An artist's impression of the lunar pit on the Mare Tranquillitatis, which houses an accessible cave. Nasa
An artist's impression of the lunar pit on the Mare Tranquillitatis, which houses an accessible cave. Nasa
An artist's impression of the lunar pit on the Mare Tranquillitatis, which houses an accessible cave. Nasa
An artist's impression of the lunar pit on the Mare Tranquillitatis, which houses an accessible cave. Nasa

Moon cave discovery could pave way for lunar base for humans


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

A scientist who helped to uncover an underground cave on the Moon believes it could provide an "alternative habitat" to astronauts amid international efforts to create a permanent base on the lunar surface for humans.

A study on the discovery of the 100-metre-deep cave was published in the Nature science journal on Monday by scientists at the University of Trento in Italy along with an international team of researchers.

The findings back up long-held speculation from the scientific community over the existence of a network of underground caves on the Moon.

"These caves can be alternative habitat for future astronauts with respect to a base on the Moon surface," Dr Lorenzo Bruzzone of the University of Trento, and one of the lead authors of the study, told The National.

Dr Bruzzone and his colleague Leonardo Carrer identified the cave by using radar to examine a pit on Mare Tranquillitatis, a rocky plain visible from Earth and the landing site of Apollo 11 in 1969.

Shelter for astronauts

Humans have not landed on the Moon since the Apollo era, but space agencies now have a renewed interest in setting up bases on the lunar surface.

Nasa is working with international partners, including the UAE, to develop a lunar-orbiting station, where astronauts will live and then descend to the surface to carry out science research.

China is also trying to build a lunar base that would involve robots and astronauts.

A lunar lava tube photographed on the Moon. Image: Nasa
A lunar lava tube photographed on the Moon. Image: Nasa

"The main feature of caves is that they make available the main structural parts of a possible human base without requiring complex construction activities," said Dr Bruzzone.

Mahesh Anand, professor of planetary science and exploration at the UK-based The Open University, said that a lunar habitat inside a cave would be less hostile than what astronauts would experience on the lunar surface.

"For example, there would less fluctuation in ambient temperature between lunar day and night and more protection from space radiation and micrometeorite impacts," he said.

"However, getting access to 100m deep chute would be a challenge and would require innovative engineering solutions for establishing a sustainable habitat."

But there are also potential risks involved if astronauts were to use the cave as a habitat, including ensuring it is structurally stable and secure, according to Dr Bruzzone.

"What is important is that now we have identified an accessible cave that could be the target of a future robotic mission with a lander to explore, measure and understand better the conditions on these caves," he said.

Moon's rich history

The discovery could also help advance scientists' understanding of the Moon's geological history.

Dr Bruzzone said that the caves are a unique environment that preserve the history of the Moon and that analysing the rocks within could lead to new discoveries on lunar evolution.

"Analysing lunar cave rocks that are not altered by the harsh lunar surface environment can provide significant insights into key scientific questions such as the timeline and duration of lunar volcanic activity as well as the actual composition of the lunar mantle," he said.

The caves may also contain water ice, which Dr Bruzzone said is essential for long-term lunar missions.

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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

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A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

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Selected others: -1 P Casey (Eng), R Fowler (US), T Hatton (Eng)

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3 R McIlroy (NI)

4 D Johnson (US)

All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia

What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix

When Saturday

Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia

What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.

Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.

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