RTA on the right track in reducing number of cars
I was pleased to read Metro users up 58 per cent last year, with 109 million passengers (January 20).
The Roads and Transport Authority has done its job in recognising the need to reduce the number of private vehicles.
To achieve that, public transport must be reliable, affordable and efficient - and the Dubai Metro fits the bill on all these counts.
It makes travel between popular places easy and stress-free - certainly more so than braving the Dubai traffic in a small car.
As somebody who lives in Abu Dhabi, I am pleased that there is now a good bus service, but I would dearly love to see an underground rail service here, too. The thought of being able to move about this city without having to cross the road is very inviting.
I suppose the economics of such a project don't yet stack up, despite the city's amazing growth in recent years.
However, the UAE has never been shy to embrace large infrastructure projects, so I hope it's at least being considered.
R McGrath, Abu Dhabi
Editor's note: Planning is well underway for metro and light-rail networks in Abu Dhabi to be operational by 2016-17.
Drivers must look out for children
Boy, 5, dies after bus backs over him (January 19) is a tragic story.
One thing I have noticed in the UAE is that many drivers don't stop when school buses pull up to let their young passengers off.
Even though the buses have their flashing lights on, cars continue to go around them.
A few days ago, I deliberately drove my car into the centre of the road to stop the vehicle behind me from passing.
Had I not done this, I can only imagine what would have happened to the two small children who were crossing the road.
C Murray, Dubai
Pavement needs minor repairs
Abu Dhabi's "east Corniche" - between the mangroves and Sheikh Zayed Street - is a wonderful place for strolling, birdwatching, jogging and other healthy activities.
The pedestrian pavement there has been one of the best in town: long, smooth, unbroken by "street furniture", safe from cars and with a pleasant view.
On a recent visit, however, I noticed broken spots in the pavement. It had been a few months since I'd been there, so I don't know how recent the damage is, or what caused it - maybe vandals, maybe just deterioration.
But some timely repairs would certainly be welcome for the families, older people, joggers and everyone else who uses the walkway.
Samir Khaled, Abu Dhabi
Movie depiction short of the mark
The actor Amr Waked did a fine job in the film Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (Angling for success, January 20). I have nothing against him.
But the movie, while a charming love story about two westerners, was utterly absurd about Yemen. Waked's character, Sheikh Muhammad, was presented as the wise, benign, serene and just ruler.
Sadly, at the time the book was written and the film made, Yemen was in fact ruled by the opposite kind of man, in the opinion of many, in Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Ahmed El Masry, Dubai
Batteries included, but not charged
Thank you for a fascinating report on power-storage technology (Progress - batteries not included, January 20).
A friend of mine who works in this field in another country tells me that a lot of research money is going into better, lighter batteries.
I hope this pays off, but until battery capacity becomes infinite, there will always be people - I'm one of them - who will forget to recharge until it's too late.
Carlo Banfield, Dubai
Hosing concrete a waste of water
I am writing in reference to your series of reports on Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
I agree that we should reduce water usage, and I think we could start by restricting the amount of water that is used to clean hard surfaces such as cement car parks.
This is a terrible waste of water, especially when almost all the fresh water in the UAE is desalinated, which requires huge amounts of energy to produce.
G Freeman, Dubai
For light classics, Rieu rules roost
I disagree with your statement that the inclusion of André Rieu on the list of top-grossing tours was a surprise (Money in the music, January 20).
Rieu is extremely popular around the world, his concerts and CDs often sell out, and he has done a great deal to introduce the lighter classical repertoire to mass audiences. N Logan, Abu Dhabi
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Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
1st Test July 26-30 in Galle
2nd Test August 3-7 in Colombo
3rd Test August 12-16 in Pallekele
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
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
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
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RESULT
Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)
Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The five pillars of Islam
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
