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly

3.45pm: Jebel Ali Sprint by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Khuzaam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

4.15pm: Shadwell – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Tenbury Wells, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

4.45pm: Jebel Ali Stakes by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson

5.15pm: Jebel Ali Racecourse – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Rougher, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

Greatest Royal Rumble results

John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match

Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus

Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal

Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos

Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe

AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out

The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match

Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor

Power: 843hp at N/A rpm

Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km

On sale: October to December

Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)

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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: from Dh155,000

On sale: now

EPL's youngest
  • Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
    15 years, 181 days old
  • Max Dowman (Arsenal)
    15 years, 235 days old
  • Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
    15 years, 271 days old
  • Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
    16 years, 30 days old
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    16 years, 68 days old
While you're here
On Women's Day

The Gentlemen

Director: Guy Ritchie

Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant 

Three out of five stars

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km

On Women's Day
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

More from this package

Company profile

Name: Oulo.com

Founder: Kamal Nazha

Based: Dubai

Founded: 2020

Number of employees: 5

Sector: Technology

Funding: $450,000

The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe


Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km

Updated: July 04, 2022, 10:44 AM
Independence day