If you don't have a camel, don't worry. You can still participate at the Al Dhafra's Camel beauty pageant. Now that you know the basic principles of camel beauty, here's what to expect when you get to Al Dhafra and how to make the most of your visit:
How to get there?
From Abu Dhabi or Dubai, follow the E11 west towards the Ghweifat - Saudi Arabia border. Turn south to Madinat Zayed on the E45 about 100km west of Abu Dhabi. A few minutes south of the town, there is a turn-off on the right for the Tilal Liwa Hotel, 4.8 km from the city limit sign. The drive takes about two hours.
Around the dunes:
The festival takes place along an eight kilometre stretch of tarmac that winds through the desert to the Tilal Liwa hotel. It begins with a makeshift roadside market with cafeterias and camping equipment. Stop and explore, and don’t forget to haggle.
The handcraft market is on the right before a fork in the road, beside the Ministry of Interior Village. You can buy small handwoven blankets, clay bowls and camel tack made by Omani women who travel the camel race circuit.
At the fork, take a right and then take the left exit at the small roundabout to reach the judging pens near the end of the tarmac road.
Park outside the shaded grandstands, go in and take a seat. Tourists can sit in the VIP section and tour the pens. There are porta-cabin washrooms outside the VIP section.
Millions Street, adjacent to the grandstands, is where camels parade up and down, usually followed by men dancing and honking their 4x4s to impress competitors and attract potential buyers. This is a good place to get photographs and talk to people about their camels.
When to go?
The festival started on Dec 14 with individual competitions classed by year group, culminating in the best herd competitions near the festival’s end on Dec 28.
Competitors parade their camels down Millions Street on the way to the judging pen shortly after sunrise. Competitions run until sunset. It’s not unusual for spectators to sing and dance in the stands, especially before the winner is announced.
What is going on in the judging pens?
Camels are divided according to breed. They are light asayel racing camels or dark majahim camels known for beauty and milk production. Camels are then divided according to whether they were bought or bred by their current owner.
Judging takes place in a series of rounds. The best advance to pens closer to the grandstand. This process begins around 8am and takes hours. As judging progresses, spectators shout and sing to attract their camel’s attention.
The owners of top camels must swear on the Quran about the camel’s age and pedigree before a champion is declared. Its head and neck are then covered in a saffron paste and it is paraded down Millions Street with much fanfare.
In the grandstands...
Men serve small complimentary cups of tea and qawah, or Arabic coffee. Accept all food and drink with the right hand. Drink the coffee quickly and shake it to show you are finished. Pack snacks and drinks to eat in the stands because there is not much on offer. Most people wait until after the competition to share a big lunch at their tent.
Do not be shy to ask spectators what is happening, who the favourites are and which camel they think is best. People love to share their stories.
Why are beauty camels usually with a calf?
Majahim beauty camels are bonded with a calf, usually from a fair asayal camel so that it will stand out in a crowd of black camels. During a competition, the calf is removed and the majahim keeps its head raised, looking for its young.
If the majahim does not naturally bond with the calf, its owner will pretend to put the calf in danger so that the cow instinctually protects it. After this, the majahim considers it her own.
What are all these tents? Where do I put mine?
Camels don't travel alone. They come with an entourage of fans who camp for weeks in elaborate tents strung with lights and flags.
These tents are private but if you happen to drive into a camp, do not worry. People are always welcoming and happy to help and guide visitors. Camps have coffee and tea brewing at all times in case unexpected guests arrive.
You can pitch your tent anywhere. Alternatively, there is the Tilal Liwa Hotel and other hotels in the Liwa Oasis, about 30 minutes south. Book ahead.
Is a 4x4 needed?
Strictly speaking, no. Roads to the grandstands and hotel are paved. Millions Road is gatch and easily handled by a two-wheel drive.
What to wear?
Dress conservatively, wear good walking shoes and pack a hat, sunscreen and long sleeves to stay safe from the sun. Bring a warm jacket for evenings, it gets cold.
Where to eat?
If you didn’t have the foresight to pack a goat and a carving knife, don’t panic. The Tilal Liwa Hotel serves a Dh120 buffet lunch and has an à la carte menu. Madinat Zayed has grocery stores, Indian and Lebanese restaurants and even a Burger Hut and Pizza King. Nope, that’s not a typo.
If you really like your food fresh, you can buy goats and chickens at the roadside market. Firewood is available.
If you are invited to a family lunch, you might find yourself seated around a platter of rice with goat or chicken. Eat with your right hand and tuck in. Hospitality is a hallmark of the region and at Dhafra, you’ll soon see why.
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Grubtech
Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi
Launched: October 2019
Employees: 50
Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
The five pillars of Islam
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Company%20profile
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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.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km
Price: from Dh547,600
On sale: now
WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
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What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
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
WISH
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Brief scoreline:
Burnley 3
Barnes 63', 70', Berg Gudmundsson 75'
Southampton 3
Man of the match
Ashley Barnes (Burnley)
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
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Company%20Profile
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Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
